Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With a variety of seasons in Carpentersville, your home systems can experience quite a bit of wear and tear. There’s nothing worse than having your heater go out in the middle of winter. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
Finding the right protection for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the top home warranty companies in Carpentersville. Read on for our recommendations.
Very highly rated among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Extensive list of 20+ add-on coverages
Easy claims process
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty for Carpentersville residents. When you purchase a plan from Liberty, you will get a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Liberty Home Guard also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The 3 policies that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the Carpentersville area.
For more information on this provider, read our detailed review of Liberty Home Guard. To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in washington
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty for Carpentersville residents. When you purchase a plan from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 policies that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Carpentersville area.
For more information on this provider, read our detailed review of Choice Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty for Carpentersville residents. When you purchase a plan from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 policies that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Carpentersville area.
For more information on this provider, read our detailed review of Select Home Warranty. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953.
Bronze Care Plan
Gold Care Plan
Platinum Care Plan
The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
Allows customers to build their own plans
Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay
Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems
Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Doesn’t provide coverage in alaska
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty for Carpentersville residents. When you purchase a plan from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 policies that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Carpentersville area.
For more information on this provider, read our detailed review of American Home Shield. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days
Charges high service fees of $75-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in hawaii or alaska
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Carpentersville residents. When you purchase a plan from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Carpentersville area.
For more information on this provider, read our detailed review of Cinch Home Services. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505.
Appliances Plan
Built-in Systems Plan
Complete Home Plan
Policy starts in ten days
24/7 customer service support
Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances
30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Offers utility and home service outside line coverage
Higher service fee of $95
Not accredited by the better business bureau (bbb)
Only 2 plan options
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Carpentersville residents. When you purchase a plan from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The 2 policies that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Carpentersville area.
For more information on this provider, read our detailed review of The Home Service Club. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on home warranty companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
| Home Appliance | Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioner | $6,325 |
| Heating | $4,217 |
| Electrical | $633 |
| Toilets | $527 |
| Washer/Dryer | $843 |
| Plumbing | $633 |
| Oven | $1,687 |
| Fridge | $633 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps lower expenses for Carpentersville homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security since it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include microwaves, refrigerators, garbage disposals, dishwashers, dryers, washers, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty providers also offer additional coverage for locksmiths, septic systems, roof leaks, and central vacuums. Carpentersville homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
Here are some key home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans provide coverage for heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also offer coverage on other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Look for companies with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using providers with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.
A home warranty company's track record gives you insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research companies. Complimentary reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies have networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in Carpentersville and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Bigger networks increase the chances of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty companies provide bonuses such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These perks can add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Carpentersville can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Buying a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working suddenly.
Along with saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can offer you peace of mind and save you the headache of trying to find a qualified technician to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may come across. Plus, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been benefiting from.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Though it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair person who does the repair for you, some may not like this, and they may want to choose their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty providers allow you to select a contractor.
Another potential pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being denied, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Carpentersville can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Carpentersville.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, home sellers, homebuyers, investors, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different home warranties in Carpentersville include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans generally provide coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
In general, the homeowner is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Carpentersville, where the median value of a home is $247,513, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
