Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Buying a home is a big step in many people’s lives, but the cost of maintaining it can be expensive over time, especially if your home in Elmhurst is on the older side. A home warranty plan can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different plans — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Elmhurst.
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 in Elmhurst. Liberty has over 6 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. When you buy a policy 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 plans from Liberty are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
Liberty Home Guard offers 3 plans for Elmhurst homeowners. The Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $75.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read more by visiting our review of Liberty Home Guard.
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 in Elmhurst. Choice has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. When you buy a policy 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 plans from Choice are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
Choice Home Warranty offers 2 plans for Elmhurst homeowners. The Basic Plan and Total Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting our review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 in Elmhurst. Select has over 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. When you buy a policy 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 plans from Select are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
Select Home Warranty offers 3 plans for Elmhurst homeowners. The Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting our review of Select Home Warranty.
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 in Elmhurst. AHS has over 26 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. When you buy a policy 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 plans from AHS are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans for Elmhurst homeowners. The ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting our review of American Home Shield.
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 in Elmhurst. Cinch has over 44 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. When you buy a policy 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 plans from Cinch are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
Cinch Home Services offers 3 plans for Elmhurst homeowners. The Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting our review of Cinch Home Services.
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 in Elmhurst. HSC has over 15 years of experience in the home warranty industry, and has provided exceptional customer service at an affordable cost to its customers. When you buy a policy 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 plans from HSC are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The Home Service Club offers 2 plans for Elmhurst homeowners. The Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan are the options they have, which have a mix of system and appliance coverage. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so be sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting our review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $6,826 |
| Heating | $4,551 |
| Electrical | $683 |
| Toilets | $569 |
| Washer/Dryer | $910 |
| Plumbing | $683 |
| Oven | $1,820 |
| Fridge | $683 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Elmhurst homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for owners of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and modern appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include dishwashers, microwaves, dryers, garbage disposals, washers, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. It's important for Elmhurst homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improper use of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
There are a number of home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for AC, plumbing, heating, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also provide protection for additional items such as pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Look for companies with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also remove deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research providers. Complimentary ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty businesses maintain networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in Elmhurst and get an idea for how fast your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Larger networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty plans include bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in Elmhurst can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are likely to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Elmhurst, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet service technicians on your own, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Plus, having a home warranty can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been receiving.
Home warranties also have some cons. Though it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a service technician who does the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would prefer to select a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty providers let you select a contractor.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about this if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty in Elmhurst can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay 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 types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects the entire home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Elmhurst.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, home sellers, real estate agents, investors, and homeowners. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Elmhurst include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers your systems and appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the plan.
Home warranty plans typically offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
In general, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Elmhurst, where the median value of a home is $505,536, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
