Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Although homeownership in Evanston has a great number of advantages — such as the convenience of city life — there are also downsides. One major hassle many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is replacing or repairing their home appliances and systems. A home warranty is a way to protect your savings account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market is filled with a variety of 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 Evanston.
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
In Evanston, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can enjoy a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Not to mention, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. Liberty offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
For more information on this provider, read our Liberty Home Guard full review. To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, 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
In Evanston, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. With a home warranty from Choice, you can enjoy very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
For more information on this provider, read our Choice Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, 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
In Evanston, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. With a home warranty from Select, you can enjoy a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Not to mention, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
For more information on this provider, read our Select Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, 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
In Evanston, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. With a home warranty from AHS, you can enjoy the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information on this provider, read our American Home Shield full review. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, 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
In Evanston, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can enjoy a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch offers 3 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For more information on this provider, read our Cinch Home Services full review. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, 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
In Evanston, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. With a home warranty from HSC, you can enjoy quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC offers 2 plans for homeowners to choose from.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For more information on this provider, read our The Home Service Club full review. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, 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 | $6,783 |
| Heating | $4,522 |
| Electrical | $678 |
| Toilets | $565 |
| Washer/Dryer | $904 |
| Plumbing | $678 |
| Oven | $1,809 |
| Fridge | $678 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Evanston homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to replace or fix appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind 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 your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and locksmiths. Evanston should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also cover other things such as pools, spas, well pumps, 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 needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may seek out providers advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation gives insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer service. Use review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty companies have networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Larger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Ask potential providers how many contractors they have in Evanston to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device coverage, and reduced maintenance fees. These can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Evanston’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of vetting technicians by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Another added benefit of having a home warranty policy is that it can raise your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your home, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you purchased your home warranty through.
There are also some drawbacks to purchasing a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered by a manufacturer's warranty.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing problems and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about these things if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty in Evanston can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to 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 plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Evanston.
A home warranty policy can help investors, homebuyers, home sellers, real estate agents, and homeowners. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different home warranties in Evanston include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers your systems and appliances, including your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Home warranty plans usually last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller may buy a home warranty policy and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Evanston is $410,916, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
