Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Although homeownership in Lake Forest has many advantages — such as being surrounded by nature — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major headache many homeowners have to deal with eventually is replacing or repairing their home systems and appliances. A home warranty in Lake Forest can help bring down your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be difficult because of the sheer number of options available. If you're frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty companies in Lake Forest.
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 Lake Forest, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty is a home warranty company with 6 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage 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 about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the Lake Forest area.
For more information on this provider, read our thorough review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Lake Forest, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Lake Forest area.
For more information on this provider, read our thorough review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Lake Forest, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select is a home warranty company with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage 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 about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Lake Forest area.
For more information on this provider, read our thorough review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Lake Forest, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS is a home warranty company with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Lake Forest area.
For more information on this provider, read our thorough review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Lake Forest, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch is a home warranty company with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage 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 about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Lake Forest area.
For more information on this provider, read our thorough review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 Lake Forest, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has established itself as one of the best providers in the business. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders, which have various system and appliance coverage 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 about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Lake Forest area.
For more information on this provider, read our thorough review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 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 | $7,278 |
| Heating | $4,852 |
| Electrical | $728 |
| Toilets | $607 |
| Washer/Dryer | $970 |
| Plumbing | $728 |
| Oven | $1,941 |
| Fridge | $728 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Lake Forest homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to replace or repair appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides peace of mind for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. More modern homes with functional appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, and more. Covered systems are usually air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. It's important for Lake Forest homeowners to understand 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 pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty words to understand before signing a contract:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several key things to take into account:
Home warranties vary widely in terms of included coverage. Basic policies typically provide protection for AC, plumbing, heating, electrical, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover pools, spas, well pumps, and roof leaks. Look for companies with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your home's needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which gets paid per claim you submit. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation can provide insight into things such as contractor quality, repair timeliness, approval rates, and customer service. Check 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 use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to learn the number of repair specialists they have in Lake Forest and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks improve the chance of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty plans offer extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These perks add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses can maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Lake Forest’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty offer some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Plus, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been getting.
There are also some drawbacks to purchasing a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered by a manufacturer's warranty.
Another consideration is that home warranties usually only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to improper maintenance, animal infestations, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Lake Forest. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can decrease your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's often cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems related to systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger insurance that protects an entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Lake Forest. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, real estate agents, homebuyers, home sellers, and investors. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Lake Forest include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers almost all your home systems and appliances, such as your washing machine, drier, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may purchase 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. Since the average home value in Lake Forest is $1,009,954, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
