Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Owning a home can have many advantages, but it can also come with some negatives like maintenance. The older your house’s systems and appliances are, the more likely it is that you'll benefit from a home warranty. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and guard your savings account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
The home warranty market is filled with many providers — all with different offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Prospect Heights.
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 Prospect Heights, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. The 3 plans from Liberty are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000.
Read more by visiting our Liberty Home Guard full review. To get 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 Prospect Heights, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. The 2 plans from Choice are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000.
Read more by visiting our Choice Home Warranty full review. To get 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 Prospect Heights, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. The 3 plans from Select are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,000.
Read more by visiting our Select Home Warranty full review. To get 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 Prospect Heights, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. The 3 plans from AHS are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,500.
Read more by visiting our American Home Shield full review. To get 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 Prospect Heights, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The 3 plans from Cinch are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also generally about $1,000-$2,000.
Read more by visiting our Cinch Home Services full review. To get 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 Prospect Heights, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. The 2 plans from HSC are easily comprehensible and have a mix of both system and appliance coverage. 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.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,000.
Read more by visiting our The Home Service Club full review. To get 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 | $6,691 |
Heating | $4,460 |
Electrical | $669 |
Toilets | $558 |
Washer/Dryer | $892 |
Plumbing | $669 |
Oven | $1,784 |
Fridge | $669 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps reduce the high costs for Prospect Heights homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit 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 gives homeowners peace of mind, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for owners of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, washers, dryers, garbage disposals, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for central vacuums, locksmiths, septic systems, and even roof leaks. Prospect Heights homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty terms to know before signing a contract:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover AC, plumbing, electrical, heating, and appliances. More extensive plans may also cover other things such as spas, roof leaks, pools, and well pumps. Look for providers with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, 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 reputation can provide insight into things such as repair timeliness, contractor quality, approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.
Home warranty providers maintain networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to find out how many repair contractors they have in Prospect Heights and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Larger networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device coverage. These extras can provide extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Prospect Heights’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 if 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 repairs, saving you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and choosing a repair person to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can raise your home’s real estate 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.
Home warranties also have some downsides. Although it can be convenient that the home warranty sends out a service technician who handles the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they may want to select their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty providers allow you to choose a contractor.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Prospect Heights can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. Home warranties are often cheaper when 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 types of damage each covers. A home warranty covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. With a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or dishwasher, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Prospect Heights.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, real estate agents, home sellers, and landlords can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
In general, the homeowner is the one who pays 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 given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Prospect Heights, where the median value of a home is $268,750, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.