Whether you’re living in a condo along the Chicago skyline or in a house out in the backcountry of the Prairie State, a home warranty can help all types of Illinois homeowners defray the costs of unexpected appliance and system failures around their homes.
Our team of experts has reviewed the top home warranty companies available, accounting for cost, coverage, state availability, customer service and more. Read our picks for the best home warranty coverage in Illinois.
Best Home Warranty Companies in Illinois
Here are our picks for Illinois’ top home warranty companies:
American Home Shield
4.2
Our Rating
Our team of reviewers rated American Home Shield (AHS) as the best overall home warranty provider in Illinois. Since 1971, American Home Shield has grown to serve every state but Alaska and has a network of more than 15,000 contractors. It also offers three coverage plans and allows customers to choose between three service call fees, which is the amount you pay a contractor at the time of repairs.
American Home Shield offers three plans. The ShieldSilver plan covers important home systems, while the ShieldGold plan covers 23 systems and appliances. The ShieldPlatinum plan covers the same 23 items as the ShieldGold plan, but it also includes one free pre-season HVAC tune-up, $1,000 in coverage for modifications, code-required changes and permits, a $4,000 coverage limit on appliances and unlimited air conditioning refrigerant.
| Coverage | ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioner | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating unit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in exhaust, vent and attic fans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Main breaker and fuse panel box | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Doorbells and chimes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior electrical lines | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling fans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage door openers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior plumbing lines | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Toilets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Faucets and valves | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Whirlpool tub motor/components | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water heater | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Refrigerator | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Range/Cooktop | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Oven | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dishwasher | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in microwave oven | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instant hot/cold water dispenser | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes washer | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes dryer | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roof leak repairs | – | – | ✓ |
Cost
With an American Home Shield plan, customers can pay $75, $100 or $125 per service call. If you choose a higher service call fee, your monthly rate will be lower, while a lower service call fee will slightly increase your monthly payment.
Here’s a look at the monthly cost of each plan depending on the service fee you choose:
| Plan | $75 Service Fee | $100 Service Fee | $125 Service Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ShieldSilver | $39.99 | $29.99 | $24.99 |
| ShieldGold | $49.99 | $39.99 | $34.99 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $64.99 | $54.99 | $49.99 |
In addition to these three plans, American Home Shield provides add-on coverage for electronics, pool, spa, well pump, septic pump, and guest home.
AFC Home Club
4.2
Our Rating
America’s 1st Choice Home Club (AFC) is another national home warranty provider with a reputation for giving its customers more plan and pricing options than its competitors. Since 2009, the company has expanded its reach to include 46 states, with full service offered to Illinois residents. We also love AFC’s commitment to allowing its customers to choose their own contractors.
With four different plans available, America’s 1st Choice Home Club is our top pick for flexible plans. It offers a Systems Plan, Silver Plan, Gold Plan and Platinum Plan.
| Item Covered | Systems Plan | Silver Plan | Gold Plan | Platinum Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water heater | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating system | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical system | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing system | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing stoppages | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Faucets | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Ice maker | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Built-in microwave | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Ductwork | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes dryer | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes washer | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Refrigerator | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Oven/Range/Cooktop/Stove | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dishwasher | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage door opener | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Customers can choose between a one- or three-year plan and select a $75, $100 or $125 service call fee. The monthly plan rate will be higher or lower depending on the plan length and service fee you choose.
| Plan | $75 Service Fee | $100 Service Fee | $125 Service Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems Plan | $39.58 | $35.42 | $31.25 |
| Silver Plan | $37.50 | $35.42 | $33.33 |
| Gold Plan | $45.83 | $43.75 | $41.67 |
| Platinum Plan | $50.00 | $47.92 | $45.83 |
America’s 1st Choice Home Club also provides optional add-on coverage for a tankless water heater, in-ground pool, stand-alone freezer, sump pump, septic system, well pump, double oven, central vacuum, ice maker, hot water dispenser, and built-in microwave.
Select Home Warranty
4.2
Our Rating
In our review, Select Home Warranty scored the best among home warranty companies for consumers who are shopping on a budget. Select is available in 46 states, except Nevada, New York, Washington and Wisconsin, and provides reasonably priced coverage for major home systems and appliances.Â
Select offers three plans: Bronze Care, Gold Care and Platinum Care. The Bronze Care plan covers home appliances, while the Gold Care plan covers major home systems. The Platinum Care plan covers everything under the Gold Care and Bronze Care plans for a small increase in price. The Platinum Care plan also adds protection for plumbing stoppages and covers your garage door opener and ceiling fans.
| Item Covered | Bronze Care | Gold Care | Platinum Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooktop | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Built-in microwave | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Refrigerator | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Stove/Oven | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Clothes washer | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Garage door openers | – | – | ✓ |
| Plumbing stoppages | – | – | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water heater | – | ✓ | ✓ |
All Select Home Warranty plans come with a $75 service call fee. Here’s how much each Select Home Warranty plan costs:
| Plan | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bronze Plan | $41.00 per month |
| Gold Plan | $41.00 per month |
| Platinum Plan | $47.00 per month |
In addition to Select’s three plans, the company offers add-on coverage for central vacuum, lawn sprinkler system, pool, spa, septic system, stand-alone freezer, sump pump, and well pump.
Compare Other Home Warranty Companies
The table below outlines data for the best home warranty companies on the market. We constantly update these ratings and as these companies change their policies and prices to give you the most accurate information possible. Continue reading in-depth reviews of several top providers.
Company | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Coverage Limit | Response Time | Rating | States Covered |
 | $46.83–$54.75+ | $85 | $3,000 | 24–48 hours | 4.0 | 49 states, excluding WA |
 | $49.99–$69.99+ | $65–$125 | $2,000 | 12–48 hours | 4.5 | 50 states |
 | $60.42–$63.75+ | $60–$75 | $3,000 | 24–48 hours | 4.3 | 47 states, excluding NV, WA, and WI |
 | $49.99–$99.99 | $75–$125 | $6,000 | 24–72 hours | 4.2 | 49 states, excluding AK |
 | $30.00–$60.00 | $75–$125 | $3,000 | 24–48 hours | 4.3 | 49 states, excluding HI |
 | $39.99–$54.99 | $100–$125 | $2,000 | 24–48 hours | 4.1 | 48 states, excluding AK and HI |
 | $17.00–$60.00 | $65–$100 | $2,500 | 24–48 hours | 4.0 | 42 states, excluding AK, HI, MT, NH, ND, OK, SD, and WY |
 | $36.00–$46.50 | $75–$125 | $3,500 | 24–48 hours | 3.9 | 34 states, excluding AK, CT, DE, HI, IL, LA, ME, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NY, ND, RI, VT, and WI |
Quote and cost data gathered January 2023. Cost data are updated and monitored continuously.
Other Home Warranty Resources
- What is a Home Warranty?
- How Much Do Home Warranties Cost?
- Is a Home Warranty Worth It for You?
- Best Home Warranties in 2023
- Do Your Appliances Need Extended Warranties?
How Much Does a Home Warranty in Illinois Cost?
On average, a home warranty in Illinois costs between $45 and $65 per month or $480 to $780 per year. Homeowners in Illinois find that it takes one or two repairs to justify the costs of their home warranty plan for the entire year. All home warranty providers also charge a service — often between $60 and $125 — each time a technician is sent out to your home for a new service request. This deductible is used to compensate the contractor for labor costs and any expenses they may have incurred while traveling to your property (i.e. gas mileage, wear and tear on company vehicles, etc.)
So long as the cost to repair or replace an item in your home remains within the coverage limit disclosed in your service agreement, the service fee is the only out-of-pocket payment you’ll have to worry about. In the event that a necessary repair does exceed your provider’s coverage caps, you’ll be responsible for covering any remaining balance.
| Overall | $727.13 |
| Single Family | $593.32 |
| Multi-Family | $1,107.47 |
| Townhome | $498.24 |
| Condo | $617.50 |
| Duplex | $913.84 |
| Home Over 5,000 sq ft | $1,294.73 |
How to Choose the Best Home Warranty in Illinois
Now that you have the top five home warranty choices for Illinois residents, it is time to narrow them down to just one choice. Depending on the style of your home and your budget, there will be a few different factors that you will need to focus on when choosing your home warranty. Whether you live in the metropolitan hub of Chicago or in Springfield or Peoria, finding a home warranty is necessary to worry-free living. Three options that we recommend considering are coverage options, service fee, and customer reviews.
- Look through all the coverage options: When purchasing a home warranty, it is smart to take a walk around your home and write down the things you want to ensure are included in your plan. When you start comparing companies, see which plan choice offers you the closest match to your ideal home warranty. There is often additional coverages you can also add to your policy so you can get the exact coverage you need.
- Watch out for high service fees: A service fee is a price that you pay for a repair to be done to one of your covered appliances or systems. Service fees range in price from $60 to over $150. Sometimes, the price of the service fee impacts the monthly premium – like in the case of American Home Shield. High service fees often mean you will be paying a lower monthly premium than you would if the service fee was lower. However, some companies don’t have pricing that evens out in that way. Be sure to know what works for your budget before looking at home warranty pricing.
- Read customer reviews with a grain of salt: Take a look at customer reviews of the provider you are considering. You can often find real customer reviews on Yelp, Google Reviews, or the BBB website. Look for things like claim approval, quality of service, and speed of repair. This will help you gauge what the home warranty company does for its existing customers, and how it will treat you in the future should you choose to purchase a policy.
How Does a Home Warranty in Illinois Work?
A home warranty works the same way in Illinois as it does in any other state. Once the initial waiting period required by your home warranty company has expired, you’ll only need to follow a few simple steps to secure a repair or replacement:
File a Claim
When a covered system or appliance stops working in your home, it’s important that you notify your service provider as soon as possible because some home warranty companies have a strict window of time between when you initially discover the issue and when the claim was filed.
To open a claim, you can either call your home warranty company over the phone or submit a report online through your designated customer portal. Most providers will have a claim decision back to you within 24-48 regular business hours.
Diagnostic Appointment
Before a final repair or replacement can be made, your service provider will want to have a professional come out to your home to inspect the issue in person. An in-network technician will be dispatched to assess the breakdown and draft up an estimate of how much the item will cost to fix.
At this initial service appointment, you’ll be responsible for paying the service fee amount disclosed in your contract. Some home warranty companies will have you make this payment out to the contractor onsite, while others might collect it beforehand.
Repair or Replacement
After your service provider receives an official quote from the first technician, the necessary repair or replacement will then be scheduled. Because you’ve already paid a premium in advance and the required deductible, the actual fix will be handled at no cost to you.
Biggest Complaints about Home Warranty Companies in Illinois
We’ve reviewed 60+ verified customer feedback from home warranty policyholders across the state of Illinois. From those insights, we highlighted the testimonials that we most accurately reflected both the positive and negative sides of the home warranty customer experience.
To offer a relevant overview of the most common complaints we saw across top home warranty companies, we’ve featured blurbs from customers covered by our top three provider picks: Choice Home Warranty, Select Home Warranty, and American Home Shield.
The number one complaint we saw time and time again from Illinois homeowners actively enrolled in policies with these home warranty providers had to do with the wait time between a claim decision and the final repair.
Our Verdict
If you’re an Illinois resident and want to protect your major home systems and appliances, consider investing in a home warranty plan from one of the above providers. With affordable monthly plans and comprehensive coverage, you’ll receive peace of mind knowing that your home items are protected if an unexpected breakdown occurs.
While American Home Shield is our top recommended home warranty provider, we suggest getting a free quote from each company listed above so that you can compare coverage and pricing and find a home warranty plan that works best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Home Warranties
What is a home warranty?
A home warranty is a service contract between you and your home warranty provider that protects you against costly repairs on major systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear.
Read More: What Is A Home Warranty?
How do I get a sample quote from a home warranty provider?
You can get a sample quote by visiting the provider site or calling each company. Most companies will ask for your name, phone number and ZIP code. Note: The prices listed in this article reflect sample quotes in Illinois for homes under 5,000 square feet.
What is a service call fee?
The service call fee, also known as a trade service call fee or service fee, acts as a deductible. Normally, you’ll pay between $65 and $125 for a technician to be dispatched to your home to make repairs; your home warranty provider should cover any other charges. Check your contract for full details.
How much does a home warranty cost in Illinois?
Home warranties in Illinois will range in price from $35 a month to over $80 a month. If you add in all the systems and appliances that you have in your home, expect the pricing to be quite a bit higher. In addition, pay attention to the service fees associated with the plan and how that will impact your overall costs.
Home Warranty Rating Methodology
To help you find the best home warranty, our reviews team researched numerous home warranty companies, analyzing their coverage plans, pricing and customer service, among other factors:
- Coverage: Home warranty companies that provide extensive coverage and protect important systems and appliances, including your air conditioning, refrigerator and heating, scored higher than companies with minimal coverage.
- Plan variety: A provider with more coverage plans allows for more flexibility among customers. In general, most home warranty companies provide an appliances-only plan, systems-only plan and combination plan.
- Pricing: We scored providers based on their monthly plan prices and service call fees compared to the industry average pricing. Companies with more affordable coverage received more points than companies with more expensive plans.
- State availability: Where you live will determine what companies are available in your area. Home warranty companies that covered more states received more points than companies with a limited state availability.
- Trustworthiness: There are some home warranty companies that are scams and don’t follow through on their service agreements. We rated companies based on their years of experience, ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and customer reviews.
To keep our data current, our team regularly updates the data points for each company to ensure their coverage offerings, pricing and availability are accurate.
