If you’re a homeowner in Illinois, a home warranty can save you money and provide peace of mind against costly repairs on your home’s most important appliances and systems. Because the market is saturated with home warranty companies, it can be difficult to determine which provider is best for you.
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: Best Overall
- Select Home Warranty: Best For Value Shoppers
- AFC Home Club: Most Customizable Plans
American Home Shield
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.
Pros & Cons
✓ Provides three comprehensive coverage plans
✓ Has a $6,000 coverage cap on appliances through its ShieldPlatinum Plan
✓ Offers flexible service fees, ranging from $75–$125
✘ Guarantees repairs for only 30 days
Plans & Coverage
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 $6,000 coverage limit on appliances and unlimited air conditioning refrigerant.
In addition to these three plans, American Home Shield provides add-on coverage for electronics, pool, spa, well pump, septic pump, and guest home.
| 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 |
Get Quote: To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form.
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?
Select Home Warranty
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.
Pros & Cons
✓ Offers free roof leak coverage
✓ Covers single-family homes, rental properties, mobile homes and condos
✓ Provides discounts on multi-year plans
✘ Has low coverage caps compared to some competitors
✘ Charges repeat service fees if a technician has to return to make another repair
Plans & Coverage
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.
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.
| 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 | – | ✓ | ✓ |
Cost
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 |
Get Quote: You can get a free quote from Select Home Warranty by filling out this online form.
AFC Home Club
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.
Pros & Cons
✓ Offers multiple plan and payment options
✓ Has a one- or three-year contract term
✓ Allows for 24/7 service requests online
✘ Customers must submit a claim within one day after noticing an issue with a covered item
✘ Charges customers a $75 cancellation fee if they cancel their contracts
Plans & Coverage
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.
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.
| 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 | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Cost
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 |
Get Quote: To get a free quote from America’s 1st Choice Home Club, fill out this online form.
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.
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.
Find the Best Home Warranty Providers in Other States
