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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Being a homeowner in Lake Forest is an excellent option for those who like up-and-coming areas. However, as great as Lake Forest is, homeownership always comes with its fair share of difficulties, such as trying to finance your appliance repairs yourself. A home warranty policy can help protect you by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging because of the many options out there. If you're tired of trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the top home warranty providers in Lake Forest.
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 has been operating for more than 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. 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. The 2 plans from Choice are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $3,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Choice Home Warranty.
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 has been operating for more than 11 years, making it a respected company in the industry. 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. The 3 plans from Select are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Select Home Warranty.
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 has been operating for more than 26 years, making it a respected company in the industry. 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. The 3 plans from AHS are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,500 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Established company with a bbb accreditation
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
24/7 service calls available
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing
In Lake Forest, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been operating for more than 39 years, making it a respected company in the industry. When you buy a policy from First American, you will get very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. First American Home Warranty also has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified. The 2 plans from First American are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage caps come out to around $1,500 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of First American Home Warranty.
Basic Plan
Premier Plan
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 has been operating for more than 44 years, making it a respected company in the industry. 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. The 3 plans from Cinch are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage caps come out to around $1,000-$2,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Cinch Home Services.
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 has been operating for more than 15 years, making it a respected company in the industry. 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. The 2 plans from HSC are easily comprehensible and offer both system and appliance coverage.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage caps come out to around $2,000 per covered system or appliance.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $7,892 |
| Heating | $5,262 |
| Electrical | $789 |
| Toilets | $658 |
| Washer/Dryer | $1,052 |
| Plumbing | $789 |
| Oven | $2,105 |
| Fridge | $789 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Lake Forest homeowners reduce the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break down 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 repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty policy gives homeowners peace of mind since it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dryers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dishwashers, washers, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include heating, air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans also offer add-on coverage options for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Lake Forest should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repair claims will be approved. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misusing a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing, such as:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:
Home warranty plans differ significantly in terms of coverage. Most plans cover electrical, plumbing, heating, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive options also include coverage for other items such as spas, roof leaks, well pumps, and pools. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your needs.
You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may seek out companies advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's reputation can give you insight into things such as repair timeliness, approval rates, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to 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. Larger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Home warranty companies may include perks such as coverage for smart home devices, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Home warranty policies are an inexpensive way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Lake Forest hitting an average high of 70℃F, you may find that some appliances, like your air conditioner, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably lower out-of-pocket costs should your HVAC system break down.
Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you some time by getting rid of the need to research service technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can increase your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you have your home warranty with.
Home warranties also have some cons. While it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a contractor who handles the repair for you, some may not like this, and they would prefer to select a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty providers let you choose a contractor.
In addition, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Lake Forest can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also lower your up-front costs when you opt for 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 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. Under homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Lake Forest.
Homebuyers, home sellers, landlords, real estate agents, and homeowners 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.
The different home warranties in Lake Forest include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Home warranty plans generally last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees when using the policy. In Lake Forest, where the median home value is $1,044,874, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
