Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
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 in the home warranty industry for over 15 years. When you buy a plan 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 home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more.
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 in the home warranty industry for over 11 years. When you buy a plan 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 home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with 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. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. Read our review of Select Home Warranty to learn more.
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 in the home warranty industry for over 26 years. When you buy a plan 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 home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. Read our review of American Home Shield to learn more.
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 in the home warranty industry for over 39 years. When you buy a plan 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 home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. Read our review of First American Home Warranty to learn more.
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 in the home warranty industry for over 44 years. When you buy a plan 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 home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders with 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. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more.
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 in the home warranty industry for over 15 years. When you buy a plan 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 home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders with various system and appliance coverage options.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but some plans may have different coverage caps, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more.
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 helps Lake Forest homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are especially useful for older construction homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home's systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are refrigerators, garbage disposals, microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, washers, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty plans offer extra coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. Lake Forest homeowners should know that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Additionally, most policies only cover the cost of repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, 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.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans provide protection for AC, plumbing, heating, electrical, and appliances. More robust plans also offer protection for other items such as roof leaks, pools, well pumps, and spas. Focus on companies with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which gets paid per service call made. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, contractor quality, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research providers. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers have networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in Lake Forest and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Bigger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Certain home warranty providers include extras such as protection for smart home devices, energy-efficient upgrades, and discounts on maintenance. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks enhance your home and maximize your home warranty.
Temperatures in Lake Forest can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is likely to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Lake Forest, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can increase your home’s property 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 provider you have your home warranty with.
One drawback of signing up for a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read over any contracts you’re considering carefully to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover systems or appliances that have stopped working due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, 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 get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
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 home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Lake Forest.
A home warranty plan can help investors, homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, and homeowners. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Lake Forest include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover many of your systems and appliances, including your washing machine, drier, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items listed in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying 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 will pay the service fees. 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.