Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
The cost of maintaining a home in Carol Stream can be expensive, particularly as your home ages and your systems and appliances have to be updated or repaired. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and shield your savings account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best warranty for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Carol Stream. Read on for our home warranty recommendations.
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 Carol Stream, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to comprehend and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you buy a home warranty 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.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. For more information on this provider, read our Liberty Home Guard full review.
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 Carol Stream, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to comprehend and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you buy a home warranty 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 plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to around $3,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. For more information on this provider, read our Choice Home Warranty full review.
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 Carol Stream, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. The 3 plans from Select are easy to comprehend and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you buy a home warranty 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 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 limits come out to around $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. For more information on this provider, read our Select Home Warranty full review.
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 Carol Stream, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to comprehend and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you buy a home warranty 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 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 limits come out to around $2,500 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. For more information on this provider, read our American Home Shield full review.
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 Carol Stream, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to comprehend and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you buy a home warranty 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 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 limits come out to around $1,000-$2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. For more information on this provider, read our Cinch Home Services full review.
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 Carol Stream, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to comprehend and offer both system and appliance coverage. When you buy a home warranty 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 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 limits come out to around $2,000 for each covered system or appliance.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. For more information on this provider, read our The Home Service Club full review.
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 | $6,385 |
| Heating | $4,257 |
| Electrical | $638 |
| Toilets | $532 |
| Washer/Dryer | $851 |
| Plumbing | $638 |
| Oven | $1,703 |
| Fridge | $638 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Carol Stream homeowners in lowering the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to replace or fix appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only 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 systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include dishwashers, washers, garbage disposals, dryers, refrigerators, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, locksmiths, and septic systems. It's important for Carol Stream homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
There are multiple home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also cover other things such as spas, pools, well pumps, and roof leaks. Focus on providers with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for your home's needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which is paid per claim you submit. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, claim approval rates, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Favorable feedback and ratings suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty providers keep networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Carol Stream and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Larger networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty companies offer bonuses such as smart home device protection, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Carol Stream can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks all of a sudden.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of vetting service technicians yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred between owners when you sell your home.
One drawback of buying a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another thing to bear in mind is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing damage and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about it if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Carol Stream. Our high-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can decrease your monthly bill with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's often less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems with systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of plan that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Carol Stream. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system damage.
A home warranty plan can help homebuyers, investors, home sellers, real estate agents, and homeowners. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different home warranties in Carol Stream include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover your systems and appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the plan.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Carol Stream is $333,418, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
