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Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Being a homeowner in Crystal Lake is an excellent option for those who enjoy up-and-coming areas. However, as great as Crystal Lake is, homeownership always comes with its fair share of difficulties, such as trying to handle your appliance and system repairs yourself. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
The home warranty market is filled with many providers — all with different plans — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Crystal Lake.
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 Crystal Lake, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been in the home warranty industry for around 6 years. The 3 policies that Liberty offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. Liberty offers a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Plus, it also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also typically about $3,000.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read our Liberty Home Guard full review to learn more.
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 Crystal Lake, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. The 2 policies that Choice offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. Choice offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also typically about $3,000.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our Choice Home Warranty full review 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 Crystal Lake, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty industry for around 11 years. The 3 policies that Select offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. Select offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our Select Home Warranty full review 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 Crystal Lake, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for around 26 years. The 3 policies that AHS offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. AHS offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,500.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our American Home Shield full review to learn more.
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 Crystal Lake, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for around 44 years. The 3 policies that Cinch offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. Cinch offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also typically about $1,000-$2,000.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our Cinch Home Services full review 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 Crystal Lake, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. The 2 policies that HSC offers include differing levels of system and appliance coverage, as well as add-on options. HSC offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, it also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also typically about $2,000.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our The Home Service Club full review 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 | $6,372 |
Heating | $4,248 |
Electrical | $637 |
Toilets | $531 |
Washer/Dryer | $850 |
Plumbing | $637 |
Oven | $1,699 |
Fridge | $637 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Crystal Lake homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear. When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the fix 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 homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for owners of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and modern appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are garbage disposals, dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers, washers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems are usually heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Crystal Lake 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 cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for plumbing, electrical, heating, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also include coverage for other items such as well pumps, spas, roof leaks, and pools. Look for companies with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your home's needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some companies also remove deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.
A home warranty company's track record gives insight into things such as contractor quality, timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research providers. Favorable reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty businesses keep networks of local contractors to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair technicians they have in Crystal Lake and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Bigger networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty providers might offer perks such as maintenance discounts, coverage for smart home devices, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Crystal Lake’s cold winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner stops working in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and choosing a technician to fix your appliance or system, home warranty companies do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Another benefit of having a home warranty is when you’re selling your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One drawback of getting a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For example, 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 the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another consideration is that home warranties usually only cover malfunctions due to normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to animal infestations, natural disasters, improper maintenance, etc.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Crystal Lake. Our top-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by opting for a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranties cover issues with systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a larger plan that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Crystal Lake. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system damage.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, investors, real estate agents, homeowners, and home sellers. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different home warranties in Crystal Lake include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover almost all your systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items listed in the contract.
Home warranty plans usually offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Crystal Lake is $327,451, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.