Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Buying a home is a big step for many people, but the cost of maintaining it can get expensive over time, especially if your home in Fox Lake is on the older side. A home warranty policy can help protect you by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the numerous options out there. If you're frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the top home warranty providers in Fox 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
Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty in Fox Lake. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. It also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also generally around $3,000.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For a more detailed breakdown, 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
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty in Fox Lake. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also generally around $3,000.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For a more detailed breakdown, 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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty in Fox Lake. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,000.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For a more detailed breakdown, 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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty in Fox Lake. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,500.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For a more detailed breakdown, 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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Fox Lake. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also generally around $1,000-$2,000.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For a more detailed breakdown, 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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Fox Lake. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also generally around $2,000.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For a more detailed breakdown, 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 | $6,262 |
| Heating | $4,175 |
| Electrical | $626 |
| Toilets | $522 |
| Washer/Dryer | $835 |
| Plumbing | $626 |
| Oven | $1,670 |
| Fridge | $626 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Fox Lake 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 breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include microwaves, garbage disposals, washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers, and more. Covered systems include electrical, air conditioning, plumbing, and heating. Many home warranty companies also offer additional coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, central vacuums, and locksmiths. It's important for Fox Lake homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait 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 natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should know key terms like:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty plans can have major differences in covered items. Most plans cover plumbing, heating, electrical, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also include coverage for other items such as roof leaks, pools, well pumps, and spas. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your home's needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which is paid per repair request filed. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for providers with more affordable 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 claim approval rates, repair speed, contractor expertise, and customer satisfaction. Read through review sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to learn more about providers. Positive ratings and feedback suggest a company known for quality service.
Home warranty companies maintain networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Fox Lake to get a sense of how soon your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as smart home device coverage, energy efficiency upgrades, and reduced maintenance fees. These can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses let you enhance your home and get the most from your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Fox Lake can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Buying a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks suddenly.
A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a technician to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Additionally, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your property more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.
One of the main drawbacks of home warranties is not every home system and appliance you care about may be covered. It’s important to weigh the different policies and opt for one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the impacted systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty in Fox Lake can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. The 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 providers 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 types of damage each covers. A home warranty helps protect against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim should you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Fox Lake.
Homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, home sellers, and real estate agents can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty plan can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans typically provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Fox Lake, where the median home value is $217,442, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
