Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Homeownership in Island Lake can be exciting for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of difficulties. Home repairs can be an unanticipated financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty can help protect homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be quite a challenge because of the sheer number of options out there. If you're frustrated with trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide on the best home warranty companies in Island 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 is the most trustworthy home warranty for Island Lake residents. Liberty has been on the market for more than 6 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that offer a mix of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Island Lake area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281.
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 is the best overall home warranty for Island Lake residents. Choice has been on the market for more than 15 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a mix of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Island Lake area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164.
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 is the most cost-effective home warranty for Island Lake residents. Select has been on the market for more than 11 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it 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 offer a mix of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Island Lake area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953.
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 is the most customizable home warranty for Island Lake residents. AHS has been on the market for more than 26 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a mix of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Island Lake area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839.
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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Island Lake residents. Cinch has been on the market for more than 44 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a mix of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Island Lake area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505.
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 is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Island Lake residents. HSC has been on the market for more than 15 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. If you’re looking for quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, it 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 offer a mix of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Island Lake area.
For more information on this provider, read our review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443.
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 | $6,457 |
| Heating | $4,304 |
| Electrical | $646 |
| Toilets | $538 |
| Washer/Dryer | $861 |
| Plumbing | $646 |
| Oven | $1,722 |
| Fridge | $646 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Island Lake homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and functioning appliances may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, dryers, washers, and more. Protected systems include electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and heating. Various home warranty plans offer additional coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Island Lake homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans cover plumbing, electrical, heating, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also include coverage for other items such as pools, spas, well pumps, and roof leaks. Look for providers with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your 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 lower service fees to maximize savings. Some providers also do away with deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty company's reputation can provide insight into things such as repair timeliness, contractor quality, approval rates, and customer service. Use review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies have networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Island Lake to get a sense of how soon your repairs could be handled in an emergency.
Some home warranty companies provide bonuses such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and smart home device protection. These perks add value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in Island Lake can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Island Lake, 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 save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of vetting contractors on your own, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Plus, having a home warranty can make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell in the future. Many home warranty companies will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the protection you’ve been getting.
One of the main drawbacks of home warranties is not everything may be covered. It’s important to compare the different policies and get one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Additionally, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they were damaged 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 Island Lake can cost anywhere from $30 to $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you agree to 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 helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects your home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Island Lake.
Homebuyers, landlords, real estate agents, homeowners, and home sellers can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different kinds of home warranties in Island Lake include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers your home systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and HVAC. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Usually the one who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may purchase a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Island Lake is $256,013, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
