Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Lincolnwood offers homeowners some beautiful living options. However, unplanned repair and replacement costs on your home’s appliances and systems can get quite pricey. A home warranty in Lincolnwood can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market has a variety of providers — all with different offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Lincolnwood.
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 in Lincolnwood. Liberty has been in the home warranty industry for about 6 years. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. If you’re looking for a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it 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. The coverage caps from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is lower than other providers in the Lincolnwood area.
To read more, visit our Liberty Home Guard full review. To receive 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 in Lincolnwood. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for about 15 years. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. If you’re looking for very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it 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. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Lincolnwood area.
To read more, visit our Choice Home Warranty full review. To receive 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 in Lincolnwood. Select has been in the home warranty industry for about 11 years. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. If you’re looking for a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it 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. The coverage caps from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is lower than other providers in the Lincolnwood area.
To read more, visit our Select Home Warranty full review. To receive 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 in Lincolnwood. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for about 26 years. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. If you’re looking for the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it 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. The coverage caps from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is lower than other providers in the Lincolnwood area.
To read more, visit our American Home Shield full review. To receive 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 in Lincolnwood. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for about 44 years. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. If you’re looking for a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it 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. The coverage caps from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is lower than other providers in the Lincolnwood area.
To read more, visit our Cinch Home Services full review. To receive 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 in Lincolnwood. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for about 15 years. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. 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, this is the home warranty for you. Plus, it 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. The coverage caps from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is lower than other providers in the Lincolnwood area.
To read more, visit our The Home Service Club full review. To receive 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 | $7,451 |
Heating | $4,967 |
Electrical | $745 |
Toilets | $621 |
Washer/Dryer | $993 |
Plumbing | $745 |
Oven | $1,987 |
Fridge | $745 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Lincolnwood homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is 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 especially helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and modern appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as washers, dryers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and roof leaks. Lincolnwood homeowners should know that most home warranty plans begin with 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 misusing a system or appliance. You must keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should learn key terms like:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans cover heating, electrical, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer coverage on other items such as pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet 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 repair request filed. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles for customers who don't file any claims over a certain timespan.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates for claims, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to learn the number of repair professionals they have in Lincolnwood and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty companies often include extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, coverage for smart home devices, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond basic repair coverage. Additional perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Home warranties are an affordable way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Lincolnwood reaching an average high of 57℃F, you may find that certain appliances, such as your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can remarkably bring down out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of needing to vet technicians by yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Another added benefit of having a home warranty policy is that it can increase your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you purchased your home warranty through.
There are also some negatives to buying a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another stipulation is that home warranties typically only cover repairs needed due to normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover systems or appliances that have been damaged due to animal infestations, improper maintenance, natural disasters, etc.
A home warranty in Lincolnwood 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. This cost is often lower if 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 types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Lincolnwood.
First-time homebuyers, landlords, real estate agents, homeowners, and home sellers can all get home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your property more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different types of home warranties in Lincolnwood include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan will cover your home systems and appliances, including your washing machine, drier, and heating and cooling systems. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items mentioned in the policy.
Home warranty plans usually offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
In general, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In Lincolnwood, where the median value of a home is $477,573, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.