Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Homeownership in Skokie comes with many perks, but it also comes with its difficulties. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty in Skokie can help bring down your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
Finding the right warranty for your home can be challenging, so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Skokie. Read on for our top provider 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
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty for Skokie residents. When you buy a plan 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. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is cheaper than other providers in the Skokie area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Liberty Home Guard. To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 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 Skokie residents. When you buy a plan 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. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Skokie area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Choice Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 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 Skokie residents. When you buy a plan 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. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is cheaper than other providers in the Skokie area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Select Home Warranty. To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 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 Skokie residents. When you buy a plan 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. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is cheaper than other providers in the Skokie area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 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 Skokie residents. When you buy a plan 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. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is cheaper than other providers in the Skokie area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Cinch Home Services. To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 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 Skokie residents. When you buy a plan 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. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage caps from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is cheaper than other providers in the Skokie area.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of The Home Service Club. To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 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 | $6,613 |
Heating | $4,409 |
Electrical | $661 |
Toilets | $551 |
Washer/Dryer | $882 |
Plumbing | $661 |
Oven | $1,763 |
Fridge | $661 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Skokie homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security because it can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Covered appliances normally include dryers, washers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, and others. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also offer add-on coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and locksmiths. Skokie homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improper use of a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
There are multiple home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty policies differ significantly in terms of coverage. Most plans cover plumbing, heating, electrical, AC, and appliances. More robust plans also extend protection to other items such as roof leaks, well pumps, pools, and spas. Look for providers with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may look for providers advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may waive deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
A home warranty provider's rating provides insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research companies. Complimentary ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential businesses to ask how many repair technicians they have in Skokie and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty plans offer bonuses such as maintenance discounts, smart home device protection, and energy efficiency upgrades. These perks add value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Since temperatures in Skokie can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks unexpectedly.
Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time too. Instead of having to vet technicians by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Another benefit of having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, you can most likely transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your home sell faster.
Home warranties also have some drawbacks. While it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair person who carries out the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would prefer to choose their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty companies let you choose a contractor.
Another consideration is that home warranties typically only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover systems or appliances that have been damaged due to improper maintenance, natural disasters, animal infestations, etc.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Skokie. Our high-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 choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty protects against normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or air conditioner, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which can be a threat in Skokie.
A home warranty plan can help homebuyers, home sellers, homeowners, investors, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in Skokie include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover your home systems and appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and plumbing. An appliance or system plan will cover only the items mentioned in the plan.
Home warranty plans generally offer coverage for a year. Many companies let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Usually the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may purchase 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 Skokie is $361,013, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.