Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Elwood gives homeowners some great neighborhoods and the opportunity to enjoy all four seasons. However, temperatures can put quite a strain on your home’s systems, such as your HVAC. A home warranty can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners 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 difficult, since there are lots of companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and put together a list of the best home warranty companies in Elwood for you.
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 Elwood. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can benefit from a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Not to mention, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The 3 home warranty plans that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Liberty has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $75.
For more information, read our Liberty Home Guard full review. 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 offers the best overall home warranty in Elwood. With a home warranty from Choice, you can benefit from very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 home warranty plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Choice has coverage caps of around $3,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are an affordable $85.
For more information, read our Choice Home Warranty full review. 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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty in Elwood. With a home warranty from Select, you can benefit from a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Not to mention, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 home warranty plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Select has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $60.
For more information, read our Select Home Warranty full review. 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 offers the most customizable home warranty in Elwood. With a home warranty from AHS, you can benefit from the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 home warranty plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. AHS has coverage caps of around $2,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
For more information, read our American Home Shield full review. 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
Established company with a bbb accreditation
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
24/7 service calls available
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing
First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Elwood. With a home warranty from First American, you can benefit from very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, it has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified. The 2 home warranty plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. First American has coverage caps of around $1,500 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are a reasonable $85.
For more information, read our First American Home Warranty full review. To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164.
Basic Plan
Premier Plan
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 Elwood. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can benefit from a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 home warranty plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Cinch has coverage caps of around $1,000-$2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
For more information, read our Cinch Home Services full review. 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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Elwood. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The 2 home warranty plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. HSC has coverage caps of around $2,000 for most appliances and systems, but with some plans, the coverage caps can be higher, so make sure to check with the company. Service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
For more information, read our The Home Service Club full review. 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 | $5,671 |
| Heating | $3,781 |
| Electrical | $567 |
| Toilets | $473 |
| Washer/Dryer | $756 |
| Plumbing | $567 |
| Oven | $1,512 |
| Fridge | $567 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Elwood homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to replace or repair 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 fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not need a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include washers, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include electrical, heating, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranties offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Elwood should understand that most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repair claims will be approved. The majority of policies also only cover 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. Stay current with preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before signing 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 plans vary widely in what they include. Most plans cover electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer protection for other items such as well pumps, spas, roof leaks, and pools. Look for companies with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your home's needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per claim you submit. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.
A home warranty company's reputation can give you insight into things such as approval rates, contractor quality, repair timeliness, and customer satisfaction. Browse review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, or Google Reviews to research companies. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.
Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Contact possible providers to find out how many contractors they have in Elwood. This helps you understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty providers include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device coverage, and reduced maintenance fees. These can provide extra value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Temperatures in Elwood can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are likely to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Elwood, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of needing to vet service technicians yourself, home warranty providers 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 when you’re selling 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 house sell faster.
As for the downsides of home warranties, coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to read what each plan covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about these things if you need more information or if this is an issue for you.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Elwood. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can lower your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what sorts of damage they cover. Home warranty policies cover problems with systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different kind of insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Elwood. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
First-time homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, home sellers, and real estate agents 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.
A home warranty will cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller may purchase a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Elwood is $125,326, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
