Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
With hot summers and cool winters, keeping your home systems and appliances — especially your HVAC — in working order is very important for homeowners in Oak Park. A home warranty policy can help protect homeowners by lowering the costs of major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be difficult, as there are lots of companies to choose from. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and compiled a list of the best home warranty companies in Oak Park 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 is the most trustworthy home warranty in Oak Park. Liberty has been operating for more than 6 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: 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 cheaper than other providers in the Oak Park area.
Read our Liberty Home Guard full review to learn more. 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 in Oak Park. Choice has been operating for more than 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Oak Park area.
Read our Choice Home Warranty full review to learn more. 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 in Oak Park. Select has been operating for more than 11 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: 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 cheaper than other providers in the Oak Park area.
Read our Select Home Warranty full review to learn more. 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 in Oak Park. AHS has been operating for more than 26 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: 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 cheaper than other providers in the Oak Park area.
Read our American Home Shield full review to learn more. 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 is the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Oak Park. First American has been operating for more than 39 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is cheaper than other providers in the Oak Park area.
Read our First American Home Warranty full review to learn more. 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 is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Oak Park. Cinch has been operating for more than 44 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: 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 cheaper than other providers in the Oak Park area.
Read our Cinch Home Services full review to learn more. 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 in Oak Park. HSC has been operating for more than 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: 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 cheaper than other providers in the Oak Park area.
Read our The Home Service Club full review to learn more. 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 | $6,308 |
Heating | $4,205 |
Electrical | $631 |
Toilets | $526 |
Washer/Dryer | $841 |
Plumbing | $631 |
Oven | $1,682 |
Fridge | $631 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Oak Park homeowners reduce the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers peace of mind for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. Newer homes with working appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect many home systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are dishwashers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, microwaves, dryers, washers, and more. Protected systems include heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Various home warranty plans offer extra coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and even locksmiths. Oak Park should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. 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 ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Before agreeing to a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
There are several key factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties differ greatly in the items covered. Basic plans typically cover electrical, AC, plumbing, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover pools, roof leaks, spas, and well pumps. Look for providers with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may look for companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may eliminate deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
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. Look at third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential companies to ask how many repair technicians they have in Oak Park and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty providers might offer perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, coverage for smart home devices, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond just repair coverage. Additional perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Oak Park can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Getting a home warranty policy can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down suddenly.
Not only can a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Additionally, though it varies by company, some providers will let you transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
There are also some negatives to getting a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that already have a manufacturer's warranty.
Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your repair requests being denied, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty in Oak Park can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, broader coverage, and a lower service fee. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some providers 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 plan protects 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 won't be able to file a claim if you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Oak Park.
A home warranty policy can help home sellers, homebuyers, real estate agents, investors, and homeowners. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty plan will cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Oak Park, where the median value of a home is $215,572, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.