Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Although homeownership in Freeport has many advantages — such as the convenience of city life — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major issue many homeowners have to deal with inevitably is updating or repairing their home appliances and systems. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and safeguard your savings account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be overwhelming, since there are lots of companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and made a list of the best home warranty companies in Freeport 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
In Freeport, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been in the home warranty industry for around 6 years. 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. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to comprehend and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
To read more, visit our full 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
In Freeport, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. 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. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to comprehend and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are close to the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
To read more, visit our full 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
In Freeport, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in the home warranty industry for around 11 years. 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. The 3 plans from Select are easy to comprehend and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To read more, visit our full 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
In Freeport, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in the home warranty industry for around 26 years. 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. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to comprehend and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are close to the $2,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To read more, visit our full 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
In Freeport, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in the home warranty industry for around 44 years. 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. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to comprehend and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are close to the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To read more, visit our full 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
In Freeport, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in the home warranty industry for around 15 years. 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 2 plans from HSC are easy to comprehend and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are close to the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To read more, visit our full 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 | $7,118 |
| Heating | $4,745 |
| Electrical | $712 |
| Toilets | $593 |
| Washer/Dryer | $949 |
| Plumbing | $712 |
| Oven | $1,898 |
| Fridge | $712 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Freeport homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you file 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 peace of mind 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 safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include microwaves, dryers, washers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, dishwashers, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and electrical. Many home warranties also offer add-on coverage options for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. It's important for Freeport homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
There are a number of home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for electrical, AC, plumbing, heating, and appliances. More extensive plans may also include other things such as spas, roof leaks, well pumps, and pools. Look for a company that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which is paid per repair request filed. These per-claim charges can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers 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. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for quality service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential businesses to ask how many repair technicians they have in Freeport and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks improve the chance of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty providers offer extras such as smart home device protection, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These can add value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in Freeport can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a decent amount of use. As a homeowner in Freeport, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they have to be repaired or replaced.
Not only does a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Another good thing about having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty to the new owners. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and may help your house sell faster.
One disadvantage of a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be included in the home warranty, so it’s important to read over the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another consideration is that home warranties typically only cover malfunctions due to normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover home systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to natural disasters, improper maintenance, animal infestations, etc.
A home warranty in Freeport can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have higher coverage limits, a lower service fee, and broader coverage. 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 kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan helps protect against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects a home in case of a situation such as a fire or natural disaster. Under homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Freeport.
First-time homebuyers, landlords, home sellers, homeowners, and real estate agents 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.
A home warranty can cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Generally, a home warranty lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the person who owns the home pays for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the home seller may purchase a home warranty policy 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 Freeport is $550,099, a home warranty can save you some money when buying a home.
