Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
The cost of maintaining a home in Barrington can be expensive, particularly as your home ages and your appliances and systems have to be updated. A home warranty can help protect you by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important systems and appliances.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different coverage — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in Barrington.
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 Barrington, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty is a home warranty company with 6 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. It also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Barrington area.
Read more by visiting 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
In Barrington, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. Choice is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Barrington area.
Read more by visiting 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
In Barrington, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. Select is a home warranty company with 11 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Barrington area.
Read more by visiting 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
In Barrington, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. AHS is a home warranty company with 26 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Barrington area.
Read more by visiting 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
In Barrington, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch is a home warranty company with 44 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Barrington area.
Read more by visiting 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
In Barrington, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC is a home warranty company with 15 years of experience in the industry, and it has proved to be one of the best providers in the business. The home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that provide a combination of appliance and system coverage. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Barrington area.
Read more by visiting 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 | $6,794 |
| Heating | $4,529 |
| Electrical | $679 |
| Toilets | $566 |
| Washer/Dryer | $906 |
| Plumbing | $679 |
| Oven | $1,812 |
| Fridge | $679 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Barrington homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.
When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for those living in older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and working appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as dryers, garbage disposals, washers, dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems include electrical, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers also offer additional coverage for central vacuums, locksmiths, septic systems, and roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Barrington homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
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 coverage varies, although most plans cover heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More extensive plans may also provide protection for additional items such as well pumps, pools, spas, and roof leaks. Look for companies with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your home's needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may seek out companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may waive deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.
A home warranty company's reputation gives insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer satisfaction. Check review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a provider known for great service.
Home warranty companies have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks improve the chance of getting qualified contractors to your home quickly. Reach out to possible providers to learn how many technicians they have in Barrington to understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.
Certain home warranty providers offer extras such as protection for smart home devices, discounts on maintenance, and energy-efficient upgrades. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Temperatures in Barrington 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 Barrington, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event 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 vetting contractors on your own, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. Another added benefit of having home warranty coverage is that it can raise your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your home, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you purchased your home warranty through.
There are also some negatives to purchasing a home warranty policy, like the coverage exclusions. For instance, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some providers don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty provider for clarification about it if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty in Barrington can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans usually have a lower service fee, higher coverage limits, and broader coverage. Home warranties are often cheaper when you pay annually instead of monthly. Some companies will also decrease your up-front costs when you opt for 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 protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. A homeowners insurance plan protects the entire home in a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. Under homeowners insurance, you will not 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 isn't that common in Barrington.
A home warranty can help homebuyers, home sellers, real estate agents, homeowners, and investors. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty can cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you need 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 plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, 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 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 Barrington is $673,107, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
