Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Bellwood can be gratifying for many, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Repairing your home’s systems and appliances can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
The home warranty market is saturated with many providers — all with different price points — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Bellwood.
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 Bellwood, 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. Liberty has 3 plans for you to choose from.
Liberty Home Guard has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. Liberty’s service fees are an affordable $75, and the coverage limits come out to about $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read our review of Liberty Home Guard to learn more.
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 Bellwood, 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. Choice has 2 plans for you to choose from.
Choice Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. Choice’s service fees are an affordable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $3,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our review of Choice Home Warranty to learn more.
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 Bellwood, 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. Select has 3 plans for you to choose from.
Select Home Warranty has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. Select’s service fees are a reasonable $60, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our review of Select Home Warranty to learn more.
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 Bellwood, 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. AHS has 3 plans for you to choose from.
American Home Shield has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. AHS’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our review of American Home Shield to learn more.
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
In Bellwood, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in the home warranty industry for around 39 years. If you’re looking for very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage, you’ll want to have this plan on your side. Plus, 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. First American has 2 plans for you to choose from.
First American Home Warranty has 2 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. First American’s service fees are a reasonable $85, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,500 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read our review of First American Home Warranty to learn more.
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
In Bellwood, 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. Cinch has 3 plans for you to choose from.
Cinch Home Services has 3 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. Cinch’s service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, and the coverage limits come out to about $1,000-$2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our review of Cinch Home Services to learn more.
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 Bellwood, 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. HSC has 2 plans for you to choose from.
The Home Service Club has 2 plans that offer a combination of appliance and system coverage. HSC’s service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, and the coverage limits come out to about $2,000 for each covered appliance or system.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our review of The Home Service Club to learn more.
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 | $6,193 |
| Heating | $4,129 |
| Electrical | $619 |
| Toilets | $516 |
| Washer/Dryer | $826 |
| Plumbing | $619 |
| Oven | $1,651 |
| Fridge | $619 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Bellwood homeowners in reducing the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to swap out or fix 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 repair. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners peace of mind by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and functioning appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include washers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, dryers, refrigerators, and more. Covered systems are usually electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty companies provide add-on coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. It's important for Bellwood homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period 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 things like pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or improper use of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.
Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing, such as:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic plans typically cover electrical, AC, plumbing, heating, and appliances, while more comprehensive plans may also cover roof leaks, pools, spas, and well pumps. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your home's needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using providers with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, contractor quality, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential businesses to ask how many repair specialists they have in Bellwood and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Wider networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Some home warranty companies may include perks such as energy efficiency upgrades, reduced maintenance fees, and smart home device coverage. These can offer extra value beyond just repair coverage. Added bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Temperatures in Bellwood can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is likely to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Bellwood, one benefit of having a home warranty is 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 offer some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers if you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your plan to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been getting.
One main drawback of home warranties is not every home system and appliance you care about may be covered. It’s important to research the different plans and purchase one that covers all the appliances, systems, and add-ons you need.
Another pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover systems or appliances that haven’t been properly maintained. This can lead to your claims being rejected, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Bellwood. 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 opting for a higher service fee. In addition, it's usually less expensive 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 covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. With a homeowners insurance plan, you will not 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 isn't that common in Bellwood.
A home warranty can help real estate agents, home sellers, homebuyers, homeowners, and investors. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different types of home warranties in Bellwood include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as combination plans. A combination plan covers almost all your home systems and appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the specific items listed in the plan.
Home warranty plans usually offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan each year, 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 home seller may buy a home warranty plan 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 Bellwood is $260,136, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
