Finding a home warranty in Chicago, IL isn’t a problem, with many major providers serving the area, but it can be hard to compare these companies properly without a spreadsheet and a good deal of research. We’ve done the legwork for you, and we’re prepared to offer our recommendations for the best home warranty companies in the Windy City. The highest-rated home warranty companies in Chicago include:
American Home Shield: Best Overall Select Home Warranty: Best Value Liberty Home Guard: Most Responsive AFC Home Club: Best for Customization
American Home Shield
Our top overall pick is American Home Shield, a home warranty provider with nearly 50 years in the business and a solid reputation in the industry.
American Home Shield Plans
American Home Shield offers a plan to cover your home’s systems, a plan to cover appliances and systems, and a plan to cover both with extra perks including coverage boosts. Its ShieldPlatinum™ plan offers the best value for what’s covered. For an additional fee each month, you can receive coverage for pools, spas, well pumps, septic pumps, and guest units, as well.
American Home Shield Prices
Every time you file a claim with your home warranty company and receive a visit from a contractor, you’ll pay what’s called a service call fee. American Home Shield actually allows you to choose your own fee: $75, $100, or $125. The advantage of going with a higher fee is that you’ll pay a lower premium each month. Here are the premiums for each plan with a $75 service call fee.
Select Home Warranty
Being on a tight budget doesn’t mean you have to forgo home warranty coverage. For homeowners whose primary concern is price, we recommend Select Home Warranty.
Select Home Warranty Plans
Bronze Care is Select Home Warranty’s appliance plan, Gold Care is its systems plan, and Platinum Care is its combo plan. Although Select Home Warranty doesn’t offer additional coverage options, all plans come with limited roof leak coverage.
Select Home Warranty Prices
The Bronze and Gold Care Plans have the lowest monthly premiums of any home warranties on our list, and the Platinum Care is less than $2 a month more, making Select Home Warranty the most affordable option on our list. Additionally, the service call fee is between $60 and $75 depending on your exact location.
Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard is best suited for Chicago homeowners who need custom-tailored protection for their homes. Liberty Home Guard is known for its extensive list of unique add-on options (38 total), which you can add to an appliances-only, systems-only, or combination plan.
Liberty Home Guard Plans
The Appliance Guard covers nine appliances. The Systems Guard covers six home systems, and the Total Home Guard bundles every system and appliance coverage option into one plan. Each of Liberty’s plans has the option to add the following add-ons:
Additional spa Carpet cleaning Casita guest unit Central Vacuum Ejector pump Electronics protection Freestanding ice maker Generator Grinder pump Gutter cleaning In-fridge ice maker Instant hot water dispenser Lawn sprinkler system Lighting fixtures Limited roof-leak Pest control Plumbing fixtures Pool and spa Pro-series clothes dryer Pro-series dishwasher Pro-series microwave Pro-series range/oven/cooktop Pro-series refrigerator Pro-series washing machines Re-key services Reverse osmosis water filter system Saltwater pool Second refrigerator Septic system pumping Stand-alone freezer Sump pump Swamp cooler Trash compactor Water dispenser water line Water softener Well pump Window washing/cleaning Wine cooler/fridge
Liberty Home Guard Prices
Liberty Home Guard pairs its plan options with a service call fee range of $65 to $125 per claim. Our team spoke with several Liberty representatives to gain clarity on how the fee is assigned; your service call fee is determined based on your home’s size, type, and location, as well as the plan and add-ons you select. Please note that your actual premium will vary based on your location, home type and size, and your plan selection.
AFC Home Club
A provider with a decade in the industry, AFC Home Club offers four plans and variable service call fees to allow you to customize your own home warranty plan.
AFC Home Club Plans
AFC offers its customers four plans to choose from. Note that only the Platinum Plan offers coverage for plumbing stoppages, ice makers, and built-in microwaves. Additional coverage is available for the following appliances and systems.
Sump pump Septic system Hot water dispenser Pool and spa Standalone freezer Tankless water heater
AFC Home Club Prices
As with American Home Shield, AFC customers can customize their service call fee relative to their premium. You can choose a fee between $75 and $125. Here are the premiums that come with the $75 fee.
Our Conclusion
The best home warranty company for you will depend on exactly what you’re looking for in a provider, but American Home Shield earned our recommendation for best overall. Liberty Home Guard works best for those who want to add unique coverage items, such as pro-series appliances, a generator, a freestanding ice maker, or an additional spa. Budget shoppers will find the prices offered by Select Home Warranty to be the most enticing, and those looking for customizability will likely prefer AFC Home Club.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Chicago?
The price of your home warranty will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your home, its location, and the amount of coverage you want. In general, however, a home warranty in Chicago will cost between $30 and $60 a month, or $360 and $720 a year. Keep in mind these are the premiums for basic plans—service fees and additional coverage will cost extra.
What Does a Home Warranty Cover in Chicago?
In Chicago, like everywhere else, a home warranty covers repairs or replacements of key home systems or appliances when they break down from normal wear and tear. Although these contracts won’t cover damage from accidents or manufacturer’s defects, they will usually cover properly maintained appliances and systems no matter how old they are.
What Are the Benefits of a Home Warranty in Chicago?
Homeowners, buyers, and sellers can all benefit from the peace of mind offered by a home warranty. While under the contract, you’ll know that you won’t have to shell out the big bucks for an unexpected repair if a covered item in your home wears out. When it comes to big-ticket items like air conditioners or refrigerators, this can be a lifesaver. To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
