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Best Home Warranty Companies in Illinois (2024)

Author Image Written by Dana Getz + 1 other Reviewer Icon Reviewed by Jacquelyn Kfoury Updated 04/18/2024

Illinois homeowners know better than most how to prepare for extreme weather conditions during the winter. A home warranty can act as a complement to your home insurance policy and provides peace of mind by repairing your houseโ€™s systems and appliances if they break down.

We analyzed and reviewed the best home warranty companies in the U.S. and ranked the top providers in Illinois. Our team compared plan options, costs, coverage limits, and additional perks before making selections. We recommend Liberty Home Guard as the top home warranty company in Illinois based on customer ratings and unique add-on coverage options.

Illinois has some of the highest home values in the U.S. In Illinois, 28.3% of homeowners spend more than 30% of their income on mortgage payments, property taxes, and other housing costs. Because of these steep costs, homeowners may want to protect their home systems and appliances with a trustworthy home warranty.
Did You Know?

In the last 30 days, more than 2,500 people bought home warranties from the above providers.


Top 3 Home Warranty Companies in Illinois

The highest-rated Illinois home warranty companies include the following:

Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Ratings
American Home Shield: Best for Comprehensive Coverage

Compare Illinois Home Warranty Companies

The following table explains key differences between the top home warranty providers in Illinois:

Best For Monthly Cost in IL Service Fee Response Time BBB Rating Link
Liberty Home Guard Liberty Home Guard Best Customer Ratings $49โ€“$59 $65โ€“$125 Up to 48 hours NR VISIT SITE
American Home Shield American Home Shield Best for Comprehensive Coverage $49โ€“$109 $100โ€“$125 Up to 48 hours B VISIT SITE
Select Home Warranty Select Home Warranty Best Value $44โ€“$47 $60โ€“$75 48-84 hours B- VISIT SITE
Liberty Home Guard
Logo Liberty Home Guard
Best For Best Customer Ratings
Monthly Cost in IL $49โ€“$59
Service Fee $65โ€“$125
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating NR
VISIT SITE
American Home Shield
Logo American Home Shield
Best For Best for Comprehensive Coverage
Monthly Cost in IL $49โ€“$109
Service Fee $100โ€“$125
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Select Home Warranty
Logo Select Home Warranty
Best For Best Value
Monthly Cost in IL $44โ€“$47
Service Fee $60โ€“$75
Response Time 48-84 hours
BBB Rating B-
VISIT SITE
Company BBB Rating Monthly Cost in IL Service Fee Visit Site
NR $49โ€“$59 $65โ€“$125 VISIT SITE
B $49โ€“$109 $100โ€“$125 VISIT SITE
B- $44โ€“$47 $60โ€“$75 VISIT SITE
No results were found.

Note: We based the pricing information in this table and throughout the article on sample quotes we obtained for a 2,000-square-foot, single-family home in Chicago, Illinois. Your pricing may vary depending on your homeโ€™s location, size, type, and plan selections.


Do I Need a Home Warranty in Illinois?

The median home cost in Illinois is more than three times the median household income. Homeownership costs are so high in the state that about 30% of all homeowners are considered โ€œcost burdened.โ€ A sudden major appliance or system breakdown can be catastrophic when cost margins are tight for homeowners. Home warranties help protect you in these dire situations and provide essential financial protection.


How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Illinois?

Homeowners in Illinois can expect to pay $59 per month or $708 per year for a home warranty plan. Numerous factors determine the cost of home warranty coverage, such as home location and size along with plan options. Here are the major factors that impact the final cost of home warranty plans:

  • Coverage options: Plan coverage is the biggest contributor to home warranty costs. According to the hundreds of quotes weโ€™ve pulled from major home warranty companies, providers with comprehensive coverage have universal premiums versus companies with limited plans. We recommend considering your coverage needs and avoiding plans that provide coverage for appliances or systems that aren’t within your home.
  • Home age: Older homes, systems, and appliances experience more breakdowns and carry preexisting conditions. Many home warranty companies have exclusions for older houses and their items or charge heavier fees for them. We recommend looking for home warranty companies with generous coverage limits for essential items and preexisting conditions.
  • Location: If you live in a big city such as Chicago, youโ€™ll typically pay more for a plan than someone living downstate. We recommend getting multiple free quotes from home warranty providers and comparing their premiums and service fees. You can also read sample contracts from each home warranty company as they should be available for free online.

What Does an Illinois Home Warranty Cover?

An Illinois home warranty protects major systems and appliances in your home like your water heater, refrigerator, and air conditioning. Most providers offer three plan choices: one for appliances, one for systems, and one for both. If you have other systems or appliances that you want coverage for, like a septic tank or a second refrigerator, most companies offer add-on options at an additional cost.

Common Inclusions

Common Exclusions

Common Add-Ons

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Water heater
  • Ductwork
  • Plumbing
  • Refrigerators
  • Dishwashers
  • Clothes washers
  • Clothes dryers
  • Acts of nature
  • Cosmetic damage 
  • Luxury items
  • Inaccessible items
  • Commercial-grade equipment
  • Known or unknown preexisting conditions
  • Damage caused by misuse, abuse, or improper installation
  • Flues, vents, chimneys, and other exhaust lines
  • Electronic devices
  • Smart home systems
  • General maintenance and upkeep
  • Gas, smoke, or leak detection systems
  • Plumbing fixtures
  • Roof leak
  • Swamp cooler
  • Water softener
  • Sump pump
  • Septic system
  • Lighting fixtures
  • Trash compactor
  • Lawn sprinkler system

Our Home Warranty Research Process

Why Trust Us? Our review and rating process for the best home warranty companies
57
Companies Considered We carefully considered 57 companies to find the best home warranty providers available.
2000
Homeowners Surveyed We surveyed 2,000 home owners to see what they care about most for home protection.
57000
Reviews Analyzed We went through 57,000 customer reviews of home warranty companies to see what people had to say about each provider.
31
Coverages Compared We compared 31 policies to find the best home warranty offerings on the market.

We contacted local home service professionals, repair technicians, and real estate agents to find the best Illinois home warranty companies. These professionals helped outline homeowner needs and explained the most common repairs and replacements for Illinois homeowners. We then researched the stateโ€™s most prominent home warranty companies by speaking with representatives, reviewing sample contracts, obtaining sample quotes, and reading service policies.

Next, our team scored each company using our unbiased review standards in four categories: coverage, value, trust and transparency, and availability and service. We evaluated coverage options to make sure that each provider included essential appliances and systems. We compared premiums against the coverage value in each plan. Finally, our team checked each company’s brand reputation and read customer reviews on third-party review sites.


Illinois Home Warranty Reviews

Below, weโ€™ll outline our top home warranty providers in Illinois:

Liberty Home Guard

Best Customer Ratings
4.5 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is our top choice for Illinois homeowners. It offers competitively priced plans, a large suite of add-on options, and a comprehensive coverage limit per covered item. LHG also stands out by offering a live chat customer service through its website, which is a rare benefit in the home warranty industry.

Why We Chose Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in our rating system. It has the best customer ratings of any home warranty provider on this list, holding an A rating* with the BBB and 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. We recommend LHG for homeowners with specific coverage needs, as it offers an extensive list of add-ons ranging from pool coverage to water softeners.

Our team spoke with multiple customer representatives to learn how LHG handles customer inquiries. Based on our experiences, it holds up to its stellar ratings, with each representative picking up the phone in under one minute and answering all of our questions thoroughly.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers a 60-day workmanship guarantee Extends up to 38 unique add-on options Provides two additional months of coverage if you get an annual plan Cons Doesnโ€™t provide transparency around service call fees Requires you to file a claim as soon as issue is discovered

Plans and Pricing

LHG offers three plan options: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The Appliance Guard covers major appliances, including refrigerators and dishwashers. The Systems Guard protects major systems, such as heating and plumbing systems. The Total Home Guard bundles both plans into one comprehensive coverage plan. Additionally, LHG includes a $2,000 coverage limit per covered item.

Liberty assigns your service call fee between $65 and $125 per claim based on your plan selection, add-ons, and location.

Below are the monthly prices for LHG plans. Expect to pay between $600 and $720 annually. Per our research, LHG offers two additional months of coverage if you sign up for an annual plan. LHG allows you to pull a quote over the phone or online.

Here are details on LHGโ€™s plans and optional add-on coverage:

  • Appliance Guard ($49.99 per month):ย Covers appliances, such as dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers
  • Systems Guard ($54.99 per month):ย Covers built-in systems, such as air conditioning, heating, ductwork, and water heater
  • Total Home Guard ($59.99 per month):ย Covers all the items in the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans
  • Optional add-ons: Up to 38 options, including pest control, re-key service, gutter cleaning, floor cleaning, and generator coverage. When we pulled our quote, a representative informed us that pest control coverage costs an extra $15 monthly.

Here is a table comparing Liberty Home Guard’s Plans and Pricing:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Appliance Guard

$49.99

$65–$125

$2,000

Systems Guard

$54.99

$65–$125

$2,000 (Plumbing and electrical: $500)

Total Home Guard

$59.99

$65–$125

Coverage caps remain the same

What To Expect

Homeowners can pull quotes for Liberty Home Guard through its customer support line or with its online tool. The LHG tool requires your name, phone number, and email address to begin the process. Next, youโ€™ll enter your home address, home type, and whether itโ€™s smaller than 5,000 square feet. You can then switch between monthly and annual premiums to find the best fit for your budget.ย 

LHG will send one of its in-network service technicians to repair your appliances. If there are no technicians in your area, the company will let you select your own.ย 

After reading online reviews, we learned that homeowners appreciated the companyโ€™s professionalism and quick claims process. However, some customers stated their claims payouts were less than expected.

American Home Shield

Best for Comprehensive Coverage
4.4 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

American Home Shield (AHS) is another reputable provider for Illinois residents. The company has thee plans to choose fromโ€”the ShieldSilverโ„ข, ShieldGoldโ„ข, and ShieldPlatinumโ„ข plans. It provides extensive coverage for home systems and appliances by covering rust, corrosion, and sediment damage. AHS also covers undetectable pre-existing conditions. Its ShieldSilver and ShieldGold include a $3,000 coverage cap per covered item, while its ShieldPlatinum doubles its cap limit to $6,000 per covered item.

Why We Chose American Home Shield

We rated AHS 4.4 out of 5 stars in our review standards. We consider AHS to be the best provider for comprehensive coverage due to its three coverage plans, multiple service call fees, and solid industry reputation. We recommend AHS because it covers several things other companies donโ€™t, such as rust damage and improper installations.

We thoroughly read American Home Shieldโ€™s sample contract and found it applies a $2,000 limit per covered appliance in its ShieldGold plan. It doubles its coverage cap to $4,000 per covered item in the ShieldPlatinum plan.

AHS coverage plans provide extensive coverage; even its basic plan, ShieldSilver, covers your HVAC system. Its multiple service call fees allow you to customize your monthly premium to fit your budget.

Pros and Cons

Pros Offers high coverage caps on systems and appliances Provides guest unit add-on coverage Doesnโ€™t exclude pro-series appliance coverage from standard plans Cons Charges more per month than other providers Offers a limited add-on coverage selection

Plans and Pricing

American Home Shield offers three plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. We called an AHS representative to ask about the companyโ€™s plans. The representative noted that AHS imposes a $5,000 coverage cap per covered system in its systems-only plan, ShieldSilver. ShieldGold adds coverage for appliances, which have a $2,000 coverage limit. ShieldPlatinum also combines system and appliance coverage and increases its appliance limit to $4,000; plus, it adds roof-leak coverage, up to $1,000 in code upgrades, an HVAC tune-up, and air filter discounts.

AHS allows you to pull a quote by calling a representative or using its online tool. When we used AHSโ€™s quote tool, it allowed us to choose a service call fee of $100 or $125. AHS states that a higher service call fee will result in a lower monthly premium and vice versa. All AHS plans come with a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

While pulling our quote, we discovered that AHS only offers monthly premium options. It doesnโ€™t include an annual premium discount like other providers on this list.

Here are details on each of American Home Shieldโ€™s plans:

  • ShieldSilver: Covers home systems, such as heating, cooling, and electrical
  • ShieldGold: Covers major systems and appliances, such as air conditioning, roof leaks, and plumbing
  • ShieldPlatinum: Covers systems and appliances and adds additional benefits, such as $1,500 for roof-leak repairs
  • Optional add-ons: Electronics, pools/spas, guest units, septic pumps, and well pumps. Based on the quote we pulled, we found that AHS offers competitively priced add-ons. For example, septic pump coverage costs an extra $5 per month.

Here is a table comparing American Home Shield’s plans and pricing:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

ShieldSilver

$49.99-$69.99

$100–$125

$5,000

ShieldGold

$69.99-$89.99

$100–$125

Systems: $5,000
Appliances: $2,000

ShieldPlatinum

$89.99-$109.99

$100–$125

Systems: $5,000
Appliances: $4,000

What To Expect

Our team received quotes from American Home Shield over the phone and online. The AHS online tool requires your home address, ZIP code, and email address. We were able to switch between the different plan and service fee options, with pricing updating instantly.ย 

AHS does not let you use your own contractor for service repairs. You must select a service technician from its in-network options. One of our team members has an AHS plan and filed a claim for a leaking bathroom pipe. When he called in, an AHS representative located a local plumber in an hour and scheduled a next-day service appointment. All repairs were completed successfully, and he was only charged the service call fee.ย 

After reading AHS customer reviews, he discovered homeowners liked the companyโ€™s prompt claims processes. The customer service department received mixed reviews, with some homeowners disappointed that their claims reimbursement was lower than anticipated.

Select Home Warranty

Best Value
4.3 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Select Home Warranty offers three plans: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. Bronze Care protects appliances, Gold Care protects systems, and Platinum Care covers both appliances and systems.

Why We Chose Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty scored 4.3 out of 5 stars in our review standards. Itโ€™s an affordable home warranty with all plans costing less than $50 per month. Select stands out by offering roof-leak repair coverage in each protection plan. Home warranty companies donโ€™t typically offer roof-leak coverage without an additional fee.

Pros and Cons

Pros Gives customers two months free when they sign up for coverage Includes coverage on roof leaks in standard plans Provides discounts for customers who purchase several years of protection Cons Has a $500 coverage limit on appliance repairs Charges a $75 cancellation fee

Plans and Pricing

Select Home Warranty offers three plan options: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. Select charges a $60โ€“$75 service call fee per claim. Our team discovered via secret-shopping that Select offers its lower service call fee as an over-the-phone deal only.ย 

After reviewing Selectโ€™s sample contract, we found it provides a $3,000 cap for HVAC systems. However, Select limits other covered systems, such as plumbing and electrical, plus appliances, to a $500 coverage cap. Selectโ€™s plans include a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

Select Home Warranty offers monthly and annual premium options. Expect to pay between $533 and $573 annually. According to the quote we pulled, Select offers up to $150 off and two additional months of coverage if you choose an annual premium. It lets you pull a quote by calling or using its online tool.

Here are more details about Select Home Warrantyโ€™s plans:

  • Bronze Care ($44.42 per month):ย Covers appliances, such as clothes washers and dryers,ย garbage disposals, refrigerators, and cooktops
  • Gold Care ($44.42 per month):ย Covers systems, such as air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical systems, water heaters, and ductwork
  • Platinum Care ($47.75 per month):ย Covers all the appliances and built-in systems in the Bronze and Gold Care plans, plus garage door openers and ceiling fans
  • Optional add-ons:ย Central vacuums, lawn sprinkler systems, pools,ย septic systems,ย spas, stand-alone freezers, sump pumps, and well pumps. Select Home Warranty also offers low prices for its add-ons. For example, it charges less than $4 monthly for central vacuum coverage.

Here is a table comparing Select Home Warranty’s plans and pricing:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Bronze Care

$44.42

$60–$75

$500

Gold Care

$44.42

$60–$75

$500 (HVAC: $3,000)

Platinum Care

$47.75

$60–$75

Coverage caps remain the same

What To Expect

During our secret shopping process, we created sample quotes over the phone and through Selectโ€™s online quote tool. Surprisingly, you donโ€™t need your home address for the tool. You only enter your name, phone number, email address, and ZIP code. We did learn that Select prefers resolving plan issues and processing claims over the phone.ย 

In most cases, Select will choose a service technician from its network of contractors. If there are no technicians in your area, the company will let you choose your own. However, Select must approve the choice before the repair process begins.ย 

Based on online reviews, homeowners appreciated Selectโ€™s affordable plan options and simple sign-up process. However, many reviews mentioned issues reaching customer support to file their claims.


Home Warranty Companies That Missed the List

We looked at every major home warranty company in Illinois for this review and excluded certain ones that didn’t measure up. Some providers were removed due to dishonest business practices and fraud, as with American Home Guard. We didnโ€™t include any company with a history of serious complaints or credible evidence of fraudulent practices.

Most companies we excluded simply had higher premiums, less impressive coverage, or lower coverage caps. These companies arenโ€™t the best overall choices for homeowners in Illinois but can still be helpful in certain situations. Here are a few companies that may work for the stateโ€™s homeowners in certain instances:

Cinch Home Services

Cinch Home Services was excluded because of its lack of roof leak coverage. Most home warranty companies offer roof-leak coverage in premium packages or as an add-on. Cinch does covers exterior rust and corrosion, though. This coverage makes it valuable for homeowners with steel gutters, metal roofs, or other metal exterior fixtures.

ARW Home Warranty

ARW Home Warranty was excluded because of its limited plan coverage. Its service plan covers only eight systems, and its appliances plan only seven. The companyโ€™s premium plan includes the contents of most others but still comes up short versus the industry standard. ARW can be valuable for homeowners with older items as it doesn’t impose item age limits across plans.

Elite Home Warranty

We excluded Elite Home Warranty due to its restrictive policies. Notably, it doesnโ€™t provide workmanship guarantees on repairs done by out-of-network technicians. Other issues include requiring customers to call in when filing a quote and charging expensive service fees for high-end items. Elite Home Warranty does offer a 90-day workmanship guarantee for in-network repairs and has impressive coverage caps.


How To Choose a Home Warranty in Illinois

We recommend taking the following steps before buying a home warranty in Illinois:

  • Check coverage caps: Obtain a free quote from each provider you’re interested in. These quotes will contain valuable information including coverage caps, add-on options, and service fee rates. We recommend avoiding companies that only cover the repair value of covered items and instead prioritize providers that offer replacement value too.
  • Read the fine print: Check out the sample contracts companies provide on their sites. Compare each contractโ€™s terms and pick the one that offers the best coverage.
  • Verify company reputation: Itโ€™s always best to research a companyโ€™s reputation. Read online customer reviews on independent sites to gain insights into how companies handle customer service requests.

How Are Home Warranties Regulated in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Insurance regulates home warranty companies and service contracts. If you suspect that a home warranty company is committing fraud or if youโ€™re locked in a dispute, fill out a complaint form with the department.

In addition to government oversight, industry associations regulate home warranties. For example, the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) create regulatory legislation alongside lawmakers. The NAIC was founded in 1871 by chief insurance regulators from each state with the goal to โ€œset standards and ensure fair, competitive, and healthy insurance markets to protect consumers.โ€


Home Warranty Cost Calculator

We created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of having a home warranty in Illinois.

To calculate your projected annual cost, use the following steps:

  1. Enter your monthly premium
  2. Enter your service call fee
  3. Enter your estimated number of claims

Itโ€™s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers since annual costs and service fees vary between them.

Use the table below to compare your calculated repair and replacement costs for common appliances.

ApplianceAverage Repair CostAverage Replacement Cost

Dehumidifier

$50โ€“$200

$1,300โ€“$2,800

Microwave

$50โ€“$400

$60โ€“$2,000

Dishwasher

$50โ€“$500

$400โ€“$3,000

Exhaust Fans

$16โ€“$300

$250โ€“$950

Electric Range

$100โ€“$500

$230โ€“$3,000

Gas Range

$100โ€“$500

$230โ€“$3,000

Dryer

$100โ€“$400

$450โ€“$2,300

Oven

$100โ€“$430

$400โ€“$3,000

Washer

$50โ€“$450

$400โ€“$2,300

Freezer

$90โ€“$500

$160โ€“$2,900

Refrigerator

$40โ€“$350

$200โ€“$5,000

Note: Life span and repair cost data sourced from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and Home Depot.


Other Resources for Illinois Residents


FAQs About Home Warranties in Illinois

How much does a home warranty cost in Illinois?

A home warranty in Illinois will cost an average of $59 per month.

Who regulates home warranty companies in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Insurance handles home warranty regulation in the state.

How do I get a sample quote from a home warranty provider in Illinois?

You can get a sample quote from a home warranty provider by filling out an online form on the companyโ€™s website. These forms typically require an email, first and last name, home address, and phone number.

Can a home warranty cover preexisting conditions in Illinois?

Most home warranty companies donโ€™t provide coverage for preexisting conditions. The companies that do often charge higher rates or have lower coverage caps.


How Do I Find the Best Home Warranty Company in My Area?

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.