Best Home Warranty Companies in Illinois (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 house’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.
Key Takeaways
- The best home warranty companies in Illinois are Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield, based on our research of 13 home warranty companies.
- An Illinois home warranty costs $714 annually on average, or $46-$79 per month, depending on your provider and coverage.
- Illinois’ diverse climate means homeowners should seek out specific coverage and request quotes from at least three providers to save the most money.
Did You Know?
- In the last 30 days, more than 2,500 people bought home warranties from the above providers. Liberty Home Guard is our most popular provider, with 55% of buyers choosing to cover their homes with an LHG plan.
Top 3 Home Warranty Companies in Illinois
The highest-rated Illinois home warranty companies include the following:
Compare Illinois Home Warranty Companies
The following table explains key differences between the top home warranty providers in Illinois:
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#1 out of 13 companies | #2 out of 13 companies | #3 out of 13 companies | |
NR | B | B | |
Monthly Cost |
$49–$59 | $49–$109 | $44–$47 |
Service Fees |
$65–$125 | $100–$125 | $60–$75 |
Customer Support Options |
Email, Phone, Online Chat, Online Portal | Phone, Online Portal | Email, Phone, Online Portal |
Response Time |
Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | 48-84 hours |
Pros |
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Cons |
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Summary |
We recommend Liberty Home Guard for homeowners who need coverage for multiple HVAC systems and extensive add-on customizations. |
We recommend American Home Shield for homeowners who need comprehensive coverage for older homes. |
We recommend Select Home Warranty for homeowners who need affordable HVAC-only coverage. |
Promotions |
$200 Off + 2 Months Free + Roof Leak Protection | Labor Day Sale: 50% OFF Select Plans | Use code HOUSE25 for $150 off + 2 months free |
Rating Categories |
Liberty Home Guard | American Home Shield | Select Home Warranty |
Coverage |
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Value |
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Trustworthiness |
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Plan Transparency |
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Customer Support |
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Flexibility |
Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost in IL | Service Fee | Visit Site |
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NR | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
B | $49–$109 | $100–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | VISIT SITE |
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 home’s location, size, type, and plan selections.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Illinois?
Homeowners in Illinois can expect to pay $60 per month or $546-$948 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 we’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, you’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.
Is a Home Warranty Worth It 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 “cost burdened.” 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.
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.
- 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
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 state’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, we’ll outline our top home warranty providers in Illinois:
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 didn’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 aren’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 state’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 company’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 doesn’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 contract’s terms and pick the one that offers the best coverage.
- Verify company reputation: It’s always best to research a company’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 you’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 “set standards and ensure fair, competitive, and healthy insurance markets to protect consumers.”
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:
- Enter your monthly premium
- Enter your service call fee
- Enter your estimated number of claims
It’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.
Appliance | Average Repair Cost | Average Replacement Cost |
---|---|---|
Dehumidifier |
$50–$200 |
$1,300–$2,800 |
Microwave |
$50–$400 |
$60–$2,000 |
Dishwasher |
$50–$500 |
$400–$3,000 |
Exhaust Fans |
$16–$300 |
$250–$950 |
Electric Range |
$100–$500 |
$230–$3,000 |
Gas Range |
$100–$500 |
$230–$3,000 |
Dryer |
$100–$400 |
$450–$2,300 |
Oven |
$100–$430 |
$400–$3,000 |
Washer |
$50–$450 |
$400–$2,300 |
Freezer |
$90–$500 |
$160–$2,900 |
Refrigerator |
$40–$350 |
$200–$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 $60 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 company’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 don’t provide coverage for preexisting conditions. The companies that do often charge higher rates or have lower coverage caps.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.