The Best Home Warranty Companies in Illinois | 2022

Home Service Research Team
·12 min read

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Best Overall

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Best Basic Plan

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Best Discounts

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Best Plan Variety

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Best Membership Perks

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Best Coverage Upgrade

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As a homeowner, you always want to be prepared for when your home's most valuable systems and appliances break down. If you're not, you may be stuck with expensive repairs and replacements you can't afford.

One way to avoid this is by budgeting for home repairs. That won't always help you avoid high costs, though, as you could find yourself spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars if your HVAC system breaks or your refrigerator dies.

Alternatively, a home warranty can help you cover repairs and replacements for your home's systems and appliances at a fraction of the cost you'd pay without assistance. In exchange for an affordable monthly premium, your home warranty will give you access to a wide range of repair and replacement services for covered items. Instead of breaking the bank, you'll pay a small service fee—typically between $75 and $125—each time you use your plan.

Are you considering buying a home warranty in Illinois? Our guide to the best home warranty companies will help you make the right choice.

Top Home Warranty Companies in Illinois

#1 Best Overall: American Home Shield

With 50 years of experience offering home warranty policies, American Home Shield is one of the oldest home warranty providers in Illinois—and the United States. American Home Shield offers higher coverage levels than many other competitors, which can be especially beneficial for homeowners in Illinois who have high-end systems and appliances. American Home Shield also allows you to customize your coverage with variable service fees, which can be great for personalizing your policy to your unique home budget.

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American Home Shield Plans

American Home Shield offers three plan choices in Illinois: the ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, and ShieldPlatinum™ plans.

American Home Shield Optional Add-Ons

In addition to the basics included on American Home Shield's plans, you can also add the following optional coverages to any plan choice:

  • Pools and spas

  • Extended electronics

  • Well pumps

  • Sump pumps

  • Guest units

American Home Shield Cost

In addition to your monthly premium, you'll also pay a $75, $100, or $125 service fee each time you use your coverage. You'll select your service fee when you first sign up for your plan. Selecting a higher service fee can lower your monthly premium and vice versa.

Here's what you can expect to pay per month and per year for your plan:

American Home Shield is one of the most trusted home warranty companies in the country, which can be a major benefit for homeowners who have had bad experiences with home warranty providers in the past. The company's policies include higher-than-average coverage limits and a track record of quick repairs. You can even customize your policy by selecting your own service fee from three options.

On the other hand, American Home Shield's policies are a bit more expensive than competing home warranties in Illinois. The company is also one of the only policy providers we've seen that doesn't offer optional septic system coverage, which may be a factor worth considering for some Illinois homeowners.

Get your free quote from American Home Shield online or by calling 844-529-9298.

#2 Best Basic Plan: Choice Home Warranty

Choice Home Warranty extends its policies to all homeowners, regardless of the age of their property. So long as your home's systems and appliances are functioning when you sign up for a plan, their age shouldn't matter. Choice's policies also include a number of additional benefits, like 90-day repair guarantees and 30-day money-back guarantees.

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Choice Home Warranty Plans

Choice Home Warranty offers two simple, straightforward plan options: a Basic Plan and a Total Plan.

Choice Home Warranty Optional Add-Ons

Customize either plan option with the following add-on coverages:

  • Central vacuum

  • Limited roof leak

  • Septic system

  • Septic tank pumping

  • Sump pump

  • Well pump

  • Pool/Spa

  • Second refrigerator

  • Standalone freezer

Choice Home Warranty Cost

Here's what you can expect to pay per month and per year for your coverage from Choice, along with an $85 service fee:

If you live in an older home, Choice Home Warranty can provide you with a complete range of coverage without forcing you to pay more or deal with strict coverage limits. This can be a major benefit if you live in one of the thousands of historic homes in Chicago and beyond. Choice's 90-day repair guarantee is also more generous than competitors.

If you think you might use your plan often, Choice might not be the best option for you—coverage limits are lower than companies like American Home Shield, and its $85 service fee is higher than Illinois's state average. You'll also need to purchase the more expensive Total Plan if you want coverage for an air conditioning system or a refrigerator.

Receive your free quote from Choice Home Warranty online or by calling 929-400-6165.

#3 Best Discounts: Select Home Warranty

Home warranty policies can quickly become expensive—especially if you need to customize your policy with add-on coverages. Select Home Warranty offers comprehensive home warranty coverage with a selection of useful discounts.

With three policy options available for less than $40 per month, as well as industry-average service fees, Select Home Warranty is ideal for homeowners seeking the most affordable coverage possible. Its policies also include unique coverages, such as complimentary roof leak protection and two months of free coverage for new policyholders.

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Select Home Warranty Plans

Select Home Warranty offers three plan options: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care.

Select Home Warranty Optional Add-Ons

You can customize your coverage from Select Home Warranty with the following optional coverages:

  • Pool

  • Spa

  • Septic system

  • Well pump

  • Sump pump

  • Lawn sprinkler system

  • Roof leaks

  • Central vacuum

  • Stand alone freezer

Select Home Warranty Cost

Here's what you can expect to pay for your plan from Select Home Warranty on a monthly and annual basis, along with a $75 service fee:

You'll also pay a $75 service fee when you request service through your policy.

Select Home Warranty offers some of the most affordable policies in Illinois, with comprehensive home system and appliance coverage available for less than $40 per month. The company's free roof leak coverage can be especially beneficial for homeowners living in Chicago or elsewhere on the lakeside who experience more extreme weather.

Select's low-cost policies do come with low coverage caps compared to competing providers, and they also have certain exclusions that many other companies do not. For example, if you don't have service records proving that you've maintained your systems and appliances, you can only claim a maximum benefit of $150 on any item.

We still recommend getting a quote from Select so you can see if it's the most affordable option for you. For a free quote, call 833-777-0049 or fill out this easy online form.

#4 AFC Home Club

When compared with other top providers in the industry, AFC Home Club offers the best plan variety and customization. It provides four different plan options, three customizable service call fee options, and payment plan options for monthly, annual, or three-year pricing. It also allows customers to choose their own technician when they need a repair or replacement for their covered systems or appliances.

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AFC Home Club Plans

AFC Home Club offers four plans: the Systems Plan, Silver Plan, Gold Plan, and Platinum Plan. Here are the covered items included in each one:

Optional Add-ons

AFC Home Club offers the following 11 add-ons:

  • Tankless water heater

  • In-ground pool

  • Stand-alone freezer

  • Sump pump

  • Double oven

  • Central vacuum

  • Ice maker

  • Hot water dispenser

  • Septic system

  • Well pump

  • Built-in microwave

AFC Home Club Cost

AFC Home Club allows customers to choose between $75, $100, or $125 for their plan's service call fee. Below is a pricing breakdown of each plan based on each of the three service call fee selections for the sample quotes we received:

Another benefit of AFC Home Club is that it doesn't limit its workmanship guarantee, meaning the service fee you pay during a claim covers that specific repair or replacement for the lifetime of the home warranty plan. This is unique for the industry, as most competitors offer only 30–90-day workmanship guarantees.Get your free quote from AFC Home Club by using this online tool or calling 877-755-1115.

#5 Cinch Home Services

Cinch Home Services is a top home warranty provider for its comprehensive coverage plans and attractive membership perks. As a customer of Cinch, you get access to a $25 credit for air conditioner or water filters, a free water sensor delivered to your home to help detect leaks, and access to discounts on new appliances. Additionally, the Complete Home Plan comes with a reimbursement of up to $500 for your homeowners insurance deductible, which can be beneficial if you ever have to file a claim with your insurer.

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Cinch Home Services Plans

Cinch Home Services offers three plans: the Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Here's what's covered in each plan:

Optional Add-ons

Cinch Home Services offers six optional add-ons:

  • Pool (heater included)

  • Spa (heater included)

  • Pool with spa (heater included)

  • Septic tank and pumping

  • Well pump

  • Premier Upgrade Package*

*The Premier Upgrade Package (PUP) provides customers with coverage for up to two claims of $1,000 each for non-covered charges, such as permits and code upgrades, that are associated with a covered repair or replacement.

Cinch Home Services Cost

Although Cinch's service call fee options of $100, $125, and $150 are higher than most competitors, it allows homeowners to customize their plan's pricing by choosing a service fee that's right for them. Here are examples of monthly prices from our sample quotes:

Cinch Home Services offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee for all covered repairs or replacements. When you pay your service call fee during a repair or replacement, any future service calls related to that issue within 180 days won't require another service call fee when the technician visits your home. Although shorter than AFC Home Club's unlimited workmanship guarantee, it's still longer than the industry standard of 30–90 days.Get your free quote from Cinch Home Services by using this online tool or calling 888-520-1711.

What to Consider for an Illinois Home Warranty

Illinois's position on Lake Michigan can present a number of problems to homeowners when it comes to home system and appliance maintenance. Let's take a look at some of the factors you'll want to consider when you choose a home warranty policy for an Illinois home.

Coverage for Older Properties

Chicago has a higher-than-average percentage of older homes when compared to other major cities. Many homes in Chicago are over 100 years old, having been built as far back as 1919. If you live in an older home, your home warranty provider might try to limit coverage for your home's components. Consider choosing a company like Choice Home Warranty to service your policy, which won't take your home's age into account when you purchase a policy.

Coverage Limits on Heating Systems

Illinois' winters can be brutal, which may put an increased strain on your heating system. If you've dealt with HVAC breakdowns in the past, consider choosing a company with higher coverage limits on major systems—like American Home Shield.

Roof Leak Protection

From spring rains to heavy winter blizzards, Illinois' weather can take a toll on your roof. Purchasing a policy with limited roof leak protection can fill in the gaps of your home insurance policy, providing you with more robust roofing coverage.

If you're concerned about the condition of your roofing, consider choosing a policy from Select Home Warranty, which offers complimentary roof leak coverage on all of its policies.

Home Warranty Rating Methodology

The Home Service Research Team at Better Homes & Gardens strives to provide unbiased and objective reviews to readers by compiling relevant information on home warranty companies and rating the providers on a variety of factors.

Here's what our review process looks like:

  • We examine each provider's website to determine plan details, coverage, customer service offerings, and other benefits. We also speak with company representatives to get more insight on plan details.

  • We read sample contracts from each home warranty company to analyze and compare coverage details, limits, and exclusions.

  • We read at least 100 third-party customer reviews for each home warranty company to determine the real-life benefits and drawbacks of each provider.

  • We gather cost information for a variety of home warranty plans in different states by completing online quote forms and speaking with sales representatives to simulate the quote process.

  • We revisit each company's offerings on a seasonal basis, ensuring that we include the most up-to-date information in our reviews.

We also created a 100-point rating system to score companies based on objective factors, such as plan options, coverage, and customer service:

Overall, the Home Service Research Team has reviewed over 70 home warranty companies to select the top-rated providers in the industry.