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5 best home warranty companies in Joliet, Illinois

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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Home warranties give you a financial buffer to repair or replace appliances that suddenly fail. For a monthly fee, these policies cover items such as AC units and refrigerators when they malfunction with regular wear and tear.

Did you know that the typical life span of an HVAC system is seven to 25 years? Other major systems, such as water heaters, only last an average of six to 12 years. Most appliances last just 20 years or fewer, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

If your Joliet home has a furnace, dishwasher or any other everyday appliance within that age range, you will likely experience an unexpected breakdown. The top home warranty companies listed below provide generous coverage at affordable rates.

Homeowners insurance doesn't cover appliance malfunctions due to normal wear and tear, so having a home warranty can provide you an extra cushion against mishaps. We've done the research to pinpoint what home warranty firms have the best major appliance and system coverage.

Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
$150 Off Any Plan
Explore Plans
Provider logo
3.8
Our Rating
  • Charges low premiums
  • Includes roof-leak coverage
  • Offers solid HVAC coverage
Explore Plans

Find the best home warranty for you in Joliet

Here's our list of the best home warranty companies in Joliet:

Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard

4.6/5

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers plans with a 60-day workmanship guarantee on completed repairs. Compared to other providers in this piece, it also provides the largest number of coverage add-ons – 38 in total.

What we like

  • Holds high ratings among customer service reviews
  • Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Offers an extensive list of 40+ add-on coverages
  • Provides an easy claims process

What we don't like

  • Lacks transparency on service call fee pricing
  • Excludes coverage for known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Elite Home Warranty

Elite Home Warranty

4.4/5

Average monthly costs: $48.98 - $59.99

Elite Home Warranty offers fully customizable plans with 90-day workmanship guarantees. Customers can build a unique coverage solution that meets their needs.

What we like

  • Allows you to choose your technician
  • Extends a 90-day workmanship guarantee
  • Offers more than 25 add-ons

What we don't like

  • Charges higher service fees for high-end appliances
  • Doesn't provide an online quote
  • Limits repair and replacement coverage caps for older items
American Home Shield

American Home Shield

4.4/5

Average monthly costs: $29.99 - $89.99

American Home Shield was one of the first home warranty companies, having been in business since 1971. It provides three base plans and six add-ons.

What we like

  • Offers generous coverage caps
  • Allows customers to build their own plans
  • Provides the option to choose the service fee you want to pay

What we don't like

  • Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
  • Offers limited add-on options
Cinch Home Services

Cinch Home Services

4.3/5

Average monthly costs: $38.99 - $66.99

Cinch is known for offering unique perks such as homeowners insurance deductible reumbursement and adjustable service fees and premiums.

What we like

  • Offers home insurance deductible of $500
  • Extends a long 180-day workmanship guarantee
  • Provides generous $10,000 aggregate coverage limit

What we don't like

  • Charges high service fees of $100-$150
  • Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
  • Isn’t available in Hawaii or Alaska
Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty

3.9/5

Average monthly costs: $44.42 - $47.75

Roof leak repair coverage is a rare perk that Select offers to its customers. It's also a good company to keep on your shortlist if affordable premiums are your top priority.

What we like

  • Provides low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
  • Includes two extra months of coverage in annual signup
  • Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option

What we don't like

  • Has a $75 cancellation fee
  • Low coverage caps

Cost of a home warranty in Joliet

The cost of a home warranty is around the same as the national average, and it largely depends on how often you choose to make payments. The national average is around $40.91 to $77.05 per month, or $563.62 to $927.43 per year. We calculated the average by requesting hundreds of quotes using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties cover a variety of major systems and home appliances. We'll lay out a general overview of the two main coverage categories.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

  • Dishwashers
  • Cooktops
  • Clothes dryers
  • Built-in microwaves
  • Washing machines
  • Refrigerators

Kitchen and living appliances make up the first group of items that a home warranty covers. This includes the following items: The second coverage category is major systems, which frequently consist of the following:

  • Central vacuum
  • Plumbing
  • Water heater
  • Electrical
  • HVAC

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Just like other service contracts, home warranties will not provide coverage for certain items or events. These are referred to as exclusions. Generally, home warranties don't cover item breakdowns caused by damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, if your air conditioner malfunctions due to a dirty air filter, home warranty companies probably won't cover the repairs since air filter replacement falls under routine maintenance. Home warranties also don't cover acts of nature, cosmetic damage, rust or corrosion damage, improper system or appliance installation, hazardous waste and preexisting conditions.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Joliet

Before you purchase a home warranty plan, discuss these crucial questions with each provider you're considering.

What items would my policy cover?

First, determine what items need coverage before requesting a home warranty quote. Some providers separate appliance and system coverage, so verify that the company has plans to meet your particular needs. Many companies also sell optional add-ons, covering things like sump pumps and swimming pools. Consider whether any add-ons fit your situation.

How long is my home warranty good for?

Generally, home warranty contracts are active for one year after the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Companies have this 30-day waiting period to stop customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. A home warranty may last longer than 12 months if you purchase a multiyear plan.

What contractors do you work with?

When you're researching home warranty providers, be sure to ask about which service contractors they use. Each repair team must follow specific licensing requirements and standards to get repair approval from the warranty company. If there are no partner contractors in your area, the warranty terms might allow you to select your own repair company. You can verify a contractor's license by searching your local or county government database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Understanding how a company’s claims process works often makes the difference between claim approval and denial. Home warranty providers typically accept claims via an online portal or a round-the-clock support line. Typical response times are within 24 to 48 hours of filing, though there may be processing delays if you file a claim outside normal business hours. If the home warranty company grants initial approval to your claim, they'll connect you to a service contractor from their network. The contractor will schedule a consultation with you to inspect and diagnose the problem. Once they get final approval from the warranty company, they'll do the repair work and handle billing on your behalf.

Can I transfer my policy to the next owner of my home?

If you're selling your home, you may be able to transfer your policy to the new homeowner. Some companies manage the transfer without cost, while others levy a transfer fee. Home warranty coverage can be reassuring to new homebuyers. Some companies offer sellers special coverage plans that are readily transferable to buyers.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before you select a home warranty, carefully read its terms and conditions to ensure they're aligned with your needs. As you read through the sample contract, look for these key details and clauses:

  • Service call fee: Whenever you file a claim, the home warranty or repair company will charge a service call fee. These fees typically range between $75 and $125.
  • Exclusions: Home warranties have both general exclusions and ones specific to components. Even if a device or system is generally covered, your warranty could still exclude some specific parts if they suffer damage. Read your sample contract carefully to understand the exclusions.
  • Coverage limit: The coverage limit sets a dollar limit to how much the home warranty company will pay per repair. There may be additional stipulations, such as an annual coverage limit.
  • Cancellation: You'll typically find the warranty company's cancellation policy in their fine print. Depending on the company, if you cancel within the first 30 days of enrollment, you might receive a full refund of the entire premium.
  • Workmanship guarantee: The workmanship guarantee is the time during which the home warranty company will not charge additional service call fees for a repair if an in-network technician has recently tried to fix the item. The industry standard is 30 days, though some companies offer longer workmanship guarantees.

Facts about Joliet

Average High in July
83°F
Joliet
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
15°F
Joliet
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
61%
Joliet
69%
National Average
Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
$150 Off Any Plan
Explore Plans
Provider logo
3.8
Our Rating
  • Charges low premiums
  • Includes roof-leak coverage
  • Offers solid HVAC coverage
Explore Plans

Our methodology for selecting home warranty providers

We review national home warranty providers against our full home warranty methodology. We score warranty providers based on coverage options and limits, price, brand reputation, customer service, extra features and availability.

Contact us at feedback@homefront.usatoday.com if you have questions or feedback on this article

Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top

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