Home Warranty

7 best home warranty companies in Athens, Georgia

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

Our Methodology

We've ranked the top 7 home warranty companies that operate within 50 miles of Athens. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.

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You might be considering a home warranty to protect essential home systems and appliances. For a monthly fee, these policies cover repair and replacement costs when items like refrigerators and AC units break down from normal 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 Athens home has a dishwasher, furnace or any other everyday appliance within that age range, you will likely experience an unexpected breakdown. The top home warranty companies listed below offer generous coverage at affordable rates.

With the scorching summer heat in Georgia, air conditioner breakdowns in Athens are that much more taxing for homeowners. A home warranty from one of the national providers listed below will give you an inexpensive path to the future repairs you might need.

Our Top Pick

4.5

Our Rating

Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
Holds high customer ratings
Offers customization with 38 add-ons

Explore Plans

4.4

Our Rating

Covers rust and corrosion damage
Offers comprehensive coverage limits
Provides flexible service fees

$150 Off Any Plan

Explore Plans

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 Athens

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty pairs its three coverage plans with flexible service call fees. It also offers coverage perks, including an appliance color-match program and an "Even If" service fee guarantee. With this guarantee, 2-10 will refund your service call fee if your covered item can’t be fixed or replaced.

What we like

Offers a $25,000 annual coverage cap
Pairs plans with a plan-length workmanship guarantee
Offers unique perks such as color matching appliance replacements

What we don't like

Charges a monthly processing fee if you choose monthly premiums
Excludes washer and dryer coverage from most plans

Liberty Home Guard

4.6/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers the largest number of optional add-ons compared to any provider in this article — 38 in total. It also has plans featuring a 60-day workmanship guarantee on completed repairs.

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

4.4/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $48.98 - $59.99

Elite lets you fully customize a plan for your exact coverage needs. It also provides an exceptionally long 90-day workmanship guarantee.

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

4.4/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $29.99 - $89.99

An industry veteran, American Home Shield has been in business since 1971. It provides three coverage plans and six optional 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

First American Home Warranty

4.2/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $47.00 - $87.00

First American is known for its comprehensive appliance coverage caps. With an Essential or Premium plan that has the First American Advantage upgrade, you could also get coverage for miscellaneous components, including appliance knobs and dials.

What we like

Allows you to choose your service call fee
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
Accepts 24/7 service calls
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair

What we don't like

Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
Charges higher for coverage compared to other providers

Cinch Home Services

4.3/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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

3.9/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $44.42 - $47.75

Select Home Warranty plans have low premiums, and each one includes coverage for roof leaks.

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 Athens

The typical monthly cost of a home warranty in Athens ranges from $41 to $70, around the same as the national average. If you're paying on an annual basis, expect to spend roughly $563.62–$927.48 per year. To calculate national cost data, we requested hundreds of quotes for 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state that the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties protect various home appliances and major systems, but they're not a substitute for homeowners insurance. Below, we'll outline what's generally covered in a home warranty and what isn't.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

Clothes dryers
Dishwashers
Washing machines
Built-in microwaves
Cooktops
Refrigerators

The first category of items home warranties cover is kitchen appliances and household items. This category includes the following: When you purchase a home warranty, you're also getting coverage for major home systems. While different plans have unique coverage scopes for this category, the following systems can be covered:

Water heater
Plumbing
Electrical
Central vacuum
HVAC

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

As with many other service contracts, home warranties won't cover certain components or appliances. These are called exclusions. One thing that home warranties exclude is damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty company could reject a claim for an AC breakdown if a dirty air filter is the cause. This is because replacing the air filter is considered routine upkeep. Additionally, home warranties won't cover hazardous waste, preexisting conditions, cosmetic damage, rust or corrosion damage, improper system or appliance installation and acts of nature.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Athens

Ask each home warranty provider these questions before you purchase a plan.

What items are covered by my policy?

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. Companies might also offer additional coverage, like roof leak and spa protection, as add-ons. Consider what supplements you might need and how much they'll add to the cost.

How long is my home warranty good for?

A typical home warranty plan is valid for one year from the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. The 30-day waiting period serves as a way to prevent customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. You may extend the 12-month policy term by purchasing a multiyear plan.

What contractors do you work with?

When you're researching home warranty companies, 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 the Georgia Secretary of State database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Understanding the way 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 24/7 claims hotline. 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. After you file your claim, a staff member will examine your claim and connect you with an in-network repair contractor. The contractor's team will book an appointment with you to examine the appliance and diagnose the problem. Once the company grants final approval, the contractor can proceed with repairs.

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 will handle the transfer without cost, while others charge a transfer fee. Sellers can also purchase special home warranty plans that are easily transferred to prospective buyers. This is a simple way to make your home more attractive to your home in a competitive real estate market and provide the buyer additional peace of mind.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before purchasing a home warranty, research the company's sample contracts and policies. Understanding a provider's terms and conditions can help you decide whether they're a good fit for you. It'll also help you stand up for your rights if you need to file a claim. Pay attention to these key stipulations and clauses:

Exclusions: Be sure to read more about component-specific exclusions in the home warranty company's sample contracts. Some parts of an appliance might be excluded even if the appliance itself is usually covered under the policy.
Workmanship guarantee: Most workmanship guarantees last for 30 days from a warranty repair, but some companies offer longer guarantee periods. If you have more issues with an appliance that an in-network technician recently attempted to repair for you, the home warranty company won't assess an extra service call fee for a new claim.
Service call fee: The service call fee is the amount you'll pay the home warranty company or service provider each time you file a claim. Fees typically range from $75–$125 per claim.
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: A home warranty contract should include information on cancellation and refunds. If you cancel within the first 30 days of signup, many companies will fully refund your annual premium.

Facts about Athens

Average High in July

89°F

Athens

83°F

National Average

Average Low in January

34°F

Athens

17°F

National Average

Average Daily Sunlight

71%

Athens

69%

National Average

Our Top Pick

4.5

Our Rating

Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
Holds high customer ratings
Offers customization with 38 add-ons

Explore Plans

4.4

Our Rating

Covers rust and corrosion damage
Offers comprehensive coverage limits
Provides flexible service fees

$150 Off Any Plan

Explore Plans

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.

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

Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.

7 best home warranty companies in Athens, Georgia

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