Home Warranty

7 best home warranty companies in Columbus, 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 Columbus. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.

Companies Selected

Consider a home warranty to financially protect your home's essential items. These policies cover the repair or replacement of common household systems and appliances, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, for a monthly fee.

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 Columbus home contains aging furnaces, dishwashers or other appliances, you'll probably encounter an untimely failure. These top-rated home warranty firms offer robust coverage at fair prices.

A standard homeowners insurance policy doesn't cover normal appliance wear and tear. With protection from one of these home warranty providers, you'll have additional reassurance in case of an unexpected breakdown.

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

Limited Time Offer: 50% Off

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 Columbus

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 offers flexible service fees and perks like an appliance color-match program. Through its "Even If" guarantee, it also refunds service fees if repairing or replacing a covered item isn't possible.

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

Founded in 1971, American Home Shield was one of the country's first home warranty companies. Today, it offers three coverage plans and six supplementary 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 Home Services provides coverage perks other companies don’t, such as a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement. Like most home warranty companies, Cinch offers flexible service fees that raise or lower your plan premium.

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 pairs all plans with roof-leak repair coverage. It also charges low plan premiums.

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 Columbus

The cost of a home warranty is on par with the national average, and it largely depends on how frequently you prefer to make payments. The national average is roughly $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?

Cooktops
Dishwashers
Washing machines
Clothes dryers
Refrigerators
Built-in microwaves

The first category of items home warranties protect 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 different coverage scopes for this category, the following systems can be included:

HVAC
Electrical
Plumbing
Central vacuum
Water heater

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. Your contract calls these 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.

Rust or corrosion damage
Cosmetic damage
Acts of nature
Improper system or appliance installation
Preexisting conditions
Hazardous waste

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Columbus

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

What items are covered by my policy?

Assess your coverage requirements before requesting a quote from a home warranty provider. Once you've determined what items require coverage, verify that the provider includes them in its plans. Some companies separate appliance and systems coverage into different plans, so ensure you choose the accurate one. Many companies also sell optional add-ons, covering things like central vacuum and additional refrigeration. Consider whether any add-ons fit your situation.

How long is my home warranty good for?

A typical home warranty plan is good for one year from the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. The 30-day waiting period acts as a way to deter customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. Purchasing a multiyear plan extends protection beyond the standard 12-month term.

What contractors do you work with?

Ask potential home warranty companies about their network of local service contractors. A contractor must have the proper local and state licensing to access the company's network. If your area has no in-network contractors nearby, the warranty company may let you choose your own. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the Georgia Secretary of State database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Knowing more about your warranty company's claims process can improve your chances of getting an approval. Most companies accept claims online or via a 24/7 phone line. Once you file, the company will try to respond within 24 to 48 hours. Filing outside normal business hours may lead to a slower process. After you file your claim, a staff member will examine your claim and connect you with a networked repair service. The contractor's team will schedule a meeting with you to inspect the issue and diagnose the problem. Once the company grants final approval, the contractor can begin the repair work.

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

If you need to move, most home warranty contracts feature a clause allowing you to transfer the policy to the new homeowner. Some companies handle the transfer at no charge, though others levy a transfer fee. Home warranty companies might also sell separate, special coverage plans that you can easily transfer to prospective homebuyers. Sellers might opt for these plans to raise their home's appeal in a competitive market.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before you decide on a home warranty, examine its terms and conditions to ensure they're compatible with your needs. As you read through the sample contract, pay attention to these key details and clauses:

Exclusions: Home warranties have both general exclusions and component-specific ones. Even if a device or system is generally covered, your warranty might not cover some specific parts if they become damaged. Read your sample contract carefully to be aware of what is not covered.
Service call fee: Similar to copays at the doctor or pharmacy, you'll have to pay a service call fee every time you file a home warranty claim. Many providers have fees between $75 and $125 per claim.
Coverage limit: Each home warranty has a coverage limit that limits how much money the company will pay per claim. There might also be an annual coverage limit or other stipulations.
Workmanship guarantee: Workmanship guarantees help protect you from additional service call fees if an in-network technician doesn't adequately address a covered issue. Most guarantees are 30 days long, but some companies offer longer periods.
Cancellation: Each home warranty company has a cancellation policy in its fine print. Many companies will refund your annual premium in full if you cancel within the first 30 days of enrollment.

Facts about Columbus

Average High in July

90°F

Columbus

83°F

National Average

Average Low in January

38°F

Columbus

17°F

National Average

Average Daily Sunlight

71%

Columbus

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

Limited Time Offer: 50% Off

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 Columbus, Georgia