Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Owning a home can have many perks, but it can also come with some downsides like maintenance. The older your house’s systems and appliances are, the more likely it is that you'll benefit from a home warranty. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and guard your savings account from large expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best warranty for your home can be time-consuming, so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you find the best home warranty companies in Athens. Read on for our recommendations.
Very highly rated among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Extensive list of 20+ add-on coverages
Easy claims process
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
In Athens, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has been in business for around 6 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can benefit from a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Not to mention, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps associated with Liberty’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $75.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. For more information on this provider, read our Liberty Home Guard full review.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in washington
In Athens, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has been in business for around 15 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from Choice, you can benefit from very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps associated with Choice’s plans are around the $3,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are an affordable $85.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. For more information on this provider, read our Choice Home Warranty full review.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
In Athens, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has been in business for around 11 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from Select, you can benefit from a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Not to mention, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps associated with Select’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $60.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. For more information on this provider, read our Select Home Warranty full review.
Bronze Care Plan
Gold Care Plan
Platinum Care Plan
The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
Allows customers to build their own plans
Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay
Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems
Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Doesn’t provide coverage in alaska
In Athens, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has been in business for around 26 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from AHS, you can benefit from the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps associated with AHS’s plans are around the $2,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. For more information on this provider, read our American Home Shield full review.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Established company with a bbb accreditation
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
24/7 service calls available
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing
In Athens, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has been in business for around 39 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from First American, you can benefit from very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, it has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps associated with First American’s plans are around the $1,500 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are a reasonable $85.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. For more information on this provider, read our First American Home Warranty full review.
Basic Plan
Premier Plan
Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days
Charges high service fees of $75-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in hawaii or alaska
In Athens, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has been in business for around 44 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can benefit from a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps associated with Cinch’s plans are around the $1,000-$2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. For more information on this provider, read our Cinch Home Services full review.
Appliances Plan
Built-in Systems Plan
Complete Home Plan
Policy starts in ten days
24/7 customer service support
Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances
30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Offers utility and home service outside line coverage
Higher service fee of $95
Not accredited by the better business bureau (bbb)
Only 2 plan options
In Athens, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has been in business for around 15 years, making it a well-respected company in the industry. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps associated with HSC’s plans are around the $2,000 mark for many major systems and appliances, and service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. For more information on this provider, read our The Home Service Club full review.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on home warranty companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
| Home Appliance | Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioner | $5,949 |
| Heating | $3,966 |
| Electrical | $595 |
| Toilets | $496 |
| Washer/Dryer | $793 |
| Plumbing | $595 |
| Oven | $1,586 |
| Fridge | $595 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Athens homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as washers, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dishwashers, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and electrical. Many home warranty companies also offer additional coverage for locksmiths, roof leaks, septic systems, and central vacuums. Athens homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.
Before signing a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More robust coverage options also include protection for other items such as spas, roof leaks, well pumps, and pools. Look for companies with an assortment of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may seek out companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
A home warranty provider's rating gives insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, claim approval rates, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research providers. Positive reviews and ratings indicate a provider known for stellar service.
Home warranty businesses maintain networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair technicians they have in Athens and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Larger networks increase the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.
Home warranty providers may offer extras such as coverage for smart home devices, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras add value beyond just repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of your home warranty.
Athens’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the repairs, preventing you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of vetting contractors on your own, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Another good thing about having a home warranty is if you want to sell your home, some providers let you transfer your home warranty plan to the new owners. It can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your house sell faster.
One downside of a home warranty is that there are generally exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read through the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Plus, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs or replacements due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything besides normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Athens can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. This cost is often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also reduce your up-front costs when you agree to a higher service fee.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty plans cover problems with home systems and appliances that need repairs or replacements due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different insurance that protects the entire home from natural disasters, which might not be too much of a concern in Athens. It doesn't cover a normal appliance or system damage.
First-time homebuyers, landlords, real estate agents, homeowners, and home sellers are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
The different types of home warranties in Athens include plans with coverage for either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your home systems and appliances, including your dishwasher, washing machine, and heating and cooling systems. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the contract.
Generally, a home warranty policy lasts for a year and can be renewed annually. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
In general, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, when buying a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Athens, where the median home value is $292,807, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.
