Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Athens can be gratifying for many people, but it also comes with its fair share of headaches. Home repairs can be an unexpected financial burden for many homeowners. A home warranty is a way to protect your budget from unexpected home repairs and expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be considerably lower and give you some peace of mind.
The home warranty market has a lot of providers — all with different coverage — so our team at Today's Homeowner has done the research to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Athens.
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 offers a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Plus, it also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. The 3 plans that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage limits from Liberty are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Athens area.
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 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 offers very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Plus, it also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. The 2 plans that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage limits from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Athens area.
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 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 offers a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Plus, it also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. The 3 plans that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage limits from Select are about $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Athens area.
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 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 offers the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Plus, it also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. The 3 plans that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage limits from AHS are about $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Athens area.
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 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 offers very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Plus, it also 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. The 2 plans that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage limits from First American are about $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Athens area.
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 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 offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Plus, it also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. The 3 plans that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage limits from Cinch are about $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Athens area.
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 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 offers quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Plus, it also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. The 2 plans that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage limits from HSC are about $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Athens area.
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 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 | $6,015 |
| Heating | $4,010 |
| Electrical | $601 |
| Toilets | $501 |
| Washer/Dryer | $802 |
| Plumbing | $601 |
| Oven | $1,604 |
| Fridge | $601 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps reduce the high costs for Athens homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and modern appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, washers, refrigerators, and others. Protected systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Various home warranty plans offer extra coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and even locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Athens homeowners to wait 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.
There are several home warranty terms to know before signing an agreement, including:
When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:
Home warranty coverage varies widely in the items that are included. Most plans cover heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive options also offer coverage on other items such as spas, pools, well pumps, and roof leaks. Look for companies with varied coverage options, including upgraded plans. This allows you to tailor protection to your home's needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may look for providers advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may waive deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insight into things such as repair timeliness, approval rates, contractor quality, and customer satisfaction. Use review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies have networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair contractors they have in Athens and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Larger networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Some home warranty companies include perks such as reduced maintenance fees, smart home device coverage, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra bonuses help you enhance your home and get the most from your warranty policy.
Since temperatures in Athens can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Purchasing a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working unexpectedly.
A home warranty also saves you time and energy. Instead of spending hours finding and selecting a technician to fix your appliance or system, home warranty providers do the hard work for you and send a trusted professional to your door whenever you need them. Plus, though it varies by company, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One downside of purchasing a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read through the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Another drawback is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Athens. Our top-rated home warranty providers' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's typically less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new refrigerator or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Athens.
A home warranty plan can help home sellers, investors, real estate agents, homebuyers, and homeowners. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty can cover your systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be useful if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty policy offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Typically, the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the one selling the home may buy a home warranty plan and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then be responsible for the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Athens is $307,312, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
