Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
The cost of maintaining a home in DeKalb can be costly, especially as your home ages and your appliances and systems need to be repaired or replaced. A home warranty in DeKalb can help lower your out-of-pocket costs by covering repairs or replacements to major home systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear.
The home warranty market has a lot of providers — all with different offerings — so the Today's Homeowner team has done the research to help you find the best home warranty companies in DeKalb.
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
Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty for DeKalb residents. Liberty has been in the home warranty business for around 6 years. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you purchase a plan from Liberty, you will get a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Liberty Home Guard also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also about $3,000.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. To read more, visit our full review of Liberty Home Guard.
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
Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty for DeKalb residents. Choice has been in the home warranty business for around 15 years. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you purchase a plan from Choice, you will get very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Choice Home Warranty also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. To read more, visit our full review of Choice Home Warranty.
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
Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty for DeKalb residents. Select has been in the home warranty business for around 11 years. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you purchase a plan from Select, you will get a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Select Home Warranty also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. To read more, visit our full review of Select Home Warranty.
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
American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty for DeKalb residents. AHS has been in the home warranty business for around 26 years. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you purchase a plan from AHS, you will get the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. American Home Shield also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. To read more, visit our full review of American Home Shield.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
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
Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for DeKalb residents. Cinch has been in the home warranty business for around 44 years. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you purchase a plan from Cinch, you will get a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Cinch Home Services also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also about $1,000-$2,000.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. To read more, visit our full review of Cinch Home Services.
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
The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service for DeKalb residents. HSC has been in the home warranty business for around 15 years. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process quick and easy. When you purchase a plan from HSC, you will get quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. The Home Service Club 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 from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. To read more, visit our full review of The Home Service Club.
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 | $5,997 |
Heating | $3,998 |
Electrical | $600 |
Toilets | $500 |
Washer/Dryer | $800 |
Plumbing | $600 |
Oven | $1,599 |
Fridge | $600 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps DeKalb homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid expensive emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances might not need a home warranty.
Home warranties protect your household systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dishwashers, garbage disposals, dryers, microwaves, washers, refrigerators, and more. Protected systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and even locksmiths. DeKalb should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty terms to understand before signing a contract:
There are several key considerations when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans include protection for plumbing, heating, electrical, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also offer coverage on other items such as pools, well pumps, roof leaks, and spas. Look for providers with a range of coverage choices, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your home’s needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using companies with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a customer doesn't submit any claims in a set timeframe.
A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, contractor quality, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for top-tier service.
Home warranty companies use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential businesses to ask how many repair specialists they have in DeKalb and get an idea of how fast your repairs could be handled in an emergency. More extensive networks raise the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Some home warranty companies include extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These perks add value beyond just repair coverage. Extra bonuses help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Temperatures in DeKalb can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in DeKalb, one of the benefits of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered if they need to be repaired or replaced.
A home warranty also can also save you time and energy. Instead of spending hours researching and choosing 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. Additionally, having a home warranty can help make your house more appealing to potential homebuyers should you ever decide to sell later. Many home warranty providers will allow you to transfer your policy to a new owner and give them the same protection you’ve been benefiting from.
Home warranties also have some cons. Although it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a service technician who carries out the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would prefer to select their own contractor. If that’s important to you, some home warranty companies allow you to choose a contractor.
Another downside is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those due to natural disasters. For example, if a tree falls onto your house and damages the roof, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty plan costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in DeKalb. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can get a lower monthly payment with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. In addition, it's typically cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects your entire home in case of a situation such as a natural disaster or fire. With homeowners insurance, you won't be able to file a claim should you need a new dryer or dishwasher, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in DeKalb.
A home warranty plan can help investors, homebuyers, homeowners, home sellers, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different home warranties in DeKalb include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan will cover many of your home systems and appliances, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and HVAC. An appliance or system plan will cover only the specific items listed in the plan.
Home warranty plans typically last a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees when using the policy. In DeKalb, where the median home value is $258,583, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.