Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Although homeownership in Decatur has many benefits — such as being surrounded by nature — there are also not so glamorous sides. One major issue many homeowners have to deal with eventually is updating or repairing their home appliances and systems. A home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need and shield your bank account from unexpected expenses by covering your home’s major appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be time-consuming, since there are lots of companies to decide between. That’s why the Today's Homeowner team did the research and made a list of the top home warranty companies in Decatur for you.
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 Decatur, Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty. 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. The 3 plans from Liberty are easy to comprehend and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard 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 lower than other providers in the Decatur area.
To get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or give them a call at 866-451-2281. Read more by visiting 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 Decatur, Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty. 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. The 2 plans from Choice are easy to comprehend and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage limits from Choice are about $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Decatur area.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 929-400-6164. Read more by visiting 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 Decatur, Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty. 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. The 3 plans from Select are easy to comprehend and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty 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 lower than other providers in the Decatur area.
To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-370-3953. Read more by visiting 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 Decatur, American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty. 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. The 3 plans from AHS are easy to comprehend and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield 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 lower than other providers in the Decatur area.
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or give them a call at 888-365-2839. Read more by visiting 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 Decatur, First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage. 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. The 2 plans from First American are easy to comprehend and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty 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 lower than other providers in the Decatur area.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, fill out this online form or give them a call at 833-204-7164. Read more by visiting 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 Decatur, Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. 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. The 3 plans from Cinch are easy to comprehend and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services 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 lower than other providers in the Decatur area.
To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, fill out this online form or give them a call at 877-589-0505. Read more by visiting 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 Decatur, The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service. 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. The 2 plans from HSC are easy to comprehend and offer a mix of both system and appliance coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club 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 lower than other providers in the Decatur area.
To get a free quote from The Home Service Club, fill out this online form or give them a call at 800-750-9443. Read more by visiting 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 | $5,639 |
| Heating | $3,759 |
| Electrical | $564 |
| Toilets | $470 |
| Washer/Dryer | $752 |
| Plumbing | $564 |
| Oven | $1,504 |
| Fridge | $564 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Decatur homeowners in lowering the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to replace or repair appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is especially helpful for buyers of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances might not require a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dishwashers, refrigerators, garbage disposals, dryers, washers, microwaves, and more. Covered systems include heating, electrical, air conditioning, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, septic systems, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. Decatur homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover things like pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
There are a number of home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:
When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several important factors to consider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans cover heating, plumbing, electrical, AC, and appliances. More comprehensive options may also cover other things such as spas, roof leaks, well pumps, and pools. Look for providers with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your home's needs.
Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, some homeowners prefer to choose a provider with lower service fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also eliminate deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.
A home warranty provider's reputation can offer insight into things such as contractor quality, speed of repairs, approval rates for claims, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a provider is known for quality service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair technicians to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential businesses to ask how many repair professionals they have in Decatur and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Larger networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Certain home warranty providers offer extras such as protection for smart home devices, energy-efficient upgrades, and discounts on maintenance. These can offer extra value beyond repair coverage. Added perks enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Temperatures in Decatur can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are likely to get a good bit of use. As a homeowner in Decatur, one benefit 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.
Not only does a home warranty offer some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty handles this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Additionally, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
As for the disadvantages of home warranties, home system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to read what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.
Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty policy costs, on average, around $300 to $600 a year in Decatur. Our top-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 usually less expensive 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 protects against normal wear and tear to systems and appliances in a home. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Decatur.
A home warranty policy can help investors, home sellers, homeowners, real estate agents, and homebuyers. It can provide peace of mind and savings to anyone involved with homeownership.
A home warranty policy 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 a good idea if you want to save some money.
Home warranty plans usually provide coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan annually, and some offer month-to-month plans as well.
Typically, the homeowner is the one who is responsible for paying the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller will pay for the policy. This can then be given to the new homeowner, who will pay the service fees. In Decatur, where the median home value is $197,470, having the seller pay for the home warranty can be a good asset for your new home.
