Living without air conditioning in the middle of a Georgia summer can throw a wrench in your plans. Fortunately, a home warranty can help. A home warranty is a service agreement that provides homeowners peace of mind by covering the cost of repair and replacement when major systems and appliances break down.
To help you choose the right home warranty provider for your needs, we’ve reviewed multiple providers to determine the best home warranty companies in the United States. We considered the number and quality of plan options, customer service ratings, and pricing before choosing our recommendations for Georgia homeowners.
Georgia’s Top 4 Home Warranty Companies
The highest-rated home warranty companies in Georgia include:
- American Home Shield: Best Coverage Caps
- Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Ratings
- Select Home Warranty: Best Value
- America’s First Choice Home Club: Best for Customization
Summary of the Best Home Warranty Companies in Georgia
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in Georgia?
Based on the pricing information we obtained for this article, you can expect to pay an average of $52 monthly or $624 annually for a Georgia home warranty. However, the cost of a home warranty can vary widely. For instance, the amount of coverage a provider offers in its standard plans and its selection of add-ons affect cost. Our research shows that companies covering more than 20 items, including add-ons, charge more for a coverage plan.
Your home’s size also affects how much a home warranty will cost. Based on the hundreds of quotes we’ve pulled, we found that coverage costs increase roughly 10%–15% if your home is larger than 4,000 square feet. We suggest requesting quotes from at least three home warranty companies to compare coverage costs.
Annual Home Warranty Cost Calculator
Our team created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty. Enter your monthly premium, service call fee, and estimated number of claims to see your projected annual cost. It’s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers, as annual costs and service fees vary between them.
Who Regulates Home Warranties in Georgia?
Our research shows that Georgia’s Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire (OSISF) regulates insurance companies and automotive service contracts. However, there isn’t a clear indication that the OSISF includes home warranties within its jurisdiction. Georgia still protects consumers who purchase a home warranty through the state’s Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. You can file a complaint with this division if your home warranty provider refuses to resolve your dispute.
Although there isn’t clear government oversight for home warranties in Georgia, there are industry organizations that enforce self-regulation. For example, the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA), comprised of member companies that follow set requirements, has divisions in all states, including Georgia. Its Georgia division lists all the member companies available within the state to help you choose a reputable company.
When You Should Buy A Georgia Home Warranty?
We recommend that all first-time home buyers purchase a home protection plan to cover major systems and appliances. Typically, a real estate agent will include a home warranty in the closing process to sweeten the deal. If you’re not buying a home, you can still sign up for a home warranty at any point during homeownership.
Factors To Consider When Buying a Georgia Home Warranty
Before buying a home warranty in Georgia, consider the following factors to help you get the most our of your plan:
- Communication: How do you prefer to communicate with your home warranty company? If you prefer the convenience of an online portal, choose a company that includes access to one.
- Location: Ensure the home warranty company you choose has in-network technicians near you, especially if you live in a rural area. If in-network service providers aren’t in your area, ensure your home warranty provider allows you to hire your own technician and reimburse your expense.
- Weather: Take into account your local climate. For example, if you live in a rainy area, such as Rabun County, it would be wise to find a provider that includes roof-leak repair coverage.
Expert Takes on Home Warranties
Our team supplemented our in-depth research with advice from experts who interact with home warranties in their respective industries. We asked them several common questions homeowners have about home warranties. Check out their answers below:
- Do Georgia home warranties offer other reimbursement options? Kurt Walker, a real estate expert associated with Mill City Home Buyers, mentions that some home warranty companies offer a cash payout if a covered item needs replacement. “However, you must be aware that the cash payout might not cover the cost of replacement,” he warns.
- How does a home warranty work? Ryan Hawker, cofounder of H3 Homebuyers, says, “When a covered item quits working, you must call the home warranty company to file a claim. You can also submit a claim online. Once the claim is approved, the company will arrange for a preapproved service provider to come to your home within 48 hours to assess the problem.”
- How do I know if a Georgia home warranty company is trustworthy? Peter Evering, a Business Development Manager for Utopia Property Management, recommends starting your research with customer reviews. “Reading customer reviews and ratings can provide insights into the experiences of other homeowners and help you gauge the level of customer satisfaction,” he says.
Our Conclusion
A Georgia home warranty can save you money on expensive repairs and replacements if a major system or appliance, such as your water heater, air conditioning system, or refrigerator, breaks down due to normal wear and tear. This home protection plan can even save you the time and hassle of locating a qualified repair technician.
Each of the home warranty companies mentioned—Liberty Home Guard, American Home Shield, Select Home Warranty, and AFC Home Club—provides reputable home protection. They offer comprehensive plans, affordable pricing, excellent customer service, and discounts on plans. We recommend getting a quote from all four companies so you can compare coverage and pricing and find a plan that fits within your budget.
Life span and repair cost data sourced from InterNACHI and The Home Depot
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Find the Best Home Warranty Company in My Area?
Find in-depth reviews on the best home warranty companies for each state and major U.S. city below.
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team backs up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts from each company, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for coverage, value, trustworthiness and transparency, availability, and customer service to arrive at a final score out of 100.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.