How to Choose a Georgia Home Warranty
A Georgia home warranty can end up providing important coverage in addition to your homeowners insurance, or it can end up being a waste of money.
Written by Claire Beaney
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
If you're thinking about purchasing a home warranty for your Georgia house, be cautious: inattentive and unscrupulous organizations can make these service contracts cost more than they're worth.
Being a homeowner, inevitably, will always be expensive. And if you’re buying a home in Georgia, dealing with everything from a high risk of
termite infestations
to possible hurricane damage
, the cost of owning your home can spike even higher. So
Jerry
, the auto and home
insurance super app
, has put together this guide to home warranties, one of the most popular and divisive ways to protect your Georgia
home. Continue reading to learn more about home warranties, whether they’re right for you, and some of the best home warranty providers in Georgia.RECOMMENDED
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What is a home warranty?
A home warranty is a service contract that covers the cost of repairing household equipment or appliances for a predetermined period. It usually includes things such as water heaters, fridges, and stoves to systems like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.
When an appliance or system fails, the homeowner will notify the home warranty company. The warranty firm asks for repair or replacement services from one of its partnered providers, so the homeowner can have these issues dealt with at a reduced price.
Home warranty vs. home insurance
Though they sound pretty similar, there are some important differences between warranty and insurance for your home!
Home insurance protects your home’s entire structure and contents, not only appliances and home systems—but only against specified perils. Home insurance might assist you in replacing a refrigerator if it's damaged as a result of a house fire or break-in, but it will not support you if the equipment just stops working after years of wear and tear.
A home warranty is meant to repair and replace critical elements of your house that may ultimately fail. The key caveat is that home warranties won't cover systems or devices that were purposely damaged or worn out by the owner, which leaves many contracts in a perilous gray area.
Do you need a home warranty in Georgia?
A home warranty isn't required in Georgia and, for some homeowners,
isn’t their perfect fit
. While having a financial cushion to help with the costs of house upkeep sounds fantastic, home warranties aren't always worth it.If you're thinking of getting a home warranty, be sure to do your research. If you just purchased a home and don't have an emergency fund for unforeseen maintenance expenses, a warranty may be a smart idea while you save up. If you can afford the warranty upfront or in monthly installments, it may be wiser to save the premium as a safety net.
How to choose a Georgia home warranty
If you feel that a home warranty is the best option for you, make sure to compare plans from multiple warranty providers. You want one with the greatest coverage options, cheapest payments (including service costs! ), and the finest customer service—but you may not be able to find all of these from the same provider.
Read through the table below for a full comparison of the top five home warranty providers in Georgia. Before signing a home warranty contract, read it thoroughly to verify you're getting the coverage you need without any surprising terms and restrictions.
Company | Monthly payment | Annual premium | Service fee | States not covered | BBB rating | Limits | What it’s best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
American Home Shield | $40-$58 | $300-891 | $75-$125 | Alaska | B | $1,000-$6,000 | Longest track record, broadest coverage, and lowest chance of service denial |
Choice Home Warranty | $36-$44 | $517-$660 | $60-$85 | Washington | B | $500-$3,000 | Quick response times, and a basic package that covers both systems and appliances |
Liberty Home Guard | $40-$60 | $700-$960 | $65-$125 | Washington, Wyoming | A | $500-$2,000 | Excellent customer service and a plethora of coverage add-ons |
Select Home Warranty | $36-38 | $630-$765 | $60-$75 | Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, Wyoming | B | $500-$2,000 | Discounts and quick response times |
AFC Home Club | $31-54 | $370-648 | $75-$125 | California, Hawaii | B | $1,000-$2,000 | 24/7 customer service and lifetime membership guarantees |
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The pros and cons of home warranties
If you're
purchasing a home in Georgia
, you may be told by an agent that you should get a home warranty—you might have also read that home warranties are never a good idea.Neither is entirely correct. Home warranties offer advantages and disadvantages based on your income, preferences, and general situation. Let's examine the reasons for and against home warranties.
Pro: A home warranty can simplify finding contractors
Waking up to your 15-year-old fridge being broken and having to clean up your now-spoiled food is annoying enough—having to compare contractors online is the last thing you’ll want to do. A house warranty can make a problem more bearable by connecting you with the best professionals without the necessity for comparison shopping.
Pro: No need for an emergency fund
The most compelling argument in favor of purchasing a home warranty is the financial security it gives in the event of expensive replacements or repairs. The average cost of replacing a home HVAC system ranges between $5,000 and $10,000, and even the $200+ needed to fix a fridge can be an issue if you don't have the money on hand. These big costs are considerably reduced thanks to a home warranty (but a service charge is still required).
Con: You won’t work directly with contractors
The flip side of the coin is that your home warranty provider acts as a go-between for you and the contractor. That's a formula for miscommunication, slowness, and additional costs—and you may not have any involvement in the replacements used by the contractor.
You should avoid the warranty if you prefer to directly engage with the workers who are repairing your property.
Con: Limited coverage and expensive service fees
A home warranty may not give as much protection as you believe. With general coverage limitations between $500 to $5,000, you might be unable to obtain the necessary compensation in the event of more pricey repairs.
Con: Warranty companies may deny coverage
The downside that makes house warranties contentious is that providers routinely refuse claims based on carelessness, even if you've kept everything in good working order. Many contracts allow the provider to refuse coverage if the previous owner did not maintain the appliance or system.
In many instances, no matter how great your warranty reads on paper, truly receiving compensation can be hard.
How to find affordable homeowners insurance in Georgia
Whether or not a home warranty is right for you will be different for every homeowner. Having insurance for your home, though, is always essential—and thanks to
Jerry
, finding the best homeowners insurance is easier than ever!A
licensed broker
, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new home or renters insurance. Jerry will even help you bundle your home and auto insurance for even bigger savings.“I was looking for a liability insurance plan for my truck until I can afford more coverage.Jerrymade it simple to shop around for the best deal for me. Thank you!” —Jake L.
Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
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How much does a home warranty cost in Georgia?
In Georgia, the average home warranty costs between $300 and $600 per year, depending on your specific contract and coverage selections.
How long is a new home warranty in Georgia?
Most home warranties in Georgia are for one year, although extended lengths are usually available.
What is the best home warranty company out there?
The best home warranty company differs for each homeowner, but American Home Shield is frequently regarded as the best overall home warranty provider due to its long service record and high coverage limits.
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