Best Home Warranty Companies in North Carolina

Are you looking for a reliable home warranty company in North Carolina? Here are the best home warranty companies in the Tar Heel State that you should check out.

As you settle into your new home, you may encounter offers for a home warranty. While it's presented as a safety net, it's important to consider whether it aligns with your homeowner's needs and expectations.

To assess the true value of a home warranty, it's essential to understand its coverage and limitations clearly. Depending on your specific home and circumstances, the benefits of such contracts may or may not justify the cost.

In North Carolina, you'll find numerous reputable home warranty companies, each offering a range of customer support and coverage options. Depending on your desired plan and budget, you have an array of choices to explore.

In an extensive comparison of 17 home warranty providers nationally, Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield stand out as top choices in North Carolina. However, the best provider for you will depend on factors such as your budget, location, and unique home components. Keep reading to explore different plans to find the one that suits your needs and preferences perfectly.

Here are the best home warranty companies in North Carolina. 

1. Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard stands out as a leading provider in North Carolina, offering superior coverage limits and claims processing that outclasses its competitors. Additionally, it is one of the few home warranty companies that provides policy and claims management through a proprietary mobile app, catering perfectly to tech-savvy homeowners, particularly the younger generation.

Liberty Home Guard offers three plans, including an assigned service call fee of $75 to $125, which you pay each time you file a claim. The three types of plans are:

1. Appliance Guard ($50): This is the most affordable plan and includes $2,000 worth of coverage for up to eight household items. It covers garbage disposals, washers, dryers, ceiling and exhaust fans, ovens and cooktops, built-in microwave ovens, garbage door openers, and dishwashers
2. System Guard ($55): A systems-only policy that covers plumbing, air conditioning, electrical and heating systems, ductwork, and water heaters
3. Total Home Guard ($60): Combines appliance and systems protection to cover everything on the other two plans 

Liberty Home Guard's policies impose a $2,000 upper coverage limit on most appliances and systems in their plans. Plumbing and electrical systems have a lower limit of $500, and add-ons are limited to $400 each. If you're interested in Liberty Home Guard and their plans, visit their website for more information about obtaining your home warranty.

Pros: 

• Includes $2,000 general coverage on most items, excluding plumbing and electrical systems
• Has a free mobile app
• Lower than average premium price compared to others
• Features a wide selection of add-on coverages

Cons:

• Only includes a $500 limit for plumbing and electrical
• Has an unclear service call fee structure

2. American Home Shield

American Home Shield (AHS) is one of the best home warranty companies in North Carolina, especially for those looking for coverage on older homes. Unlike other providers, AHS does not require past maintenance records before approving a claim, nor does it deny claims based on the age of the home components. 

American Home Shield has more generous coverage than many of its competitors, with up to $5,000 in protection for major systems and up to $4,000 for appliances. American Home Shield has three policies for North Carolina homeowners with the option to choose a $100 or $125 fee. 

1. ShieldSilver ($20): This policy is AHS's lowest plan tier and includes a mix of systems and appliances. It covers air conditioners, heating units, ductwork, built-in exhaust, vents, attic fans, and other works. 
2. ShieldGold ($50): This is the medium tier policy that covers everything on the ShieldSilver plan plus protection for fridges, ranges, cooktops, ovens, dishwashers, dryers, and other like appliances
3. ShieldPlatimun ($80): The most inclusive policy that covers everything under ShieldSilver and Shield Gold in addition to the unlimited refrigerant, up to $1,000 in roof-leak coverage, and protection from limited code violations

HSA offers plans and pricing to fit every budget and is dedicated to safeguarding your systems and appliances, regardless of their age. With a vast network of qualified professionals, rest assured that your problem will be promptly resolved or replaced. If you're interested in this home warranty, get a quote now.

Pros:

• Extends coverage to damage resulting from rust and corrosion
• Includes up to $5,000 in coverage for major systems each policy term
• Does not require maintenance records to approve claims

Cons:

• Customers may pay more for coverage than other companies
• More expensive service fees

3. American Residential Warranty

American Residential Warranty (ARW) was founded in 2008 and offers home warranty plans in all 50 states. The company partners with other reputable companies to provide insurance and protection for homes and their appliances. ARW ensures a 24—to 48-hour response time and holds an A rating with the Better Business Bureau.

In North Carolina, ARW Home sells three home warranty plans, ranging in cost from $45.99 to $84.99 per month, with the highest being the TotalMax plan. The TotalMax plan is the most comprehensive and expensive, covering 18 systems and appliances regardless of age, costing $100.

Additionally, ARW offers two other plans: one covering water and sewer lines, starting at $7.99 monthly, and one protecting home electronics for $24.99 monthly. These plans can be purchased independently or in addition to ARW's warranty plans.

Similar to other providers, ARW offers standard add-ons such as pool and spa or well pump coverage and more unique options like food spoilage protection. Coverage plans can be upgraded at any level.

Pros:

• Coverage available in all 50 states
• Appliances-only, system-only, and combination plans offered
• Option to use an ARW Home technician or choose your own

Cons:

• Most expensive comprehensive plan in our Best Home Warranty Companies rating
• Coverage not as expensive as competitors

4. Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty is one of the best home warranty providers because of its affordable pricing and service fees. This company includes lower coverage limits of $500 on most standard items, but if you are searching for a policy, make sure you read about all that it offers to ensure it is enough coverage for your home. 

This warranty provider offers three standard policy choices with a $75 to $100 service fee. The plans are:

1. Bronze Care ($44): This plan is Select's option for appliance coverage, covering your fridge, clothes washer, dryer, dishwasher, cooktop, microwave, stove, oven, and garbage disposal
2. Gold Care ($44): This is an option for system-only protection that covers your air conditioning, heating system, plumbing system, electrical system, water heater, and ductwork
3. Platinum Care ($48): This is the most inclusive policy option that combines the coverage found under both plans and adds plumbing stoppages, garbage door openers, and ceiling fans

Select Home Warranty is an excellent option for homeowners looking for low-cost, limited protection for their air conditioning system and a range of appliances. This plan is more affordable than most competitors. If you are interested in this provider, check out their website for more information.

Pros:

• Charges some of the most affordable prices on our list
• Higher than average coverage of $3,000 on air conditioning systems
• Fewer individual coverage component exclusions

Cons:

• Includes a lower $500 coverage limit on most standard items
• Customers can not choose their own technician for repairs

5. First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty stands out as a fantastic choice for homeowners with high-end appliances seeking thorough protection against repair expenses. With up to $7,000 in coverage per appliance, it offers more than seven times the average coverage other home warranty companies provide.

Additionally, the company provides a customizable option for customers aiming for top-tier protection without defining system limits. This makes First American an ideal match for homeowners with luxury appliances who prioritize safeguarding against potential repair costs.

Like other home warranty providers, First American offers three plans to cater to varying needs. Overall, it's a thoughtful choice for homeowners looking for comprehensive and reliable coverage for their valuable appliances. Below are the plans that they offer:

1. Starter Plan ($47): This policy combines systems and appliances. The starter plan covers a built-in microwave, dishwasher, oven, cooktop, electrical system, heating system, plumbing system, and fridge.
2. Essential Plan ($57): This second-tier coverage is a more inclusive option. It covers everything in the Starter Plan, plus your washer and dryer, water heater, air conditioning system, and garage door opener.
3. Premium Plan ($72): This most inclusive and comprehensive policy option, including everything listed above and upgraded appliance protection and also protects your garage door system, faucets, garbage disposal, instant hot water dispenser, and luxury appliances

Just like the other providers, there are pros and cons for First American Home Warranty, which are:

Pros:

• Highest coverage limits on appliances of the companies on our list
• Three tiers of service fees allow you to customize premium pricing
• Offers a First Class Upgrade that includes items such as code violations and crane access for more unique properties

Cons:

• Most expensive premiums in the state
• Does not have a systems-only plan

6. Are Home Warranties Worth It in NC?

Home warranties are crucial for North Carolinians as they significantly reduce the costs of repairs and replacements. A survey of 1,000 home warranty policyholders nationwide found that coverage for HVAC systems and roof leaks stands out as the most crucial areas for home protection.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), an overwhelming 91% of North Carolina homeowners have an air conditioning system, and 87% own a furnace or heat pump. Consequently, adding a warranty to these systems is essential to reduce the costs of repairs and replacements substantially.

Given the state's extreme weather conditions, with hot summers and freezing winters, it is absolutely vital to have a reliable HVAC system that ensures a comfortable indoor environment. Furthermore, North Carolina experiences diverse climates, from heavy snow in the mountains to hurricane rains on the coast, leading to unforeseen damages that make protection absolutely necessary.

7. Home Warranty Cost in North Carolina

Understanding what influences North Carolina's home warranty costs involves many factors. Below are the top factors to help you understand the costs of a warranty according to data. 

• Geographical Location: North Carolina has a diverse landscape and climate, which is crucial in determining warranty costs. Homes by the coast may face different risks than those in the mountains. 
• Coverage Options: Home warranty plans offer various levels of coverage, ranging from basic plans to more extensive plans in which higher the cost
• Provider and Plan Selection: Different providers offer varying levels of service and pricing structure, so researching and comparing multiple to find the best one that fits your need will help get a better understanding of cost
• State Regulations and Legal Requirements: NC regulatory environment and legal requirements can impact home warranty costs because there may necessitate additional administrative overhead for providers, which can be reflected in pricing and plan structures

Average Annual Cost	Average Monthly Cost	Average Service Fee
$400-$700	$29-$70	$60-$125

Methodology

We used information from different sources and our data to create this guide on the best home warranties in North Carolina. We combined various data sets to help you learn more about them.

• Market Watch
• Forbes
• Home Warranty Reviews
• North Carolina Department of Justice

The following are a few sources we used to gather most of our information about the best home warranties in North Carolina. 

FAQS

What is the best home warranty in America?

Based on thorough research into coverage plans, reviews, and costs, Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield stand out as top-notch home warranty companies.

Is having a home warranty worth it?

Home warranties from reputable companies are worth it for most homeowners because they provide peace of mind that your expensive appliances and systems will be covered. When they break down, you only owe a small service fee.

What is the average home warranty cost?

Based on research, a home warranty typically costs between $43 and $56 per month, or about $526 to $671 annually for a standard one-year policy. It's important to note that there are additional service call fees to take into account.

Best Home Warranty Companies in North Carolina - The Bottom Line

When considering a home warranty in North Carolina, it's important to consider how much you can afford per month for a warranty and how much you can afford if something breaks and you do not have policies in place.

North Carolina homeowners encounter various challenges, including housing and managing high living costs. A home warranty plan can help reduce these costs and is considered a good investment. Forbes, along with other sources, has compiled a list of the best home warranty company plans designed to meet the specific needs of North Carolina homeowners, making it easier for you to find reliable protection.

While some homeowners may find the cost unnecessary and expensive, others may feel comforted by the peace of mind a plan can provide. Home warranties protect your home's most important systems and appliances and help with out-of-pocket expenses.

If you are considering moving or selling, contact us or visit our website. Our team at Raleigh Realty is here to help you with any home buying or selling needs.