Home Warranty Companies in NC
Are you searching for a reliable home warranty company in North Carolina? Here are the best home warranty companies in NC.
North Carolina homeowners face unique challenges that make home warranties particularly valuable. The state's diverse climate puts a strain on home systems and appliances year-round. Add in the frequent thunderstorms and occasional hurricanes, and it's clear why protecting your home investment matters.
While home warranties are presented as a safety net, it's essential to consider whether they align with your needs and expectations as a homeowner. To assess the true value of a home warranty, it's essential to understand the coverage and limitations each warranty offers, as well as the pros and cons.
Unlike some states, North Carolina has specific construction warranty laws. However, for existing homes and day-to-day systems, homeowners must rely on home warranty companies to protect against unexpected breakdowns.
In North Carolina, you'll find numerous reputable home warranty companies, each offering various customer support and coverage options. Depending on your desired plan and budget, there are multiple choices to explore if you call Raleigh home.
Are Home Warranties Worth It in North Carolina?
While it may depend on your specific situation, a home warranty makes solid financial sense for many North Carolina homeowners. If your home is more than 10 years old, having a home warranty in place will save homeowners money once systems and appliances exceed their expected lifespan.
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 cost of repairs and replacements substantially.
For both buyers and sellers, home warranties provide predictable costs and offer peace of mind when home system failures occur. On the other hand, you may want to skip a warranty if everything is already under the manufacturer's warranty and if all major systems and appliances are less than five years old.
Home Warranty Average Cost
The average home warranty plan costs $62.33 per month. The total cost in North Carolina depends on multiple factors:
- Home Size: Larger homes (over 3,000 sq ft) typically pay more
- Location: Urban areas like Raleigh, Charlotte, and Durham may have different rates than rural regions
- Coverage Level: More comprehensive plans cost more
- Add-ons: Pool coverage, well pumps, and septic systems increase costs
- Service Fee Choice: Opting for lower service fees increases monthly premiums
- Home Age: Some providers adjust pricing for older homes
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 outclass its competitors. It has built a strong reputation as one of the most flexible home warranty providers in the state.
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 an impressive array of customization options with over 35 add-ons available to homeowners. It offers three main plan tiers, 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:
- Appliance Guard ($50.19/month): Covers nine primary home appliances, including refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and built-in microwaves
- System Guard ($55.19/month): Protects six major home systems, including HVAC, ductwork, plumbing, electrical, water heater, and garage door openers
- Total Home Guard ($49.99+/month): Combines both appliance and system coverage for comprehensive protection
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.
Costs
- Monthly premiums: $49.99-$60+
- Service call fees: $75-$125 per visit
- Annual cost estimate: $600-$900
Unique Offerings
- Over 35 optional add-ons for customization
- 60-day repair guarantee on all work
- Coverage in all 50 states
- Multiple payment plan options
Pros
- Extensive customization with numerous add-ons
- Competitive pricing for comprehensive coverage
- Strong coverage caps for most items
- Flexible plan options for different budgets
Cons
- Service fees can be on the higher end ($125 maximum)
- Initial 90-day limitation: electrical and plumbing systems capped at $250 (instead of the full $500) during the first three months
- May not be the cheapest option for basic coverage needs
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2. American Home Shield
As one of the most established names in the home warranty industry with over 50 years of experience, American Home Shield is the largest provider in North Carolina and offers particularly strong protection for homes with older systems.
American Home Shield (AHS) is one of the best home warranty companies in North Carolina. Unlike other providers, American Home Shield 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 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 plus applicable sales tax.
- ShieldSilver($29.99-$50/month): 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.
- ShieldGold ($60-$70/month): 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
- ShieldPlatinum ($90-$100/month): 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
You can select a higher service fee, which lowers your monthly payment, or a lower fee, which increases the monthly payment but reduces your out-of-pocket expense when you file a claim. ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum cost more monthly but offer more coverage.
American Home Shield 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.
Costs
- Monthly premiums: $35-$100
- Service call fees: $100 or $125 (your choice)
- Annual cost estimate: $480-$1,200
Unique Offerings
- One of the few providers that covers undetectable pre-existing problems
- Unlimited coverage caps for plumbing and electrical systems
- $5,000 coverage limits for heating, cooling, and ductwork
- Video chat support with technicians for quick troubleshooting
- Free annual HVAC tune-up with top-tier plan
Pros
- Industry leader with 50+ years of experience
- Covers pre-existing conditions (rare in the industry)
- Extremely high or unlimited coverage limits
- Strong customer satisfaction
- Excellent for older homes with aging systems
Cons
- Premium plans are among the most expensive options
- Limited add-on catalog
- Some homeowners report slower claim processing during peak seasons
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.
American Residential Warranty has established itself as a reliable mid-tier option for North Carolina homeowners seeking a balance between coverage and affordability. American Residential Warranty ensures a 24-hour to 48-hour response time and holds an A rating with the Better Business Bureau.
ARW typically offers multiple plan tiers:
- Basic/Essential Plan: Covers core systems and appliances
- Deluxe/Premium Plan: Expanded coverage with additional items
- Custom Plans: Ability to build coverage based on specific needs
In North Carolina, ARW Home sells three home warranty plans, ranging in cost from $29.99 to $69.99 per month. The Platinum Premier plan is the most comprehensive and expensive.
Similar to other providers, ARW offers standard add-ons such as pool and spa or water and sewer lines. Coverage plans can be upgraded at any level.
Costs
- Monthly premiums: $30-$70 (estimated)
- Service call fees: $75-$100
- Annual cost estimate: $550-$950
Unique Offerings
- Quick claim response times
- Option to choose from multiple plan structures
- Coverage for homes up to 10,000 square feet
- Strong focus on customer service
Pros
- Coverage available in all 50 states
- Competitive pricing for comprehensive coverage
- Responsive customer service team
- Flexible plan options
- Good reputation in the industry
Cons
- Fewer innovative features compared to larger competitors
- Add-on options may be limited
- Coverage caps may be lower than premium providers
- Less brand recognition than industry giants
4. Select Home Warranty
Select Home Warranty positions itself as a straightforward, no-frills option for homeowners who want reliable coverage without excessive complexity. This is one of the best home warranty providers because of its affordable pricing and service fees.
This warranty provider offers three standard policy choices with a $75 to $100 service fee. The plans are:
- Bronze Plan: Essential systems and appliance coverage
- Gold Plan: Comprehensive protection for both systems and appliances
- Platinum Plan: Highest level of coverage with expanded limits
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.
Costs
- Monthly premiums: $45-$70 (estimated)
- Service call fees: $75-$100
- Annual cost estimate: $600-$900
Unique Offerings
- Straightforward plan structures
- No hidden fees policy
- Multiple service call fee options
- Quick online claim filing
Pros
- Transparent pricing and coverage terms
- Simple, easy-to-understand plans
- Competitive service call fees
- Good coverage for standard home items
Cons
- May lack some advanced features of larger providers
- Coverage limits may be standard rather than exceptional
- Add-on options might be limited
- Less extensive contractor network in rural areas
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5. First American Home Warranty
First American Home Warranty stands out for its generous coverage limits, particularly appealing to homeowners with high-end appliances and complex systems. 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.
First American offers three comprehensive plan options:
- Starter Plan ($45-$50/month): 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.
- Essential Plan ($60-$65/month): 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.
- Premium Plan ($80-$85/month): 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
Costs
- Monthly premiums: $45-$85
- Service call fees: $100 or $125 (your choice)
- Annual cost estimate: $600-$1,100
Unique Offerings
- Unlimited coverage for most essential systems, including HVAC
- Up to $7,000 in appliance coverage with Premium Plan
- First American Advantage: Free upgrade covering damaged or improperly installed items
- $1,000 roof leak coverage included with Premium Plan
- No deductibles on repairs
Pros
- Industry-leading coverage limits (unlimited for many systems)
- Excellent for high-end appliances
- First American Advantage covers installation damage
- Strong reputation and financial stability
- Comprehensive Premium Plan coverage
Cons
- No appliance-only or system-only plans available
- Starter Plan excludes several important items like AC
- Premium plans cost more than some competitors
- Must upgrade to higher tiers for complete coverage
Methodology
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.
Best Home Warranty Companies in North Carolina - The Bottom Line
When considering a home warranty in North Carolina, think about how much you can afford per month for a warranty vs. how much you can afford if something breaks and you do not have policies in place.
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.
Choosing a home warranty provider in North Carolina doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you are buying your first home in the Triangle or have owned property in North Carolina for years, protecting your investment with a quality home warranty is worth serious consideration.
If you are moving to Raleigh, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty. Our experienced team is here to help you make informed decisions.
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