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From peace of mind to the bottom line, there are many reasons homeowners might decide a home warranty is worth it for them. A home warranty is a type of coverage that protects the home’s major systems and appliances, allowing homeowners to schedule repairs at a significantly lower cost than they would be facing if they didn’t have the financial backing of the home warranty company.
But while the appeal of a home warranty might be easy to understand, home warranties themselves are often more complicated, with each home warranty company offering its own costs, coverage, perks, and experiential factors that homeowners will need to consider to choose the best plan for their needs. To aid in the search, this guide has everything homeowners need to know about the best home warranty companies in North Carolina.
- BEST OVERALL: AFC Home Club
- RUNNER-UP: American Home Shield
- BEST FOR LOW RATES: Cinch Home Services
- BEST ADD-ON COVERAGE: Liberty Home Guard
- ALSO CONSIDER: First American Home Warranty
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in North Carolina
Though homeowners may be able to secure the primary benefit of a home warranty—peace of mind—through just about any provider, the tangible benefits of this type of home protection, and the opportunities homeowners have to take advantage of them, will depend heavily on the company the customer selects. With a long list of national home warranty companies to consider, homeowners will need to weigh a variety of factors to choose the best plan and provider for their needs.
Policies and Plans
When considering their home warranty options, it’s important for homeowners to understand that all policies are not created equal. Depending on the provider, coverage can range from basic to comprehensive, with many companies offering multiple plans and policy tiers.
Within these tiers, each home warranty company offers its own unique blend of standard coverage, add-on services, and other membership perks that can help customers keep their home’s critical systems and appliances in good working condition. But because coverage options can vary significantly among providers, homeowners will want to note the items covered under each company’s plans, keeping in mind any specific items they might be looking to protect.
Maximum Coverage Limit
While taking note of the items covered under each company’s policies, homeowners will also want to pay attention to any applicable coverage limits. The coverage limit on a home warranty refers to the maximum amount the home warranty company is willing to pay to repair or replace covered items.
Depending on the company, these coverage limits may be applied per item or per term. Companies often set different coverage limits for different items as well. For instance, HVAC repairs may be covered for a much higher amount than roof-leak repairs. As such, this factor will likely be a critical consideration, as coverage limits can directly impact the repairs homeowners can have covered without having to contribute money out of pocket.
Average Monthly Rate
Though home warranty companies often give customers the option to pay for their full coverage term up front, many homeowners opt to make monthly payments for their home warranty coverage. These monthly rates can vary significantly from one provider to another, so homeowners will need to consider their monthly budget to set their cost expectations.
While it’s important to understand that the specific rate a customer pays for their coverage will depend on several factors, including the scope of the coverage as well as the size and location of the home, average rates can still serve as an indication of a company’s overall affordability, making this a cost factor well worth considering.
Discounts
There’s no question that homeownership can be expensive. As such, deal-seeking homeowners may be happy to learn that it is not uncommon for home warranty companies to offer discounts with the potential to significantly reduce the total cost of their coverage.
However, much like many of the other factors worth weighing when homeowners are searching for the best home warranty companies in North Carolina, discount opportunities can differ greatly among providers. Some companies offer discounts to attract new customers, some provide discounts as rewards to loyal customers, and others run promotional discounts seemingly year-round. To get the best deal on their home warranty coverage, homeowners will need to keep their eyes open for any discount opportunities that may apply to them.
Service Fee
While monthly rates are paid to cover the base cost of a home warranty, customers will be required to pay an additional out-of-pocket cost, known as a service fee, when scheduling repairs on their covered systems and appliances. Home warranty service fees often vary among providers, so homeowners will need to understand each company’s fees to avoid an inconvenient and potentially expensive surprise if the time comes to use their coverage.
Some home warranty companies may give customers a list of service fees to choose from. Although choosing a lower service fee may be the right decision for some, it’s important to understand that opting for a lower service fee typically means paying more up front on the monthly rate, so homeowners will need to weigh these options carefully.
Waiting Period
Home warranties typically begin with a brief waiting period. This means that even after homeowners have chosen a provider and committed to a policy, they will still need to wait a short amount of time before they can actually put their home warranty coverage to use.
Though waiting periods are relatively short, usually lasting around 30 days, they can still present a potential gap in coverage, which some homeowners may be eager to avoid. These homeowners will want to pay close attention to each home warranty company’s terms, as some may offer ways for customers to bypass the waiting period entirely. For instance, companies may waive their standard waiting period for new customers who already have a home warranty with another company and are looking to switch providers. Other companies may waive their waiting period if the homeowner agrees to an inspection of their systems and appliances.
Claims Process
By looking at customer reviews and consumer reports, home warranty customers may be able to gain insight into the average customer experience created by each home warranty provider. But there are other factors homeowners can analyze to understand the quality of service provided by each company, including the claims process.
The process for submitting claims, the amount of time it takes to respond to claims, and the amount of time it takes to schedule repairs can all vary from one home warranty company to another. If an air conditioning unit goes out or a refrigerator breaks down, North Carolina homeowners will likely want repairs to be taken care of as soon as possible. As such, a quick and streamlined claims process may be of the utmost importance. Homeowners will need to understand each of the factors that impact the overall claims process to choose a provider capable of meeting their expectations where repair requests are concerned.
Workmanship Guarantee
Though repairs on systems and appliances are unlikely to last a lifetime, home warranty workmanship guarantees can protect the repairs for a certain period of time, allowing homeowners to schedule follow-up work on covered items without having to pay additional service fees.
This makes workmanship guarantees a valuable asset to homeowners, as without a guarantee in place, homeowners can be on the hook to pay additional out-of-pocket costs if initial repairs fail to resolve the underlying issue. However, workmanship guarantees can vary dramatically in length, with some providers offering guarantees as brief as 30 days and others protecting repairs for the entire duration of the customer’s policy. For this reason, homeowners will want to note each company’s workmanship guarantee alongside other factors when picking the best home warranty provider for their needs.
Our Top Picks
To determine the best home warranty companies in North Carolina, our research weighed several factors ranging from costs to coverage options, considering the overall value and customer experience provided by each company and paying attention to any specific offerings that may appeal to residents of this southern state.
Best Overall
AFC Home Club
Why It Made the Cut:
With locked-in monthly rates, a lengthy workmanship guarantee, and an opportunity to bypass the waiting period, new customers can reap the rewards of several benefits with AFC Home Club.
Customers who find affordable monthly rates with AFC Home Club will be happy to learn that they can lock in those rates for a period of 5 years, allowing them to continue paying their original rate even if the company’s prices increase during that time. For new customers, the company also offers to waive its standard waiting period if they agree to an inspection of their systems and appliances. This gives homeowners the opportunity to avoid any gaps in their home warranty coverage, allowing them to put that coverage to use without delays.
AFC Home Club also gives its customers the flexible option to choose their own service technician for repairs. Though they are also welcome to choose a contractor from the company’s preferred network, this alternative may appeal to homeowners who already have a trusted, local technician in mind for the job.
Prospective policyholders will want to note that before AFC Home Club will approve any HVAC repair requests, they will be required to submit what the company calls a “prior satisfactory annual maintenance record” from a licensed technician. This means homeowners will need to regularly maintain this critical system if they want the opportunity to use their HVAC coverage, but routine maintenance of such important home systems is often recommended anyway. Once repairs have been completed on covered systems and appliances, homeowners who choose AFC Home Club will be able to rest easy knowing the repairs are covered under the company’s generous workmanship guarantee, which runs the entire length of the customer’s 1- or 3-year policy. This is an impressively long workmanship guarantee, which can provide homeowners with invaluable peace of mind.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $3,000
- Average monthly rate: $52
- Service fee: $75 to $125
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 1 or 3 years
Pros
- Customer-selected technician option
- 5-year guarantee on monthly rate
- Extremely long 1- or 3-year workmanship guarantee
- Waiting period waived with home inspection
Cons
- Annual HVAC maintenance required
Runner-Up
American Home Shield
Why It Made the Cut:
Alongside high coverage limits and some unique standard coverage inclusions, American Home Shield offers homeowners access to an exclusive on-demand home services platform.
With American Home Shield, customers can unlock extensive HVAC coverage, with even the most basic plans offering $5,000 of coverage on this critical home system. This is a very high coverage limit, which may allow homeowners to cover expensive HVAC repairs and replacements without having to contribute funds out of pocket. All American Home Shield plans also cover pre-existing conditions, provided they cannot be detected through a simple visual inspection or mechanical test. Coverage on pre-existing conditions is not always available with home warranties, so this standard inclusion may allow homeowners to get more use out of their home warranty with American Home Shield.
Customers considering American Home Shield will want to be aware that the company’s workmanship guarantee is on the short side, lasting only 30 days. This could potentially lead to homeowners having to pay an additional service fee if follow-up repairs are needed after these 30 days have passed. Another factor worth considering is the company’s average rates, which are somewhat high in the North Carolina market, though the exact rates a homeowner pays for their coverage will depend on a variety of factors, such as the customer’s coverage selections. As such, some North Carolina homeowners may find American Home Shield’s rates to be more affordable.
American Home Shield customers may also be able to take advantage of the company’s baked-in membership perks, including its exclusive Frontdoor Pro platform, which allows homeowners to schedule additional home services on demand, including services that wouldn’t typically be available through a home warranty. In the Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham metro areas, this platform can be used to quickly and easily schedule services such as carpet or dryer vent cleaning without the hassle of having to search for a reputable provider.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $5,000 (for HVAC repairs)
- Average monthly rate: $64
- Service fee: $100 or $125
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 30 days
Pros
- Relatively high $5,000 coverage limit on HVAC repairs
- Coverage for unknown pre-existing conditions included
- Additional on-demand home services available via Frontdoor Pro
Cons
- Relatively short 30-day workmanship guarantee
- Relatively high $64 average monthly rate
Best for Low Rates
Cinch Home Services
Why It Made the Cut:
From its affordable monthly rates to its speedy claims response time, Cinch Home Services is an option worth considering in the North Carolina market.
Homeowners prioritizing low monthly costs may be drawn to Cinch Home Services, as the company’s average rates are relatively affordable in North Carolina, indicating that homeowners in the area may be able to get a good deal on their home warranty by going with this provider. The company’s service fees, however, may be seen as less affordable, running between $100 and $150. However, the speed of the company’s service may make up for the cost of these fees, with Cinch Home Services vowing to begin contacting service technicians within 2 hours of receiving a repair request, assuming that request is submitted during regular business hours. This is a remarkably quick turnaround time, which may be particularly valuable when homeowners find themselves in need of urgent repairs.
It’s worth noting that although most home warranty companies offer some type of roof-leak coverage, either as a standard inclusion or an optional service add-on, Cinch Home Services does not offer this coverage in any form. However, the company does provide customers with coverage on unknown pre-existing conditions, which are defined as any conditions that cannot be detected by a visual inspection or simple mechanical test. Home warranties do not always include this type of coverage, so the fact that it is included in all of the company’s policies is noteworthy, and it could provide more value to customers since they can use their home warranty to pay for a wider range of repairs.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $3,000
- Average monthly rate: $46
- Service fee: $100 to $150
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 180 days
Pros
- Coverage for unknown pre-existing conditions included
- Relatively low $46 average monthly rate
- Quick response within 2 hours of service request possible
Cons
- No roof-leak coverage available
- Relatively high $100 to $150 service fee
Best Add-On Coverage
Liberty Home Guard
Why It Made the Cut:
Flexible payment methods, low service fee options, and dozens of add-on coverage options await homeowners who choose Liberty Home Guard as their home warranty provider.
With a wide range of service add-ons to choose from, Liberty Home Guard gives customers the ability to create their ideal home warranty, granting them access to more than 40 coverage options they can use to customize their plan to their unique needs. For homeowners in North Carolina, the most popular add-ons include pool and spa, stand-alone freezer, well pump, septic system pump, and limited roof-leak coverage.
Liberty Home Guard customers are also given the opportunity to choose from a list of service fees, with options available as low as $60. This low service fee option can allow homeowners to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses if they need to submit a repair request. Customers also have the ability to control how they pay for their coverage, with Liberty Home Guard accepting payments up front or on a monthly basis. Homeowners who are interested in a multiyear plan, but who cannot afford to pay in full, can instead take advantage of the company’s interest-free payment plans. This financial flexibility may allow more homeowners to budget for a home warranty.
When the time comes to use their home warranty coverage, customers will want to be aware that Liberty Home Guard caps repairs and replacements at $2,000. This is a somewhat low coverage limit, though it’s important to note that this cap is applied per item, not per term—so customers can submit multiple claims with cumulative costs exceeding this limit as long as the costs on individual items do not.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $2,000
- Average monthly rate: $55
- Service fee: $60 to $125
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 60 days
Pros
- Wide variety of service add-ons
- Low $60 minimum service fee
- Flexible payment plans
Cons
- Relatively low $2,000 coverage limit per item
Also Consider
First American Home Warranty
Why It Made the Cut:
Depending on their needs, homeowners may be drawn to First American Home Warranty’s high coverage limits on kitchen appliances or extensive coverage on garage door systems.
First American gives its customers multiple plans and policies to choose from depending on their coverage needs. Homeowners who opt for the Premium Plan will receive full garage door system coverage, including switches, motors, receiver units, and other individual garage door components. Although other companies may offer garage door coverage, this coverage is often more limited in scope and only available as an extra service add-on at an additional cost, making this standard inclusion a standout offering.
Prospective customers will want to note that First American Home Warranty’s workmanship guarantee lasts for only 30 days. This limits the amount of time homeowners have to report any issues with their covered repairs without paying an additional service fee for follow-up work. First American also charges additional fees for homes larger than 4,000 square feet. While home warranty companies typically charge higher rates for larger homes, First American Home Warranty’s threshold for what it considers to be an oversize home is a bit on the low side.
Still, homeowners with aging ovens or refrigerators may want to consider First American Home Warranty, as alongside its standard $3,500 coverage limit, the company offers coverage for up to $7,000 on kitchen appliances, depending on the policy tier. This is an impressively high coverage amount, allowing homeowners to cover the cost of expensive repairs or replacements and making First American Home Warranty arguably one of the best appliance warranty companies.
Specs
- Maximum coverage limit: $7,000 (for kitchen appliance repairs); $3,500 (for home system repairs)
- Average monthly rate: $59
- Service fee: $75 to $125
- Claims process: Online, phone
- Workmanship guarantee: 30 days
Pros
- High $7,000 coverage limit available for kitchen appliance repairs
- Full garage door system coverage available
Cons
- Relatively short 30-day workmanship guarantee
- Additional fee for homes over 4,000 square feet
Our Verdict
We gave the award for Best Overall to AFC Home Club due to the company’s locked-in monthly rates, lengthy workmanship guarantee, and flexible options for customers to bypass the waiting period and select their own repair technician. The Runner-Up award goes to American Home Shield because of its generous standard coverage and exclusive platform for on-demand home services.
How We Chose the Best Home Warranty Companies in North Carolina
To identify the best home warranty companies in North Carolina, we began by analyzing each company’s coverage options, including standard coverage inclusions and any service add-ons homeowners might be able to use to expand the scope of their policy. To understand how far this coverage can extend, coverage limits across different home systems and appliances were also taken into account.
Cost considerations were another major factor to weigh, so our research noted each company’s average monthly rates, service fees, and promotional discount opportunities to quantify the total cost of coverage. Finally, to understand the potential customer experience, we weighed each provider’s workmanship guarantee, average claims response time, and process for selecting repair technicians.
Before You Choose One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in North Carolina
Before homeowners can choose from one of the best home warranty companies in North Carolina, they need to understand their home warranty needs. Much like every home is unique, every homeowner’s needs are also unique, so finding the right fit is key. For instance, the best home warranty for older homes may not be the best home warranty for newly constructed homes, and so on. Because of this, a home warranty will be significantly more effective if customers choose a policy with their specific needs and coverage requirements in mind.
It’s also important to consider what a home warranty is and the kind of protection it offers. Home warranties only cover repairs and replacements related to age and normal wear and tear. They do not pay to fix or replace appliances and home systems that have been damaged by fire, water, or other storms, among other perils. A homeowners insurance policy would typically cover that kind of damage, though, and it may make sense to complement homeowners insurance with a home warranty to protect the home more fully.
In addition to identifying the specific items they want covered, homeowners will also need to understand their top priorities when it comes to both costs and the customer experience. Finding a home warranty at the right price point is important, but not at the expense of the overall quality of service. After all, a cheap home warranty may seem great at first glance, but if it also comes with subpar customer service, then it may not be worth it for homeowners who prioritize experience over cost. To find the plan and provider that is best suited for them, homeowners will want to identify these priorities in advance.
Cost of Opting for One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in North Carolina
To compare the total cost of coverage among home warranty providers, homeowners will need to note several cost factors, including monthly rates, service fees, and any applicable discounts, as each of these components will play a role in determining the homeowner’s out-of-pocket costs throughout their policy term.
Although home warranty prices can vary based on several factors, including the age, size, condition, and location of the home as well as the specific coverage options the homeowner selects, home warranty average costs come to $600 per year. Based on the companies included in this round-up, the average monthly cost of a home warranty in North Carolina is $55, with service fees ranging from $60 to $150. However, prices may vary with other providers, so it may be worthwhile to compare home warranty plans from a number of companies.
The Advantages of Opting for One of the Best Home Warranty Companies in North Carolina
When a critical home system or appliance breaks down, it can affect the entire ecosystem of the home. In this situation, homeowners without home warranties may be facing several challenges, including how to determine if it’s an issue they can fix themselves, how to find a qualified technician if need be, and how to cover the cost of repairs. Homeowners with warranties, on the other hand, will often simply need to contact their home warranty company for assistance.
A home warranty may be worth it due to the overarching peace of mind this type of coverage can provide alone, but the best home warranty providers can also have several tangible benefits, including:
- Lengthy workmanship guarantees on covered repairs in the event that follow-up work is needed;
- Standard coverage terms that may include coverage for pre-existing conditions, rust, corrosion, and sediment buildup; and
- Quick response times to claim submissions, helping customers schedule covered repairs without delay.
FAQs
With so much to consider, it’s understandable that many prospective customers enter the home warranty search with lingering questions. To eliminate confusion, better understand a homeowner’s warranty needs, and even avoid home warranty scams, shoppers will want to take the time to do their research, beginning with the following frequently asked questions.
Q. How long are most appliance warranties from manufacturers?
Appliance manufacturer warranties can vary, but many run for 12 months starting from the purchase date. With such a short manufacturer warranty period, homeowners may want to secure additional coverage on their appliances with a home warranty.
Q. Do home warranties transfer to new homeowners?
Although sellers can choose to transfer their home warranty to the new homeowner, an offer many sellers make to attract potential buyers, this is not always the case. Customers interested in transferring their home warranty to a new homeowner may want to check the terms of their agreement with their provider.
Q. How much does a home warranty cost in North Carolina?
Based on the home warranty companies included on this list, the average monthly cost of a home warranty is $55 in North Carolina, though costs with other providers may vary.
Q. Does a home warranty cover pests?
Though some home warranty companies may offer pest control coverage as an extra service add-on at an additional cost, coverage options can vary significantly from one provider to another. Pest control services are not typically included as part of a home warranty’s standard coverage, though.
Q. Are home warranties taxable in North Carolina?
Currently, North Carolina is one of a few states that charge sales tax on home warranty purchases, though the exact amount the homeowner pays will vary.
Q. Who pays for a home warranty?
The question of who pays for a home warranty depends on the situation. Home sellers sometimes include warranties to entice buyers, but many buyers also purchase warranties to protect their own systems and appliances.