Finding the best North Carolina home warranty is critical in protecting your home appliances during the hot Outer Banks summers and frigid Blue Ridge Mountains winters.
Whether you live in Charlotte or Raleigh, home warranties can help you cover the cost to repair and replace your essential home systems and appliances, such as your air conditioning, heating system, and refrigerator, when they fail due to regular use. A home warranty can be a great supplement to your home insurance because they cover different things.
To help you parse through the high number of home warranty companies available, we compiled a list of the best home warranty companies in the country and chose the home warranty providers we like the most for North Carolina residents.
Top 5 Home Warranty Companies for North Carolina Homeowners
A Note on Choice Home Warranty in North Carolina
We did not include Choice Home Warranty on this list of top North Carolina home warranty companies because we found it had a high volume of unresolved BBB claims and a pending consumer-fraud lawsuit. Therefore, we do not recommend Choice Home Warranty as a home warranty provider.
North Carolina’s Top 5 Home Warranties
We rated home warranty companies in North Carolina based on coverage levels, monthly cost, industry experience, customer service, and other essential factors we found in our research. Discover the top-rated home warranty companies in North Carolina below:
- American Home Shield: Best for Comprehensive Coverage
- Liberty Home Guard: Best Customer Ratings
- Select Home Warranty: Best Value
- First American Home Warranty: Best Appliance Coverage
- America’s 1st Choice Home Club: Best for Customization
All cost information for home warranties mentioned in this article are based on quotes we requested for a single-family home in Charlotte, N.C.
How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in North Carolina?
For a home warranty in North Carolina you can expect to pay an average of $59 per month. Multiple factors affect your home warranty coverage costs, such as your home’s size and type, your location, and your plan selections. We explain these factors in detail below:
- House size: After pulling more than 100 home warranty quotes across North Carolina, we found providers charge more for homes larger than 5,000 square feet.
- House type: Most home warranty providers in North Carolina charge the same monthly fee for various types of homes, including single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums. However, some companies exclude certain home types from coverage, such as mobile homes.
- Location: Your location within North Carolina can affect your plan’s total cost. If you live in more historic areas like Raleigh or Charlotte you might get charged a bit more because your home is older. Other areas like the Carolina Beach being near a coast would get charged more due to being vulnerable to flooding and hurricanes. Home warranty companies usually charge more for homes in areas they deem high-risk.
- Plan selections: Home warranty providers charge more for plans that cover more items. Add-on coverage can also raise your monthly premium. We recommend carefully considering the items you wish to protect to avoid overpaying for unnecessary home warranty coverage. For example, some home warranty companies cover trash compactors and garage doors, and you might not need these if you don’t have them in your house.
North Carolina Home Warranty Cost Calculator
Our team created a home warranty calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty on North Carolina. 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 home warranty providers, as annual costs and service fees vary between them.
Life span and repair cost data sourced from InterNACHI and Home Depot
Factors To Consider Before Buying a Home Warranty in North Carolina
The best home warranties in North Carolina can vary from person to person. For example, someone who owns an older home may prefer a comprehensive coverage plan, while someone who recently upgraded their appliances may only need systems coverage. In addition, you may need specific coverage based on where you live, such as roof-leak repair coverage if you’re in an area prone to storms. Here are a few factors that can help you buy the best home warranty:
- Consider brand reputation: Look up providers on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. Avoid home warranty companies that have a pattern of complaints on the BBB website or a BBB score lower than a C.
- Customer service: Read customer reviews from third-party review sites such as Best Company and Trustpilot. Customer reviews can give you an idea of how providers handle customer service inquiries.
- Read sample contracts: Carefully review a company’s sample contract for their home warranty plan to confirm it covers the items you need protected. Also, ensure the coverage caps are high enough to cover an item replacement, not just a repair.
Are Home Warranties Worth The Cost For North Carolina Home Owners?
Yes, home warranties are worth the cost covering what your home insurance policy won’t. In 2023, we ran a survey of 1,000 homeowners and 73% mentioned they used a home warranty at least once to fix a system or appliance. Homeowners in North Carolina, will likely need their HVAC and other systems working all year long, so its inevitable you’ll need to repair it as some point.
When that time comes, repairing or replacing a broken system or appliance can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars without something like a home warranty. A home warranty could cover most of the repair and replacement costs associated with a breakdown due to normal wear and tear, and it will prevent you from having to find a repair technician on your own. A home warranty gives you peace of mind that you can afford a repair if the need arises.
How Do I Find the Best Home Warranty Company in North Carolina?
To find the best home warranty provider in North Carolina, start by researching providers that offer coverage in your area, such as the providers we covered in this review. Consult with your local real estate agent, talk to your friends and family, or read customer reviews to gauge their experiences with a home warranty provider. Also, confirm the home warranty company offers the coverage options you need. Ensure the cost of coverage fits your overall budget.
We recommend shortlisting three home warranty companies to compare their coverage plans, service fees, exclusions, and limitations. Read each home warranty sample contract. Call each home warranty company with questions about its coverage to gauge how the customer service rep handles your inquiries. If the home warranty company checks all your boxes, request a quote to begin the sign-up process. Ultimately, the best home warranty company will offer the right coverage and customer service that fits your needs.
How Are North Carolina Home Warranties Regulated?
The North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) oversees home warranty regulation within North Carolina. However, our research shows that the NCDOI specifically regulates home appliance service contracts. According to General Statute §§ 66-371–372, companies that offer home appliance service agreements must maintain a detailed claims register to record each claim they receive from consumers.
We also found there isn’t clear legislation that oversees service home warranty contracts covering major systems. However, you can file a complaint with the NCDOI if you believe your provider isn’t meeting its contractual obligations.
Alongside government oversight, home warranty companies self-regulate. Industry associations such as the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC) are one of several organizations that oversee service contract companies. It works closely with North Carolina legislators to develop laws centered on consumer protection.
Expert Opinions on North Carolina Home Warranties
Our team conducted interviews with several industry experts to answer the most common questions homeowners have about home warranties. Each expert we interviewed has experience with home warranties:
- How do I choose the right North Carolina home warranty company? Patrick Grayson, who partners with Paramount Property Buyers, an Indiana-based real estate business, recommends you consider your needs first and foremost. “When shopping for a home warranty, consider the coverage that each company offers and make sure it fits your needs,” he says. “Some companies may offer more coverage than others, so make sure to compare all your options.”
- Is there a way to tell whether a North Carolina home warranty company is reputable? Business development manager Peter Evering, associated with Utopia Property Management, believes homeowners should do their own research before choosing a company. He says, “Reading customer reviews and ratings can provide insights into the experiences of other homeowners and help you gauge the level of customer satisfaction.”
- Should I get a North Carolina home warranty if I own an older home? According to Dave Bringer, head technician of Bringer Appliance Repair, “Older homes need home warranties because their appliances and systems have most likely used their manufacturer’s warranty coverage.”
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 Conclusion
The best North Carolina home warranty is a toss up between American Home Shield and First American Home Warranty
Both of these home warranty companies are great options for North Carolina homeowners who don’t want to feel limited by coverage caps on built-in systems. Both these home warranty companies also offer generous coverage caps on appliances. Liberty Home Guard is also a great choice if you have a long list of additional coverage requirements and appreciate the benefit of live-chat customer service support.
Before deciding on a home warranty plan for your home, we recommend requesting quotes from several companies, since pricing for your specific region and home may differ from the estimates in this article.
Other Resources for Residents in North Carolina
- Best Homeowners Insurance in North Carolina
- Best Solar Companies in North Carolina
- Best Moving Companies in North Carolina
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 home warranty 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 on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.