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Best Home Warranty Companies in South Carolina (2024)

Author Image Written by Dana Getz + 1 other Reviewed by Jacquelyn Kfoury Updated 06/24/2024

South Carolina is humid year-round, so a working air conditioner is crucial to keeping your home comfortable. An unexpected breakdown can lead to unpleasant living conditions and expensive repairs. You can protect yourself from these burdens by investing in a home warranty, which minimizes or even eliminates repair and replacement costs for your AC and other critical home systems and appliances.

We compared 13 home warranty companies to find the best options for South Carolinians. We recommend Liberty Home Guard for its extensive add-on coverage catalog and well-rated customer service team. American Home Shield also tops our list thanks to its comprehensive coverage and high coverage caps. Keep reading to discover our complete list of top home warranty companies for South Carolina homeowners.

Key Takeaways

  • We selected Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield as the best home warranty companies for South Carolina homes.
  • A South Carolina home warranty costs $712 annually on average, or $46-$77 per month, but can vary based on several cost factors, including plan type and add-on selections.
  • Our latest home warranty survey revealed that air conditioning and heating systems were among South Carolina homeowners’ most commonly selected coverage items.

Did You Know?

  • In the last 30 days, more than 2,500 people bought home warranties from the above providers. Liberty Home Guard is our most popular provider, with 55% of buyers choosing to cover their homes with an LHG plan.

South Carolina’s Top 5 Home Warranty Companies

The highest rated home warranty companies in SC include:

Best Customer Ratings: Liberty Home Guard
Besrt for Comprehensive Coverage: American Home Shield
Best Appliance Coverage: First American Home Warranty
Best Flexible Coverage: Elite Home Warranty

When determining the best home warranty companies in South Carolina, we looked at levels of coverage, pricing, industry reputation, customer reviews, and more. Here are our top five recommended picks.


Summary of the Best Home Warranty Companies in South Carolina

Monthly Cost in SC Service Fee Response Time BBB Rating Link
Liberty Home Guard Liberty Home Guard $49–$59 $65–$125 Up to 48 hours NR VISIT SITE
American Home Shield American Home Shield $39–$99 $100–$125 Up to 48 hours B VISIT SITE
Select Home Warranty Select Home Warranty $44–$47 $60–$75 48-84 hours B- VISIT SITE
First American Home Warranty First American Home Warranty $57–$97 $75–$125 4-48 hours B VISIT SITE
Elite Home Warranty Elite Home Warranty $44–$58 $70 Up to 48 hours A+ VISIT SITE
Liberty Home Guard
Logo Liberty Home Guard
Monthly Cost in SC $49–$59
Service Fee $65–$125
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating NR
VISIT SITE
American Home Shield
Logo American Home Shield
Monthly Cost in SC $39–$99
Service Fee $100–$125
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Select Home Warranty
Logo Select Home Warranty
Monthly Cost in SC $44–$47
Service Fee $60–$75
Response Time 48-84 hours
BBB Rating B-
VISIT SITE
First American Home Warranty
Logo First American Home Warranty
Monthly Cost in SC $57–$97
Service Fee $75–$125
Response Time 4-48 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Elite Home Warranty
Logo Elite Home Warranty
Monthly Cost in SC $44–$58
Service Fee $70
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
Company BBB Rating Monthly Cost in SC Service Fee Visit Site
NR $49–$59 $65–$125 VISIT SITE
B $39–$99 $100–$125 VISIT SITE
A+ $44–$58 $70 VISIT SITE
B- $44–$47 $60–$75 VISIT SITE
B $57–$97 $75–$125 VISIT SITE
No results were found.

Note: We based the pricing information in this table and throughout the article on sample quotes we obtained for a 2,050-square-foot, single-family home in Charleston, South Carolina. Your pricing may vary depending on your home’s location, size, type, and plan selections.


How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost in South Carolina?

South Carolina home warranties cost an average of $59 monthly but can range from $46–$62 or $546–$924 annually. Your premium costs can vary based on several factors, including coverage type and add-on selections.

You’ll also need to pay a service call fee for each service technician visit. Based on our survey of 1,000 home warranty plan holders, most companies charge $60–$150 for these visits. While some providers have only one set fee, others offer flexible service call fees that can raise or lower your monthly premium. 

Most home warranty companies have in-network technicians who fulfill service requests at a reduced rate. Companies that allow you to choose your service provider have more expensive coverage plans on average.

We recommend requesting sample quotes from multiple providers and comparing premium pricing, add-on rates, and service call fees.


Factors To Consider Before Buying a South Carolina Home Warranty

You should consider several factors before signing up with a home warranty company to ensure you choose the right provider. For instance, rental property owners may have different needs than homeowners who want a cheap home warranty. Below is a list of tips to help you buy the best home warranty:

  • Build your budget: Determine how much you can spend annually on a coverage plan. Keep in mind that selecting add-ons will increase your total costs. You’ll also pay more for a comprehensive coverage plan than an appliance-only or system-only plan. Avoid overpaying for coverage that you don’t need. Our home warranty cost calculator can give you an estimated cost for owning a home warranty.
  • Consider coverage needs: Evaluate your coverage needs and choose a plan that matches them. For instance, our survey found that most South Carolina homeowners opted for plans that included air conditioning and heating systems coverage. Your potential home warranty company should offer enough coverage to offset repair costs for key system components. It's not uncommon for companies to cover an item while excluding essential components. Read the company’s sample contract for coverage terms and exclusions.
  • Research company reputation: Do your due diligence and read customer reviews for each provider you’re considering. Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and third-party review sites for insights into the customer experience. Also, look up company licenses on South Carolina’s business directory to ensure you sign up with a reputable company.
  • Read more: Best Home Warranty Companies for Rental Properties
Why Trust Us? Our review and rating process for the best home warranty companies
13
Companies Considered We carefully considered 13 companies to find the best home warranty providers available.
2000
Homeowners Surveyed We surveyed 2,000 home owners to see what they care about most for home protection.
5700
Reviews Analyzed We went through 5,700 customer reviews of home warranty companies to see what people had to say about each provider.
31
Coverages Compared We compared 31 policies to find the best home warranty offerings on the market.

South Carolina Home Warranty Company Reviews

Liberty Home Guard

Best Overall
4.6 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Liberty Home Guard may be one of the newer home warranty companies in the industry, but its competitive pricing, responsive customer service model, and long list of add-on options make it a worthy consideration for any South Carolina homeowner.

Why We Chose Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in our rating system. It has the highest average customer reviews of any home warranty provider on this list, holding an A rating* with the BBB and 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. We recommend LHG for homeowners with specific coverage needs, as it offers an extensive list of add-ons ranging from pool coverage to water softeners.

Our team spoke with multiple customer representatives to learn how LHG handles customer inquiries. Based on our experiences, it holds up to its stellar ratings, with each representative picking up the phone in under one minute and answering all of our questions thoroughly.

Pros and Cons

Pros Up to 30 unique add-on options to choose from, including pest control, gutter cleaning, and more All plans are priced at $55 or less a month Live-chat feature allows customers to reach out to a customer service representative without talking on the phone Cons Monthly fees aren’t reduced when you pay a higher service call fee Relatively low coverage caps compared to other providers; caps at $2,000 per item

Plans and Pricing

Liberty Home Warranty has three plan offerings: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Appliance Guard covers items such as your dishwasher and garbage disposal. Systems Guard covers items such as your electrical and plumbing systems. Total Home Guard combines the two plans into one comprehensive package.

Below are the monthly prices for LHG plans. Expect to pay between $600 and $720 annually. Per our research, LHG offers two additional months of coverage if you sign up for an annual plan. LHG allows you to pull a quote over the phone or online.

Here are details on LHG’s plans and optional add-on coverage:

  • Appliance Guard: Covers appliances, such as dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers
  • Systems Guard: Covers built-in systems, such as air conditioning, heating, ductwork, and water heater
  • Total Home Guard: Covers all the items in the Appliance Guard and Systems Guard plans
  • Optional add-ons: Up to 38 options, including pest control, re-key service, gutter cleaning, floor cleaning, and generator coverage. When we pulled our quote, a representative informed us that pest control coverage costs an extra $15 monthly.

See LHG’s plan pricing in the table below:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Appliance Guard

$49.99

$65–$125

$2,000

Systems Guard

$54.99

$65–$125

$2,000 (Plumbing & electrical: $500)

Total Home Guard

$59.99

$65–$125

Coverage caps remain the same

American Home Shield

Best for Comprehensive Coverage
4.8 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

American Home Shield (AHS) is known for providing comprehensive coverage of household appliances and systems, as well as protection for items damaged by rust and corrosion and those with undetectable pre-existing conditions. The company is a veteran in the home warranty industry and has been in business for more than 45 years. AHS has paid out $2 billion in home warranty claims in the last five years.

Why We Chose American Home Shield

We rated AHS 4.4 out of 5 stars in our review standards. We consider AHS to be the best provider for comprehensive coverage due to its three coverage plans, multiple service call fees, and solid industry reputation. The company also covers several things other companies don’t, such as rust damage, improper installations, and unknown preexisting conditions.

We thoroughly read American Home Shield’s sample contract and found it applies a $2,000 limit per covered appliance in its ShieldGold plan. It doubles its coverage cap to $4,000 per covered item in the ShieldPlatinum plan.

AHS coverage plans provide extensive coverage; even its basic plan, ShieldSilver, covers your HVAC system. Its multiple service call fees allow you to customize your monthly premium to fit your budget.

Pros and Cons

Pros Provides generous coverage caps Allows customers to select their own service fee Offers discounts on name brand appliances Cons Has a short repair guarantee of 30 days Has higher prices than some competitors

Plans and Pricing

AHS offers SC homeowners three plans—the ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, and ShieldPlatinum™ plans. The ShieldSilver plan covers systems, the ShieldGold plan adds appliances to the ShieldSilver’s coverage, and the ShieldPlatinum plan covers the entire home with higher coverage caps, making it one of the most comprehensive plans in the industry.

AHS allows you to pull a quote by calling a representative or using its online tool. When we used AHS’s quote tool, it allowed us to choose a service call fee of $100 or $125. AHS states that a higher service call fee will result in a lower monthly premium and vice versa. All AHS plans come with a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

While pulling our quote, we discovered that AHS only offers monthly premium options. It doesn’t include an annual premium like other providers on this list.

Here are details on each of American Home Shield’s plans:

  • ShieldSilver: Covers home systems, such as heating, cooling, and electrical
  • ShieldGold: Covers major systems and appliances, such as air conditioning, roof leaks, and plumbing
  • ShieldPlatinum: Covers systems and appliances and adds additional benefits, such as $1,500 for roof-leak repairs
  • Optional add-ons: Electronics, pools/spas, guest units, septic pumps, and well pumps. Based on the quote we pulled, we found that AHS offers competitively priced add-ons. For example, septic pump coverage costs an extra $5 per month.

Pricing details for AHS plans can be found below:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

ShieldSilver

$39.99–$49.99

$100–$125

$5000

ShieldGold

$59.99–$69.99

$100–$125

Systems: $5,000
Appliances: $2,000

ShieldPlatinum

$89.99–$99.99

$100–$125

Systems: $5,000
Appliances: $4,000

Select Home Warranty

Best Value
4 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Select Home Warranty offers customers affordable protection for their home’s essentials, including limited roof-leak coverage, which is uncommon in the industry.

Why We Chose Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty scored 4.3 out of 5 stars in our review standards. It’s an affordable home warranty with all plans costing less than $50 per month. Select stands out by offering roof-leak repair coverage in each protection plan. Home warranty companies don’t typically offer roof-leak coverage without an additional fee.

Pros and Cons

Pros All plans are less than $50 All plans include free limited roof-leak coverage up to $400 Claim response time within 24 hours, quick compared to competitors Cons Long list of brand name appliances that aren’t considered eligible for coverage $2,000 cap on HVAC coverage, which is lower than other competitors

Plans and Pricing

Select Home Warranty has three plan options: Bronze Care, Gold Care, and Platinum Care. Bronze Care covers appliances only, such as your kitchen refrigerator while Gold Care covers systems only, such as your air conditioning. Platinum Care covers all of the items in the lower-tier plans plus garage door openers and plumbing stoppages.

Select charges a $60–$75 service call fee per claim. Our team discovered via secret-shopping that Select offers its lower service call fee as an over-the-phone deal only. 

After reviewing Select’s sample contract, we found it provides a $3,000 cap for HVAC systems. However, Select limits other covered systems, such as plumbing and electrical, plus appliances, to a $500 coverage cap. Select’s plans include a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

Select Home Warranty offers monthly and annual premium options. Expect to pay between $533 and $573 annually. According to the quote we pulled, Select offers up to $150 off and two additional months of coverage if you choose an annual premium. It lets you pull a quote by calling or using its online tool.

Here are more details about Select Home Warranty’s plans:

  • Bronze Care: Covers appliances, such as clothes washers and dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, and cooktops
  • Gold Care: Covers systems, such as air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical systems, water heaters, and ductwork
  • Platinum Care: Covers all the appliances and built-in systems in the Bronze and Gold Care plans, plus garage door openers and ceiling fans
  • Optional add-ons: Central vacuums, lawn sprinkler systems, pools, septic systems, spas, stand-alone freezers, sump pumps, and well pumps. Select Home Warranty also offers low prices for its add-ons. For example, it charges less than $4 monthly for central vacuum coverage.

See more details on Select’s plan pricing below:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Bronze Care

$44.42

$60–$75

$500

Gold Care

$44.42

$60–$75

$500 (HVAC: $3,000)

Platinum Care

$47.75

$60–$75

Coverage caps remain the same

First American Home Warranty

Best Appliance Coverage
4.5 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

*(excluding AlaskaConnecticutDelawareHawaiiIllinois, Louisiana, MaineMassachusettsMinnesotaNew HampshireNew YorkNorth DakotaRhode IslandVermont, and Wisconsin)

First American Home Warranty (FAHW) is ideal for homeowners who want to save on monthly costs by enrolling in a home warranty plan. Compared to other providers, FAHW has a long legacy of service with more than 30 years of experience.

Why We Chose First American Home Warranty

We rated First American Home Warranty 4.6 out of 5 stars in our review standards. If you own high-end appliances, First American is a solid choice due to its high appliance coverage caps. After reading its sample contract, we found First American pairs each appliance with a $3,500 limit in the Starter and Essential plans, which is higher than other providers. Its Essential and Premium plans offer the First American Advantage upgrade, which protects systems and improperly maintained, modified, or installed appliances—a rarity in the home warranty business.

Pros and Cons

Pros Coverage for pest control First Class Upgrade covers cosmetic damages, improperly installed or maintained equipment, crane use, and permit fees associated with system and appliance repair or replacement Affordably priced plans Cons Roof-leak coverage isn’t available Basic Plan doesn’t cover plumbing or electrical systems

Plans and Pricing

First American Home Warranty offers three plans: the Starter Plan, the Essential Plan, and the Premium Plan. It offers customers the choice of a $75, $100, or $125 service call fee. The provider sets the coverage limit for appliances at $3,500 per item in its Starter and Essential plans and increases coverage limits to $7,000 per covered appliance in its Premium Plan. Upon speaking with a representative, we discovered the company doesn’t outline hard limits for built-in systems coverage except for water heaters. First American covers all repairs for 30 days.

First American Home Warranty also offers an annual premium. Annual plan costs range from $540 to $1,040. Unlike other providers that offer annual premiums, First American doesn’t include extra months of coverage or a discount if you choose an annual premium. First American provides an online quote tool or a sales phone line to pull a free quote.

Here are more details about First American’s plan coverage:

  • Starter Plan: Covers built-in microwaves, dishwashers, ductwork, electrical system, heating, plumbing systems, oven/cooktop, plumbing stoppages, refrigerators, and toilet tanks, bowls, and mechanisms
  • Essential Plan: Includes everything in the Starter Plan plus air conditioning, ceiling/attic/exhaust fans, clothes washers, clothes dryers, First American Advantage upgrade, garage door openers, trash compactors, and water heaters
  • Premium Plan: Covers all items in the Essential Plan plus full garage door systems, instant hot water dispensers, luxury appliances, shower heads and arms, and window air conditioning units
  • Optional add-ons: Additional refrigeration, air conditioning for Starter Plan, HVAC tune-up, limited roof-leak coverage, pool and spa equipment, septic tank systems and pumping, water softeners, and well pumps. First American offers limited roof-leak coverage for less than $9 per month.

The pricing for each plan can be found in the table below:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Starter Plan

$57–$62

$75–$125

Systems: Unlimited

Appliances: $3,500

Essential Plan

$57–$72

$75–$125

Systems: Unlimited (Water heaters: $1,000)

Appliances: $3,500

Premium Plan

$72–$97

$75–$125

Systems: Remain the same Appliances: $7,000

What To Expect

First American’s online quote tool requires you to enter personal information, such as your name, phone number, email, and home address. You must also enter your home’s type and the estimated square footage. Once you do, it generates your monthly quote. Although there is extra information you must fill out, we found it simple to adjust our premium based on our chosen service call fee. It also conveniently displays each plan’s coverage options below the price figures.

First American’s sizable coverage limits make it a great choice for those who want total home protection. However, it excludes air conditioning coverage from its entry-level Starter plan. You must pay extra to obtain air conditioning coverage. Other providers include it within their basic plans. We would rank First American Home Warranty higher if it covered more states. The company covers the lowest number of states of all the companies in this article.

First American handles claims by sending in-network service contractors to fix your issues. It allows you to use your own if an in-network provider isn’t available near you. One of our team members purchased a plan to test the claims process. He filed a claim for his garage door opener on a Friday and reported First American sent a service technician the following Monday. The technician arrived at his home on Monday and fixed his issue in less than 30 minutes. All he paid was his service call fee.

Our team read dozens of customer reviews. Similar to other home warranty providers, First American holds mixed reviews. A positive theme was how simple it is to file claims. A negative theme involved delays in fulfilling service requests.

Elite Home Warranty

Best for Flexible Coverage
4.5 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

We recommend Elite Home Warranty for homeowners who want flexible premiums and coverage. The company offers three base plans with a standard $70 service call fee (a lower service call fee than many providers) and 27 add-on options.

Monthly cost: $44–$58

How We Scored Elite Home Warranty

We rated Elite Home Warranty 4.6 out of 5 stars in our review standards. We awarded high scores for its coverage and add-on variety. We deducted points for only offering one service call fee and limited online options. Here’s how Elite rated in key categories:

  • Coverage (4.6 out of 5): Elite scored high for its three customizable coverage plans and extensive add-on catalog. 
  • Value (4.25 out of 5): We deducted points because the company only offers one service call fee and charges a higher fee for high-end appliances.  
  • Trustworthiness and transparency (4.8 out of 5): Elite scored well for its excellent customer review scores on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other third-party sites. 
  • Availability and service (4.5 out of 5): Elite lost points for its limited online services. Unlike other providers, it doesn’t offer an online quote tool.

Pros and Cons

Pros Includes a 90-day workmanship guarantee for completed repairs Offers higher coverage limits for high-end appliances Rolls your service call fee into your annual premium, avoiding a per-claim charge Cons Charges a higher service call fee for high-end appliance repairs Excludes workmanship guarantee on repairs done with an out-of-network technician Requires you to call for a quote

Plans and Cost

When reading through the Elite Home Warranty sample contract, we learned that the company offers a $15,000 annual limit for all plans. This breaks down to a $7,000 claim limit for appliances and $8,000 for systems, which is a higher limit than many providers. However, claim limits vary among coverage items. For example, air conditioners receive up to $4,000 while electrical systems are capped at $2,000.

We recommend reading through the sample contract or getting a quote for full details on coverage caps. 

Below are the details of Elite’s coverage plans:

  • Elite Appliances: The appliance-only plan covers eight essential appliances, including cooktops, clothes washers, and dishwashers. Coverage caps vary by appliance but are subject to a $7,000 term limit. 
  • Elite Systems: This system-only plan covers eight home systems, such as air conditioning, heating, and electrical systems. This plan has an $8,000 annual limit, though coverage caps vary by system.  
  • Elite Complete: The highest plan tier combines the Elite Appliances and Elite Systems plans for comprehensive systems and appliance protection. 

Based on our sample quotes, Elite Home Warranty charges a monthly premium of about $44–$58. The company has a standard service call fee of $70. It charges $150 for high-end appliance repairs and service calls that occur after hours or on the weekend.

More details on Elite’s plans and pricing can be found in the table below:

Plan

Monthly Cost

Service Fee

Coverage Cap

Elite Appliances

$44.49

$70

Varies per Item

Elite Systems

$49.99

$70

Varies per Item

Elite Complete

$58.99

$70

Varies per Item

Elite offers 27 add-on options, one of the largest catalogs we’ve seen from a home warranty company. Based on our research, most providers offer eight to 15 add-ons. Elite’s add-on coverage limits vary by item. There is a $5,000 total limit per term. 

We’ve highlighted some of Elite’s most attractive add-on options below. View the full list on Elite’s website:

  • Annual maintenance
  • Drainage, sewer, and water service lines
  • Pool and spa equipment
  • Geothermal heating and cooling systems
  • Guest house
  • Septic system

Our Experience with Elite Home Warranty

One of our team members tested the Elite Home Warranty claim process to repair his broken high-end dishwasher. Here’s a summary of his experience:

  • He submitted his claim online and received an Elite claims specialist call within 30 minutes. 
  • He received a next-day appointment for his repair. 
  • The technician arrived on the assigned day but realized the repair would require out-of-stock parts. 
  • After an initial service visit on Tuesday evening, the technician returned with the required parts the following Monday morning.
  • The technician completed the repairs within an hour.

Elite sends in-network technicians to complete its repairs. It backs its coverage with a 90-day workmanship guarantee. If you choose your own repair technician, Elite will pay them for labor at an hourly rate not to exceed the standard hourly rate in your area. You won’t receive any workmanship coverage from Elite if you choose your own technician. However, the local technician should provide their own workmanship guarantee, likely around 30 days.


Annual Home Warranty Cost Calculator

We created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty. 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 providers, as annual costs and service fees vary between them.

ApplianceAverage Repair CostAverage Replacement Cost

Dehumidifier

$50–$200

$1,300–$2,800

Microwave

$50–$400

$60–$2,000

Dishwasher

$50–$500

$400–$3,000

Exhaust Fans

$16–$300

$250–$950

Electric Range

$100–$500

$230–$3,000

Gas Range

$100–$500

$230–$3,000

Dryer

$100–$400

$450–$2,300

Oven

$100–$430

$400–$3,000

Washer

$50–$450

$400–$2,300

Freezer

$90–$500

$160–$2,900

Refrigerator

$40–$350

$200–$5,000

Note: The annual cost figure generated by our home warranty calculator is not an indication of a company’s actual plan cost, as annual costs and service fees vary based on your plan selections and your home’s size, type, and location.

Life span and repair cost data sourced from InterNACHI and Home Depot


What's Not Covered Under A Home Warranty?

There are certain items in your home that aren’t typically covered by a home warranty plan. Items such as windows, walls, doors, window air conditioning units, and garage doors typically aren’t covered.

There are also certain types of damage that aren’t classified as “normal wear and tear,” such as the following:

  • Preexisting conditions
  • Damage from misuse
  • Improper installation, modification, or maintenance

How Are Home Warranties Regulated in South Carolina?

South Carolina’s Department of Insurance (SCDOI) oversees home warranty regulation. According to South Carolina statute §§ 38-78-10 to 38-78-120, companies that sell home service contracts must first register with the SCDOI and pay an annual licensing fee. The SCDOI also outlines requirements home warranty companies must follow. For instance, a company must promptly issue its service contract to consumers or face license suspension.

The SCDOI provides a complaint form you can fill out if you believe your home warranty company is neglecting its contractual obligations.

Our research shows there are separate organizations overseeing home warranty regulation, such as the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC). The SCIC comprises member companies in multiple industries, including the home warranty industry. The SCIC works alongside state legislators to create laws and regulations that benefit companies and consumers alike.


Expert Takes on Home Warranties

We asked several industry experts for their takes on questions homeowners have about home warranties. Here is what they had to say:

  • Are there specific factors to consider before signing up for a South Carolina home warranty company? We interviewed Arthur Chartrand, who is of counsel to the National Home Service Contract Association, and he gave us several tips. The first: “Look for a company who lists their full name, address, and who their management is.” His second tip centers on reading a company’s sample contract. “Make sure it’s what you need,” he says.
  • Is there a difference between a basic plan and a comprehensive plan? According to Danny Margagliano, a Realtor for World Impact Real Estate, you should find out if a home warranty offers both basic and comprehensive plans. “Depending on the age of your home appliances, the cheapest plan may be good,” he says. “A more expensive plan that covers more parts of the home may be a better choice for someone else.”
  • Should I buy a South Carolina home warranty if I own an older home? According to Dave Bringer, owner and head technician of Bringer Appliance Repair, you should consider a home warranty if you own an older home. “Older homes need home warranties because their appliances and systems have most likely used their manufacturer’s warranty coverage,” he says.

Our Conclusion

We rated Liberty Home Guard as the best home warranty company for South Carolina residents at 4.5 out of 5 stars. We selected the provider due to its specialized coverage options and extensive add-on catalog. We chose American Home Shield as our runner-up with 4.4 out of 5 stars. It stands out for its comprehensive protections, including coverage of preexisting conditions.

We recommend getting a free quote from all of the companies featured on this list before committing to one so that you can compare pricing and coverage specific to your area.


Other Resources for Residents in South Carolina


Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a South Carolina home warranty cost?

A home warranty costs between $300–$600 per year, depending on the type of coverage you choose, the size of your home, and where you live. Customers are also required to pay a service call fee between $75–$125 every time they request service for a covered system or appliance.

Do home warranties cover termites?

Home warranties typically only cover home systems and appliances, meaning pest control for termites and bed bugs isn’t included. However, some providers offer pest control in their home warranty plans, such as The Home Service Club, which offers pest control in its Comprehensive Coverage Plan.


Our Rating Methodology

We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to score each provider objectively. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. 

We score each provider against our review standards, which include four comparison categories: coverage, value, trust and transparency, and availability and service. We rate each provider across 31 factors within these categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We then convert the final scores to a 5-star rating. 

Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:

  • Coverage (40%): We scored coverage based on included home systems and appliances, add-on options, and unique benefits. We also compared coverage caps and policy exclusions.
    • Additional coverage items
    • Annual coverage cap
    • Home systems coverage
    • Major appliances coverage
    • Obstructed wall coverage cap
  • Value (30%): We compared the coverage level received to monthly pricing to determine plan value. We considered premium pricing, service fees, and flexibility in customizing plan costs. 
    • Average monthly cost
    • Cost flexibility
    • Lowest service fee
  • Trust and Transparency (16%): We evaluated each company’s reputation using the Better Business Bureau ratings and customer reviews on third-party review sites. We read through plan change policies, workmanship protections, and sample contract availability. 
    • Brand reputation
    • Policy change flexibility
    • Sample contract availability
    • Workmanship guarantee length
  • Availability and Service (14%): We award higher scores for faster claim processing and response times. We also considered service technician policies, including options to choose your technician. 
    • Claims process
    • Guaranteed response time
    • Service flexibility

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.