We chose American Home Shield (AHS) as the best home warranty company in North Carolina because it provides generous heating and cooling system coverage limits. However, it charges a higher premium for the extra protection.
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is another top pick of ours. It pairs fair prices with solid HVAC coverage and is the only provider whose standard plans cover two HVAC units.
Due to North Carolina’s high humidity and unpredictable temperatures throughout the year, we suggest choosing a home warranty company that offers generous HVAC system protection.
Our team reviewed the best home warranty companies in the Tar Heel State based on our in-depth rating methodology.
Here are the best home warranty companies in North Carolina:
- American Home Shield
- Liberty Home Guard
- 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
- Elite Home Warranty
- Cinch Home Services
How do you choose the best North Carolina home warranty?
Air conditioning and heating system coverage aren’t the only factors to consider when researching the best North Carolina home warranty. Think about the other common appliances and systems you use regularly and ensure the company lists them as covered items.
Here are the main factors to consider before deciding which home warranty plan to purchase.
Coverage plans and extra features
Take note of every home appliance and system you own. Are they still under their manufacturer’s warranty? If not, a home warranty can give peace of mind should these items break down.
Coverage limits
When researching, ensure the company pays out enough per major system or appliance breakdown. Also, pay close attention to the provider’s coverage exclusions.
Price
Price isn’t everything, but you should select a company that fits your coverage needs and budget so that you’re prepared to pay premiums and service call fees.
Reputation
Double-check customer reviews online to see the home warranty company’s reputation. Sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot are good resources.
Customer service
Look for a home warranty provider that handles customer service inquiries both online and over the phone. Also, pay attention to the demeanor of the customer service representatives. Avoid companies that delay communicating with you.
In North Carolina, the three biggest factors to consider when shopping for a home warranty are coverage plans and extra features, coverage limits and price. You should also consider reputation and customer service. However, you’ll receive the best value per dollar by choosing a company that emphasizes comprehensive coverage at an affordable cost.
Compare the best North Carolina home warranties
We selected the best national home warranty companies available in North Carolina based on their coverage options and pricing associated with HVAC systems. The table below shows the overall nationwide ratings our team gave each provider.
| Provider | Overall Rating (Out of 5 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Liberty Home Guard | 4.6 |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | 4.5 |
| Elite Home Warranty | 4.4 |
| American Home Shield | 4.4 |
| Cinch Home Services | 4.3 |
The comparison table below compares the plan pricing, system coverage limits and service call fees of the most popular home warranty companies we’ve reviewed.
Best home warranty in North Carolina for coverage plans and extra features
American Home Shield scored the best in this rating category due to its generous selection of standard coverage options in its entry-level plan. It is one of the few home warranty companies with comprehensive heating and air conditioning system coverage within a base plan.
Another standout feature unique to AHS is its rust, corrosion and sediment coverage. We highly recommend AHS if you own home systems or appliances regularly exposed to the elements.
Two other solid picks are Elite Home Warranty and Liberty Home Guard. Elite provides a fully customizable coverage plan where you choose the items you want protection. LHG offers coverage for common major appliances and systems and has high customer satisfaction ratings.
| Provider | Coverage Plans and Extra Features Rating (Out of 5 Stars) | Key Info |
|---|---|---|
| American Home Shield | 4.5 | Includes high-end appliance coverage |
| Elite Home Warranty | 4.4 | Offers more than 20 add-on coverages |
| Liberty Home Guard | 4.2 | Features the highest number of add-on options at 42 |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | 4.2 | Has unique coverage perks such as appliance color matching |
| Cinch Home Services | 4.0 | Provides unique add-ons such as outside gas line coverage |
North Carolina-specific coverage needs
North Carolina homeowners should first consider which items need the most protection. A home’s plumbing system is commonly overlooked. Luckily, most home warranty companies list plumbing stoppages and sewer lines as covered items.
North Carolina experiences dense humidity and heat waves during the summer. The Raleigh area experienced temperatures in the 90s or higher for the last five summers, according to the National Weather Service. Therefore, selecting a company with solid air conditioning protection makes sense.
The chart below shows the most common plan type selections among respondents to our national November 2023 home warranty survey. Most homeowners (76%) purchased a plan covering appliances and systems.
Over 19% of our home warranty survey respondents reported filing a claim for their air conditioning system.
Best home warranty in North Carolina for coverage limits
AHS also earned top marks in this category because of its comprehensive coverage limits. It’s one of the few providers that pays up to $5,000 per claim to repair or replace HVAC systems. In addition, AHS has generous payouts for kitchen appliances; it’ll pay up to $4,000 with its ShieldPlatinum plan.
HVAC and appliance repairs can be expensive. Overall, we found that AHS provides the most financial protection among the North Carolina providers we’ve analyzed. You will pay extra for an AHS plan, although the security may be worth it.
LHG, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and Elite offer comparable HVAC protection at a lower price point. However, these companies don’t pay as much per claim as AHS. For example, Elite covers up to $3,000 for HVAC systems.
| Provider | Coverage Limits Rating (Out of 5 Stars) | Key Info |
|---|---|---|
| American Home Shield | 5.0 | Pays up to $5,000 per HVAC claim |
| Elite Home Warranty | 4.3 | Provides a $3,000 cap on HVAC systems |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | 4.3 | Offers an add-on package that increases coverage limits |
| Liberty Home Guard | 4.3 | Pays up to $2,000 for most covered items |
| Cinch Home Services | 4.0 | Covers up to $10,000 annually per covered item |
Carefully read a home warranty company’s sample contract before signing up. Ensure that the amount it pays to repair or replace your items matches the value of purchasing a new one.
Best home warranty in North Carolina for price
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty scored the most points in this rating category because of its low monthly premiums and service fees. We analyzed each company’s basic and comprehensive plan costs. 2-10 offers these plans under our review standards’ price threshold of $50 for basic plans and $70 for comprehensive plans.
In addition, 2-10 features flexible service fees, which can lower your annual or monthly costs. If you’re on a tight budget, 2-10 balances solid coverage with affordability. LHG and Cinch Home Services are additional options worth considering.
| Provider | Price Rating (Out of 5 Stars) | Key Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | 5.0 | Provides the lowest average monthly premium at $41 |
| Liberty Home Guard | 4.8 | Charges under $60 for its comprehensive coverage plan |
| Cinch Home Services | 4.5 | Charges an average of $46 per month |
Elite Home Warranty | 4.3 | Offers a low service call fee of $70 per claim |
| American Home Shield | 4.3 | Allows customization of premiums via flexible service fees |
Home warranty cost in North Carolina
The average home warranty cost in North Carolina is $54 monthly or $645 annually. We obtained these averages by collecting quotes across three ZIP codes in North Carolina using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes. However, your home size, location, plan and add-on selections affect the amount you pay for home warranty coverage, so we suggest requesting a quote from our recommended providers.
The value of a home warranty becomes obvious when you file a claim. For instance, if your heating system malfunctions during the winter months, the severe cold can affect the safety and comfort of your home.
You can save money on your home warranty premium by selecting coverage only for the items that need protection. For example, if your appliances still have their manufacturer’s warranty, you don’t need to purchase a plan with appliance coverage.
What else should you understand when shopping for North Carolina home warranties?
While we suggest focusing on a company’s plan options, coverage limits and costs during your research, you should also consider these other factors. Doing so ensures you’re able to make an informed choice.
Common red flags
Our research found that most home warranty companies aim to provide good customer service and value for your money. However, some companies don’t have your best interests in mind. Below, we give tips on spotting common red flags as you search for the right home warranty.
You should avoid companies with a C- rating or lower. These companies tend to have many unresolved complaints or other poor business practices.
Check at least three third-party review sites for each company you’re considering. If it has 1-star customer ratings across sites, we recommend considering a different company.
Check your state’s consumer protection office to see if the provider is licensed to operate where you live.
Avoid companies that don’t provide a sample contract of their coverage terms. All reputable companies display their sample contracts online or will provide a copy if you ask.
Home warranty service contracts
While reviewing a document filled with industry jargon can seem arduous, we highly recommend reading through a provider’s service contract before purchasing a plan. Doing so will inform you of its coverage limits, exclusions and limitations so there aren’t any surprises when you file a claim.
We highlight the most important service contract sections to review down below:
- Coverage options and limits: This outlines the company’s payout amounts per covered item. It also lists which coverage options it includes per plan.
- Exclusions and limitations: This lists the items, conditions and situations the home warranty company won’t cover. For instance, many companies won’t cover items with preexisting conditions.
- Cancellation: This details the provider’s cancellation terms. Providers typically charge a cancellation fee if you cancel after the initial free cancellation period.
Home warranty regulation in North Carolina
Before purchasing a North Carolina home warranty plan, we recommend understanding the consumer protections available to you. Our research shows that the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) oversees home warranty companies.
North Carolina’s Statute 66-371–372 outlines that home warranty providers must provide clear contract language in their service contracts. In addition, companies must maintain complete financial records to ensure they can pay their contractual obligations.
You can also file a complaint with the NCDOI or insurance commissioner if you experience unfair treatment from your home warranty provider.
Final take: American Home Shield offers the best coverage, but you’ll pay a premium for it
Choosing the right home warranty company in North Carolina involves comparing providers and selecting the one that meets your coverage and budget needs. First, you should confirm which major appliances and systems need protection. Then, request quotes to compare costs and plan options.
We recommend requesting your first quote with American Home Shield. If its prices are too steep for your liking, we suggest considering Liberty Home Guard or 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty.
Our rating methodology for home warranty companies
We research and rate home warranty providers to help you choose the right one for your budget and home. Our research includes gathering customer insights via consumer surveys, interviewing industry experts, secret shopping all of the companies we review and analyzing customer reviews from third-party review sites such as Trustpilot and BBB.
We compare home warranty providers across the following five categories:
- Coverage plans and extra features
- Coverage limits
- Price
- Reputation
- Customer service
Read our full home warranty company methodology for more information.
Top home warranty companies in cities near you
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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