Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations.

hero image

7 best home warranty companies in Apex, North Carolina

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

0
Companies Selected

A home warranty offers financial protection if an appliance or major home system suddenly breaks down. For a monthly fee, the warranty company covers repair and replacement costs for items such as refrigerators and HVAC units when they break down from normal wear and tear.

Many essential home components won't last over 10–15 years before needing service, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. HVAC systems typically operate for seven to 25 years. Water heaters tend to last just six to 12 years on average, and most major appliances go kaput in under 20 years.

If your Apex home contains aging furnaces, dishwashers or the like, you'll likely encounter a surprise breakdown. These leading home warranty firms provide robust coverage at a fair price.

With the scorching summer heat in North Carolina, air conditioner breakdowns in Apex are that much more taxing for homeowners. A home warranty from one of the national providers listed below will give you an easy and economical path to the future repairs you might need.

Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
$150 Off Any Plan
Explore Plans
Provider logo
3.8
Our Rating
  • Charges low premiums
  • Includes roof-leak coverage
  • Offers solid HVAC coverage
Explore Plans

Find the best home warranty for you in Apex

Here's our list of the best home warranty companies in Apex:

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty pairs its three coverage plans with flexible service call fees. It also offers coverage perks, including an appliance color-match program and an "Even If" service fee guarantee. With this guarantee, 2-10 will refund your service call fee if your covered item can’t be fixed or replaced.

What we like

  • Offers a $25,000 annual coverage cap
  • Pairs plans with a plan-length workmanship guarantee
  • Offers unique perks such as color matching appliance replacements

What we don't like

  • Charges a monthly processing fee if you choose monthly premiums
  • Excludes washer and dryer coverage from most plans
Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard

4.6/5

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers the largest number of optional add-ons compared to any provider in this article — 38 in total. It also has plans featuring a 60-day workmanship guarantee on completed repairs.

What we like

  • Holds high ratings among customer service reviews
  • Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Offers an extensive list of 40+ add-on coverages
  • Provides an easy claims process

What we don't like

  • Lacks transparency on service call fee pricing
  • Excludes coverage for known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Elite Home Warranty

Elite Home Warranty

4.4/5

Average monthly costs: $48.98 - $59.99

Elite Home Warranty has a fully customizable coverage plan you can design based on your coverage needs. It also includes a lengthy 90-day workmanship guarantee.

What we like

  • Allows you to choose your technician
  • Extends a 90-day workmanship guarantee
  • Offers more than 25 add-ons

What we don't like

  • Charges higher service fees for high-end appliances
  • Doesn't provide an online quote
  • Limits repair and replacement coverage caps for older items
American Home Shield

American Home Shield

4.4/5

Average monthly costs: $29.99 - $89.99

Founded in 1971, American Home Shield was one of the country's first home warranty companies. Today, it offers three coverage plans and six supplementary add-ons.

What we like

  • Offers generous coverage caps
  • Allows customers to build their own plans
  • Provides the option to choose the service fee you want to pay

What we don't like

  • Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
  • Offers limited add-on options
First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty

4.2/5

Average monthly costs: $47.00 - $87.00

First American Home Warranty has comprehensive coverage caps for appliances in each plan. Additionally, First American includes its First American Advantage upgrade in its Essential and Premium plans. This upgrade provides coverage for miscellaneous items, such as appliance knobs and dials.

What we like

  • Allows you to choose your service call fee
  • Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
  • Accepts 24/7 service calls
  • Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair

What we don't like

  • Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
  • Charges higher for coverage compared to other providers
Cinch Home Services

Cinch Home Services

4.3/5

Average monthly costs: $38.99 - $66.99

Cinch has some unique home warranty offerings and coverage perks, including homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement. Just like many other companies, it also offers flexible service fees that give you a greater say in your premium.

What we like

  • Offers home insurance deductible of $500
  • Extends a long 180-day workmanship guarantee
  • Provides generous $10,000 aggregate coverage limit

What we don't like

  • Charges high service fees of $100-$150
  • Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
  • Isn’t available in Hawaii or Alaska
Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty

3.9/5

Average monthly costs: $44.42 - $47.75

Roof leak repair coverage is a rare perk that Select offers to its customers. It's also a good company to keep on your shortlist if affordable premiums are your top priority.

What we like

  • Provides low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
  • Includes two extra months of coverage in annual signup
  • Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option

What we don't like

  • Has a $75 cancellation fee
  • Low coverage caps

Cost of a home warranty in Apex

You'll usually pay $41-$70 per month for a home warranty in Apex, on par with the national average. Opting for annual payments means spending anywhere between $563.62-$927.48 for the year. To find the average home warranty plan cost, we requested hundreds of quotes using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

With a home warranty, you'll have extra coverage for major systems and home appliances. However, it's not a substitute for homeowners insurance, and there are some exclusions to coverage. Below, we'll discuss what's generally covered and what's not.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

  • Built-in microwaves
  • Dishwashers
  • Washing machines
  • Refrigerators
  • Clothes dryers
  • Cooktops

The first category of items a home warranty protects is kitchen appliances and household items. This covers the following: When you purchase a home warranty, you're also getting coverage for major home systems. While different plans have different coverage scopes for this category, the following systems may be included:

  • Water heater
  • Central vacuum
  • Plumbing
  • HVAC
  • Electrical

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Home warranties, like most service contracts, have coverage exclusions. One common exclusion is breakdowns caused by damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty would probably not cover an air conditioner malfunctioning due to a dirty air filter, since replacing the filter is a part of routine maintenance.

    Additionally, home warranties won't cover the following:
  • Rust or corrosion damage
  • Hazardous waste
  • Improper system or appliance installation
  • Cosmetic damage
  • Acts of nature
  • Preexisting conditions

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Apex

Ask each home warranty provider these questions before you purchase a plan.

What items are covered by my policy?

Determine what appliances and systems you need covered before getting home warranty quotes. This way, you can seek out a provider that includes them. Some companies separate appliance and system coverage. Many companies also sell optional add-ons, covering things like central vacuum and roof leaks. Consider whether any add-ons fit your situation.

How long is my home warranty good for?

Generally, home warranty contracts last for one year after the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Companies require this 30-day waiting period to deter customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. You can get coverage beyond 12 months with a multiyear plan.

What contractors do you work with?

Ask potential home warranty companies about their network of local service contractors. A contractor must have the proper local and state licensing to access the company's network. If your area has no in-network contractors nearby, the warranty company may let you choose your own. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Each company's claims process is slightly different from the others. If a covered issue strikes, you could file a claim via their website or over the phone. Most companies try to respond to claims within 24 to 48 hours, though there might be processing delays when filing outside normal working hours. If the home warranty company grants initial approval to your claim, they'll connect you to a service contractor from their network. The contractor will schedule a consultation with you to examine the appliance firsthand. Once they get final approval from the warranty company, they'll proceed to make repairs and handle billing on your behalf.

Can I transfer my policy to the next owner of my home?

If you're selling your home, you may be able to transfer your policy to the new homeowner. Some companies oversee the transfer without cost, while others levy a transfer fee. Some home warranty companies also provide special coverage plans that are easily transferred to prospective buyers. Home sellers purchase these home warranty plans to increase their home's appeal.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before committing to a home warranty, we strongly recommend reading a sample contract. Learning more about the company's terms and conditions will help you determine the best fit. It'll also help you advocate for yourself if you need to file a claim. Look for these key terms and clauses in your research:

  • Service call fee: Each time you file a claim, the warranty company or repair provider will charge a service call fee between $75 and $125.
  • Workmanship guarantee: The workmanship guarantee is the time during which the home warranty company will not charge additional service call fees for a repair if an in-network technician has recently tried to fix the item. The industry standard is 30 days, although some companies offer longer workmanship guarantees.
  • Coverage limit: The coverage limit sets a dollar limit to how much the home warranty company will pay per repair. There may be additional stipulations, such as an annual coverage limit.
  • Exclusions: Pay extra attention to the exclusions a provider lists in its fine print. For example, most home warranty sample contracts specify component exclusions for every item covered.
  • Cancellation: You'll usually see the warranty company's cancellation policy in their fine print. Depending on the company, if you cancel within the first 30 days of enrollment, you might receive a full refund of the entire premium.

Facts about Apex

Average High in July
89°F
Apex
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
31°F
Apex
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
68%
Apex
69%
National Average
Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
$150 Off Any Plan
Explore Plans
Provider logo
3.8
Our Rating
  • Charges low premiums
  • Includes roof-leak coverage
  • Offers solid HVAC coverage
Explore Plans

Our methodology for selecting home warranty providers

We review national home warranty providers against our full home warranty methodology. We score warranty providers based on coverage options and limits, price, brand reputation, customer service, extra features and availability.

Contact us at feedback@homefront.usatoday.com if you have questions or feedback on this article

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. Go back to top

Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.

More on this topic...

8 Best Home Warranty Companies 2024
The best home warranty companies of May 2024

foundationMay 22

Do You Need a Home Warranty for New Construction?
Do you need a home warranty for new construction?

home warrantyApr. 25

How Much Do Home Warranties Cost? 2024 Update
How much do home warranties cost? 2024 update

home warrantyMay 20

How Does a Home Warranty Work? 2024 Guide
How does a home warranty work? 2024 guide

home warrantyApr. 22

How To Buy a Home Warranty
Need extra protection for your systems and appliances? Here’s how to buy a home warranty

home warrantyApr. 30