Home Warranty

7 best home warranty companies in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

Our Methodology

We've ranked the top 7 home warranty companies that operate within 50 miles of Chapel Hill. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.

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A home warranty gives you 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 use.

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 Chapel Hill home contains aging furnaces, dishwashers or other appliances, you'll probably encounter an untimely failure. These top home warranty firms provide robust coverage at fair prices.

Homeowners insurance doesn't cover appliance breakdowns due to normal wear and tear, so having a home warranty can give you a supplementary cushion against mishaps. We've done the research to find what home warranty firms have the best major appliance and system coverage.

Our Top Pick

4.5

Our Rating

Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
Holds high customer ratings
Offers customization with 38 add-ons

Explore Plans

4.4

Our Rating

Covers rust and corrosion damage
Offers comprehensive coverage limits
Provides flexible service fees

$150 Off Any Plan

Explore Plans

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 Chapel Hill

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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

4.6/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers 38 different coverage add-ons – the most of any home warranty company we researched. Each covered repair also comes with a 60-day workmanship guarantee.

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

4.4/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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

4.4/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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

4.2/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $47.00 - $87.00

First American is known for its comprehensive appliance coverage caps. With an Essential or Premium plan that has the First American Advantage upgrade, you could also get coverage for miscellaneous components, including 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

4.3/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $38.99 - $66.99

Cinch Home Services provides coverage perks other companies don’t, such as a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement. Like most home warranty companies, Cinch offers flexible service fees that raise or lower your plan 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

3.9/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $44.42 - $47.75

Select Home Warranty pairs all plans with roof-leak repair coverage. It also charges low plan premiums.

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 Chapel Hill

You'll typically pay $41-$70 per month for a home warranty in Chapel Hill, in line with the national average. Opting for annual payments means spending somewhere around $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

Home warranties protect various home appliances and major systems, but they're not a substitute for homeowners insurance. Below, we'll outline what's generally included in home warranty coverage and what isn't.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

Dishwashers
Washing machines
Refrigerators
Built-in microwaves
Clothes dryers
Cooktops

The first category of items home warranties cover is kitchen and living appliances. This category includes the following: Major systems form the second category of covered items. The specific definition of what a "major system" is will differ between different plans. However, most include the following:

Water heater
Electrical
Central vacuum
Plumbing
HVAC

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Just like other service contracts, home warranties do not cover certain items or events. These are referred to as 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.

Preexisting conditions
Rust or corrosion damage
Hazardous waste
Acts of nature
Cosmetic damage
Improper system or appliance installation

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Chapel Hill

Before you purchase a home warranty plan, discuss these crucial questions with each provider you're considering.

What items will my policy cover?

Determine what appliances and systems you need covered before getting home warranty quotes. This way, you can find a company that includes them. Some companies separate appliance and system coverage. Companies might also offer additional coverage, like wells and spa protection, as add-ons. Consider what supplements you might need and how much they'll add to the cost.

How long is my home warranty good for?

Standard home warranty contracts are valid for 12 months from the coverage effective date, which is usually 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Companies include this 30-day waiting period to prevent customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. Purchasing a multiyear plan extends protection beyond the standard 12-month term.

What contractors do you work with?

When you're researching home warranty companies, be sure to ask about which service contractors they use. Each repair team must follow specific licensing requirements and standards to get repair approval from the warranty company. If there are no partner contractors in your area, the warranty terms might allow you to pick your own repair company. 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 will differ 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 one to two days, though there might be processing delays if you filed outside normal working hours. Once you submit your claim, the warranty company will review it and connect you to an in-network service contractor. The contractor will arrange a visit to diagnose the problem, and then seek final authorization from the warranty company for any required repair work.

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

If you need to move, most home warranty contracts include a clause permitting you to transfer the policy to the new homeowner. Some companies handle the transfer at no charge, though others will charge a transfer fee. Some home warranty companies also offer special coverage plans that are easily transferred to prospective buyers. Home sellers buy these home warranty plans to enhance their home's appeal.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before you decide on a home warranty, carefully read its terms and conditions to ensure they're compatible with your needs. As you read through the sample contract, look for these key details and clauses:

Coverage limit: Each home warranty has a coverage limit that establishes how much a company will cover per individual claim. Warranty contracts could also have annual coverage limits.
Cancellation: Each home warranty company has a cancellation policy in its sample contract. Many companies will refund your annual premium in full if you cancel within the first 30 days of enrollment.
Workmanship guarantee: The workmanship guarantee is the time during which the home warranty company will not charge an additional service call fee 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.
Service call fee: Just like copays at the doctor or pharmacy, you'll have to pay a service call fee each time you file a home warranty claim. Many providers have fees between $75 and $125 per claim.
Exclusions: Even if a device is covered under your home warranty, it might still have exclusions for specific parts. A sample contract should clearly outline these exclusions.

Facts about Chapel Hill

Average High in July

88°F

Chapel Hill

83°F

National Average

Average Low in January

31°F

Chapel Hill

17°F

National Average

Average Daily Sunlight

68%

Chapel Hill

69%

National Average

Our Top Pick

4.5

Our Rating

Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
Holds high customer ratings
Offers customization with 38 add-ons

Explore Plans

4.4

Our Rating

Covers rust and corrosion damage
Offers comprehensive coverage limits
Provides flexible service fees

$150 Off Any Plan

Explore Plans

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.

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.

7 best home warranty companies in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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