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7 best home warranty companies in Clayton, North Carolina

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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Consider a home warranty to financially protect your home's essential items. These policies cover the repair or replacement of major household systems and appliances, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, for a monthly fee.

Many crucial home components start having issues before hitting the 10 to 15-year mark, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. HVAC systems typically malfunction after just seven to 25 years. Water heaters normally last six to 12 years, and most appliances today stop working after about 20 years.

If your Clayton home contains aging furnaces, dishwashers or the like, you'll likely encounter an unexpected breakdown. These top home warranty firms provide robust coverage at fair prices.

With the scorching North Carolina summers, air conditioner breakdowns in Clayton are that much more taxing for homeowners. A home warranty from one of the national companies 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 Clayton

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 offers flexible service fees and perks like an appliance color-match program. Through its "Even If" guarantee, it also refunds service fees if repairing or replacing a covered item isn't possible.

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 lets you fully customize a plan for your exact coverage needs. It also provides an exceptionally long 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

American Home Shield was one of the first home warranty companies, having been in business since 1971. It provides three base plans and six 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 provides generous appliance coverage maximums in every plan. If you add the First American Advantage upgrade, miscellaneous items like appliance knobs and dials could also get protection.

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

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 Clayton

The typical monthly cost of a home warranty in Clayton ranges from $41 to $70, on par with the national average. If you're paying on an annual basis, expect to spend anywhere from $563.62–$927.48 per year. To calculate national cost data, we requested hundreds of quotes for 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state that the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties provide coverage for a variety of major systems and home appliances. We'll lay out a general overview of the two main coverage categories.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

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

The first category of items a home warranty covers is kitchen and living appliances. This consists of 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 consist of the following:

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

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Home warranties, similar to other service contracts, don't cover everything. Generally, home warranties won't cover item breakdowns caused by damage outside normal wear and tear. For example, if your air conditioner stops working due to a dirty air filter, home warranty companies likely won't cover the repairs since air filter replacement falls under routine maintenance.

    Home warranties also don't cover the following:
  • Hazardous waste
  • Improper system or appliance installation
  • Cosmetic damage
  • Rust or corrosion damage
  • Preexisting conditions
  • Acts of nature

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Clayton

Before purchasing a home warranty coverage plan, we recommend asking providers the following questions.

What items are covered by my policy?

Assess your coverage requirements before requesting a quote from a home warranty company. Once youknow what items require coverage, confirm that the provider includes them in its plans. Some companies separate systems and appliance coverage into different plans, so ensure you choose the right one. Many companies also sell optional add-ons, covering things like spas and lawn sprinkler systems. Consider whether any add-ons fit your situation.

How long is my home warranty good for?

Generally, a home warranty plan has a duration of 12 months from the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Home warranty companies require a 30-day waiting period to stop 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 researching a home warranty company, ask which service contractors it partners with in your area. Many home warranty providers will let you choose your own local contractor if they don’t have an in-network provider near you. The contractor must be licensed and registered in Clayton to get repair approval from the home warranty provider. 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?

Understanding the way a company’s claims process works can be the difference between claim approval and denial. Home warranty providers typically accept claims via an online portal or a 24/7 claims hotline. Typical response times are within 24 to 48 hours of filing, though there may be processing delays if you file outside normal business hours. If the home warranty company initially approves your claim, they'll match you with 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?

Most home warranty providers allow you to transfer your policy to a new person who moves into the home the policy covers. Generally, transferring a home warranty policy to a new homeowner is complimentary, although some companies charge a transfer fee to offset administrative costs. Home warranty companies may also sell separate, special coverage plans that you can easily transfer to prospective homebuyers. Sellers might opt for these plans to boost their home's appeal in a competitive market.

Home warranty contract fine print

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

  • Exclusions: Pay particular attention to the exclusions a warranty company lists in its fine print. For example, most home warranty sample contracts specify component exclusions for each covered item.
  • Coverage limit: The coverage limit sets a dollar limit to how much the home warranty company will pay per repair. There may be further stipulations, such as an annual coverage limit.
  • Workmanship guarantee: Workmanship guarantees help protect you from additional service call fees if an in-network technician unsuccessfully tried to fix a covered issue. Most guarantees are 30 days long, though some companies offer longer periods.
  • 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.
  • Cancellation: You'll typically find the warranty company's cancellation policy in the sample contract 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 Clayton

Average High in July
89°F
Clayton
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
32°F
Clayton
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
68%
Clayton
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.

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