Home Warranty

7 best home warranty companies in Durham, 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 Durham. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.

Companies Selected

Filters

Location

Durham, NC

Choose a new location

Companies Selected

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 like HVAC units and refrigerators when they break down from normal wear and tear.

Many key home systems break down before hitting the 10 to 15-year mark. HVAC systems typically last just seven to 25 years. The normal lifespan for water heaters is only six to 12 years, and most major appliances today stop working in under 20 years, say the experts at the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

If your Durham house contains any aging furnaces, dishwashers or other appliances, you'll likely face a surprise breakdown. These top home warranty providers offer robust coverage at reasonable prices.

With the scorching North Carolina summers, air conditioner breakdowns in Durham are that much more taxing for homeowners. A home warranty from one of the national companies below will give you a cost-effective path to the future repairs you might need.

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 Durham

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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

4.6/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers plans with a 60-day workmanship guarantee on completed repairs. Compared to other providers in this piece, it also provides the largest number of coverage add-ons – 38 in total.

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

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

4.2/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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

4.3/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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

3.9/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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 Durham

The typical monthly cost of a home warranty in Durham runs from $41 to $70, on par with the national average. If you're paying on an annual basis, expect to spend roughly $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 give you a general overview of the two main coverage categories.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

Refrigerators
Clothes dryers
Dishwashers
Washing machines
Built-in microwaves
Cooktops

The first category of items a home warranty covers is kitchen and living appliances. 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:

Central vacuum
Water heater
Plumbing
HVAC
Electrical

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

As with many other service contracts, home warranties won't cover certain components or appliances. These are called exclusions. A common exclusion is breakdowns caused by damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, home warranties will likely not cover an air conditioner breakdown caused by a dirty air filter. This is because replacing the filter is a routine maintenance task.

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

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Durham

We recommend asking each home warranty provider you're considering the following questions about their plans, terms and policies.

What items will my policy cover?

First, figure out what items need coverage before requesting a home warranty quote. Some providers separate appliance and system coverage, so verify that the company has plans to meet your particular needs. Companies might also offer additional coverage, like spa and wells 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?

A typical home warranty plan is effective for one year from the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. The 30-day waiting period acts as a way to prevent 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 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 address claims within 24 to 48 hours, though there might be processing delays if you filed outside normal working hours. Once the provider receives your claim, someone will review it and connect you with an in-network service provider. The contractor will schedule a visit, diagnose the problem, and then request final approval from the home warranty provider before starting repairs.

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

Most home warranty companies 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 free of charge, although some companies charge a transfer fee to offset administrative costs. Some home warranty companies also offer special coverage plans that are easily transferred to prospective buyers. Home sellers purchase these home warranty plans to enhance their home's appeal.

Home warranty contract fine print

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

Workmanship guarantee: Workmanship guarantees help protect you from additional service call fees if an in-network technician failed to completely fix a covered issue. Most guarantees are 30 days long, but 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 every time you file a home warranty claim. Many providers have fees between $75 and $125 per claim.
Coverage limit: Each home warranty has a coverage limit that limits the total dollar amount that the company will pay per claim. There might also be an annual coverage limit or other stipulations.
Cancellation: Each home warranty company has a cancellation policy in its terms and conditions. Many companies will refund your annual premium in full if you cancel within the first 30 days of enrollment.
Exclusions: Even if a system is covered under your home warranty, it could still have applicable exclusions for certain components. A sample contract should itemize these exclusions.

Facts about Durham

Average High in July

88°F

Durham

83°F

National Average

Average Low in January

31°F

Durham

17°F

National Average

Average Daily Sunlight

68%

Durham

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 Durham, North Carolina

Filters