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Best Home Warranty Companies in North Carolina (With Customer Feedback)

Author Image Written by Dana Getz + 1 other Reviewed by Jacquelyn Kfoury Updated 06/24/2024

Owning a home in North Carolina means you’ll sometimes deal with difficult weather. Balmy summers and—in some years—fairly cold winters can take a toll on your home’s systems and appliances, leaving you with significant, unexpected repair expenses. Thankfully, a good home warranty company can give you access to a network of trusted technicians and help you save money on repair costs. 

To help North Carolina homeowners find the best home warranty company, we reviewed 13 of the top providers in the industry. American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty are our top picks for N.C. residents. AHS covers up to $5,000 per year in HVAC repairs, which is particularly valuable during hotter months when your air conditioning may go out. Meanwhile, Elite Home Warranty’s highly customizable plans make it ideal for North Carolina’s diverse range of climates.


Top Home Warranty Companies in North Carolina

After reviewing 13 of the top home warranty companies (and testing 11 of them), we picked these as the best for North Carolina residents.


Comparing Top Providers

We gathered custom quotes from each company featured in this article for a 2,057-square-foot home in Raleigh, North Carolina. The following table compares these costs as well as other key factors you should think about:

Star Rating Monthly Cost in NC Service Fee Workmanship Guarantee BBB Rating Link
American Home Shield American Home Shield
$29–$89 $100–$125 30 days B VISIT SITE
Choice Home Warranty Choice Home Warranty
$46–$55 $100 90 days NR** VISIT SITE
Elite Home Warranty Elite Home Warranty
$40–$60 $70 90 days B+ VISIT SITE
First American Home Warranty First American Home Warranty
$42–$82 $100–$125 30 days B VISIT SITE
Liberty Home Guard Liberty Home Guard
$49–$59 $65–$125 60 days NR** VISIT SITE
American Home Shield
Logo American Home Shield
Star Rating
Monthly Cost in NC $29–$89
Service Fee $100–$125
Workmanship Guarantee 30 days
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Choice Home Warranty
Logo Choice Home Warranty
Star Rating
Monthly Cost in NC $46–$55
Service Fee $100
Workmanship Guarantee 90 days
BBB Rating NR**
VISIT SITE
Elite Home Warranty
Logo Elite Home Warranty
Star Rating
Monthly Cost in NC $40–$60
Service Fee $70
Workmanship Guarantee 90 days
BBB Rating B+
VISIT SITE
First American Home Warranty
Logo First American Home Warranty
Star Rating
Monthly Cost in NC $42–$82
Service Fee $100–$125
Workmanship Guarantee 30 days
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Liberty Home Guard
Logo Liberty Home Guard
Star Rating
Monthly Cost in NC $49–$59
Service Fee $65–$125
Workmanship Guarantee 60 days
BBB Rating NR**
VISIT SITE
Provider Our Score Monthly Plan Cost* Service Call Fee Workmanship Guarantee BBB Rating Get a Quote
4.8
$29–$89 $100–$125 30 days B VISIT SITE
4.7
$46–$55 $100 90 days NR** VISIT SITE
4.6
$40–$60 $70 90 days B+ VISIT SITE
4.6
$42–$82 $100–$125 30 days B VISIT SITE
4.4
$49–$59 $65–$125 60 days NR** VISIT SITE
No results were found.

*Pricing may vary depending on your home’s location, size, type, and plan choices.
**NR, or “No Rating,” means that the BBB has not issued a rating due to an ongoing review or update to a company’s profile.


Our Reviews of Top Providers in NC

When evaluating home warranty companies in North Carolina, we recommend choosing a provider that offers coverage that fits your home’s specific needs. For example, while American Home Shield scored highest against our rigorous rating methodology, Liberty Home Guard might be a better option for you if you need coverage for items typically not included in core home warranty plans. 

Below, we go deep on each of our top picks in N.C.

American Home Shield

4.8 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Monthly Cost: $29–$89

Service Fee: $100–$125

Workmanship Guarantee: 30 days

Coverage Overview

  • Offers $5,000 of HVAC coverage in each plan—more than twice the industry standard 
  • Allows you to customize your price with multiple service call fee options
  • Provides roof-leak coverage in its highest-tier plan, which is good for coastal homeowners

Keep in Mind

  • Has the highest prices of any company we reviewed
  • Offers fewer coverage options outside of its core plans than other providers on this list

Our Review

American Home Shield (AHS) has several perks that make it good for North Carolina homeowners. Of these, we think that its coverage for preexisting conditions, or issues that predate coverage, is the most important. Most companies won’t cover preexisting issues, and it’s especially helpful for homes with aging systems.

We also like AHS’ generous HVAC coverage cap—also known as a maximum coverage limit—of $5,000. Considering how hot North Carolina summers can be, reliable HVAC coverage is essential to keep your home cool. Plus, American Home Shield bundles free roof-leak coverage in its highest-tier plan, which can save you tons of money on roof repairs and leak prevention.

On the downside, AHS doesn’t offer an appliance-only plan. This means it may not be the best fit if you’re mainly interested in covering your major appliances. Another concern is American Home Shield’s price; while the company does have some of the most comprehensive coverage we’ve seen, it also has the most expensive monthly rates of any company we’ve reviewed. In addition, its plans come with steep service fees, which is the fixed cost you’re responsible for covering each time a repair is completed.

Choice Home Warranty

4.7 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Monthly Cost: $46–$55

Service Fee: $100

Workmanship Guarantee: 90 days for parts, 60 days for labor

Coverage Overview

  • Offers comprehensive coverage at a reasonable price
  • Has a longer-than-average workmanship guarantee of 90 days
  • Provides coverage caps of $3,000 for most items

Keep in Mind

  • Lacks coverage for multiple essential items in its base plan
  • Faces a pending lawsuit with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office

Our Review

We recommend Choice Home Warranty if you’re looking for a comprehensive but affordable home warranty plan. Its highest plan costs only $55 per month, which is one of the most affordable rates among top companies. For its lower-than-average price, it offers coverage caps of $3,000 for most of its items, which is $500 more than the industry average. It also has an add-on catalog of 11 items that include sprinklers, septic tank pumping, well and sump pumps, and more.

Our biggest concern with Choice is that it doesn’t cover essential items such as air conditioning, laundry appliances, or refrigerators in its Basic Plan. If you want coverage for these items, you’ll need to pay an extra $9 per month and upgrade to its higher-tier plan. Another issue is that it’s facing a lawsuit filed in 2019 by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, which accuses Choice Home Warranty of bad-faith claim denials. We contacted Choice about the lawsuit, and a representative stated that while they could not comment on pending litigation, the company “is committed to providing best-in-class service to every customer.”

Elite Home Warranty

4.6 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Monthly Cost: $40–$60

Service Fee: $70

Workmanship Guarantee: 90 days

Coverage Overview

  • Allows you to choose exactly what systems and appliances you want covered
  • Completes follow-up repairs for free if issues persist within 90 days of initial repairs
  • Provides a robust add-on catalog of 27 items

Keep in Mind

  • Doesn’t allow you to use repair people outside of its network
  • Has a $15,000 annual limit for total coverage, potentially limiting your payouts per year

Our Review

We recommend Elite Home Warranty for North Carolina homeowners who want to customize their plan. While most home warranty companies have pre-built plans, Elite allows you to design your own, choosing what systems and appliances you want.

Elite also has an impressive add-on catalog of 27 items. We think this is helpful for North Carolinians because of the diverse range of seasons and climates within the state—Elite’s plan structure allows you to cover the specific items you need without paying for unneeded coverage. We also like the company’s 90-day workmanship guarantee, which is three times the industry average. This means that if any issues occur within 90 days after your initial repair, Elite will arrange the follow-up repairs for free.

Unfortunately, this workmanship guarantee only applies to technicians within Elite Home Warranty’s network. So if you hire your own contractor, you won’t get the same 90-day coverage. Elite’s $15,000 annual claim limit is also restrictive. If you make multiple high-value claims and hit the cap, you’ll have to pay for repairs out of pocket for the rest of the year. For this reason, we don’t recommend Elite for those expecting to file a high number of claims on big-ticket items.

First American Home Warranty

4.6 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Monthly Cost: $42–$82

Service Fee: $75–$125

Workmanship Guarantee: 30 days 

Coverage Overview

  • Has a $7,000 coverage cap for appliances in its highest plan, three times the industry standard
  • Provides unlimited coverage caps for HVAC and plumbing systems
  • Covers damaged or improperly installed items as an add-on

Keep in Mind

  • Doesn’t have appliance- or system-only plans
  • Doesn’t include roof-leak coverage in its basic plans

Our Review

We recommend First American Home Warranty (FAHW) if you’re looking for high coverage caps. FAHW’s plans have unlimited coverage for most essential systems and $7,000 for appliances, whereas most companies only offer $2,500. This makes FAHW a great option if you have expensive appliances or new home systems. One of the main reasons we recommend First American for North Carolina Homeowners is its unlimited HVAC coverage. Given the state’s intense summers, having your HVAC system completely covered is a must. Plus, if you add the free First American Advantage upgrade, the company will cover items damaged from poor upkeep or faulty installation—something most providers don’t do.

First American Home Warranty comes up short in its lower-tier plan options. It doesn’t offer system- or appliance-only plans, so you can’t opt for covering just one or the other. We also don’t like that its Starter Plan doesn’t cover roof leaks, which is important for the rainy state of North Carolina. However, you can get this coverage as an add-on.

Liberty Home Guard

4.4 We grade all home warranty companies on the most important factors to homeowners such as coverage, value, trust, transparency, availability, and service. We account for 15 specific data points such as coverage caps, systems and appliances covered, monthly costs, service fees, sample contract availability, response time, claims process, and workmanship guarantee length to then calculate a score, created fully by our Editorial team.

Monthly Cost: $49–$59

Service Fee: $65–$125

Workmanship Guarantee: 60 days 

Coverage Overview

  • Offers more add-on coverage options than any major player in the industry
  • Offers 24/7 live chat, which can be helpful for emergency or off-hour repairs
  • Features a 60-day workmanship guarantee

Keep in Mind

  • Does not communicate your service fee cost until after signup
  • Has low plumbing and electrical system coverage caps of $500

Our Review

The biggest benefit of Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is its long list of add-on options, which gives you plenty of room to customize your plan. LHG’s add-ons include items such as sump pumps and well pumps, which are great for rainy areas. It also has options for pest control and gutter cleaning, which can be helpful for homeowners in rural or wooded regions. Plus, Liberty Home Guard has an add-on for two air conditioning units. This is a good option for the coastal region of North Carolina, where summer heat can strain units.

While there’s a lot we like about LHG, we’re not fans of its service call fee policy. Liberty Home Guard doesn’t disclose its service call fee until after you sign up for a plan, and unlike providers such as American Home Shield, it doesn’t allow you to opt for a higher service fee to lower your monthly plan cost (or vice versa). Liberty Home Guard’s service call fees range from $65–$125, which is slightly above the industry average.

Our other issue with LHG is its lower-than-average coverage limits on plumbing and electrical systems. Most companies have limits of around $2,500, but LHG only offers $500. This may be an issue for homeowners who live in rainy areas since heavy rainfall can strain plumbing systems


Our Experience Filing Home Warranty Claims

As a part of our research process, our team members interact with companies’ customer service reps, sign up for contracts, and test the claims process directly. One of the companies we have tested is American Home Shield, our top pick for home warranty coverage in North Carolina. 

When testing American Home Shield’s service, our team member filed a claim for a leak in their bathroom. They used the online claims process, which they found to be quick and easy.

A screenshot of American Home Shield's online claims portal for a North Carolina homeowner
Credit: American Home Shield online portal

Five minutes after they submitted a claim, the assigned technician reached out to set up a next-day appointment. The technician arrived ahead of schedule, repaired the leak in less than two hours, and even gave suggestions about how to address a mold issue caused by the leak.


Home Warranty Costs in North Carolina

North Carolina homeowners can expect to pay an average of $492–$804 annually for a home warranty plan, or between $41 and $67 monthly. This price is slightly below the national average home warranty cost of $516–$864. However, keep in mind that costs vary depending on your plan, location, home size, add-on choices, and other factors.

Average Home Warranty Cost in North Carolina*National Average for Home Warranty Costs
Monthly$41–$67$43–$72
Annual$492–$804$516–$864

*We compiled the pricing information in this table using sample quotes from each home warranty company on this listing using the same 2,057-square-foot home located in Raleigh, North Carolina. National pricing is based on sample quotes we pulled for each state in the United States for a single-family home of less than 3,000 square feet.


Advice From a Homeowner

Investing in a home warranty plan is a big financial decision. Reading online reviews, it’s clear that not all homeowners are happy with their home warranty purchase. To give you a full picture of customers’ experiences, we interviewed multiple homeowners with home warranties and surveyed thousands of home warranty users. 

Our survey found that 92.7% of homeowners were satisfied with their home warranty plan. However, even with a reliable company, you’ll want to make sure you’re keeping up communication with your provider to ensure jobs get done promptly. 

We spoke to Neil F., a North Carolina homeowner who has a home warranty plan with Select Home Warranty. After Neil filed a claim, Select failed to follow up and independently maintain consistent communication, causing delays in assigning a repair person to complete the job. Neil emphasized that homeowners may need to proactively communicate with home warranty companies if they want prompt results, stating:

“You really have to kind of get on the phone and be an advocate and be someone that is pushing on them, and it’s a big deal. But again, by doing that, you can hopefully resolve claims and get coverage, repairs, or replacement of your potentially expensive appliances. So in the end, it can be worth it.”


FAQ About Home Warranties in North Carolina

Is a home warranty worth it for North Carolina homeowners?

Yes, a home warranty can be worth it as long as you find the right policy that fits your needs. A home warranty policy should cover the major systems and appliances of your home, fit within your budget, and provide prompt, reliable service. With the right plan, you can majorly save on repair costs for your home systems and appliances.

How are home warranties regulated in North Carolina?

The North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) oversees home warranty regulation in North Carolina. However, our research shows that the NCDOI specifically regulates home appliance service contracts. According to General Statute §§ 66-371–372, companies that offer home appliance service agreements must maintain a detailed claims register to record each claim they receive from consumers.

What are the cons of a home warranty in North Carolina?

One of the biggest cons of a home warranty in North Carolina is disputed or denied claims. Some companies use unclear language or strict contracts to limit payout amounts for covered items. Because of this, it’s important to carefully read your service contract before signing up to understand its exclusions. 

What’s typically covered in a North Carolina home warranty?

Typically, a North Carolina home warranty covers the following items:

  • Water heaters
  • Clothes washers and dryers
  • Garage door openers
  • Plumbing stoppages
  • HVAC systems 
  • Garbage disposal systems
  • Common kitchen appliances
    • Refrigerators
    • Built-in microwaves
    • Dishwashers
    • Stovetops 
    • Ovens

However, your specific policy will vary depending on your plan, add-ons, and location. 


How We Evaluated Home Warranty Providers

Below is an outline of our research methodology and scoring criteria that we used to choose North Carolina’s top home warranty providers.

Our Rating System

To gain a well-rounded perspective on home warranty providers in North Carolina, we researched the top companies in the state, consulted industry experts, analyzed service contracts, secret-shopped providers, surveyed thousands of customers, and spoke with real home warranty owners.

Using this research, our team developed a detailed methodology to score each company on six categories: coverage (35%), cost (20%), trustworthiness (15%), plan transparency (10%), customer support (10%), and flexibility (10%).

When analyzing home warranty plans for North Carolina homeowners, we considered these key factors:

  • Essential coverage for the region: North Carolina has a unique climate that combines coastal sea air, above-average rainfall, thick forests, and mountainous terrain. We looked for home warranty companies offering plans with a range of inclusions that can help homeowners in the region. For example, we viewed air conditioning coverage as a key component given the state’s hot, humid summers.
  • Price and trustworthiness: A home warranty is only valuable to homeowners if it provides tangible value through the coverage they’ve purchased. As such, one of the key rating criteria we use when looking at home warranty companies is cost. If a company’s price is too high for the coverage it offers, we won’t recommend it. We also look out for companies that fail to pay out claims fairly or adequately. 
  • First-hand experience submitting claims: Our team gained firsthand experience by submitting home warranty claims with several providers, including the top pick for North Carolina, American Home Shield. This experience helped us learn more about the claim process and provide valuable contextual information to homeowners.
  • Opinions from real homeowners: Research, reading online reviews, and even secret shopping can only offer so much information. To get an honest idea of what it’s like to work with a home warranty company, you should ask homeowners who use these services about their experience. We spoke with homeowners directly about how they felt about their home warranty providers and what kinds of experiences they had. Furthermore, we surveyed thousands of real homeowners to get a larger-scale understanding of the home warranty user experience.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.