Best home warranty companies in North Carolina (2021)

We review the best home warranty companies in North Carolina based on their coverage options, customer satisfaction and other criteria to highlight why each one stands out. Additionally, we pulled sample quotes from each provider on a 1,500-square-foot single-family house in Charlotte, N.C., to estimate costs for each plan. Costs will vary based on your location, property details and personal information, so we recommend also getting quotes on your own.

You can read more about our methodology at the bottom of this page to learn more about how we rated and scored each provider.

The 5 best home warranty companies in North Carolina

1. American Home Shield: Best overall

3. Choice Home Warranty: Covers the essentials

2. Amazon Home Warranty: Trusted by customers

4. Cinch Home Services: Best workmanship guarantee

5. Select Home Warranty: Budget-friendly

Compare the best home warranty companies in North Carolina

This table shows some of the important qualities of each of the best home warranty companies compared with each other.

* Each range shows the monthly cost of plans from the cheapest to the most expensive based on sample quotes that we received.

1. American Home Shield: Best overall

BBB rating: B

Years in service: 50

We named American Home Shield the best home warranty in North Carolina because of its combination of affordable rates, flexibility, best-in-class standard coverage and unique add-ons.

Three reasons we chose American Home Shield

• No age limits: Unlike many other warranty companies,American Home Shield covers repairs or replacements on appliances and systems of any age.
• Guest unit add-on: If you have a small guest cottage or other guest unit under 750 square feet, AHS will cover it under the same plan as your main living space.
• Custom pricing: American Home Shield is one of the few companies that offers homeowners the flexibility to lower their premiums by paying higher service call fees.

Plans and included coverage

American Home Shield offers three plans: one for built-in systems, one for appliances, and one that covers a combination of both. Here’s what each plan includes:

American Home Shield plans can include the following additional coverage for an extra cost:

• Guest units up to 750 square feet
• Electronics plan
• Septic pump
• Well pump
• Pools and inground spas

Cost of American Home Shield plans

Selecting a higher service fee will lower your premium, similar to lowering your homeowners insurance premium by selecting a higher deductible. Here’s the breakdown of the pricing for each selection:

Get a quote: Use this online tool or call 844-529-9298 to get a custom quote based on your North Carolina ZIP code.

2. Choice Home Warranty: Covers the essentials

BBB rating: B-

Years in service: 12

Choice Home Warranty makes the list of top providers for North Carolinians for its simple approach to essential coverage offered in two standard plans. Each plan covers a combination of appliances and systems at reasonable rates.

When considering this provider, homeowners should be aware that the company faces a pending class-action lawsuit filed by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, which alleges that the company made false promises to cover high-cost repairs and replacements of damaged or broken items and unfairly denied claims. However, our research found that the company has a straightforward user agreement, and we believe that customers can avoid unexpected claim denials as long as they read their contract before purchasing a plan. Choice did not comment on the legal issues when we reached out; a spokesperson from the company said that they could not comment on an ongoing lawsuit. As of March 2021, the lawsuit was not resolved.

We still recommend this provider for its affordable but substantial coverage on essential systems and appliances and extensive network of service providers.

Three reasons we chose Choice Home Warranty

• Service experience: CHW serves more than a million homes across 48 states and has answered more than 3 million service requests in its 12 years of doing business.
• Repair guarantee: CHW’s guarantees its contractors’ workmanship for 90 days from the date you initiate a claim. If your item continues to malfunction during that time period, the company will send a technician back to repair it with no additional service fee.
• Standard coverage value: Choice is one of the only companies that offers an inexpensive plan with a combination of both systems and appliances. The Basic Plan can be a valuable option for anyone that just needs the essentials covered, excluding air conditioning, refrigerators, washers and dryers.

Plans and included coverage

Choice Home Warranty offers these add-ons:

• Septic system and tank plumbing
• Sump pump
• Well pump
• Central vacuum
• Stand-alone freezer
• Limited roof leak
• Pool and spa
• Second refrigerator

Cost of Choice Home Warranty plans

Since there are just two plan options with only 4 different coverage inclusions, the pricing is simple.

Get a quote: You can call 929-400-6165 or fill out this easy form to see Choice Home Warranty’s prices for your property. Choice Home Warranty is offering $50 off and one month free to MarketWatch readers.

3. Amazon Home Warranty: Trusted by customers

BBB rating: B

Years in service: 11

Amazon Home Warranty, which is not affiliated with the online retail giant, has made a name for itself in the 11 years it has served homeowners. Though Amazon Home Warranty’s accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) was revoked in November 2020 due to the company allegedly failing to meet BBB standards, AHW has mainly positive customer reviews on the BBB’s website. When we reached out, the company stated that it believes it has been treated unfairly, noting that it has involved its attorneys and is in communication with the BBB’s board of directors about restoring its accreditation.

We ranked Amazon Home Warranty third on this list for its emphasis on educating customers and its impressive network of 40,000 service providers and contractors nationwide.

Three reasons we chose Amazon Home Warranty

• 24-hour service: If you purchase one of Amazon Home Warranty’s plans, you’ll have access to 24/7 customer support, including claims filing.
• Service provider professionalism: AHW connects its customers to a network of 40,000 contractors and technicians that are local, licensed and insured.
• Great customer reviews: Customers give AHW an impressive 4.09 out of 5 stars (based on more than 1,200 reviews) on the BBB website.

Plans and included coverage

AHW has three plan options. Here’s what each covers:

Here are some of AHW’s add-ons for extra coverage:

• Central vacuum
• Pool and spa
• Additional washer/dryer
• Additional microwave
• Ice maker
• Additional hot water heater
• Water softener
• Additional dishwasher
• Additional central AC unit
• Additional central heating unit
• Extra oven
• Secondary refrigerator
• Wine refrigerator
• Well pump

Cost of Amazon Home Warranty plans

Amazon Home Warranty charges a standard $75 service call fee per visit. Here are the costs of each plan based on the quote we received:

Get a quote: You can get your own quote on the company’s website or by calling 866-605-8194. Amazon Home Warranty is offering $75 off and one month free to MarketWatch readers.

4. Cinch Home Services: Best workmanship guarantee

BBB rating: A-

Years in service: 41

Cinch Home Services makes this list for its generous 180-day workmanship guarantee, a BBB rating of A-, and more than 40 years of experience in the industry. Through its workmanship guarantee, the company promises that a technician will return to fix your item at no extra cost to you if it malfunctions again within six months of your initial claim.

Three reasons we chose Cinch Home Services

• Pricing customization: Similar to American Home Shield, homeowners can customize their premium costs for each plan option based on their selection from three different service call fees of $100, $125 or $150.
• High BBB rating: Cinch Home Services is a BBB-accredited business with an A- rating, the highest of any company on this list.
• Unique benefits: After your first payment, you can claim a $25 credit for air or water filters, and you can receive a free water sensor in the mail.

Plans and included coverage

Cinch Home Services home warranty plans are some of the most comprehensive in the industry. Here’s what they cover:

Cinch Home Services offers the following optional coverage:

• Pool (heater included)
• Spa (heater included)
• Pool with spa combination (with heaters)
• Septic tank and plumbing
• Well pump
• Premier upgrade package

Cost of Cinch Home Services plans

Though Cinch charges higher service call fees than other companies, it does allow for customizable premium pricing. Here are the pricing options based on the quote we received:

Get a quote: The prices of Cinch plans vary based on your ZIP Code. To get a specific quote for your area, fill out this form or call 855-435-0489

5. Select Home Warranty: Budget-friendly

BBB rating: B

Years in service: 9

Select Home Warranty is our recommendation for budget shoppers who still want a comprehensive plan. Homeowners in North Carolina can take advantage of a high-value plan by adding on optional coverage for as little as $3.33 per month.

Three reasons we chose Select Home Warranty

• Free roof coverage: Roof-leak repairs come complimentary with any of the three standard plans. It’s an additional coverage option that many other competitors don’t offer.
• Minimal service fees: In addition to low premium costs, Select Home Warranty charges between $60 and $75 in service call fees, adding more value to your plan.
• Claim center availability: The company’s customer service and claims center is always open to support claims or answers questions.

Plans and included coverage

The Bronze Care plan is equivalent to a typical systems plan, the Gold Care plan is essentially an appliances plan, and the Platinum Care plan combines coverage of both. Here’s what each includes:

Select Home Warranty also offers add-on coverage for the following:

• Septic system
• Central vacuum
• Lawn sprinkler system
• Sump pump
• Well pump
• Pool
• Spa
• Stand-alone freezer

Cost of Select Home Warranty plans

Select Home Warranty’s service fees will vary depending on your location but range from $60 to $75. Its monthly premiums are one of the lowest in the industry.

Get a quote: You can get an instant free quote or call 888-370-3956. Select Home Warranty is giving $100 off and two months free to MarketWatch readers.

Our conclusion on home warranties in North Carolina

A home warranty can save you from exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses if built-in systems or appliances in your home break down. It can also help connect you with expert contractors and technicians quickly if an emergency arises. We chose American Home Shield as our best overall provider, but your choice will come down to your budget and coverage needs. We recommend requesting quotes from at least three providers before signing a contract since pricing can vary based on a number of factors.

Frequently asked questions

What are some other home warranty companies in North Carolina?

There are other home warranty companies that serve homeowners in North Carolina that didn’t make this list.  First American Home Warranty and AFC Home Club also made our national list of the best home warranty companies.

What’s the cheapest home warranty plan in North Carolina?

Based on the quotes we received, Select Home Warranty has the cheapest total plan prices. Its service call fees start at just $60, and its plan premiums start at $41. Though Cinch Home Services and American Home Shield have significantly higher service fees, they do offer cheaper monthly premiums that start at $34.99.

Are home warranties necessary in North Carolina?

Home warranties are not required in any state, but they can be a smart investment, protecting your wallet from unexpected expenses when a system or appliance breaks down from age or wear and tear.

Do I need to get a quote to purchase a home warranty plan?

In most cases, getting a quote is the first step in the process of buying a home warranty. Since pricing can vary depending on your location and property details, you’ll need to enter some information first before seeing the total costs and offerings for each plan.

Methodology: Our system for ranking the best home warranty companies

Because our consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best home warranty companies. This system accounts for a wide range of ranking factors, and we collected data on dozens of home warranty providers to grade the companies on each factor. The end result was a cumulative score for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.

To ensure our research was as thorough as possible, we called every major home warranty provider directly and spoke with representatives to get quotes, specifics on coverage options, availability based on location and additional information. We also reviewed sample contracts to better understand what each plan covers and to identify limitations. In addition, we simulated the process of reaching out to each company’s customer service team to evaluate their level of helpfulness and ability to solve problems.

Once we had gathered all relevant data, we used the following scoring system to grade each home warranty company on a 100-point scale:

• Overall plan options (5 points possible, weighted X5): Companies that offer a variety of plan options are more likely to meet consumer needs. Thus, we awarded more points to providers that offered more plans and greater flexibility.
• Cost (5 points possible, weighted X5): Monthly fees and service fees are both taken into consideration. The lower the fees, the higher the score.
• Trust (5 points possible, weighted X5): Customer feedback on third-party review sites was analyzed to gauge the reputation of each company. Points were deducted for companies that are currently facing or have recently faced civil lawsuits.
• Customer service (5 points possible, weighted X2): This factor is based on the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of a company’s customer service team.
• State availability (5 total points possible): Most home warranty companies do not serve all 50 U.S. states. Providers that offer service in the most states scored the highest in this category.
• Additional benefits (5 total points possible): Promotions and discounts are among the perks that can make a home warranty more attractive to consumers. Companies that offered benefits that competitors didn’t were awarded more points.
• Coverage specifics (5 total points possible): While the total number of plan options is important, it is also essential to consider what is covered under each plan. The more comprehensive the coverage, the better.

All company data is monitored on an ongoing basis so that all rankings and information remain up-to-date.