Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Cary comes with quite a few benefits, but it also comes with worries and concerns. Your home’s appliances and systems will eventually need repairs, and this could mean a burdensome expense. A home warranty is a way to protect your bank account from unexpected expenses. With a home warranty in place, your repair costs can be significantly lower and allow you to live in your home with more peace of mind.
Choosing the best home warranty on the market can be a challenge because of the many options available. If you're overwhelmed by trying to compare them all, keep reading for our guide to the best home warranty providers in Cary.
Very highly rated among customer service reviews
Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
Extensive list of 20+ add-on coverages
Easy claims process
Won’t cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty for Cary residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can enjoy a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. Not to mention, it has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry.
The plans that Liberty offers to homeowners are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage limits from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is lower than other providers in the Cary area.
Read more by visiting our Liberty Home Guard full review. To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281.
Appliance Guard
Systems Guard
Total Home Guard
Over 10 years of experience
24/7 customer service team
Home inspections aren’t required
90-day repair guarantee
Plans aren’t customizable
Customers can’t choose their own contractor
Not available in washington
Choice Home Warranty is the best overall home warranty for Cary residents. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. With a home warranty from Choice, you can enjoy very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. Not to mention, it has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties.
The plans that Choice offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage limits from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Cary area.
Read more by visiting our Choice Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164.
Basic Plan
Total Plan
Low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
Two months of free coverage
Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option
90-day repair guarantee
Has a $75 cancellation fee
Low coverage caps
Select Home Warranty is the most cost-effective home warranty for Cary residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. With a home warranty from Select, you can enjoy a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. Not to mention, it has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance.
The plans that Select offers to homeowners are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage limits from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is lower than other providers in the Cary area.
Read more by visiting our Select Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953.
Bronze Care Plan
Gold Care Plan
Platinum Care Plan
The oldest and most trusted company in the industry
Allows customers to build their own plans
Ability to choose the service fee you want to pay
Broad coverage on up to 33 appliances and systems
Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
Doesn’t provide coverage in alaska
American Home Shield is the most customizable home warranty for Cary residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. With a home warranty from AHS, you can enjoy the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. Not to mention, it has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies.
The plans that AHS offers to homeowners are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage limits from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is lower than other providers in the Cary area.
Read more by visiting our American Home Shield full review. To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Established company with a bbb accreditation
Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
24/7 service calls available
Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing
First American Home Warranty is the best home warranty for appliance coverage for Cary residents. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. With a home warranty from First American, you can enjoy very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. Not to mention, it has a unique add-on alongside common ones called the First Class Upgrade, which covers fees associated with the use of lifting equipment, up to $250 per local building permits, haul away services, and appliances and systems that have been insufficiently installed or modified.
The plans that First American offers to homeowners are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage limits from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is lower than other providers in the Cary area.
Read more by visiting our First American Home Warranty full review. To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164.
Basic Plan
Premier Plan
Offers home insurance deductible of $500
Extra long 180-day workmanship guarantee
Offers free cancellation in the first 30 days
Charges high service fees of $75-$150
Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
Isn’t available in hawaii or alaska
Cinch Home Services is the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee for Cary residents. The home warranty provider offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can enjoy a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. Not to mention, it has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind.
The plans that Cinch offers to homeowners are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage limits from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is lower than other providers in the Cary area.
Read more by visiting our Cinch Home Services full review. To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505.
Appliances Plan
Built-in Systems Plan
Complete Home Plan
Policy starts in ten days
24/7 customer service support
Generous coverage caps on important systems and appliances
30-labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Offers utility and home service outside line coverage
Higher service fee of $95
Not accredited by the better business bureau (bbb)
Only 2 plan options
The Home Service Club is the best home warranty with the quickest service for Cary residents. The home warranty provider offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various system and appliance coverage options. With a home warranty from HSC, you can enjoy quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. Not to mention, it has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee.
The plans that HSC offers to homeowners are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage limits from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is lower than other providers in the Cary area.
Read more by visiting our The Home Service Club full review. To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443.
Standard Coverage Plan
Comprehensive Coverage Plan
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on home warranty companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
| Home Appliance | Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioner | $6,435 |
| Heating | $4,290 |
| Electrical | $644 |
| Toilets | $536 |
| Washer/Dryer | $858 |
| Plumbing | $644 |
| Oven | $1,716 |
| Fridge | $644 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Cary homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to fix or replace appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency repairs. They're particularly useful for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. More modern homes with working appliances probably don’t require a home warranty.
Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, garbage disposals, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty plans also offer add-on coverage options for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and even roof leaks. It's important for Cary homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improperly using a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some key home warranty terms to understand before signing a contract:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for heating, plumbing, electrical, AC, and appliances. More extensive plans may also cover extra things such as pools, well pumps, spas, and roof leaks. Look for providers with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. You'll want to tailor your protection for your needs.
With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee that can range from $60 to $100, which gets paid per service call made. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for providers with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some firms also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.
A home warranty company's reputation provides insights into factors such as contractor expertise, repair speed, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn more about providers. Favorable feedback and ratings suggest a company known for providing quality service.
Home warranty businesses keep networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair contractors they have in Cary and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks improve the chances of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.
Home warranty providers sometimes offer bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and coverage for smart home devices. These can add value beyond basic repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Since temperatures in Cary can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Buying a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances stops working unexpectedly.
Additionally, having a home warranty can save you some time by removing the need to research contractors — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the repair or replacement. In addition, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.
One downside of getting a home warranty is that there are usually exclusions. For instance, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read over any contracts you’re considering carefully to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.
Another drawback is that home warranties may exclude some repairs, such as those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances probably won’t be covered by the home warranty.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Cary. Our high-rated home warranty companies' most comprehensive coverage options vary from $546 to $840 per year. You can reduce your monthly bill with some companies by choosing a higher service fee. Additionally, it's often less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
Home warranties and home insurance differ in what types of damage they cover. Home warranty plans cover issues related to home systems and appliances that need to be repaired or replaced due to normal wear and tear. A home insurance policy is a different insurance that protects your entire home from natural disasters, which can sometimes be a concern in Cary. It doesn't cover a typical appliance or system repairs.
A home warranty policy can help homeowners, homebuyers, investors, home sellers, and real estate agents. It can provide peace of mind to anyone involved in homeownership.
A home warranty can cover your appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are beneficial if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be helpful if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty plan lasts for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some providers may offer month-to-month plans.
Usually the person who owns the home is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the home seller may buy a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then have to pay the service fees when using the policy. Since the average home value in Cary is $600,054, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
