Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Chapel Hill offers homeowners some beautiful housing options. However, unplanned repair and replacement costs on your home’s systems and appliances can get quite pricey. A home warranty plan can help protect homebuyers and current homeowners by covering major repairs and replacements on your home’s most important appliances and systems.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be overwhelming, as there are dozens of companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and compiled a list of the top home warranty companies in Chapel Hill for you.
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
In Chapel Hill, Liberty Home Guard offers the most trustworthy home warranty. Liberty has over 6 years of industry experience and in that time has built a an network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from Liberty, you can benefit from 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 3 policies that Liberty offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also about $3,000.
For more information on this provider, read our Liberty Home Guard 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
In Chapel Hill, Choice Home Warranty offers the best overall home warranty. Choice has over 15 years of industry experience and in that time has built a an network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from Choice, you can benefit from 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 2 policies that Choice offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also about $3,000.
For more information on this provider, read our Choice Home Warranty 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
In Chapel Hill, Select Home Warranty offers the most cost-effective home warranty. Select has over 11 years of industry experience and in that time has built a an network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from Select, you can benefit from 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 3 policies that Select offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also about $2,000.
For more information on this provider, read our Select Home Warranty 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
In Chapel Hill, American Home Shield offers the most customizable home warranty. AHS has over 26 years of industry experience and in that time has built a an network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from AHS, you can benefit from 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 3 policies that AHS offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also about $2,500.
For more information on this provider, read our American Home Shield 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
In Chapel Hill, First American Home Warranty offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage. First American has over 39 years of industry experience and in that time has built a an network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from First American, you can benefit from 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 2 policies that First American offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also about $1,500.
For more information on this provider, read our First American Home Warranty 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
In Chapel Hill, Cinch Home Services offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee. Cinch has over 44 years of industry experience and in that time has built a an network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from Cinch, you can benefit from 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 3 policies that Cinch offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. Service fees from Cinch are customizable and range from $75 to $150. The coverage caps are also about $1,000-$2,000.
For more information on this provider, read our Cinch Home Services 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
In Chapel Hill, The Home Service Club offers the best home warranty with the quickest service. HSC has over 15 years of industry experience and in that time has built a an network of service professionals nationwide. With a home warranty from HSC, you can benefit from 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 2 policies that HSC offers include options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also about $2,000.
For more information on this provider, read our The Home Service Club 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 | $6,366 |
Heating | $4,244 |
Electrical | $637 |
Toilets | $530 |
Washer/Dryer | $849 |
Plumbing | $637 |
Oven | $1,698 |
Fridge | $637 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps cut costs for Chapel Hill homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to make the fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty delivers security for homeowners by helping them avoid expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly valuable for those who own older homes or ones with outdated systems. Newer builds with working appliances probably don’t need a home warranty.
Home warranties safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. It's important for Chapel Hill homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.
There are a number of home warranty terms to learn before signing an agreement, including:
There are several important factors to consider when selecting a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for plumbing, AC, heating, electrical, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also cover additional items such as pools, well pumps, spas, and roof leaks. Focus on companies with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize protection for your home's needs.
You'll pay a repair fee, normally ranging from $60–100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may waive deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation can provide insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer service. Browse review platforms such as TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to research providers. Positive ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty providers have networks of contractors that they use to tackle covered repairs. Bigger networks raise the chance of getting qualified contractors to your home swiftly. Reach out to possible providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Chapel Hill. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.
Some home warranty companies offer extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, smart home device protection, and maintenance discounts. These can add value beyond repair coverage. Added bonuses maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Chapel Hill’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can help cover your home’s appliances and systems if they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.
In addition, having a home warranty can save you some time by getting rid of the need to research contractors — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the necessary repair or replacement. A home warranty can also offer value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred to another owner during a home sale.
There are also some negatives to purchasing a home warranty policy, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover home systems or appliances that are already covered under a manufacturer's warranty.
Another thing to consider is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions and may require an inspection before coverage begins. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about it if you aren’t sure or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty in Chapel Hill can cost between $30 and $60 a month. The higher-priced plans typically have a lower service fee, broader coverage, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some providers will also lower your up-front costs when you opt for a higher service fee.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what kinds of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects a home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you won't be able to file a claim if you need a new washing machine or stove, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Chapel Hill.
Homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, home sellers, and real estate agents are all eligible for home warranty plans. A home warranty can help make your house more attractive to prospective buyers and save you money in the long run.
A home warranty policy can cover your home’s appliances, systems, or both. Combination plans are great if you need more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you want to save some money.
Generally, a home warranty plan offers coverage for a year and can be renewed annually. Some companies may offer month-to-month options.
Usually the homeowner is responsible for paying for the home warranty. In some cases, though, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty and transfer the policy to the buyer. The new homeowner will then need to pay the service fees when using the policy. Considering that the average home value in Chapel Hill is $605,072, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.