Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Wilmington offers homeowners some great housing options. However, unplanned repair and replacement costs on your home’s systems and appliances can get quite costly. A home warranty can bring you the peace of mind you need and guard your savings account from large expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
The home warranty market has many providers — all with different coverage — so our team at Today's Homeowner has compiled this guide to help you choose the best home warranty companies in Wilmington.
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 offers the most trustworthy home warranty in Wilmington. Liberty has been in business for over 6 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Liberty Home Guard are Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. The coverage caps from Liberty are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $75, which is less than other providers in the Wilmington area.
To receive a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, you can fill out this online form or call 866-451-2281. Read our Liberty Home Guard Review to learn more.
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 offers the best overall home warranty in Wilmington. Choice has been in business for over 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from Choice Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Total Plan. The coverage caps from Choice are around $3,000. The service fees are an affordable $85, which is less than other providers in the Wilmington area.
To receive a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 929-400-6164. Read our Choice Home Warranty Review to learn more.
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 offers the most cost-effective home warranty in Wilmington. Select has been in business for over 11 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Select Home Warranty are Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. The coverage caps from Select are around $2,000. The service fees are a reasonable $60, which is less than other providers in the Wilmington area.
To receive a free quote from Select Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 888-370-3953. Read our Select Home Warranty Review to learn more.
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 offers the most customizable home warranty in Wilmington. AHS has been in business for over 26 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from American Home Shield are ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. The coverage caps from AHS are around $2,500. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $125, which is less than other providers in the Wilmington area.
To receive a free quote from American Home Shield, you can fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839. Read our American Home Shield Review to learn more.
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 offers the best home warranty for appliance coverage in Wilmington. First American has been in business for over 39 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from First American Home Warranty are Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The coverage caps from First American are around $1,500. The service fees are a reasonable $85, which is less than other providers in the Wilmington area.
To receive a free quote from First American Home Warranty, you can fill out this online form or call 833-204-7164. Read our First American Home Warranty Review to learn more.
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 offers the home warranty with the best workmanship guarantee in Wilmington. Cinch has been in business for over 44 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty company offers 3 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 3 plans from Cinch Home Services are Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The coverage caps from Cinch are around $1,000-$2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $75 to $150, which is less than other providers in the Wilmington area.
To receive a free quote from Cinch Home Services, you can fill out this online form or call 877-589-0505. Read our Cinch Home Services Review to learn more.
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 offers the best home warranty with the quickest service in Wilmington. HSC has been in business for over 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. 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 home warranty company offers 2 plans to policyholders that have various options for appliance and system coverage.
The 2 plans from The Home Service Club are Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. The coverage caps from HSC are around $2,000. The service fees are customizable and range from $65 to $90, which is less than other providers in the Wilmington area.
To receive a free quote from The Home Service Club, you can fill out this online form or call 800-750-9443. Read our The Home Service Club Review to learn more.
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 | $5,646 |
| Heating | $3,764 |
| Electrical | $565 |
| Toilets | $470 |
| Washer/Dryer | $753 |
| Plumbing | $565 |
| Oven | $1,505 |
| Fridge | $565 |
A home warranty is a protection policy that helps lower expenses for Wilmington homeowners needing appliance and system repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that break due to normal wear and tear.
Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs exceed the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners peace of mind since it can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as garbage disposals, washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, dryers, and others. Covered systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for roof leaks, septic systems, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Wilmington homeowners should know that most home warranty plans impose a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. What's more, most policies only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, cosmetic issues, or misuse of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.
Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing a contract, such as:
There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for AC, heating, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More extensive plans may also provide protection for extra things such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Focus on providers with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize your plan to meet your 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 providers advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may waive deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.
A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as claim approval rates, contractor expertise, repair speed, and customer satisfaction. Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, or TrustPilot to learn more about companies. Good reviews and ratings suggest a company known for delivering quality service.
Home warranty providers use networks of local repair professionals to manage repairs in a given area. Reach out to potential companies to ask how many repair technicians they have in Wilmington and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Wider networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.
Home warranty companies sometimes offer bonuses such as energy efficiency upgrades, maintenance discounts, and coverage for smart home devices. These extras can add value beyond basic repair coverage. Additional perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.
Wilmington’s relatively mild winters and hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty can cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the necessary repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.
Not only does a home warranty offer some savings, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. A home warranty can also provide value in other ways. For example, some plans can be transferred between owners during a home sale.
As for the negatives of home warranties, coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to understand what each plan covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Another thing to consider is that some companies don’t cover pre-existing issues and may require an inspection before your coverage can begin. Ask the home warranty company for clarification about this if you need more information or if this is a problem for you.
A home warranty costs, on average, about $300 to $600 a year in Wilmington. Our high-rated home warranty providers' 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. In addition, it's usually less expensive to pay annually rather than monthly.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowner's insurance lies in what types of damage each covers. A home warranty plan covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. A homeowners insurance plan protects your entire home in case of something such as a natural disaster or fire. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or air conditioner, unless the damage is a result of a natural disaster, which isn't that common in Wilmington.
A home warranty plan can help homeowners, investors, homebuyers, home sellers, and real estate agents. It can offer peace of mind and savings to anyone involved in homeownership.
The different kinds of home warranties in Wilmington include plans that cover either appliances or systems as well as comprehensive plans. A comprehensive plan covers your systems and appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, and plumbing. A plan that only covers appliances or systems will cover only the items mentioned in the policy.
Generally, a home warranty policy offers coverage for a year and can be renewed yearly. Some companies may offer month-to-month plans.
Typically, the homeowner pays for the home warranty. In some cases, however, the person who is selling the home may buy a home warranty plan 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 Wilmington is $236,456, a home warranty can be an added asset when buying a home.
