Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Homeownership in Charleston 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 can give you the peace of mind you need and shield your savings account from large expenses by covering your home’s major systems and appliances.
Finding the best home warranty on the market can be challenging, since there are so many companies to choose from. That’s why our team at Today's Homeowner did the research and put together a list of the top home warranty companies in Charleston 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
Liberty Home Guard is the most trustworthy home warranty for Charleston residents. Liberty has been on the market for around 6 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. Liberty has established itself as a company with a seamless complaint process and guaranteed service professionalism upon every repair visit. It also has a 60-day workmanship guarantee and some of the best customer service in the industry. Liberty has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Liberty Home Guard: Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, and Total Home Guard. Service fees from Liberty are an affordable $75. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Liberty Home Guard. 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 Charleston residents. Choice has been on the market for around 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. Choice has established itself as a company with very high coverage caps and simple-to-understand service contracts. It also has great customer service, professional contractors, and lower out-of-pocket costs compared to other home warranties. Choice has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable.
There are 2 home warranty plans from Choice Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Total Plan. Service fees from Choice are an affordable $85. The coverage caps are also generally about $3,000 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Choice Home Warranty. 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 Charleston residents. Select has been on the market for around 11 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. Select has established itself as a company with a highly affordable service fee and free roof coverage upon purchase of a policy plan. It also has an extensive network of highly trained professionals all over the country who are experts in home maintenance. Select has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Select Home Warranty: Bronze Care Plan, Gold Care Plan, and Platinum Care Plan. Service fees from Select are a reasonable $60. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,000 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Select Home Warranty. 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 Charleston residents. AHS has been on the market for around 26 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. AHS has established itself as a company with the ability to customize your plan with the coverages that work specifically for your home. It also has a remarkably low claim denial rate in comparison to other home warranty companies. AHS has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable.
There are 3 home warranty plans from American Home Shield: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. Service fees from AHS are customizable and range from $75 to $125. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,500 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of American Home Shield. 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 Charleston residents. First American has been on the market for around 39 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. First American has established itself as a company with very affordable and comprehensive appliance coverage. It also 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. First American has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable.
There are 2 home warranty plans from First American Home Warranty: Basic Plan and Premier Plan. Service fees from First American are a reasonable $85. The coverage caps are also generally about $1,500 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of First American Home Warranty. 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 Charleston residents. Cinch has been on the market for around 44 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. Cinch has established itself as a company with a 180-day workmanship guarantee that ensures your home systems and appliance repairs will be professionally done. It also has a broad range of coverage options that will give homeowners peace of mind. Cinch has 3 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable.
There are 3 home warranty plans from Cinch Home Services: 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 generally about $1,000-$2,000 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of Cinch Home Services. 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 Charleston residents. HSC has been on the market for around 15 years, making it a well-regarded company in the industry. HSC has established itself as a company with quick coverage where the home warranty goes into effect just ten days after you pay for the plan, instead of the typical 30 days. It also has customer service representatives available 24/7, as well as a 30-day labor guarantee and a 90-day parts guarantee. HSC has 2 simple plans, making the selection process and policy coverage easily understandable.
There are 2 home warranty plans from The Home Service Club: Standard Coverage Plan and Comprehensive Coverage Plan. Service fees from HSC are customizable and range from $65 to $90. The coverage caps are also generally about $2,000 at the maximum.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our review of The Home Service Club. 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 | $6,285 |
Heating | $4,190 |
Electrical | $628 |
Toilets | $524 |
Washer/Dryer | $838 |
Plumbing | $628 |
Oven | $1,676 |
Fridge | $628 |
A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Charleston homeowners cut the expenses of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.
When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not require a home warranty.
Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered include dryers, refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, garbage disposals, washers, and more. Included systems are normally heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. It's important for Charleston homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repairs are covered. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or improperly using a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.
Here are some essential home warranty terms to learn before signing a contract:
There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:
Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans provide coverage for electrical, AC, plumbing, heating, and appliances. More extensive plans may also cover additional items such as roof leaks, well pumps, pools, and spas. Focus on companies with broad coverage options including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for your home's needs.
Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using providers with lower service fees to maximize savings. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.
A home warranty provider's reputation can provide insight into things such as approval rates, repair timeliness, contractor quality, and customer service. Check review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for exceptional service.
Home warranty companies keep networks of professionals to handle covered repairs. More extensive networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Charleston to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.
Certain home warranty companies provide perks such as discounts on maintenance, protection for smart home devices, and energy-efficient upgrades. These provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks can enhance your home and help maximize your home warranty.
Charleston’s 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 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 unexpected money out of pocket.
On top of saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can give you peace of mind and save you the hassle of trying to find a qualified repair person to visit your home. Home warranties usually have a network of pre-vetted contractors who can handle any repair issues you may have. Another added benefit of having a home warranty policy is that it can increase your home’s property value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the provider you have your home warranty with.
As for the disadvantages of home warranties, coverage varies by provider, so it’s important to read what each plan covers and doesn’t include in the contract.
Plus, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they were damaged due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.
A home warranty in Charleston can cost between $30 and $60 a month. Higher-priced plans tend to have broader coverage, a lower service fee, and higher coverage limits. You can often lower this cost by paying annually instead of monthly. Some companies 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 covers normal wear and tear to home systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance protects your home in case of something such as a fire or natural disaster. Under a homeowners insurance plan, you will not be able to file a claim if you need a new dryer or oven, unless the damage is due to a natural disaster, which is somewhat common in Charleston.
First-time homebuyers, real estate agents, home sellers, homeowners, and landlords 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 plan will cover your home’s systems, appliances, or both. Combination plans are great if you'd like more coverage for your home, but a system- or appliance-only plan can be a good idea if you're concerned about one more than the other.
Home warranty plans generally offer coverage for a year. Many providers let you renew your plan yearly, and some offer month-to-month options as well.
Generally, the homeowner is the one who pays the premium and service fees. However, if you have just bought a new home, sometimes the seller is the one who paid for the policy. This can then be transferred to the new homeowner, who has to pay the service fees. In Charleston, where the median home value is $525,534, having the seller pay for the home warranty can save you some money on your new home.