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Best Home Warranties in South Carolina

We compared 18 companies and chose the top home warranty providers

    • First American Home Warranty
      4.3(8,570)
    • Cinch Home Services
      4.1(11,484)
    • Choice Home Warranty
      4.0(65,667)

    Top Picks

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      Best Home Warranties in South Carolina

      Our research team vetted 18 home warranty companies that are rated by more than 931 customers in South Carolina. Read our guide to choose the best home warranty in South Carolina for you by comparing plans, contract lengths and service fees.

      Read our full methodology below for all the details. Our picks may be Authorized Partners that compensate us — this does not affect our recommendations or evaluations but may impact the order in which companies appear.

      Our editor’s top picks

      1. Our top pick overall: American Home Shield
      2. Our pick for quality technicians: Choice Home Warranty
      3. Our pick for low service fees: Select Home Warranty
      4. Our pick for fast service: HomeServe
      Why trust ConsumerAffairs?
      • Our recommendations are based on what reviewers say.
      • 4,568,019 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
      • We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
      • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
      • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.

      Our 4 South Carolina home warranty picks

      Below are our favorite home warranty companies in South Carolina, based on local reviews and company offerings.

      American Home Shield

      Choice Home Warranty

      4.0
      65,667 reviews
      Buyer's Choice Award Finalist
      Number of plans
      2
      Service fees
      $100
      Starting costs
      $46.83

      Choice Home Warranty is based in New Jersey, but it provides home warranties nationwide. Its customer service team is available 24/7, and the company has handled over 4.5 million service requests as of publishing. CHW lets you request service online or over the phone.

      We’ve compared this company’s plans based on select coverage items below.

      In our analysis, Choice Home Warranty had a solidly positive review trend in South Carolina that’s backed by a large number of total reviews. Local reviewers frequently praise the company’s contractor network as well.

      Debra from Little River told us, “I'm so glad that I purchased this home warranty! It has saved me over $1200. out of pocket expenses already! My most recent experience was with an electrician and he replaced a circuit breaker for me so that I'd have hot water again! He came within the time slot of appointment and was done in 30 minutes!”

      “Our technician was amazing,” reported Helen from Charleston. “He was checking on our air conditioning handler and he was willing to go up to the roof of our condominium and check the main unit. He was very thorough and was able to get us approved for a new handler.”

      Some customers have had issues with billing, including being charged more than the quoted amount or not receiving refunds.

      Our pick for low service fees

      Select Home Warranty

      3.0
      14,418 reviews
      Number of plans
      3
      Service fees
      $60 or $75
      Starting costs
      $60.42

      Select Home Warranty offers home warranty coverage in South Carolina and 46 other states. It covers your home systems and appliances no matter their age, make or model, as long as they’re properly maintained and in good working condition when you sign up. Plus, there’s no limit to your number of covered repairs. You can open a claim 24/7, but only over the phone.

      We’ve compared this company’s plans based on select coverage items below.

      Select Home Warranty actually had the best ratio of 5-star to 1-star reviews of any of our top picks for South Carolina. It didn’t have enough overall reviews to earn our top pick, but local reviewers do seem enthusiastic about the company and its available discounts.

      Doug from Georgetown wrote, “I am buying a home and Select has everything I was looking for in a warranty at a great price. The $150 discount, free roof leak coverage and 2 additional months of coverage are great. Thank you Select Home Warranty!”

      Laura from Pawleys Island reported that she “signed up with a very knowledgeable sales person who suggested a 3 year program with discounts.” She said, “He was very thorough and suggested that I contact him personally with any questions.”

      The quotes in this guide don’t include discounts or temporary promotions because they might not be available once you’re ready to buy. However, you should definitely check out what discounts you might qualify for — these can make a significant difference to your bottom line.

      Some customers have experienced delays in getting repairs done, with some waiting weeks for technicians to come out.

      HomeServe

      3.0
      1,885 reviews
      Buyer's Choice Award Finalist
      Number of plans
      17
      Service fees
      $0
      Starting costs
      $3.99

      HomeServe has more than 4.4 million customers across the U.S. and Canada as of publishing. This company has a somewhat unique approach to the home warranty market, offering a large number of plans at different coverage levels. It also has a 24/7 repair hotline for you to schedule an appointment at any time.

      HomeServe has up to 19 coverage options available in the Charleston ZIP. However, fewer options may be available for you depending on what utility company you do business with.

      Because HomeServe offers many different types of coverage, your specific plan can include exactly what you need. While the company does offer combination plans, the following coverages are available a la carte regardless of plan.

      • Heating system
      • Cooling system
      • Heating and cooling plan
      • Water heater repair
      • Water heater repair and replacement
      • Home plumbing and drainage coverage
      • Interior plumbing and drainage system
      • Complete plumbing plan
      • Exterior water service line
      • Exterior sewer/septic line
      • Gas line plus
      • Exterior electrical line
      • Interior electrical line
      • Exterior service line coverage
      • Electrical surge
      • Tech protection (Essential)
      • Tech protection (Premier)
      • Interior protection plan
      • Premium home protection plan

      Like Select Home Warranty, HomeServe has a great ratio of good reviews to bad reviews but a lower number of total reviews so far. South Carolina reviewers often mention the company’s fast service as a reason for their happiness.

      “Repairman was prompt in responding to our call and came very soon to do repairs. He was very nice, polite, tidy and got right to work. He was very knowledgeable and skilled in what he needed to do to help us. Very pleased with results and response,” wrote Carolyn from Summerville.

      “Big problem, fast and efficient solution!” reported Susan from Charleston. “Bobby from McAtee was great, the response was rapid, and he offered suggestions to prevent the problem from recurring. Really pleasant to work with, happy to use them again, should the need arise.”

      Some reviewers express dissatisfaction with HomeServe, citing such issues as poor communication and denial of coverage for necessary repairs.

      Compare Top South Carolina Home Warranty Companies

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        charleston south carolina skyline

        Tips for South Carolina home warranty coverage

        Your first step in searching for a home warranty should be deciding what coverage you need. To assess your coverage needs, examine your home’s appliances and systems and consider how critical they are to you.

        Replacing an air conditioner can cost thousands of dollars.

        If parts of your home are aging or beginning to fail more often, it makes sense to ensure your home warranty plan covers those items. On the other hand, if you recently replaced systems or appliances in your home and they’re still under a manufacturer’s warranty, additional coverage for them probably shouldn’t be a priority.

        You should also try to get coverage for the systems and appliances you wouldn’t want to go without. Since South Carolina winters are relatively mild, you may not need to rely on your heating system as much; however, Palmetto State summers may make your air conditioning system put in a lot of work. This means your cooling system is more likely to break down, and you probably don’t want to wait around while you save up to pay out of pocket.

        Ultimately, think about your home’s most essential components and pick a home warranty plan that covers them.

        Home warranty regulations in South Carolina

        South Carolina’s home warranty laws are more thorough than those in many other states. As a result of these laws, home warranty companies in South Carolina must:

        • Register with the government
        • Meet certain guidelines for financial security
        • Write contracts in clear, understandable language
        • Disclose coverage limits and exclusions in your contract
        • Outline the process for making a claim in your contract
        • Allow you to cancel your contract up to 20 days after it was mailed to you or 10 days after signing

        If you have a dispute with your home warranty company, contact South Carolina’s Department of Insurance by phone or use its online contact form.

        Regulations for new construction

        If your home was recently built, other South Carolina laws might also affect your search for a home warranty.

        The South Carolina Homebuyers Protection and Warranty Act requires builders in the state to provide warranties for new construction. Plus, new systems and appliances usually have manufacturer’s warranties.

        Check into these options before purchasing another warranty plan. There’s little benefit to having overlapping coverages. So, depending on your existing coverage, you might only need a few items covered by a specialty plan, or you might not want a home warranty at all.

        South Carolina home warranty FAQ

        How much does a home warranty cost in South Carolina?

        A home warranty in South Carolina costs roughly between $45 and $80 per month, based on quotes from our top picks.

        However, the cost of your home warranty will depend on where you live, what type of home you have, the home warranty company you choose and the amount of coverage you need. That’s why it’s important to get multiple quotes and comparison-shop.

        Is a home warranty worth it in South Carolina?

        A home warranty can be worth it in South Carolina, but it depends on your personal circumstances.

        If you don’t think you could handle the cost of fixing a major home appliance or system, a home warranty might be a worthwhile investment. A home warranty can even save you a lot of money in the long run if you end up needing significant repairs or a full replacement. Many homeowners also enjoy the peace of mind a home warranty provides even when it’s not in use.

        However, if nothing goes wrong in your home, your home warranty may be of little use, and small repairs may not be enough to offset what you’ll spend on monthly payments and service fees. Think about your financial situation and risk level to decide if a home warranty is right for you.

        How long do home warranties last?

        Home warranty contracts are typically a year long, but some companies offer discounts when you purchase a multiyear plan. Shorter-term contracts are also available, and you may be able to get a plan that’s functionally a month-to-month commitment if the provider has a lenient cancellation policy.

        Methodology

        ConsumerAffairs carefully collects in-depth, verified reviews to tell each customer’s experience with a company. We believe customer experiences are a crucial indicator when evaluating companies, so these reviews are a significant factor when selecting our top picks.

        To choose the top home warranty companies in South Carolina, we started with the 26 popular providers listed in our main home warranty guide. First, we narrowed it down to the ones available in South Carolina. We then weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

        • Coverage options: We broke down each company’s home warranty plans to ensure they offer multiple coverage options to fit a variety of needs.
        • Plan flexibility: Customizing a plan can tailor it to your needs and help you save money. We checked to see what customization options each company offers, including the ability to select a service fee and the number and cost of add-on coverages.
        • Cost: Costs for home warranty plans vary based on the size of the home and the type of coverage, but we confirmed our top picks’ prices are competitive in the home warranty industry.
        • Service call fee: We looked at the service fee each company charged to send a technician to your house to ensure our top picks are in line with industry standards.

        Bottom line

        Home warranties can protect you from expensive home repair bills, but to get your money’s worth, you’ll want to make sure you get the right coverage. Make a list of the items you want covered, and shop for plans that meet your needs.

        Get quotes for each plan and compare your personalized rates to find a good deal. If you want to learn more about buying a home warranty, check out our home warranty guide and our articles on home warranty costs and home warranty coverage.

        Guide sources
        ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this guide include:
        1. South Carolina Legislature, “CHAPTER 78 - Service Contracts.” Accessed Oct.17, 2024.
        2. South Carolina Department of Insurance, “Service Contract Provider Q & A .” Accessed Oct.17, 2024.
        3. South Carolina Legislature, “CHAPTER 67 - Homebuyers Protection and Warranty Act.” Accessed Oct.17, 2024.

        Not sure how to choose?

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