Best Home Warranty Companies in New Jersey (With Customer Feedback)
New Jersey is the 12th wettest U.S. state, with precipitation ranging from 40–51 inches per year. Heavy rainfall like this can cause roof leaks, plumbing issues, and strain on your HVAC system. However, a reliable home warranty company can make fixing these issues easier, helping to cover costs and giving you access to a network of trusted technicians to make repairs.
To pick the best home warranty companies in New Jersey, we reviewed 13 of the most popular providers available in the state. Of these brands, we think American Home Shield (AHS) and Choice Home Warranty are the best options for New Jersey residents. AHS offers HVAC coverage of up to $5,000 per year, which is valuable during New Jersey’s hot summers when your AC is more likely to break down. If you want a more affordable plan, Choice offers reliable, well-rounded coverage at a highly competitive price.
Top Home Warranty Companies in New Jersey
After reviewing 13 of the top home warranty companies, these are our picks for New Jersey homeowners:
- American Home Shield
- Choice Home Warranty
- First American Home Warranty
- Elite Home Warranty
- Liberty Home Guard
Comparing Top Providers
We gathered quotes from each company featured in this article for a 2,166-square-foot home in Trenton, New Jersey. The following table compares these costs as well as other key factors:
Provider | Our Score | Monthly Plan Cost* | Service Call Fee | Workmanship Guarantee | BBB Rating** | Get a Quote |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$29–$89 | $100–$125 | 30 days | B | Visit Site | ||
$46–$55 | $100 | 90 days | B | Visit Site | ||
$44–$58 | $70 | 90 days | B+ | Visit Site | ||
$42–$82 | $100–$125 | 30 days | B | Visit Site | ||
$49–$59 | $65–$125 | 60 days | NR** | Visit Site |
*Pricing may vary depending on your home’s location, size, type, and plan choices.
**BBB ratings are accurate as of October 2024.
***NR, or “No Rating,” means that the BBB has not issued a rating due to an ongoing review or update to a company’s profile.
Our Reviews of Top Providers in the Garden State
When evaluating providers in New Jersey, we recommend choosing coverage that fits your home’s specific needs. For example, while American Home Shield scored highest in our rigorous rating system, Choice Home Warranty might be a better option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly provider.
Below, we dive deep into each of our top picks in New Jersey.
Our Experience Signing Up for a Home Warranty
To fully understand the experience of using a home warranty, our team members signed up for plans and tested the claims process directly. One of the companies we tested was Choice Home Warranty.
One of our team members used Choice’s online portal to sign up for a home warranty plan. They found the process to be quick, easy, and efficient.
After entering their information, they chose the Total Plan along with the pool/spa, limited roof leak, and septic system add-ons. On the checkout screen, they confirmed their information and were given an itemized quote totaling $89.61 per month, or $1,043.33 annually. This represents a 3% discount when choosing the annual plan, which our team member noted was automatically applied on the checkout screen. They entered their payment information, chose the monthly option, and submitted their payment. They then received an email confirmation.
Home Warranty Costs in New Jersey
The average cost of a New Jersey home warranty plan is $600–$996 per year, or $50–$83 monthly. This price is higher than the national average home warranty cost of $516–$864. However, your plan’s cost will vary based on your location, coverage choice, and add-ons.
Average Home Warranty Cost in New Jersey* | National Average for Home Warranty Costs | |
---|---|---|
Monthly | $50–$83 | $43–$72 |
Annual | $600–$996 | $516–$864 |
*We compiled the pricing information in this table using sample quotes from each home warranty company on this list using the same 2,166-square-foot home in Trenton, New Jersey. National pricing is based on sample quotes we pulled for each state in the United States for a single-family home of less than 3,000 square feet.
Advice From a Homeowner
Keeping your HVAC system running is essential, especially in states like New Jersey that have humid summers. We spoke to a homeowner named Allison R., who experienced an HVAC breakdown due to a clogged filter—a common culprit for HVAC problems.
Allison emphasized the importance of keeping up with regular HVAC maintenance, such as tune-ups and air filter changes. “As a new homeowner, I wasn’t aware of many of the routine maintenance tasks and upkeep that would’ve saved me from repairs down the road,” she said.
Allison shared that being proactive about asking for advice and setting reminders can protect your home from future breakdowns. “I recommend asking neighbors, friends, and family who own homes for their advice on what you need to know. Then, set calendar reminders or make a note in your phone so you don’t forget,” she said. “For example, set a quarterly reminder to change your HVAC filter. Change the batteries in your fire alarms when you set the clocks forward and back. Small tasks like those will help you down the road.”
Many home warranty companies require you to perform routine maintenance on your systems and appliances, or repairs won’t be covered. We recommend familiarizing yourself with the upkeep needed on your systems to keep them working well and prevent denied claims in the event of a needed repair.
FAQ About Home Warranties in New Jersey
Is a NJ home warranty worth it?
Yes, a home warranty can be worth it in New Jersey as long as the policy fits your needs and falls within your budget. A good home warranty plan should protect the major items in your home, be reasonably priced, and offer prompt, effective service.
Do I need a home warranty in New Jersey?
No, there is no legal requirement to get a home warranty in New Jersey. However, a home warranty can be helpful and save you money on repair bills.
What are the cons of a home warranty in NJ?
The biggest con of a home warranty in New Jersey is denied coverage. It can be extremely frustrating to file a claim, wait for the technician to arrive, and pay a service fee only to have your claim denied. The best way to avoid this is to thoroughly read your service contract and have a strong understanding of what your policy does and doesn’t cover.
What does a home warranty cover in NJ?
Typically, home warranties in New Jersey cover the following items:
- Plumbing stoppages
- Water heaters
- Clothes washers and dryers
- Garbage disposal systems
- Garage door openers
- HVAC systems
- Ductwork
- Septic system
- Well pump
- Central vacuum
- Sump pump
- Common kitchen appliances
- Refrigerators
- Built-in microwaves
- Dishwashers
- Cooktops
- Ovens
However, your specific policy will vary depending on your plan, add-ons, and location.
How We Evaluated Home Warranty Providers
Below is an outline of our rating system and scoring criteria that we used to choose New Jersey’s top home warranty providers.
Our Rating System
When researching the top home warranty companies in New Jersey, we consulted industry experts, analyzed service contracts, and secret-shopped providers. We also talked to real homeowners about their experiences and surveyed thousands of customers.
Using this research, our team developed a detailed methodology to score each company on six categories: coverage (35%), cost (20%), trustworthiness (15%), plan transparency (10%), customer support (10%), and flexibility (10%).
When assessing home warranty plans for New Jersey homeowners, we considered these key factors:
- Essential coverage for the region: New Jersey has moderately heavy rainfall combined with humid summers. These conditions present unique challenges to homeowners. For example, heavy rainfall can damage roofs, gutters, and plumbing systems. When choosing home warranty providers for New Jersey, we prioritized those that offered coverage for systems affected by the state’s climate.
- Price and trustworthiness: Home warranties are a big investment, so two of the most important rating criteria we use are cost and reliability. If a company’s price is higher than the state’s average cost and doesn’t offer comprehensive coverage in return, or if it fails to pay out claims reliably, we won’t recommend it.
- Firsthand experience submitting claims: Our team submitted home warranty claims with several providers, such as AFC Home Club. This experience helped us learn more about the claim process and provide valuable contextual information to homeowners.
- Opinions from real homeowners: To research home warranty providers, our team spoke with homeowners directly about how they felt about their home warranty and what kinds of experiences they had. We also surveyed thousands of customers to get a larger-scale understanding of the home warranty user experience.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.