How to Choose a New Jersey Home Warranty
Having a New Jersey home warranty could provide peace of mind and protection or it could be driving up your monthly expenses.
Written by Lindsey Hoover
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Having the right home warranty in
New Jersey
can give you peace of mind and protect your home’s systems and appliances. That said, it also could add costs to the already expensive price of homeownership. Before investing in a home warranty, it’s important to examine your needs.Owning a home comes with a hefty amount of responsibility, and if you live in New Jersey part of that responsibility entails being prepared for damage caused by harsh winters and humid summers. But knowing what kind of protection to buy for your home can be tricky—that’s why
Jerry
, the super app
for home insurance
, is here to help.In this article, we’ll cover the differences between homeowners insurance and a home warranty, as well as the best home warranty in New Jersey.
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What is a home warranty?
A home warranty is a home plan that protects you against paying for repairs and replacements for systems and appliances in your home. Home warranties typically cover your home for one year and are billed at a monthly rate. Some examples of what may be covered under a home warranty are heating and plumbing systems, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, dryers, and more.
Home warranty vs. home insurance
While they sound similar, there is a difference between homeowners insurance and a home warranty.
With homeowners insurance, your home’s entire structure and its contents are protected against a list of named perils (mainly sudden instances and natural disasters). For example, if your dishwasher is destroyed in a fire, homeowners insurance would cover the cost of a replacement. If the dishwasher breaks down after years of wear and tear, your insurance won’t cover the replacement cost.
On the other hand, a home warranty would cover any repair or replacement costs associated with natural wear and tear. This means if your dishwasher breaks down after years of use, you could save money with the right home warranty plan in place.
But there’s a slight catch: if you intentionally damage your systems or appliances, or commit what is considered owner negligence, your home warranty won’t cover repair or replacement costs.
Do you need a home warranty in New Jersey?
The short answer? No. A home warranty isn’t required in New Jersey, and with hidden service fees and contracts that oftentimes include more than is needed, you may be wondering if a home warranty is worth the money.
Consider what is needed to keep your home protected. For some homeowners, a warranty is the perfect emergency fund to cover unexpected damages or maintenance costs. For others, a warranty may be a superfluous investment that covers more than is necessary. If you decide to purchase a home warranty, make sure to read the contract’s fine print before signing.
How to choose a New Jersey home warranty
If you’ve decided a home warranty is the right option for you, the best way to find a great plan is by comparison shopping. We suggest comparing at least three or four different companies, so you know you’re finding the best coverage at the lowest rate for your specific needs.
Here, we compare the five best home warranty companies in New Jersey. As mentioned before, make sure to read the contract’s fine print before signing—unexpected terms and conditions could drive up the cost of your premium.
Company | Monthly payment | Annual premium | Service fee | States not covered | BBB rating | Limits | What it’s best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Choice Home Warranty | $40-$48 | $480-$576 | $85 | Washington | B- | $500-$3,000 | Best overall |
American Home Shield | $50-$60 | $600-$720 | $75-$150 | Alaska | B | $1,000-$6,000 | Most customizable |
Select Home Warranty | $36-$38 | $432-$456 | $60 | Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, Wyoming | B | $500-$2,000 | Most affordable |
Liberty Home Guard | $40-$60 | $700-$960 | $65-$125 | Washington, Wyoming | A | $500-$2,000 | Best customer service |
Cinch | $28-$40 | $336-$480 | $100-$150 | Alaska, Hawaii | A- | $1,000-$2,000 | Best add-on coverage |
Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Shop Now
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
The pros and cons of home warranties
If you’re still on the fence about purchasing a home warranty, you’re not alone. The decision is difficult, and like most home protection plans, they have pros and cons. Here are some of the most common considerations.
Pro: A home warranty can take the guesswork out of hiring contractors
It’s natural for appliances to break down, but sometimes they break down unexpectedly, leaving you scrambling to clean up the mess.
With a home warranty, addressing the damage might make things easier because you won’t have to scour the internet for a contractor and compare their asking rate against others. Most home warranty providers have approved contractors, so they will take care of that step for you.
Pro: No need for an emergency fund
If you have an emergency safety net in place, that’s great! But not every homeowner does, which is what makes a home warranty appealing.
A home warranty provides coverage for the repair and replacement of damaged systems and appliances in your home—even if you don’t have the emergency cash on hand. Say your HVAC system breaks down—the average cost to replace a home HVAC system will run you between $5,000 and $10,000. If you don’t have a home warranty, you’ll pay that amount out of pocket.
Con: You won’t deal directly with contractors
A great way to think of your home warranty company is as a liaison, meaning they essentially act as a middleman between you and your contractor.
While this can work out great, it may slow down the repair or replacement process and could drive up the overall cost of the issue. If you’re a homeowner who likes to be in charge of all decisions, we suggest skipping a home warranty.
Con: Low coverage limits and high service fees
The average coverage limit on a home warranty ranges between $500 to $5,000, meaning if the repair or replacement cost surpasses that amount, you may not get the funds needed to cover the entire expense.
Con: Warranty companies can deny coverage
While they claim to cover normal wear and tear, homeowners’ claims are frequently denied by companies based on owner negligence. Wondering how companies get away with this? Often, contracts will include language that denies coverage to current homeowners if the previous owner failed to properly maintain a system or appliance.
How to find affordable homeowners insurance in New Jersey
Whether you live in
Jersey City
, Bayonne
, or somewhere else in the Garden State, having the right homeowners insurance is essential to protecting your investment. And unlike a home warranty, home insurance is a needed protection—especially if you have a mortgage. If you’re wondering where to find comprehensive coverage at an unbeatable price try the insurance super app, Jerry
.Rated the #1 insurance app on the market, Jerry is a
licensed insurance broker
that provides homeowners with quotes from dozens of the nation’s top insurance companies in less than 45 seconds. Jerry offers end-to-end support, which means we’ll even help you swap an old policy out for a new one! “You must get this app! It’s my first time getting my own insurance, so I called a few companies myself. Their rates priced me around $600/month. I usedJerryand my rates went down to $250/month. I’m so happy!” —Melissa C.
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How much does a home warranty cost in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the average home warranty costs between $530 and $1,300 a year. The price will vary depending on the type of home you have and the coverage option you choose.
How long is a new home warranty in New Jersey?
Home warranties in New Jersey are usually priced at a monthly rate for one year. However, you may be able to find a warranty with a longer term.
What is the best home warranty company out there?
The best home warranty company is dependent upon where you live. In the Garden State, Choice Home Warranty is your best bet overall—they’ve been offering New Jersey homeowners competitive prices and comprehensive coverage for over a decade.
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