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7 best home warranty companies in Howell, New Jersey

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

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Home warranties give you a financial buffer to repair or replace appliances that suddenly fail. For a monthly fee, these policies insure items like AC units and refrigerators when they stop working due to regular wear and tear.

Many key home systems break down before hitting the 10 to 15-year mark. HVAC systems typically last just seven to 25 years. The normal lifespan for water heaters is only six to 12 years, and most major appliances today fail after 20 years, according to the experts at the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

If your Howell home contains aging furnaces, dishwashers or the like, you'll likely encounter a surprise breakdown. These top home warranty firms provide robust coverage at fair prices.

Homeowners insurance doesn't cover appliance malfunctions due to normal wear and tear, so having a home warranty can provide you an extra safeguard against the unforeseen. We've done the research to determine what home warranty firms have the best major appliance and system coverage.

Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
$150 Off Any Plan
Explore Plans
Provider logo
3.8
Our Rating
  • Charges low premiums
  • Includes roof-leak coverage
  • Offers solid HVAC coverage
Explore Plans

Find the best home warranty for you in Howell

Here's our list of the best home warranty companies in Howell:

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 offers flexible service fees and perks like an appliance color-match program. Through its "Even If" guarantee, it also refunds service fees if repairing or replacing a covered item isn't possible.

What we like

  • Offers a $25,000 annual coverage cap
  • Pairs plans with a plan-length workmanship guarantee
  • Offers unique perks such as color matching appliance replacements

What we don't like

  • Charges a monthly processing fee if you choose monthly premiums
  • Excludes washer and dryer coverage from most plans
Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard

4.6/5

Average monthly costs: $49.99 - $59.99

Liberty Home Guard offers plans with a 60-day workmanship guarantee on completed repairs. Compared to other providers in this piece, it also provides the largest number of coverage add-ons – 38 in total.

What we like

  • Holds high ratings among customer service reviews
  • Covers repairs with a 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Offers an extensive list of 40+ add-on coverages
  • Provides an easy claims process

What we don't like

  • Lacks transparency on service call fee pricing
  • Excludes coverage for known or unknown pre-existing conditions
Elite Home Warranty

Elite Home Warranty

4.4/5

Average monthly costs: $48.98 - $59.99

Elite lets you fully customize a plan for your exact coverage needs. It also provides an exceptionally long 90-day workmanship guarantee.

What we like

  • Allows you to choose your technician
  • Extends a 90-day workmanship guarantee
  • Offers more than 25 add-ons

What we don't like

  • Charges higher service fees for high-end appliances
  • Doesn't provide an online quote
  • Limits repair and replacement coverage caps for older items
American Home Shield

American Home Shield

4.4/5

Average monthly costs: $29.99 - $89.99

An industry veteran, American Home Shield has been in business since 1971. It provides three coverage plans and six optional add-ons.

What we like

  • Offers generous coverage caps
  • Allows customers to build their own plans
  • Provides the option to choose the service fee you want to pay

What we don't like

  • Doesn’t let customers choose their own technician
  • Offers limited add-on options
First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty

4.2/5

Average monthly costs: $47.00 - $87.00

First American Home Warranty has comprehensive coverage caps for appliances in each plan. Additionally, First American includes its First American Advantage upgrade in its Essential and Premium plans. This upgrade provides coverage for miscellaneous items, such as appliance knobs and dials.

What we like

  • Allows you to choose your service call fee
  • Doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork
  • Accepts 24/7 service calls
  • Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair

What we don't like

  • Doesn’t let customers choose their own contractor
  • Charges higher for coverage compared to other providers
Cinch Home Services

Cinch Home Services

4.3/5

Average monthly costs: $38.99 - $66.99

Cinch is known for offering unique perks such as homeowners insurance deductible reumbursement and adjustable service fees and premiums.

What we like

  • Offers home insurance deductible of $500
  • Extends a long 180-day workmanship guarantee
  • Provides generous $10,000 aggregate coverage limit

What we don't like

  • Charges high service fees of $100-$150
  • Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician
  • Isn’t available in Hawaii or Alaska
Select Home Warranty

Select Home Warranty

3.9/5

Average monthly costs: $44.42 - $47.75

Select Home Warranty pairs all plans with roof-leak repair coverage. It also charges low plan premiums.

What we like

  • Provides low service fees compared to other home warranty providers
  • Includes two extra months of coverage in annual signup
  • Has an appliance-only, systems-only, and combo plan option

What we don't like

  • Has a $75 cancellation fee
  • Low coverage caps

Cost of a home warranty in Howell

You'll usually pay $41-$70 per month for a home warranty in Howell, on par with the national average. Opting for annual payments means paying somewhere around $563.62-$927.48 for the year. To find the average home warranty plan cost, we requested hundreds of quotes using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties cover various home appliances and major systems, but they're not a substitute for homeowners insurance. Below, we'll discuss what's generally covered in a home warranty and what isn't.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

  • Clothes dryers
  • Washing machines
  • Cooktops
  • Dishwashers
  • Refrigerators
  • Built-in microwaves

The first category of items home warranties provide coverage for is major appliances. This category includes the following: Major systems form the second category of covered items. The specific definition of what a "major system" is will vary between different plans. However, most include the following:

  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Central vacuum
  • HVAC
  • Water heater

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Just like other service contracts, home warranties do not cover certain items or events. Your contract calls these exclusions. One thing that home warranties don't cover is damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty company could deny a claim for an AC breakdown if a dirty air filter is the cause. This is because replacing the air filter is a part of routine maintenance. Home warranties also don't cover cosmetic damage, hazardous waste, rust or corrosion damage, improper system or appliance installation, preexisting conditions and acts of nature.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Howell

Before you purchase a home warranty plan, discuss these crucial questions with each provider you're considering.

What items will my policy cover?

Make a list of the appliances and systems you need covered before getting home warranty quotes. This way, you can look for a provider that includes them. Some companies separate appliance and system coverage. Companies might also offer additional coverage, like lawn sprinkler system and spa protection, as add-ons. Consider what supplements you might need and how much they'll add to the cost.

How long is my home warranty good for?

Standard home warranty contracts are valid for 12 months from the coverage effective date, which is usually 30 days after the initial sign-up date. Companies implement this 30-day waiting period to prevent customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. Purchasing a multiyear plan extends protection beyond the standard 12-month term.

What contractors do you work with?

Be sure to ask about the warranty provider's network of licensed service contractors. Companies will usually have strict licensing requirements and other standards for a contractor to get repair approval. If there are no partner contractors near where you live, the company might let you choose your own. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Understanding how a company’s claims process works can be the difference between an approved claim and a denied one. Home warranty providers typically accept claims via their website or a 24/7 claims hotline. Typical response times are within 24 to 48 hours of filing, though there may be processing delays if you file outside normal business hours. If the home warranty company grants initial approval to your claim, they'll match you with a service contractor from their network. The contractor will arrange a meeting with you to examine the appliance firsthand. Once they get final approval from the warranty company, they'll do the repair work and handle billing on your behalf.

Can I transfer my policy to the next owner of my home?

If you need to move, most home warranty contracts contain a clause allowing you to transfer the policy to the new homeowner. Some companies handle the transfer at no charge, though others levy a transfer fee. Home warranty coverage can be reassuring to new homebuyers. Some companies offer sellers special coverage plans that are easily transferred to buyers.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before you select a home warranty, examine its terms and conditions to ensure they're compatible with your needs. As you read through the sample contract, focus on these key details and clauses:

  • Exclusions: Home warranties have both general exclusions and component-specific ones. Even if a device or system is generally covered, your warranty could still exclude some specific parts if they become damaged. Read your sample contract carefully to understand the exclusions.
  • Coverage limit: Each home warranty has a coverage limit that establishes how much a company will cover per individual claim. Warranty contracts could also have annual coverage limits.
  • Service call fee: Each time you file a claim, the warranty company or repair provider will levy a service call fee between $75 and $125.
  • Workmanship guarantee: Most workmanship guarantees last for 30 days from a warranty repair, though some companies offer longer guarantee periods. If you have more issues with an appliance that an in-network technician recently attempted to repair for you, the home warranty company won't charge an extra service call fee for a new claim.
  • Cancellation: A home warranty contract should include information on how to cancel your policy and get a refund. If you cancel within the initial waiting period before coverage takes effect, many companies will fully refund your annual premium.

Facts about Howell

Average High in July
82°F
Howell
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
26°F
Howell
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
65%
Howell
69%
National Average
Our Top Pick
Provider logo
4.5
Our Rating
  • Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
  • Holds high customer ratings
  • Offers customization with 38 add-ons
Explore Plans
Provider logo
4.4
Our Rating
  • Covers rust and corrosion damage
  • Offers comprehensive coverage limits
  • Provides flexible service fees
$150 Off Any Plan
Explore Plans
Provider logo
3.8
Our Rating
  • Charges low premiums
  • Includes roof-leak coverage
  • Offers solid HVAC coverage
Explore Plans

Our methodology for selecting home warranty providers

We review national home warranty providers against our full home warranty methodology. We score warranty providers based on coverage options and limits, price, brand reputation, customer service, extra features and availability.

Contact us at feedback@homefront.usatoday.com if you have questions or feedback on this article

Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top

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