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7 best home warranty companies in Princeton, 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 cover items like AC units and refrigerators when they malfunction with regular wear and tear.

Many crucial home components start having issues before hitting the 10 to 15-year mark, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. HVAC systems typically malfunction after just seven to 25 years. Water heaters normally last six to 12 years, and most appliances today fail after about 20 years.

If your Princeton home contains aging dishwashers, furnaces or other appliances, you'll probably encounter an unexpected failure. These top home warranty firms offer robust coverage at fair prices.

A standard homeowners insurance policy doesn't cover normal appliance wear and tear. With a plan from one of these home warranty companies, you'll have additional peace of mind in case of an unexpected breakdown.

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 Princeton

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

Average monthly costs: $22.00 - $80.00

2-10 has three coverage plans with flexible service call fees and perks like appliance color matching. The company also has an "Even If" guarantee that refunds your service call fees if your covered item can't be fixed or replaced.

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 38 different coverage add-ons – the most of any home warranty company we researched. Each covered repair also comes with a 60-day workmanship guarantee.

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

American Home Shield was one of the first home warranty companies, having been in business since 1971. It provides three base plans and six 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 Home Services provides coverage perks other companies don’t, such as a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement. Like most home warranty companies, Cinch offers flexible service fees that raise or lower your plan premium.

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 Princeton

The average cost of a home warranty in Princeton is around the same as the national average, running from $40.91 to $77.05 per month. If you prefer to pay an annual premium, expect to pay between $563.62 and $927.43 per year. To calculate national averages, we requested hundreds of quotes using 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties provide coverage for a variety of major systems and home appliances. We'll offer a general overview of the two main coverage categories.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

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

The first category of items a home warranty protects is kitchen and living appliances. This includes the following: The second coverage category is major systems, which frequently include the following:

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

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Just like other service contracts, home warranties will not provide coverage for certain items or events. Your contract calls these exclusions. One common exclusion is breakdowns caused by damage outside normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty would likely not cover an air conditioner that stopped working because of a dirty air filter, since replacing the filter is a part of routine maintenance. Home warranties also don't cover improper system or appliance installation, acts of nature, hazardous waste, cosmetic damage, preexisting conditions and rust or corrosion damage.

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Princeton

Ask each home warranty provider these questions before you purchase a plan.

What items will my policy cover?

Assess your coverage requirements before requesting a quote from a home warranty company. Once youknow what items need coverage, verify that the provider includes them in its plans. Some companies separate appliance and systems coverage into different plans, so ensure you choose the accurate one. Many companies also sell optional add-ons, covering things like central vacuum and additional refrigeration. Consider whether any add-ons fit your situation.

How long is my home warranty good for?

A typical home warranty plan is effective for one year from the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. The 30-day waiting period acts as a way to prevent customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. You can get coverage beyond 12 months with a multiyear plan.

What contractors do you work with?

When you're researching home warranty companies, be sure to ask about which service contractors they use. Each repair team must follow specific licensing requirements and standards to get repair approval from the warranty company. If there are no partner contractors in your area, the warranty terms might allow you to select your own repair company. You can verify a contractor's license by searching the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs database.

How does your claims approval process work?

Each company's claims process is slightly different from the others. If a covered issue strikes, you could file a claim online or over the phone. Most companies try to respond to claims within 24 to 48 hours, though there might be processing delays if you filed outside normal working hours. Once you submit your claim, the warranty company will review it and connect you to an in-network service contractor. The contractor will arrange a visit to diagnose the problem, and then seek final authorization from the warranty company for any necessary repairs.

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

If you need to move, most home warranty contracts include a clause allowing you to transfer the policy to the new homeowner. Some companies handle the transfer for free, though others will charge a transfer fee. Sellers can also purchase special home warranty plans that are easily transferred to prospective buyers. This is an easy way to add appeal to your home to your home in a competitive real estate market and offer the buyer additional peace of mind.

Home warranty contract fine print

Before buying a home warranty, research the company's sample contracts and policies. Understanding a provider's terms and conditions can help you decide whether they're a suitable choice for you. It'll also help you advocate for yourself if you need to file a claim. Look for these key stipulations and clauses:

  • Coverage limit: The coverage limit sets a dollar limit to how much the home warranty company will pay per repair. There may be additional stipulations, such as an annual coverage limit.
  • Exclusions: Even if a device is covered under your home warranty, it may still have applicable exclusions for certain components. A sample contract should clearly outline these exclusions.
  • Service call fee: Similar to copays at the doctor or pharmacy, you'll have to pay a service call fee every time you file a home warranty claim. Most companies charge from $75 to $125 per claim.
  • Workmanship guarantee: The workmanship guarantee is the period during which the home warranty company won't charge additional service call fees for a repair if an in-network technician has recently serviced the item. The industry standard is 30 days, although some companies offer longer workmanship guarantees.
  • Cancellation: Each home warranty company has a cancellation policy in its fine print. Many companies will refund your annual premium in full if you cancel within the first 30 days of enrollment.

Facts about Princeton

Average High in July
84°F
Princeton
83°F
National Average
Average Low in January
24°F
Princeton
17°F
National Average
Average Daily Sunlight
62%
Princeton
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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