Home Warranty

7 best home warranty companies in Scotch Plains, New Jersey

HOMEFRONT

Updated Jun 22, 2024

Get a quote from our top provider, Liberty Home Guard

Our Methodology

We've ranked the top 7 home warranty companies that operate within 50 miles of Scotch Plains. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.

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A home warranty provides financial protection if an appliance or major home system suddenly breaks down. For a monthly fee, the warranty company covers repair and replacement costs for items like HVAC units and refrigerators when they break down from normal wear.

Did you know that the typical life span of an HVAC system is seven to 25 years? Other major systems, such as water heaters, only last an average of six to 12 years. Most appliances last just 20 years or fewer, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

If your Scotch Plains home contains aging furnaces, dishwashers or the like, you'll likely encounter an unexpected 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 give you an extra cushion against the unforeseen. We've done the research to find what home warranty companies have the best major appliance and system coverage.

Our Top Pick

4.5

Our Rating

Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
Holds high customer ratings
Offers customization with 38 add-ons

Explore Plans

4.4

Our Rating

Covers rust and corrosion damage
Offers comprehensive coverage limits
Provides flexible service fees

$150 Off Any Plan

Explore Plans

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 Scotch Plains

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

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

4.5/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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

4.6/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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

4.4/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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

4.4/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $29.99 - $89.99

Founded in 1971, American Home Shield was one of the country's first home warranty companies. Today, it offers three coverage plans and six supplementary 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

4.2/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $47.00 - $87.00

First American is known for its comprehensive appliance coverage caps. With an Essential or Premium plan that has the First American Advantage upgrade, you could also get coverage for miscellaneous components, including 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

4.3/5

EXPLORE PLANS

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

3.9/5

EXPLORE PLANS

Average monthly costs: $44.42 - $47.75

Roof leak repair coverage is a rare perk that Select offers to its customers. It's also a good company to keep on your shortlist if affordable premiums are your top priority.

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 Scotch Plains

The typical monthly cost of a home warranty in Scotch Plains is $41 to $70, on par with the national average. If you're paying on an annual basis, expect to spend roughly $563.62–$927.48 per year. To calculate national cost data, we requested hundreds of quotes for 2,000-square-foot, single-family homes across each state that the providers service.

Home warranty coverage

Home warranties provide coverage for various major systems and appliances, but they're not a substitute for homeowners insurance. Below, we'll summarize what coverage a warranty typically includes and excludes.

What are the typical items covered under a home warranty?

Dishwashers
Cooktops
Washing machines
Clothes dryers
Refrigerators
Built-in microwaves

The first category of items home warranties protect is kitchen appliances and household items. This category includes the following: Major systems form the second category of covered items. The specific definition of what a "major system" is will differ between different plans. However, most consist of the following:

Central vacuum
Electrical
HVAC
Plumbing
Water heater

What items are typically not covered under a home warranty?

Like other service contracts, home warranties won't cover certain components or appliances. These are called exclusions. One thing that home warranties exclude is damage outside of normal wear and tear. For example, the warranty company could reject a claim for an AC breakdown if a dirty air filter is the cause. This is because replacing the air filter is considered routine upkeep.

Cosmetic damage
Preexisting conditions
Acts of nature
Hazardous waste
Improper system or appliance installation
Rust or corrosion damage

Questions to ask home warranty providers in Scotch Plains

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

What items are covered by my policy?

Make a list of the appliances and systems you need covered before getting home warranty quotes. This way, you can seek out a company that includes them. Some companies separate appliance and system coverage. Most home warranty companies also sell optional add-ons for things like roof leaks and central vacuum. Evaluate what add-ons you might need and how much they'll add to the home warranty cost.

How long is my home warranty good for?

A typical home warranty plan is valid for one year from the coverage effective date, which is 30 days after the initial sign-up date. The 30-day waiting period is designed as a way to stop customers from filing claims for preexisting conditions. A home warranty may last longer than 12 months if you purchase 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 pick 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?

Knowledge of your warranty company's claim process makes all the difference between an approval and a denial. If you're facing a covered issue, you can usually file a claim over the phone or online. While most claims should have a 24 to 48-hour response time, there might be delays if you filed outside standard business 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 get final approval from the warranty company for any required repair work.

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

If you need to move, most home warranty contracts contain a clause permitting 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 readily transferable to buyers.

Home warranty contract fine print

To complete your research, we recommend reading the home warranty provider’s fine print and sample contract prior to purchasing a plan. Knowing the company’s terms and conditions can help you decide if it’s the right one for your needs. It'll also help you be a better advocate for yourself if you need to file a claim. Below are several terms you should search for while reviewing the contract:

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 suffer damage. Read your sample contract carefully to know what's excluded.
Service call fee: Whenever you file a claim, the home warranty or repair company will assess a service call fee. These fees typically range between $75 and $125.
Coverage limit: Your home warranty's coverage limit is the cap on how much the company pays per claim. A warranty contract could also have other stipulations, like annual coverage limits.
Workmanship guarantee: The workmanship guarantee is the period during which the home warranty company won't assess additional service call fees for a repair if an in-network technician has recently serviced the item. The industry standard is 30 days, but 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 Scotch Plains

Average High in July

83°F

Scotch Plains

83°F

National Average

Average Low in January

24°F

Scotch Plains

17°F

National Average

Average Daily Sunlight

63%

Scotch Plains

69%

National Average

Our Top Pick

4.5

Our Rating

Extends 60-day workmanship guarantee
Holds high customer ratings
Offers customization with 38 add-ons

Explore Plans

4.4

Our Rating

Covers rust and corrosion damage
Offers comprehensive coverage limits
Provides flexible service fees

$150 Off Any Plan

Explore Plans

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.

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

Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.

7 best home warranty companies in Scotch Plains, New Jersey

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