Avoid Home Warranty Claim Denials: A Homeowner’s Guide

Your home is one of your biggest investments, and a home warranty can be your best friend when protecting it. But what happens when that trusty safety net suddenly disappears, and your home warranty claim gets denied? It’s like having the rug pulled out from under you. 

Of course, you don’t want this to happen. That’s why in this guide, we’ll show you how to avoid home warranty claim denials. 

Let’s get started!

Understanding Home Warranties: The Fine Print Matters

Before diving into tips on avoiding claim denials, let’s get one thing straight. A home warranty isn’t the same as a homeowner’s insurance. 

Your insurance takes care of damages from unforeseen events, like fires or storms. While your home warranty covers your appliance and system repairs or replacements when they wear and tear.

However, many homeowners skip reading the fine print, only to find out too late that their claim doesn’t hold water. That’s why it’s important to properly read your warranty policy. You should know the repairs that are included, their limits, and the maintenance that is required. 

Common Reasons for Home Warranty Claim Denials

 Contractor repairing a home

Here are some reasons why your home warranty claims may be denied:

  • Lack of proper maintenance: One of the most common reasons home warranty claims get denied is because of improper maintenance. For instance, if your HVAC system fails and the warranty company discovers you haven’t changed the filters in two years, they might slam the door shut on your claim.
  • Pre-existing conditions: If there are issues you had before your policy started, your home warranty won’t take care of them. 

How to Prevent Claim Denials: Proactive Tips

1. Regular Maintenance

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It’s important to take care of your home’s systems and appliances. This will help you to avoid home warranty claim denials. 

If you keep the receipts, service logs, and any other maintenance record, It’ll show the warranty company that you played your part well. 

2. Document everything

When something goes wrong, don’t rely on memory alone. You should take photos and videos or write down what happened. This will make things easy for you when submitting your claim. With your evidence in your hand, you can avoid home warranty claim denials.

3. Read your policy from cover to cover

Knowledge is power. You should properly read your home warranty policy. Ask your provider any questions if you’re confused. Knowing what’s covered and what isn’t can prevent nasty surprises.

4. Report issues promptly

When a system or appliance breaks down, don’t sit on it. Report problems as soon as they arise to stay on the safe side.

5. Use authorized service providers

Home warranty companies usually have a team of service providers they work with. It’s important to follow their policy terms so that you won’t have issues when you need repairs. 

If you must use someone outside their network, get prior approval from your warranty company.

Well, even if you follow all the rules, there’s still a chance your claim could be denied. If that happens, don’t throw in the towel just yet. 

You can contact reputable home warranty companies in California like Contractors United. We’ll provide you with quality repairs and help you to ensure your home appliances or systems get the care they need without the hassle. Contact us today!