A home warranty is a service contract that promises to pay for repairs to the systems and appliances in your home in exchange for a monthly premium. Some home warranty companies include a service fee or deductible, payable the first time a repairman visits to diagnose the problem. To protect themselves from losses, some also refuse to cover pre-existing conditions. Before signing, every homeowner should review their contract carefully. To determine how well you’re protected, you not only need to know if your home warranty covers pre-existing conditions but also how pre-existing conditions are defined under the terms of the warranty.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Under a home warranty, a pre-existing condition is any defect or issue that existed before the start of the contract. There are two types of pre-existing conditions: known and unknown. Known conditions can be detected by a visual or mechanical inspection, while unknown conditions can’t be.
Most companies won’t cover known pre-existing conditions but will cover unknown ones. Some companies consider the age and lack of maintenance to be pre-existing conditions. Improper maintenance would also count, so be certain any technician you hire is licensed and qualified.
Home Inspections
If your home warranty doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, it may be in your best interest to hire a home inspector to evaluate the systems and appliances covered by your contract. A home inspection tests your devices for irregularities. Inspectors will confirm the system is intact and contains no missing or damaged parts. They’ll also activate it to see whether it functions as intended, with no delays, strange sounds, or odd behaviors that may lead to a denied claim.
This allows you to repair defective systems before the start of your contract. Without a home inspection, warranty companies can claim any problem you bring to them was pre-existing and you’ll have no grounds to contest their decision. But by performing a home inspection, you’ll have documented evidence from a third party that proves your systems were functional before the contract took effect. To bolster your position, send your home inspection results to your home warranty company, so they have them on file in case a dispute arises.
Waiting Periods
Most home warranties come with a waiting period, generally 30 days, before they’ll pay for any repairs. Regardless of when you signed the contract, it doesn’t begin until the waiting period ends. To protect yourself from a denied claim, make sure your home systems are functioning as intended at least 60 days prior to the start of the contract. Under most warranties, that’s enough to protect your claims from rejection on the grounds of a pre-existing condition.
Homesential Covers Pre-Existing Conditions
Unlike other home warranty companies, Homesential provides its customers with full coverage regardless of whether the issue was pre-existing or not. We don’t require a waiting period either. Your coverage starts the moment you sign the contract. And there are no service fees or deductibles. We pay for the repairman and all covered parts. In exchange for a low monthly premium (less than what you spend each month on coffee), you receive full protection for your heating systems, cooling systems, and electrical systems, even if they suffer from pre-existing conditions. So sign up today for better savings and peace of mind!
