How to Get More from a Home Warranty

Sign in or sign up to leave a comment
Sign Up

1.) Shop Around for Policies

Not all home warranties are created equal. If you're buying your own warranty, first check the companies reputation, and then look at the different levels of coverage it offers. If the warranty is being given to you with a home sale, you can ask your REALTOR® the same questions.

2.) When Something Breaks, Contact the Warranty Company First

You have no heat in the dead of winter! Shouldn't you call the HVAC company first and worry about getting compensated for it later? Always Remember and Always ASK FIRST. The home warranty company may not cover a repair if you hire someone first, and later contact them. Some warranty companies may offer 24/7 support, but if the warranty company cant send a technician for a week, you may be in a tough spot. What you do then comes down to how much you want your claim covered, and how much damage might occur while you wait. 

3.) Read Your Contract Before Calling

When filing your claim, explain exactly how your problem qualifies for warranty coverage. For instance, say your warranty covers certain appliances but not plumbing. Your washing machine failed and caused water damage to your floor. Dont call and simply tell them you have flood damage in your home. Call and report that your warranty-covered washing machine malfunctioned and damaged your floor.

4.) Be Polite and Persistent, With Phone Agents and Service Providers

Continuing with the above scenario, if the phone agent tells you your floor damage isn't covered, have the contract handy so you can refer the passages that support your claim. And if the agent isn't helping you, ask to be transferred to a manager. Follow up in writing or with email if denied.

Once a service provider is dispatched, be present for the visit. Some providers will show up, charge the visit fee, and say that the repair isn't covered — without thoroughly investigating. If they try to say it's not covered, point out why it should be. Contact their supervisor if necessary before paying the fee. Be Persistent Even If You are Not Sure Who is Right!

5.) Ask If You Have a Choice of Service Providers

Before agreeing to allow any service providers into your home, check their online reviews. You can look up reviews on a provider quickly while on the phone with the service company. If its a company with negative reviews, ask to have a different one dispatched.

6.) Ask If You Have the Option of Taking a Cash Payment

Warranty companies may sometimes offer a buyout instead of replacing an appliance. On the downside, the amount they offer probably will not cover your true replacement cost. On the upside, if you get offered replacement cost, you can choose the model and installer you want.

7.) Don't Schedule Service If You Know the Repair Isn't Covered

When the home warranty company dispatches a service provider to your home, they will probably charge you a trip charge — whether they fix anything or not. So there is no sense calling them for a repair that falls outside the coverage, and there is certainly no sense misrepresenting your repair. You'll just pay the trip charge.

8.) Keep a Close Eye on Older Appliances and Systems During the Warranty Period

Is your HVAC system is not cooling properly, but you can live with it? If your warranty expires soon, it may be worth paying the trip charge to have a technician check it out, just in case that problem indicates a major problem that will possibly get worse just after the warranty expires.

9.) Keep Your Expectations in Check

Don't get surprised when your home warranty provider tells you they wont cover a claim. Go in with a lot of patience and persistence on tap, and try your best to get something out of them. In the end, if you end up with a less-than-perfect repair or a smaller-than-desired check, acknowledge that at least you got something.

10.) Hire an Experienced REALTOR®

If you have questions and thoughts about the Buying or Selling a Home. I’d love to talk with you about what you’ve read here and help you on the path to buying your new home. My contact information is below, and I look forward to talking with you.

Keith ~ 832-732-2680 ~

Categories: GeneralEducationHome Warranty
Local: The Woodlands
Favourites If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it with others.
Sign in or sign up to leave a comment
Sign Up
To post a comment on this blog post, you must be an HAR Account subscriber, or a member of HAR. If you are an HAR Account subscriber or a member of HAR, please click here to sign in. If you would like to create an HAR Account account, please click here.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the HRIS.
Advertisement

View Q&A Posts in General , Education , Home Warranty