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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ~