Home Warranties: How does making a claim typically work?
About Home Warranties: What they are and what they cover
A widely held misconception about home warranties is that it is the same as home insurance. Contrary to this notion, a home warranty covers the replacement and repairs of faulty systems and appliances whereas home insurance provides a cover for one’s home as well as all its contents from indeterminate events including destruction, loss, and theft. The key benefit that a home owner obtains from owning a home warranty is the long term peace of mind related to the costs and expenses which relate to the knowledge that all their home systems and appliances will be repaired or replaced regardless of their expired manufacturers’ warranty.
Appliances commonly covered by home warranties include, but are not limited to, ovens, dishwasher, refrigerator, garbage disposal, washing machine, microwave, ceiling fans and cloth dryers. Home systems generally protected by home warranties include furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, and duct work. Under plumbing and electrical systems, home warranties cover indoor drains and pipes, swimming pools, faucets, hot tubs. Electrical panels, garage door openers, wiring, and door bells. It is of noteworthy importance to note that heaters and portable air conditioners are not always included in this list.
How does making a claim typically work?
Numerous home owners will attest to the fact that one of the hardest processes they have had to endure is that related to making a home warranty claim. In order to avoid suffering from the same tedious process that others have undergone, there are two key considerations one ought to make before they begin the claim process.
Considerations to make before making a Claim
The first consideration regards the thorough proof reading of the warranty policy to verify what appliances and systems are covered. When proof reading this document, it is vital that one pay close attention to expiry dates, conditions, claim reporting cut-offs, and any claim exclusions. The second consideration relates to the location and collection of all relevant correspondence one has made with their contractor and any other pertinent documents. This is because most home warranty providers may request to have these documents provided during the claim process.
In addition, each home owner should also understand that it is their duty to lessen all damages, and that it is the responsibility of their warranty provider to handle claims as they are detailed within the regulations. As such, should any damage befall their home, home-owners should pursue the matter with not only the builder, but also their home warranty provider. This is due to the fact that contacting the contractor alone does not ensure that they in turn will notify the warranty company. This can result in the loss of coverage for systems and appliances that you as the home-owner deserve.
How does making a claim typically work? How to File a Home Warranty Claim
Make a List- The first step in making a home warranty claim is making a list of all the problems that require being resolved. The items on this list should then be compared to the items listed in the warranty form to confirm that they are covered. Pay close attention to coverage deadlines and the performance standard segment of the warranty document because it contains a list of common problems and further describes the extent of the builder’s responsibility to correct these problems.
Contact the Contractor- If the contractor has not yet been contacted to provide a solution to the problem; this is the right time to do so. It is worth noting that the best method of contacting one’s contractor is through email or fax. Telephone calls should be followed up in writing to avoid the common problem of contactor stalling tactics as it provides evidence regarding the complaint. All copies related to the correspondence between the home-owner and contractor should also be sent to the warranty company to avoid any misunderstandings.
File a Claim with the Warranty Company- Using the instructions provided in the warranty form, file your claim by putting the repair request in writing. A critical aspect of this step that every claimant should never forget is to request for a return receipt from the warranty company. The return receipt should be filed with all other correspondence that follows so as to provide proof of the communication process should it be required. The claim form should to comprise of the current date, one’s policy number, full names, home address, phone number, and e-mail address. In addition, the form should also contain a comprehensive description of any item that is being claimed.
