Worldwide, almost 65% of homeowners who have home guarantees get every claim approved. It is not a scary number, but it does suggest that 35% will face rejection eventually. If your home warranty refuses a valid claim, it’s crucial to know what to do to receive the services you paid for. Follow these steps whenever a home warranty rejection occurs.
Reasons Why Home Warranties Are Violated
It is helpful to have prior knowledge of the reasons for the denial of some home warranty claims. The most common reason is that your service contract does not cover the appliance, system, or specific duty required. Be sure to check your policy to determine if the appliance or system and the sort of work that is required are defined in it. It doesn’t matter if the contract doesn’t explicitly say it’s excluded; your eligibility will be affected if they aren’t stated as covered items.
Bad device or system maintenance is another common cause of denial. Simply put, the home warranty provider may reject your claim as invalid if you failed to do regular maintenance, which is considered your responsibility.
Installations done incorrectly or in violation of local building codes often result in the disapproval of home warranty claims. Also, the provider could reject your claim if it’s for excessive wear and tear, damage from animals or pests, or secondary damage that started with a covered failure.
Even normally covered systems or appliances may face denial when you reach your coverage limit. Using an unlicensed professional for a previous repair could also lead to the company denying your claim.
Standing Up Against a Warranty Denial
You have the option to challenge a home warranty claim denial in most cases. First, check your service agreement to see if the claim is within your coverage and if you’re not over your limit. Following that, get in touch with the business and ask for an appeal; make sure to take notes so you can remember what the person tells you. Feel free to ask for a copy of the inspection report and an explanation for the denial.
Having an impartial evaluation backs up your appeal. Although there is a cost involved, it’s worth it if the repair or replacement that comes with it is expensive. After that, follow the home warranty provider’s instructions for filing an appeal, providing them with the paperwork they need to assess your claim.
Speaking with the state’s consumer protection office could be a good next step if a valid claim is still rejected. Furthermore, if your state has an official body in charge of home warranty regulation, you can contact them for advice. If the corporation still doesn’t answer your appeal after you file a Better Business Bureau (BBB) complaint, other options may be available to you.
Advice on Avoiding Claims Denials
To avoid claim denials, it is important to ensure that your claim is in accordance with your service contract. To further demonstrate that you are actively caring for your systems and appliances, be sure to keep detailed records of any maintenance jobs. Lastly, do not neglect your appliances and systems.
