Pre-Existing Conditions in Home Warranties: What You Should Know

Finding a home warranty that covers pre-existing conditions is challenging. Whether you own an older home or want to cover your appliances and essential systems, home warranty coverage is a reliable way to do that. But finding a reputable provider isn’t always easy.

Imagine it’s the middle of a cold winter season, the last thing your family wants to hear is that the heater broke down. Not only that, but it’ll be a few days before you can scramble to find a contractor to fix it, and the cost will burn a deep hole in your budget.

Couple that news with the holiday season, and it’s a recipe for disaster.

Situations like these will make you wish you invested in that home warranty when you bought your house. Such warranties are just as important as insurance and go beyond what the manufacturer’s warranty provides. 

Let’s discuss the details of home warranties, particularly regarding pre-existing conditions.

What Is a Home Warranty?

A home warranty is a contract that covers your home’s appliances and systems, such as heating, drainage, refrigerators, and washing machines. If any of these items breaks down, the warranty provider will dispatch a contractor to fix or replace the appliance.

This arrangement has a variety of benefits:

• A home warranty is not the same as homeowner’s insurance, which mainly covers natural disasters and other major accidents like fires or tornadoes. Home warranties cover wear and tear damage.
• Instead of a full price for an unexpected repair, a home warranty only charges a consistent monthly rate or annual premium for coverage.
• Home warranties give you peace of mind that all your house’s systems will always be functioning, and the expected fees make balancing the family budget easier.
• They ensure that your appliances and home systems are repaired and replaced without the need for a significant out of pocket expense.

What Is a Pre-Existing Condition?

While home warranties are easy to find, don’t forget to read the fine print and understand the terms of your agreement. For instance, does the plan you’re considering cover pre-existing conditions affecting the home’s current systems?

A pre-existing condition refers to any appliance that has already failed or suffered wear and tear damage before the coverage period officially starts. Whether it’s a lack of maintenance or mistreatment by the previous owner, you don’t want to be responsible for any issues stemming from causes outside of your control.

How Do Home Warranties Deal with It?

Different warranty providers have different policies regarding pre-existing conditions. Think about it like car insurance; you can’t just buy insurance immediately after a car accident to avoid paying for the damages. Similarly, a home warranty that covers pre-existing conditions will only do so under certain circumstances.

When you first move into your home, ask for a home inspection. Your realtor might not require one, but the process is necessary for getting the most out of your warranty. The inspection will check for any damage to the home’s systems and appliances before you move in.

Because most home warranties won’t cover repairs or replacements made during the home inspection, keep receipts and records of any repairs in case your provider needs them later.

You must get all your appliances in working order before the coverage period begins, especially for older homes. Companies often offer a waiting period for the home warranty to ensure everything is undamaged before the agreement starts.

Can a Home Warranty Cover It?

However, some types of pre-existing conditions are difficult to detect from visual or mechanical means. Any damages that your home inspection fails to note can be eligible for home warranty coverage. These cases are known as unknown pre-existing conditions for home warranties.

Liberty Home Guard: Your Go-To Provider Home Warranty Provider

You don’t have time to deal with every appliance in your house. Get a home warranty today and protect you and your family from sudden system failures.

Get in touch with Liberty Home Guard at (866) 225-7958 for a quote.