How does a home warranty work? 2026 guide

Dec. 26, 2025, 8:00 a.m. ET

How does a home warranty work? This homeowner's guide covers everything you need to know from submitting a claim to paying the service technician.

To make a claim, you contact your provider, pay a service fee and a technician is sent to diagnose the issue.
Claims can be denied for reasons like improper maintenance, preexisting conditions or if the item is not covered in your contract.
Most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before you can submit a claim.

A home warranty plan covers the cost to repair or replace your aging home systems and appliances when they break down due to normal use. But how does a home warranty work? This guide will cover the typical home warranty claims process so that you know what to expect when you need to make the call.

How does a home warranty work?

The home warranty claims process is simple: “When something breaks, the homeowner submits a claim, pays a service fee and the warranty company sends a contracted technician,” says Austin Glanzer, co-owner of 717 Home Buyers in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “Many times the entire repair will be covered,” Glanzer adds, but the coverage depends on the type of warranty.

Most home warranty companies follow a similar claims process, but some will have slight variations. For some providers you might submit an online form; others may have you call or use a mobile app. Where most differ are in the response time and how quickly claims are approved.

Step 1: Contact your provider and submit a claim

As soon as you notice an issue with a covered system or appliance, contact your home warranty provider. Many providers require you to make this claim immediately or face claim denials for improper maintenance or neglect.

Most home warranty companies have an online portal for claims submissions, but you can also call the customer service line to get your claim started over the phone.

Step 2: Schedule a service visit

Once your claim is processed — usually within 24 to 72 hours — a service technician is sent to your home. You can expect most home warranty providers to “dispatch a local provider within 24 to 48 hours to make the repair. If the issue is emergent like a broken water line, they will dispatch someone quicker,” explains Kristi Conti, broker and owner of Peacock Premier Properties in Englewood, Florida.

There are a two routes to go about scheduling this visit. Depending on your home warranty provider, you may automatically be sent a technician from their network, or you may get to choose your own service professional. Either way, this is when you can expect a diagnosis and get the repairs started.

Step 3: Pay the service fee

Any time you make a claim and have a service technician out to your home, you will pay a service fee. The amount you pay depends on your contract, but you can expect anything from $65 to $125 or more.

Note: The service call fee might be paid either before or after your technician is dispatched; it depends on your home warranty provider.

Step 4: Get claim approval

Once the technician diagnoses the problem, they will work with your home warranty provider to determine if the issue is covered under your warranty. If it is covered, your service technician can order parts or begin repairs.

Step 5: Repair or replace your home system or appliance

If the repairs are simple, your service technician will fix your system or appliance on the spot. But if new parts or a full replacement is required, you may have to wait a few days for a fix.

If the repairs cost less than your coverage cap, you won’t owe anything beyond the service call fee. Should the repair or replacement exceed your coverage cap, you will need to pay the difference once the service is complete. Certain parts and labor may also cost extra. “Depending on the warranty, parts and labor are typically included in the service call,” adds Conti. However, that may not be the case for all home warranties.

When to submit a home warranty claim

Submit a home warranty claim as soon as you notice a problem with a covered system or appliance. Delaying a claim can lead to further damage and, in some cases, your provider may deny coverage if the issue is deemed the result of neglect. The sooner you act, the more likely your claim will be approved.

How quickly does a home warranty claim get approved?

Most home warranty companies aim to process claims quickly, often within 24 to 48 hours after you submit the request. Emergency issues, such as a complete HVAC failure during extreme weather, for example, may receive priority service, but you may wait longer for non-urgent requests, such as if your built-in microwave won’t start.

Once approved, a service technician is typically dispatched within a few days, depending on their availability and the level of urgency. Scheduling and repair timelines can vary based on location and contractor availability.

5 reasons why home warranty claims get denied

Claim denials are unfortunately not uncommon, and these are the five most common reasons why a home warranty claim is denied:

The item isn’t covered: The system, appliance or component isn’t covered under your warranty contract.
Improper maintenance: The breakdown was caused by lack of routine care or neglect and you don’t have any maintenance records to prove otherwise.
Preexisting condition: The issue existed before your warranty coverage began.
Unauthorized repairs: You hired your own technician without prior approval from the warranty provider.
Damage outside normal wear and tear: Issues caused by misuse, accidents or natural disasters aren’t covered. These are more likely to be covered by your home insurance.

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