Home Warranty Insurance Checklist

Home Warranty Insurance Checklist

Buying a new home? Use this checklist to ensure you are informed about the home warranty insurance coverage and take the right steps to maintain your coverage. 

• Learn what the home warranty insurance policy covers, including expiry dates.
• Learn the name of the warranty provider.
• Place the sticker listing the warranty provider and coverage expiry dates on the electrical box.
• Store a copy of the policy and any additional builder or manufacturer warranties in a safe place.
• For new homes, complete a walk-through with the builder before taking possession. On the form, note any incomplete or deficient work in writing and set a reasonable date for repairs to be completed.
• Receive a maintenance manual or maintenance instructions from the builder or warranty provider, learn what to do to maintain the home (to protect coverage), and perform the required maintenance.
• For resale homes, find out the nature and extent of any existing warranty insurance, and obtain the policy and maintenance documents from the owner or warranty provider.
• Before each expiry date, inspect the home to identify any problems in areas still covered by the warranty.
• If you need to make a claim not otherwise taken care of by your builder, be sure to send details in writing to your warranty provider prior to the expiry of coverage.
• Take reasonable steps to minimize further damage to the home from a potential defect.
• Keep copies of all correspondence related to the policy.
• For owner-built homes, obtain a copy of the Owner Builder Disclosure Notice and learn what protection is provided by the statutory warranty.

 Additional checklist items for strata properties:

• Learn what is covered by the policies on both the unit and common property.
• Report any problems with the unit in writing to the warranty provider, and report any problems with common property to the strata council and/or the building manager.
• For units in a building with building envelope repairs, find out if the repairs were covered by the common property warranty insurance, and, if so, how much time is left on the policy.
   

To learn more about home warranty insurance, download the Guide to Home Warranty Insurance in British Columbia free from www.hpo.bc.ca.