Home Warranty Lawsuit (Extended Warranty Contracts)

Were you looking for American Home Shield lawsuits?

Lawsuits have been filed against various home warranty companies alleging the companies practice bad faith insurance. Specifically, customers allege in these home warranty lawsuits that home warranty providers—that is, third party administrators (TPA) that offer extended warranties—illegally deny claims, a situation similar to having an insurance claim denied.

FREE CASE EVALUATION

Send your Home Warranty Insurance claim to a Lawyer who will review your case at NO COST or obligation.

Home Warranty & Extended Warranty Companies

Home warranty companies offer extended warranty service contracts to cover the repair and replacement necessary to keep appliances and other mechanical systems in a home in working order. Often, a retailer such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Sears or Home Depot, will offer customers an extended warranty that would provide insurance coverage on their purchase beyond the typical one-year warranty coverage that the manufacturer (e.g., Amana, Maytag, Whirlpool, Viking, Miele, Kenmore) would provide. The extended warranty is not managed by the retailer—it's simply offered by the retailer at the time of purchase. The companies that provide extended warranty contracts are called third party administrators (TPA), some of which are listed below.

Systems and appliances that may be covered by a home warranty include heating systems, central air conditioners, garbage disposals, ovens, dishwashers and refrigerators. Optional coverage can often be purchased on pools, spas and other devices.

Home warranties are meant to cover damage caused by normal wear and tear, not damage that involves pre-existing conditions, owner's negligence or extraordinary use. Furthermore, home warranties are not meant to overlap with a manufacturer's warranty or homeowner's insurance—that's why they are often referred to as extended warranties—they "extend" beyond the warranty coverage provided initially by the manufacturer.

Home warranty insurance or extended warranty contracts are provided by companies such as American Home Shield, First American Home Buyers, Old Republic Home Protection, Cross Century Home Services, Fidelity National Home Warranty and 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty.

Home Warranty Bad Faith Insurance

Home warranty lawsuits have been filed against various home warranty companies alleging they are guilty of practicing bad faith insurance. Bad faith insurance occurs when a policyholder's claim is improperly denied or delayed by an insurance company. Bad faith insurance can include practices by the insurance company such as not filing out paperwork in a timely manner, failing to conduct a proper investigation into a claim or using unreasonable grounds to deny a claim.

Home Warranty Lawsuits

In June 2011, a lawsuit was filed against American Home Shield by a couple who alleged the company improperly denied claims on the grounds of "lack of maintenance" or "preexisting condition," even though no inspection of the appliances in question was carried out at the time the policy was issued. The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, further alleges that contractors were paid a bonus for denying claims.

americanhomewarrantytechnician

In 2009, a lawsuit was filed against First American Home Buyers Protection, alleging the company employs third-party contractors—some without licenses—to service customers' claims. Because the company pays its contractors so poorly, according to the lawsuit, the only way the contractors can make money is to cause a denial on claims, refuse expensive claims or perform cheap fixes. The lawsuit further alleges that First American trains its employees to deny legitimate claims, refuse to authorize necessary repairs and replacements, and delay the claims process for so long that the customer gives up and pays out of pocket to cover repairs that should have been covered by their extended warranty.

In 2010, a lawsuit was filed against Fidelity National Home Warranty Company, alleging the company improperly rejected claims made by customers. Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that the company denies legitimate claims and trains its service providers to do so while refusing to authorize replacement of appliances.

Home Warranty Insurance Legal Help

If you or a loved one has suffered damages in this case, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a Home Warranty lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.

Please click here for a free evaluation of your Home Warranty Insurance case

Last updated on Feb-22-12

HOME WARRANTY INSURANCE ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS

New York Involved in Home Warranty Lawsuit

New York, NY: Consumers upset with home warranty companies are not the only ones involved in home warranty lawsuits. Although consumers have filed lawsuits against home warranty companies alleging bad faith insurance, at least one state has also been involved in—and settled—such a lawsuit.

T [READ MORE]

Bad Faith Insurance Lawsuits Filed against Home Warranty Companies

San Diego, CA: Consumers who are upset about their treatment by home warranty companies have filed home warranty lawsuits, alleging that those companies practice bad faith insurance. Among the companies that have reportedly faced such lawsuits are American Home Shield and Fidelity National Home Warranty [READ MORE]