The short answer is no, a systems and appliances home warranty from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10 HBW) doesn’t cover windows. In fact, it’s unlikely that any home warranty company will cover your home’s windows. Windows simply don’t fall under most warranty coverage. However, to help you approach window problems properly, we can give you some tips and tricks on how to maintain your windows and what to look for if you’re considering buying a house. Be sure to check out our 5 House Window Cleaning and Care Tips article for more ideas.
Do any kinds of insurance or warranty company cover window problems?
There are two kinds of insurance or warranty that might cover window problems.
- Homeowners insurance (i.e., home insurance)
- The window manufacturer’s warranty
Homeowners insurance could cover a broken window under certain circumstances. For example, if you needed a replacement window from someone trying to break in or from a weather-related event (e.g., hail or wind), your homeowners insurance policy could cover it. In cases like these, you’d need to contact your homeowners insurance company. Your warranty plan from 2-10 HBW wouldn’t cover this.
If you recently installed new windows, the manufacturer may have included a window warranty. However, it’s important for you to know that not all manufacturers warranties are the same. Different companies provide different coverage. If you’re considering a new window installation, be sure to ask the company about what their window warranty covers.
Common problems with home windows
Over time, your home’s structural foundation may shift, or your windows may warp or wear out from age and the elements. This can affect your windows and cause problems that waste energy, fail to hold your house’s temperature, and may even let unwelcome critters in your home.
Some common window problems include the following:
- Letting in a draft
- Condensation buildup
- Windows that don’t seal properly, that get jammed, or won’t stay open
- Cracked, warped, or rotted windowsills
- Cracks in windows either due to debris, an accident, or an environmental disaster
- Old double-hung windows let out air too quickly
What kinds of window problems should you look out for?
If you’re already a homeowner, there are a few potential problems to look out for.
One of the most common problems is water leaks. Water leaks most commonly occur because of cracked or worn caulking. If you ever notice leaks around the sides or bottom of your windowsill, especially when it rains, you may need to recaulk. It’s important to do this as soon as you notice a leak! Unaddressed window leaks can lead to bigger problems, such as rot and mold.
Another common problem is an abundance of condensation (fog) on your windows. Too much of this fog can also cause cracking, rotting, warping, and mold. If you notice your windows fogging up for no good reason, try reducing the room’s humidity by running a fan or opening the window. If you still notice problems, you may need to call an expert to determine whether you have insulation issues.
If you’re looking to buy a home, make sure you ask about the windows, especially if you’re looking at an older house. Older houses often have windows that may not have modern insulated glass. This can cost you money in energy bills over time and make your house less comfortable.
What is a home warranty?
A home warranty plan is a yearly service agreement (service contract) between a homeowner and a home warranty company. When you purchase a home warranty plan from 2-10 HBW, you get coverage on many of your home’s major systems and appliances when they break down from routine wear and tear. Here are some of the most common systems and appliances a home warranty from 2-10 HBW can cover.
- Major home systems, like your home’s HVAC system, electrical, and plumbing (including water heater)
- Major appliances, like your refrigerator, dishwasher, and oven
- Optional items, like your washer and dryer or roof leaks
- Additional coverage, such as for a second refrigerator outside the kitchen
One of the most important things to know about a home warranty is that you must properly maintain your covered items! A home warranty covers breakdowns that happen from routine wear and tear, not abuse or neglect.
For example, if your water heater broke down despite you taking good care of it, such as by draining it yearly, your home warranty would help you vastly reduce the cost to repair or replace it. However, if your water heater broke down and the technician determines that you weren’t properly maintaining it, your home warranty coverage may not apply. You don’t need to be an expert to maintain your home’s systems and appliances! You just need to take basic steps, like draining your water heater.
Basics of home warranty window coverage
Again, a systems and appliances home warranty from 2-10 HBW will not cover windows. Your best bet is to use the window care tips that we’ve put together to help you maintain your windows. And if you have window trouble caused by theft, weather, or an accident, your homeowners insurance policy can help.
When are window repairs covered by a home warranty?
Window repairs aren’t ever covered by a systems and appliances home warranty from 2-10 HBW. You may have heard about a builder’s warranty, which people sometimes mistake as a product that covers windows. However, that’s a common misconception about this product.
As a homeowner, you may not purchase a builder’s warranty (often called a structural warranty). This product is only available to home builders, and it only applies to newly constructed homes. However, if you’re a homeowner looking into purchasing a new-construction house, you can request that your builder cover your home with a 2-10 HBW structural warranty. Be advised that a structural warranty does not cover windows themselves, however.
Conclusion
Although a home warranty from 2-10 HBW won’t cover your windows, we do have tips for how to maintain your windows. Check out some of our articles below.
- No More Drafts: How to Seal Your Windows
- 5 House Window Cleaning and Care Tips
- Where Does Your House Lose Heat the Most?
Although we don’t cover windows, a home warranty from 2-10 HBW can cover many of your home’s major systems and appliances against routine breakdowns. That can save you a ton of money, since a replacement for a water heater could cost you $1,790 on average. It can also save you time, since we have a network of licensed, local technicians to call upon, so you don’t have to.
Even if you properly maintain everything in your home, eventually, something will break down. When that happens, it can feel like you’re being punished for doing the right thing.
2-10 HBW takes the punishment out of doing the right thing.
When a system or appliance breaks down despite your best maintenance efforts, a home warranty from 2-10 HBW backs you up. We have several different kinds of warranty coverage to fit your needs.
2-10 HBW offers the most comprehensive home warranty coverage for homeowners. Let us help you protect your home.
