Do home warranties cover doors?
Check door coverage to avoid costly surprises later
A broken door can jeopardize your home's security and compromise your systems' energy efficiency. Preparing for unexpected door damage is a good idea and could save you $900 to $5,000 on a replacement. You probably won't get door coverage through your home warranty, though. Read on for some helpful tips and alternatives.
Home warranties don’t usually cover doors.
Jump to insightHome warranty plans have many limitations and exclusions.
Jump to insightCheck to see if your homeowner’s or builder’s insurance covers doors.
Jump to insightWhat door services does a home warranty cover?
Many home warranty companies offer plans that provide coverage for systems and appliances. However, home warranties don’t usually include structural elements such as doors.
Some things that home warranties do typically cover include:
- Refrigerators
- Ovens, stoves and ranges
- Dishwashers
- Trash compactors
- Washers and dryers
- Air conditioning or heating units
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Ceiling fans
- Exhaust fans
- Water heater
- Garbage disposal
- Heat pumps
- Central vacuum systems
Potential exclusions to door home warranty coverage
Most home warranty plans have many limitations and exclusions. Many contracts only cover damage due to normal wear and tear and exclude things such as damage resulting from misuse.
Here is a list of some other things home warranties don’t usually cover:
- Cosmetic damage
- Power surges
- Damage due to misuse or abuse
- Rust or corrosion
- Preexisting conditions
- Damage caused by mold or mildew
- Missing parts
- Accidents
- Secondary damage
- Pet, pest or animal damage
- Improper installation
- Acts of god
What to do if your home warranty doesn’t cover doors
Even if your home warranty doesn’t cover doors, you may still be covered to some degree. Homeowner's and builder’s insurance provide coverage for structural components like doors, walls and windows. Many doors also come with a five-year, ten-year or even lifetime manufacturer warranty, depending on the brand.
FAQ
What does a home warranty typically cover?
Home warranty plans usually cover large appliances, built-in microwaves, water heaters and systems like HVACs, plumbing, ductwork, pool heaters and well pumps. Some plans also cover additional items like pest control, septic systems, central vacuums, sump pumps and more.
Do home warranties cover doors?
Many home warranties don’t cover structural components like doors, walls or windows, but your builder’s or homeowner’s insurance probably does.
What's not covered by a home warranty?
Usually, home warranties only cover total breakdowns due to normal wear and tear and exclude things such as cosmetic damage and acts of god.
Bottom line
While your home warranty plan probably doesn’t cover door repairs or replacements, you may still have coverage. Check your builder’s warranty, home’s insurance policy or manufacturer's warranty to see if those will cover your door issues. With the right protection and maintenance, your exterior doors could last up to 30 years or longer.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, “What’s Not Covered by a Home Warranty?” Accessed April 4, 2024.
- First American Home Warranty, “What's Not Covered By a Home Warranty.” Accessed April 4, 2024.
