Do Home Warranties Cover Hot Tubs and Spas?

Hot tub and spa home warranty coverage

Home warranty companies usually offer coverage for hot tubs and spas. While they may not be covered in a base package, a higher-tier package will typically include coverage for both. You may also be able to add hot tub and spa coverage to your current package as an add-on item.

Your policy may only cover certain parts of your hot tub or spa, though, so be sure to check your contract. Some parts that may be covered include:

• Jets
• Timers
• Actuators
• Filtration systems
• Motors
• Electrical wiring
• Pool sweeps
• Heaters
• Above-ground plumbing
• Pipes
• Wiring

Potential exclusions to hot tub and spa home warranty coverage

Even if you have hot tub and spa coverage, there's still a chance your claim to repair your hot tub or spa may face some hurdles. Some common exclusions in a home warranty contract that might impact your ability to get a repair or replacement include:

• The hot tub or spa wasn't properly maintained
• Your hot tub or spa wasn't installed correctly
• The issue existed before you got your warranty
• Your warranty doesn't cover a specific brand, model or age of a hot tub or spa
• Your homeowners insurance covers your spa or hot tub issue
• The damage wasn't caused by regular wear and tear
• An unauthorized technician did the repairs

Coverage caps

Additionally, home warranty companies generally have caps on how much they’ll pay for a repair or replacement. For instance, your contract might limit hot tub and spa repairs to $3,000. That means that if your hot tub or spa requires $4,000 worth of work, the home warranty company will only pay $3,000 and you'll be responsible for covering the additional $1,000 yourself.

There may even be caps on certain aspects of a repair. For example, a provider may limit how much it’ll spend if a contractor needs to cut through concrete to access any system components for your spa or hot tub.

» MORE: What does a home warranty not cover?

What to do if your home warranty doesn’t cover hot tubs and spas

If your home warranty plan doesn't cover hot tubs and spas, you’ll have a few options.

Upgrade or add coverage

First, you can try making changes to your home warranty package. You might have the option to upgrade to a package with hot tub and spa coverage or you might be able to add it to your current plan as an extra feature. Of course, this will increase your total home warranty costs.

Check homeowners insurance

If your home is impacted by a fire or flood, your homeowners insurance may cover hot tub and spa repairs. If this is the case, a home warranty plan likely won’t cover repairs.

Pay out of pocket

If neither your warranty nor your insurance covers your hot tub, you may need to pay for repairs out of pocket. Depending on the issue, these costs can typically range from around $100 to $1,000 in repairs, according to our research.

Consider replacement

For older spas, homeowners sometimes choose to replace the hot tub altogether rather than sink significant money into repairs. Setting aside an emergency fund specifically for hot tub maintenance can help soften the financial blow if coverage is not available.

Maintenance tips to keep your hot tub covered

Keeping up with regular maintenance can help ensure your hot tub remains eligible for coverage under your home warranty. Many warranty providers require proof of proper care before approving claims. Here are a few tips to keep your spa in good standing:

• Clean regularly: Clean or replace filters regularly, test and balance the water chemistry regularly to prevent buildup and damage, and drain and refill the hot tub every few months to keep the water fresh and systems running smoothly.
• Check wear and tear: Inspect the cover for wear and tear, and replace it if it no longer protects against debris and weather.
• Get it inspected: Schedule professional inspections or servicing as needed to keep the electrical and plumbing systems in top shape.
• Record maintenance: Keep a log of all maintenance tasks in case you need documentation for a warranty claim.

» RELATED: What to do when your home warranty claim is denied

FAQ

Bottom line

While it's true that many standard home warranty plans offer coverage of hot tubs and spas, most offer it as an optional add-on. Whether home warranty coverage is worth it depends on the provider and the specific terms of your home warranty contract. So, it's important to carefully review your home warranty policy to determine what hot tub and spa protection your contract covers.