Annual Coverage Audit
Home Warranty Renewal Checklist 2026
Run this at renewal time. Your home changes. Your systems age. What made sense last year may not be the best option this year.
Home Warranty Annual Coverage Audit - 2026
Company: __________________________ | Renewal Date: __________________________
Your Home Has Changed
Check any systems installed or changed this year. Each may affect your coverage.
Your Systems Are Aging
Flag any system approaching end of expected life. If a major system is entering its last 3-5 years, coverage matters most right now.
| System | Typical Lifespan | Your Age | Flag? |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC (central AC) | 15-20 years | | |
| Furnace / heat pump | 15-25 years | | |
| Water heater (tank) | 8-12 years | | |
| Water heater (tankless) | 20+ years | | |
| Refrigerator | 10-18 years | | |
| Washer / dryer | 10-14 years | | |
| Dishwasher | 9-16 years | |
Did Your Warranty Perform This Year?
Log claims filed this year and your actual out-of-pocket cost.
| Date | System | Outcome | Out-of-Pocket |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ | |||
| $ | |||
| $ | |||
| Total out-of-pocket | $0 | ||
Is Your Coverage Still Competitive?
Pull quotes from 2 competitors before renewing. Compare apples to apples on the numbers that matter.
| Current Company | Competitor A | Competitor B | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual premium | $ | $ | $ |
| Service fee | $ | $ | $ |
| HVAC cap | $ | $ | $ |
| BBB rating | | | |
| True annual cost* | $ | $ | $ |
*Use the cost calculator to calculate true annual cost for each.
Company Standing Check
Do this even if you are happy with your current company. Company status can change at renewal.
Checked current BBB rating
Searched "[company name] attorney general" for new enforcement actions
Checked for ownership changes (companies get acquired)
Reviewed any news about company financial health
Renewal Decision
Reasons to renew
Reasons to switch
Decision
If switching: note the pre-existing condition risk. Any system that was acting up under your current warranty will be evaluated as "pre-existing" under a new warranty. Fix known issues before switching.
Renewal Negotiation Notes
If renewing: call the retention department before accepting the renewal quote. This is different from general customer service.
Key asks
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