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Warranty Denied · find the facts

What's in my denial letter?

The check asks for the reason, the date, and the amounts. The appeal letter in the kit is built around the exact clause the company cited. Here is where each of those lives on a typical denial, whether it came as a letter, an email, or a note in the claims portal.

1 Claim or service request number 2 Date of the denial 3 The reason, in the company's words 4 The clause cited 5 The appeal window 6 Contract number and effective date
EXAMPLE HOME WARRANTY Date: 08/21/2026 2 Contract No. HW-88213-Q · Effective 01/05/2026 6 Service request / Claim No. 4471902 1 Dear Mr. Example, After review of the technician's report, we have determined that the failure of your air conditioning system is due to a pre-existing condition and is not eligible for coverage. 3 Per Section D.2 of your agreement: "This contract does not cover known or unknown pre-existing conditions..." 4 As a goodwill gesture we are able to offer $200.00 toward the replacement. If you disagree with this decision you may request a review by contacting us in writing within 30 days at the address below. 5 Sincerely, Claims Department Example Home Warranty · PO Box 0000 · Anytown

What each one is for

  1. Claim number. Goes on every page you send. Without it the appeal gets filed as a new inquiry.
  2. Date of the denial. Starts the appeal clock. Send the written appeal within 30 days even if the letter allows longer; regulators ask when you appealed.
  3. The reason. Pre-existing, lack of maintenance, code upgrade, cap reached, not covered, improper installation. Each is argued differently, and the check asks you to pick one.
  4. The clause. If the letter cites a section, the appeal quotes it back with the coverage language next to it. If it cites nothing, the first request in the appeal is "identify the section."
  5. The appeal window. Some letters state one; some don't. The appeal goes certified mail either way, because the regulator complaint asks for proof you appealed.
  6. Contract number and effective date. The effective date matters for "pre-existing": a failure months into a contract that started with no inspection is harder to call pre-existing than one in week two.

Have the letter? Run the free check

Denied by phone with nothing in writing? Email the company and ask for the denial and the reason in writing, with the claim number. The written denial is what the regulator reads. If they won't put it in writing, say so in the regulator complaint; that is a finding on its own.