When you purchase a home warranty, you may think all your bases are covered, but there could be unexpected twists that leave you unprotected. Discover the surprising exclusions and learn how you can stay ahead.

Many homeowners, like Sarah, were shocked to find out that their beloved vintage appliances weren't covered. Most warranties have age limits for covered items, leaving your old but gold refrigerator standing bare against breakdowns.

James discovered that his warranty didn’t cover the cost of bringing his home up to current building codes. This realization came just as a minor plumbing issue escalated unexpectedly into a major expenditure.

Much like health insurance, home warranties often exclude pre-existing conditions. When Eliza's HVAC sputtered out, she was informed there were pre-existing issues not covered by her policy, leaving her with hefty repairs.

With the rise of smart home gadgets, homeowners like Rafael assumed their home warranties would have them covered. Shockingly, they're often left to face repair costs, as many warranties exclude certain smart home technology.

Shelley's garage door failure led her on a wild ride through exception clauses. Warranties often leave out garage doors, creating a potential blindspot for homeowners relying on their coverage.

When Daniel’s home was invaded by termites, his warranty providers refused aid. Pest damage is a common exclusion on many policies, forcing homeowners to seek additional pest control insurance.

Carla's roof sprung a leak, only to find surprise in her policy’s fine print. Many home warranties strictly exclude roofing issues, treating them as a separate specialty.

John’s sudden hot tub malfunction taught him that luxury upgrades are often left out in the cold by standard warranties. These extra features frequently require supplemental coverage.

Intrigued by renovation shows, Marcus decided to make small home improvements. To his dismay, these DIY projects invalidated parts of his warranty, leaving him to tackle fixing his fixes.

An unexpected crack in Mia’s foundation brought distress she thought was covered. Foundation damage is rarely included in home warranties, considered a high-risk factor for insurers.

Elliot faced an eye-opening moment when his plumbing woes were only partially covered. Many policies draw complex lines about what constitutes basic plumbing, leaving some repairs sailing through the cracks.

Custom-built items in Lily’s home seemed like a secure investment until a breakdown revealed an exclusion. Customizations are often outside the bounds of standard home warranties.