A real estate referral checklist for home-warranty questions should transfer the exact provider, contract version, effective and expiration dates, covered item, client question, inspection context, claim status, deadline, responsible professional, and accepted next action. It should not promise that a repair is covered, tell the client to skip inspection or maintenance, or turn the referring professional into the service-contract provider, insurer, contractor, attorney, or claims decision-maker.
Ask what decision the client is making
Clarify whether the client is considering purchase, seller-paid coverage, renewal, cancellation, a new claim, an appeal, a repair authorization, or a complaint. Record the client’s words and timing rather than translating the question into a coverage conclusion.
Transfer the controlling document
With consent, send the issued contract or approved relevant pages, provider name, contract number through a secure path, plan version, effective and expiration dates, covered property, add-ons, service fee, claim contact, and any written provider communication. Label samples and marketing sheets as non-controlling.
Preserve inspection and repair context
Record the system or appliance, inspection finding, disclosure, maintenance evidence, prior repair, current symptom, access issue, contractor note, and urgent safety concern. Keep these facts separate from whether the provider accepts the claim.
Route the question to the correct owner
The receiving licensee coordinates the transaction. The provider decides claims under the contract. Contractors diagnose and perform work. Attorneys address contract rights, insurers address policies, and Nevada consumer agencies address registration or complaint processes. The referral record should name the owner, not guess the answer.
Do not let a claim silently control a deadline
Record inspection, diligence, closing, cancellation, renewal, claim, appeal, service, and repair dates separately. A pending service-contract answer does not automatically change a purchase contract, referral duty, insurance obligation, or closing schedule.
Close with written acknowledgement
Capture who received the question, what documents were transferred, which next action was accepted, when the client will hear back, what remains unresolved, and who follows up. Retain only the minimum necessary information under brokerage and privacy rules.
FAQ
Should a referring agent explain what a home warranty covers?
The agent can identify the document and preserve the client’s question, but the provider’s issued contract controls. Legal or coverage disputes should go to the qualified professional or agency responsible.
What home-warranty details belong in a referral handoff?
Include consent, provider, contract version, dates, property, covered-item question, service fee, claim status, inspection or repair context, deadline, receiving owner, and accepted next action.
What if the home-warranty provider changes after the referral?
Verify the new provider and contract, confirm client consent, identify what was superseded, and obtain written acknowledgement before relying on changed coverage or claim instructions.
Primary sources and limits
- Nevada Division of Insurance, Service Contract Provider
- Nevada Division of Insurance, Service Contract Provider Map
- Nevada Legislature, NRS Chapter 690C — Service Contracts
- Federal Trade Commission, What Is the Deal With Home Warranties?
General education only. A home-warranty label, service contract, brochure, sample plan, seller credit, inspection, repair estimate, registration record, marketing statement, claim intake, contractor visit, or article does not establish coverage, approval, response time, repair quality, full replacement, reimbursement, property condition, insurance coverage, legal rights, tax treatment, or investment suitability. Verify the exact provider, Nevada registration, issued contract, effective date, covered property and items, exclusions, fees, limits, claim authorization, contractor rules, cancellation, renewal, complaint path, inspection findings, maintenance, insurance, financing, repair reserve, transaction dates, and professional roles with the provider, Nevada Division of Insurance, responsible licensee, inspector, contractor, insurer, lender, attorney, CPA, qualified intermediary, title or escrow company, and other qualified professionals as appropriate. No individualized legal, tax, lending, insurance, securities, compliance, contract, property-management, or investment advice is provided.
Related: building the referral handoff, keeping insurance in its own lane, start a referral conversation.