By now we all know it's not a good idea to post sensitive information on social networking sites or blast private data through cyber space without taking the proper precautions. The last thing you want is for private information to be compromised when bouncing from server to server.
Keeping yourself secure from theft and vulnerability is a top priority in today's digital age. That's why Residential Warranty Company, LLC and affiliates HOME of Texas and MHWC have a secure upload portal on each company website for members and prospective members to use in uploading information and important documents to the home warranty companies.
Instead of emailing, faxing or mailing documents for new memberships, renewal memberships or home warranty resolution matters, the upload portal allows for secure transfer of data electronically, efficiently and economically.
Secure upload links can be found in the drop down menu when you hover over the "Builders" tab (or the "Manufacturer's tab on the MHWC affiliate site), as well as at the very bottom of every webpage. Simply follow the prompts to send documents securely. Better safe than sorry!
In addition to a variety of home warranty programs, RWC and HOME of Texas offers unique features to make your membership as effective and efficient for you as possible.
As you know, Warranty Express is our online system for everything from home enrollment to membership renewal to ordering marketing materials and enrollment reports.
We wanted to emphasize an important point about the system when you are enrolling homes online. When you get to the last screen on Warranty Express, it will tell you “You are not finished!”
Why? What do you mean I'm not finished? Well, because we still need the signed Application for Warranty form and payment, if not paid online. (Pay online and save the $6.95 processing fee.)
It’s very important that you submit the signed Application for Warranty form after closing.
The warranty is not valid (even if paid for) if RWC/HOME does not receive the signed Application in order to validate coverage.
If you pay online, the signed Application for Warranty form can be faxed to (717) 561-4494 or emailed to Sandra at Sandra.Sweigert@rwcwarranty.com.
If you are not familiar with Warranty Express, contact your Account Executive for more details.
Who doesn't love a perk that allows you to reap the rewards of something that you already do... provide quality construction and outstanding customer satisfaction. That's right, cash in on YOUR excellent customer service by joining the Incentive Program!
Joining the Incentive Program is the best way for our Members to maximize their dollars plus enjoy additional benefits that only this program offers.
RWC established this program over 25 years ago as a way to reward our members for their good claims experience. Since then, RWC and affiliates have distributed $21.5 million in Incentive distributions back to Incentive members.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
A Member must enroll at least 20 homes per year or have an annual enrolled sales volume of $2 million. A free analysis illustrating how the Incentive Program can work for you is available upon request.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:
• The annual fee of $295 is waived for Incentive Members, saving an additional $1180 in years 2-5 of membership.
• The value of the Incentive distributions greatly reduces the effective cost of the warranty fee.
• The Member enjoys a locked-in enrollment rate under the standard program throughout the duration of their Incentive membership.
HOW DO I JOIN?
If you think your company will meet the eligibility requirements, call us to take the next step in building your own Incentive reward! Contact us at 800-247-1812, Ext 2149 or email sales@rwcwarranty.com.
Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC), HOME of Texas and MHWC will be attending the 2017 International Builders Show (IBS) in Orlando, Florida January 10-12, 2017. Be sure to stop by booth #W5571 to learn why new home warranties are an essential ingredient for your business. Whether you are a builder, remodeler or manufacturer, providing a new home warranty is a great way to enhance the value of your homes, strengthen your reputation and get a competitive edge in the marketplace.
As you know, it’s not strictly business at IBS. Before you head off to the House Party or the Spike Concert, have some fun with RWC and try your luck at our Wheel-O-Warranty prize wheel! Not only will you walk away with one of many great prizes, but you will also be entered into our grand prize drawing for a $1000 Visa gift card. Celebrate a brand new year with the innovative leader in new home warranties, RWC!
On August 14, 1173 Bonanno Pisano, began construction on an 183’ high marble and stone bell tower in Pisa, Italy. It took nearly 200 years to complete, but trouble started long before. Within five years of breaking ground, the bell tower began to lean due to a shallow foundation set in unstable subsoil. The design was flawed from the beginning. A builder’s worst nightmare? Just the opposite. Today the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations.
For the rest of us less able to make lemonade from the occasional lemons we’re handed, we need help. Fortunately, for Pisa, the tower’s lean hasn’t caused it to fall over on all those cash-carrying tourists…yet. If that ever happens, the contractor responsible for maintaining the famous landmark better have general liability insurance. Otherwise, it could become the world’s most famous uninsured construction defect claim. Of course, the tower has been standing for over 600 years without falling, so what else is there to worry about? Each year in this country more than seven million injuries are attributed to “slip and fall” accidents. Imagine how many tourists may have slipped or fallen going up and down the steps of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Now imagine how many would-be buyers might slip or fall at one of your model homes or active job sites.
Nobody likes thinking about third party liability claims. Bonanno Pisano didn’t have to because he didn’t live to see his project completed. You’re probably planning on being around for a while and I’m guessing those plans don’t include losing everything you’ve worked for because someone was seriously injured at one of your job sites. If my guess is right, we’d like to help. Give RWC Insurance Advantage a chance to review your current general liability coverage. Call us at (866) 454-2155 and ask for Ron Sweigert or click here for a free no obligation quote.
All of the Builder warranty programs offered by Residential Warranty Company, LLC, HOME of Texas or MHWC feature mandatory binding arbitration of Unresolved Warranty Issues.* RWC and its Builder members have been very successful at persuading courts to recognize and enforce the warranty’s mandatory binding arbitration provision. Courts across the country have removed cases from the courthouse and directed them to arbitration under our Limited Warranty Programs.
A good example can be found in this case study. Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC) had issued a warranty on a home, which was in Year 1 of coverage, and the homeowners filed a lawsuit against the Builder. The Builder was well equipped to defend himself with the home warranty book, the application for warranty and his own contract, which included language that made the RWC home warranty, including the warranty’s binding arbitration language, applicable to any alleged warranty defects in the home. Even though the homeowners argued that RWC’s warranty should not be enforced in that state, the court endorsed RWC’s warranty, and the motion brought by the Builder to compel arbitration and dismiss the homeowners’ lawsuit was granted in its entirety.
Consequently, the homeowners initiated a request for warranty performance with RWC. Prior to arbitration, the Builder’s home warranty provides for informal mediation. The parties agreed to use RWC’s mediation to try to settle the disputes about the alleged warranty defects. RWC became actively involved mediating between the homeowners and the Builder. Through this mediation, communication between the homeowners and the Builder improved and several items were amicably resolved. We were encouraged that most, if not all warranty items, would soon be resolved in the same way. At the conclusion of mediation, if any items remained unresolved, the homeowners and Builder would proceed to binding arbitration under the terms of the warranty.
This is a real case and a great example of how RWC’s mandatory binding arbitration provision is an effective tool in preventing litigation. It also supports the value of using RWC’s mediation process to resolve disputes about alleged warranty defects in the homes you build. To get more information on how to best utilize the mediation and arbitration provisions of your RWC, HOME or MHWC builder warranty, contact us at sales@rwcwarranty.com to schedule a Warranty Training Seminar.
*Note that the mandatory arbitration provision is removed by the HUD addendum, and thus mandatory arbitration does not apply to warranties placed on FHA/VA financed homes.
As hopefully you are aware, all of RWC’s home warranty programs include our effective home warranty resolution process which includes mediation and, if needed, formal arbitration. We are asked from time to time if the system works...or in other words, if the warranty is “worth it.” So from time to time, we like to highlight a specific case study which shows exactly how this process benefits you, our member.
In this case study, the home was in Year 1 of home warranty coverage and was financed through VA/HUD. The homeowner’s request for warranty performance stated: “The duct work is making continuous knocking/ticking noises during every heating and air conditioning cycle.”
During RWC’s mediation, the builder informed RWC that they spent more than 40 hours “without exaggerating” trying to find the ticking while opening up the ceiling, and there definitely was not oil canning. The builder concluded that he had exhausted all efforts. RWC declared the issue unresolved and referred the homeowner to the warranty’s arbitration provisions.
The homeowner completed and returned the arbitration forms and paid the arbitration fee of $950.00. The parties to the arbitration were the builder and the homeowner.
The arbitrator determined: “Residential Warranty Company standards provide that with regard to ‘excessively loud notices’ in ductwork, such ductwork will be adjusted if necessary to eliminate noises caused by oil canning. Therefore, parties during the arbitration agreed in that the reported noise problem is currently not audible. The homeowners stated that they have, in fact, not heard it for some time, and not at all during this air conditioning season. The request of the homeowner is ‘Not Covered’ according to the warranty book. No repairs or other further remedies are necessary for a problem which both parties agree does not currently exist, and one party claims to have never existed. Based upon the above findings of fact, and the award in favor of builder, all costs are to be paid by the homeowners.”
Not only did the builder have a successful award, but he did so in a very timely, economical manner. Additionally, it was not necessary for either party to be represented by counsel.
This is a real case and a perfect example of how the builder’s warranty standards prevent unmerited complaints and support the value of RWC’s resolution process.
Learn more about RWC’s home warranty plans and builder benefits!