Why a $49 Diagnosis Beats Waiting on Your Home Warranty
Same-day answers for $49 vs. a 2-3 week wait, a $75-125 service fee, and a coin-flip on whether they'll cover it.
Home warranties sound great in theory — pay a monthly premium, get repairs covered when something breaks. In practice? You're looking at a 2-3 week wait for a contractor you didn't choose, a $75-125 service fee before anyone touches your appliance, and a decent chance your claim gets denied because of 'pre-existing conditions' or 'normal wear and tear.' Meanwhile, your fridge is warm and your food is rotting.
Side-by-side comparison
| TruePro Video | Home Warranty | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to answers | Same day — book and talk to an expert today | 2-3 weeks to get a contractor scheduled |
| Out-of-pocket cost | $49 — that's it | $75-125 service fee + monthly premiums ($40-70/month) |
| Who shows up | Simon Kagan — 35 years, 30,000+ repairs | Whoever the warranty company sends — usually the cheapest contractor available |
| Incentive alignment | We want to give you the right answer — that's our whole business | Warranty company profits by denying claims. Contractor profits by upselling. |
| Covers the repair cost | No — diagnosis only (you pay for the repair separately) | Sometimes — if they approve the claim |
| Claim denial protection | Written diagnosis report strengthens your warranty claim | Their contractor's report can be used to deny your claim |
TruePro is best when
You need answers now, not in 2-3 weeks. You want to know exactly what's wrong before you file the claim — so you can push back if they try to deny it. Or you suspect your home warranty will deny the claim and you want an independent diagnosis.
Home Warranty is best when
Your claim is straightforward (a clearly failed component on a recently-installed appliance), you're not in a rush, and you trust your warranty company to handle it fairly. Some warranty companies are better than others.
Use a video diagnosis to fight warranty denials
Here's a strategy that's saved our customers thousands: get a $49 video diagnosis first. You'll have a written report from an independent expert documenting exactly what failed and why. When the warranty company tries to call it 'pre-existing' or 'lack of maintenance,' you've got an expert opinion to push back with. It's $49 worth of ammunition.
The home warranty contractor problem
Home warranty companies pay contractors rock-bottom rates. That means you get whoever will accept the lowest pay — not necessarily the most experienced or thorough tech. They're doing volume work, which means they spend 10 minutes at your house, write a report that may or may not be accurate, and move on to the next call. Your $49 TruePro session gets you 15 focused minutes with a 35-year expert whose reputation depends on getting it right.
When to skip the warranty entirely
If your appliance is under manufacturer warranty (usually 1-5 years depending on the brand), skip the home warranty and go straight to the manufacturer. Home warranties often try to supersede manufacturer warranties, but the manufacturer warranty is almost always better — especially for major component failures like compressors and sealed systems.
The math nobody does
Most home warranties cost $500-840 per year in premiums plus $75-125 per service call. If you file two claims a year, that's $650-1,090 in total costs — and you still might get denied. For that money, you could book 13-22 TruePro video diagnoses and pay for most repairs out of pocket. For straightforward repairs under $400, you're often better off without the warranty.
What you'll get
- Independent diagnosis from a 35-year veteran — not affiliated with any warranty company
- Written report documenting the failure cause — useful for warranty claim disputes
- Cost estimate for the repair so you know if the warranty is even worth using
- Repair-vs-replace recommendation so you can make an informed decision
Simple pricing
Pick your level
Both include a written report with diagnosis, parts list, and fix-vs-replace recommendation.
Diagnosis
$49
15 minutes
- Live video call with Simon's team
- Expert diagnosis of your appliance issue
- Parts list with part numbers & prices
- Fix-vs-replace recommendation
- Written report emailed to you
Best for: "Tell me what's wrong and what I need"
Guided Repair
$79
30 minutes
- Everything in Diagnosis, plus:
- Step-by-step repair walkthrough on video
- Real-time guidance as you do the repair
- Safety checks before & after
- Extended time if needed ($29/15min)
Best for: "Walk me through fixing it myself"
Can't diagnose it? You don't pay. · In SoCal? $49 credited toward in-home repair.
FAQ
Can I use your diagnosis to file a home warranty claim?+
Yes. Our written diagnosis report documents exactly what failed and the likely cause. While warranty companies aren't required to accept third-party diagnoses, having an independent expert opinion strengthens your position — especially if they try to deny the claim.
My warranty company already sent someone — can I get a second opinion?+
That's one of our most popular use cases. If the warranty contractor said your appliance needs a major repair (or isn't covered), book a $49 video diagnosis. Simon will give you an independent assessment — sometimes the warranty contractor overcalls the repair, and sometimes they undercall it.
Should I cancel my home warranty?+
We can't make that call for you, but we can help you think through the math. If your appliances are newer (under 5 years), manufacturer warranties usually cover major failures. If they're older, the question is whether your premiums + service fees are less than what you'd pay for repairs. A video diagnosis can help you understand your appliance's condition.
How fast can I get a diagnosis?+
Most people book and complete their session the same day. Compare that to the 2-3 week wait for a home warranty contractor. If your fridge is down and you've got $200 worth of food at risk, same-day answers are worth $49.
Diagnose by Appliance
Need in-home repair?
In SoCal? Your $49 video fee is credited toward an in-home repair.
Learn about in-home service