[alistairSH]

Sorry, I was thinking of home warranties. You're exactly right on home insurance.

Two very different products, the former being a borderline scam much of the time, the latter being a requirement for financing (and common sense).

Current example for me... house is 50+ year old, with copper pipe for water supply. We're starting to get pin-hole leaks on some pipes. AFAIK, insurance considers this a maintenance item. They'd probably fix a major burst and the damage it causes (after the fact) but have no interest in even subsidizing preventative work to avoid the costly repair.

[sokoloff]

They consider it a maintenance item, because it is a maintenance item. Things in your house wearing out are not a homeowners insurance claim (at least not in the US).