Every service contract sets a point at which coverage begins. A breakdown that started before that point is treated differently in many forms, even when the failure itself appears after the start. The wording that governs this is often called a pre-existing condition clause, a prior-damage clause, or a condition-at-sale term. Find it before you commit, because it decides how a first claim is judged.
Questions to ask
Does the form define a pre-existing or prior condition, and does the definition cover a fault that was present but not yet noticed? Does the form require an inspection or a written record of the item's condition before coverage starts? Who decides whether a condition existed at the start, and what evidence does that person accept? Can you ask for a written statement of the item's condition at the time of sale?
What to compare
Compare how each form treats an item that is already in use. Some forms apply a different rule to used items than to new ones. Others require the owner to disclose known faults. Find whether the form lists the item as eligible in its current condition or only after a check. A form that is silent on prior conditions still leaves the question to the provider, so ask for the answer in writing.
What to keep
Keep any inspection report, photographs with a clear view of the item, and the sales paperwork that describes the item's condition. If the form requires a start-date check, keep the result. These papers are the evidence you may need if a provider later says a fault predates coverage.
Where this guide stops
Rules on pre-existing conditions vary by form, and some states address them in their statutes or program rules. The state pages on this site name the regulator and the rules where they are published. This guide has not read every form in use and does not say how any named provider applies its own wording.