news flash : this is what home warranty co.s' do.

they look for any tidbit, loophole, or stall tactic in order to keep from paying out to you. Just what are they claiming it was caused from ? Abuse ?

What makes you think this was repaired previously ? It sounds sloppy , but it may have come from the factory like that.

The service tech assumed it was an attempt at a repair, possibly by the previous homeowner.

My position is exactly what you said. Without any specific evidence of who put in the jumper, it is just as likely that it was done during the manufacturing process.