I am looking into purchasing some basic insurance to cover my AC system and appliances. I keep hearing American Home Shield is not great. Does anyone with experience have any suggestions? I have a feeling I will need to replace some AC stuff in the near future and would like to cover my rear as much as possible. TIA!
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Home Warranty/Insurance
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Last: 3 yr ago by DuncanLEO
Home warranty companies usually have one, maybe two contractors who do all of their work. The contract(s) they use are the ones that cost them the least, so you can expect to have ****ty work done that is little more than a quick fix for whatever problem you are experiencing, especially when it comes to HVAC. Home warranty companies will fight tooth and nail to keep from ever replacing an entire AC system.
As for experience with American Home Shield, I had an AHS warranty when I first bought my current home (before I knew much about doing my own plumbing work). I ended up with a break in the primary drain line from my AC, and AHS's contractor literally cut the top and bottom off a 20 oz Coke bottle, wrapped the plastic bottle around the broken PVC joint, and then wrapped that with duct tape. I fought them for weeks to get someone else to come out and fix it, but they wouldn't because they only had one approved contractor in all of the Houston area - the one that had already been to my house. I ended up learning how to repair the line, did it myself, and then got them to refund my service call fee.
As for experience with American Home Shield, I had an AHS warranty when I first bought my current home (before I knew much about doing my own plumbing work). I ended up with a break in the primary drain line from my AC, and AHS's contractor literally cut the top and bottom off a 20 oz Coke bottle, wrapped the plastic bottle around the broken PVC joint, and then wrapped that with duct tape. I fought them for weeks to get someone else to come out and fix it, but they wouldn't because they only had one approved contractor in all of the Houston area - the one that had already been to my house. I ended up learning how to repair the line, did it myself, and then got them to refund my service call fee.
My clients have had good results with Old Republic Home Protection.
I'd think real hard about whether you want a home warranty at all. IMO they're not good deals unless someone else is paying for it.
I agree. They won't cover any parts that really need replacing unless there are absolutely no other options. You're going to be paying for service calls & warranty fees until some pencil pusher somewhere finally decides it's time. Then when they do replace, you won't have the freedom to buy the best unit for your needs.
This. Your best insurance policy if you anticipate major repair or total replacement of an HVAC system is to setup a savings schedule to put aside the money you'll need or identify some good financing options.MAS444 said:
I'd think real hard about whether you want a home warranty at all. IMO they're not good deals unless someone else is paying for it.
Yeah, we did our AC a couple years ago. Everyone we talked to had "interest free" financing. However, they all gave a discount for paying cash. We paid cash, but options are definitely available if you can't.Ryan the Temp said:This. Your best insurance policy if you anticipate major repair or total replacement of an HVAC system is to setup a savings schedule to put aside the money you'll need or identify some good financing options.MAS444 said:
I'd think real hard about whether you want a home warranty at all. IMO they're not good deals unless someone else is paying for it.
AHS is awful. They declined my ac repair due to "normal wear and tear." Declined a plumbing leak after their plumber already cut a hole in my ceiling.
They won't replace your ac if it breaks simply due to old age.
I think they must pad Realtor's pockets for selling the nonsense that they are useful.
They won't replace your ac if it breaks simply due to old age.
I think they must pad Realtor's pockets for selling the nonsense that they are useful.
Home warranties are about as useful as t*ts on a boar hog. Out of all the different houses I've lived in none of them would have benefited from having one.
It the fastest way to get a bottom of the barrel Goodman HVAC system badly install for about the same price as a top of the line Trane/AS/Carrier system. What could go wrong.
They just repair it. And you still have to pay 125/150 per trip, every time.
Do not buy a home warranty. This will be your experience:
1) AC breaks. Forget getting someone out that day or the next. You call the warranty place. Sometime the next day the actual repair company will call to set up a time that is most likely the day after that, at best. So on a 100 degree day, at a minimum you are going to be without AC for 2 days
2) You'll pay $100 just for them to show up
3) they'll attempt to repair with the least effort possible. They'll patch an old system to death
4) If they do need to do a significant repair, they'll find some item that is "not up to code" and the only way to get your repair is to pay an excess for this non-covered work
Save your $$$
1) AC breaks. Forget getting someone out that day or the next. You call the warranty place. Sometime the next day the actual repair company will call to set up a time that is most likely the day after that, at best. So on a 100 degree day, at a minimum you are going to be without AC for 2 days
2) You'll pay $100 just for them to show up
3) they'll attempt to repair with the least effort possible. They'll patch an old system to death
4) If they do need to do a significant repair, they'll find some item that is "not up to code" and the only way to get your repair is to pay an excess for this non-covered work
Save your $$$
My son has been fighting AHS for 9 weeks on a broken AC unit. Constant run around with contractor forgot or parts were ordered but didn't come in or contractor says AHS hasn't approved this. Pass the buck.
My son has been told now that he may be able to "cash out" his warranty and take care of the problem himself. I believe this was their objective all along.
I agree with those who have said DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE WARRANTIES!
My son has been told now that he may be able to "cash out" his warranty and take care of the problem himself. I believe this was their objective all along.
I agree with those who have said DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE WARRANTIES!
If a warranty company is profitable, then the warranties they offer are a bad deal for you. Same as going to Vegas with your bankroll, but Vegas has better odds, food and entertainment.
Warranties provided by OEMs are considered a COST of doing business, not a profit center. They are provided because customers demand them but they lose money for the company.
Companies or business units that are solely focused on warranty and turn a profit means more of their customers pay in vs customers who are provided services in excess of their premiums. They make money on their customers losing money.
Warranties are not insurance. There are insurance coverages for major appliances that are VERY cost effective. Equipment or appliance breakdown coverage. Everyone who likes AC should have this.
Warranties provided by OEMs are considered a COST of doing business, not a profit center. They are provided because customers demand them but they lose money for the company.
Companies or business units that are solely focused on warranty and turn a profit means more of their customers pay in vs customers who are provided services in excess of their premiums. They make money on their customers losing money.
Warranties are not insurance. There are insurance coverages for major appliances that are VERY cost effective. Equipment or appliance breakdown coverage. Everyone who likes AC should have this.
Lol, you're already ****ed. You'll need detailed maintenance records to show you acted within the manufacturers schedule in order for that door to even open. If some big ticket item goes out like the ac, they will find a way out. It is only good to get an incompetent plumber to come out that can every once in a while clear a drain.2ndChanceAg96 said:
I am looking into purchasing some basic insurance to cover my AC system and appliances. I keep hearing American Home Shield is not great. Does anyone with experience have any suggestions? I have a feeling I will need to replace some AC stuff in the near future and would like to cover my rear as much as possible. TIA!
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