home warranty companies

[robbie]

We bought a home warranty and have it charged every month. Last year Called for furnace service and they said it wouldn't be covered because it wasn't properly cleaned. We had a furnace clean and check up every fall.
Now we had to call for plumbing problems upstairs and guess what, they can't cover it because they don't see a cleanout trap on the main line. I wonder if these companies find some reason not to cover most of the claims. Close to calling a lawyer. The company is AHS (American Home Shield). The guy snaked the shower and sink but not the toilet. He opened up the drywall in the ceiling below then noticed no trap. Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with them. Thanks

 

[flyingdog]

Looks like you are not the only one. Click here for others that agree. Then google American Home Shield scam. Sorry for your troubles. We have had several home warranties and for the most part they have been good to us. GL.

 

[united]

AHS is one of the best warranty companies you can have. I deal with just about all of them on a day to day basis and they are one of the best. Now all warranty companies are pretty particular on maintenance so you have to make sure you keep up with it. If you are having the units serviced and they are denying the claim due to lack of maintenance, then maybe you should be asking the company that is doing the maintenance. I can't say anything about the plumbing issues because that is something I do not deal with. Also read your contract, it will specify everything that is not covered in your home, there are different contracts that cover more or less.

 

[somdrenter]

I wonder if these companies find some reason not to cover most of the claims.

Yep.

 

[united]

Yep.

Its not that they try to find ways to not cover things, if people would read their contracts before signing them, then there would be no issue. I rarely deny anything that comes across my desk. It is the homeowners responsibility to read the contract and follow through with its conditions. I don't understand why everyone needs to put blame on the warranty company? If you feel that you have read and understood the contract and you signed it and kept up with all the conditions of the contract and were still denied than you have legal rights.

 

[somdrenter]

Its not that they try to find ways to not cover things, if people would read their contracts before signing them, then there would be no issue. I rarely deny anything that comes across my desk. It is the homeowners responsibility to read the contract and follow through with its conditions. I don't understand why everyone needs to put blame on the warranty company? If you feel that you have read and understood the contract and you signed it and kept up with all the conditions of the contract and were still denied than you have legal rights.

I withdraw my statement. You are correct. If one does read the contract, one would find little that the contract covers or, stipulations that would make almost any claim void. (i.e. foundation, but not damage from settling or water; plumbing, but not fixtures or joints)

 

[ProfMoneyWise]

I recommend keeping 1% - 3% of your home's value in a separate account for home maintenance and upkeep. This is separate from your Emergency Fund of six months (minimum) living expenses for major life malfunctions.

In a sense, you become self insured against things home warranties typically cover and the need for the extended warranties becomes moot.

 

[Baja28]

I recommend keeping 1% - 3% of your home's value in a separate account for home maintenance and upkeep. This is separate from your Emergency Fund of six months (minimum) living expenses for major life malfunctions.

In a sense, you become self insured against things home warranties typically cover and the need for the extended warranties becomes moot.

Extended or home warranties of any kind are a waste of $$.

 

[Abby_]

Complete waste of money and time. You can learn to fix most things yourself...that's what we've done.

Extended or home warranties of any kind are a waste of $$.

 

[Sonsie]

Extended or home warranties of any kind are a waste of $$.

It was state law we had to get one for a year when we purchased our new home. We had a giant AC failure and had to have the system replaced. Long story short, we tried to get at least partial reimbursement to no avail, after many calls, emails, info sent to them over and over, they refused to pay a dime. Complete rip off, they must have a hell of a lobby to be made mandatory on home purchases.

 

[robbie]

Thanks for all the reply. Hubby spent 10 hrs. today fixing everything. They still refuse to fix it. I am cancelling this week and am peaved about the payments I have sent. Hubby can fix most everything but we are very busy and getting to the age where this contract appealed to us as far as not having to deal with a lot. We also have two furnaces and air units so just one being replaced is an expense.
I feel sorry for senior citizens and the like who get this thinking it helps them manage and they get ripped off too.

 

[ranger]

If the house is not to old there should be a clean out before the drain exits the house or just outside the house.

 

[susanhu1]

Ahs is a good company however your furnace is like your car the oil needs to be changed. Air conditioners and heaters need maintance. If it has been a year or two you probably could not tell but after that you can. You need your system cleaned twice a year at least just like a car. The system is not working right because you have not taken care of it. Call your local company and they can explain all this to you.

 

[Baja28]

Ahs is a good company however your furnace is like your car the oil needs to be changed. Air conditioners and heaters need maintance. If it has been a year or two you probably could not tell but after that you can. You need your system cleaned twice a year at least just like a car. The system is not working right because you have not taken care of it. Call your local company and they can explain all this to you.

Excuse me???????

 

[somdrenter]

Excuse me???????

If the contract stipulates that the homeowner change the oil in the furnace twice a year, change filters daily, make all electrical contacts gold plated, be blessed by a Tibetan Monk thrice per annum and these measures were not taken, the homeowner has voided the contract.

As united pointed out, the insurance company can specify anything in the contract. It’s up to the homeowner to read and understand the contract before signing.

 

[itsbob]

We bought a home warranty and have it charged every month. Last year Called for furnace service and they said it wouldn't be covered because it wasn't properly cleaned. We had a furnace clean and check up every fall.
Now we had to call for plumbing problems upstairs and guess what, they can't cover it because they don't see a cleanout trap on the main line. I wonder if these companies find some reason not to cover most of the claims. Close to calling a lawyer. The company is AHS (American Home Shield). The guy snaked the shower and sink but not the toilet. He opened up the drywall in the ceiling below then noticed no trap. Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with them. Thanks

Who sold you the warranty?

If it's a real estate company that sold it to you, I'd go after them for selling you a faulty product, and ask them nicely (the first time) to cover your costs the warranty company refuses too..

For example, how in the world is a home owner supposed to know there is no trap in the line behind the wall.. and why in the world would a plumber share that information with a warranty company?

One of the purposes of a warranty (my belief anyways) is to protect you from an unscrupulous builder that my not have done things right, or to code, or to protect you from previous owners that didn't do the maintenance they should have. Saying you aren't covered for lack of maintenance? how do they know what kind of service you've had done, or is it just threir canned response hoping you'll just accept is as fact and let it go.

Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, if you ride out into the sunset quietly you'll never see a dime.