Home Warranty Companies

[Hank Camacho]

Any one have any luck with one of these?

The missus bought a policy from American Home Shield. I'm fairly handy and my family is in construction so I am of the opinion that it is unnecessary. But she is an extreme worrywart and this is our first time purchasing after living in well-run apartment complexes for years where repairs were just a phone call away.

The experience has been absolutely awful (probably one of my worst buying experiences ever) and the missus has finally agreed to cancel the service.

That said, I am not opposed to the idea of a home warranty through another company if it makes her sleep better and the promise of easy home repairs being just a call away actually happens.

If anyone has any recommendations, I would appreciate it.

 

[mashburned]

Why don't you just tell us about home warranties.

 

[Ron Mehico]

As a home owner for 3 years now I have no idea what the hell youre talking about.

 

[DSmith21]

Don't waste your money. Pro marriage tip: If the missus insists, agree provided that she invites her hottest friend over for a 3 way. That would be worth the money.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/09/why-you-should-avoid-home-warranties/index.htm

https://www.moneytalksnews.com/are-home-warranties-worth-the-money/

 

[BBdK]

Receiving one courtesy of the seller is fairly common, but actually purchasing one yourself? :eyes:


They are absolutely garbage. "Easy home repairs" are definitely not "a call away".

They're 27 calls, an incompetent repair company, ******** estimates, and threatening lawsuits to finally get adequate work done ...and then if you're LUCKY, your issue will be resolved...away.

 

[LordEgg_rivals16573]

My gay neighbors have a home warranty. It's paid out on a busted garage door opener, a lightning induced refrigerator failure, some **** with their down stairs air conditioner unit and a couple other things. Think it's like 100 dollar deductible for any damage if approved as covered.

 

[Hank Camacho]

Receiving one courtesy of the seller is fairly common, but actually purchasing one yourself? :eyes:


They are absolutely garbage. "Easy home repairs" are definitely not "a call away".

They're 27 calls, an incompetent repair company, ******** estimates, and threatening lawsuits to finally get adequate work done ...and then if you're LUCKY, your issue will be resolved.

That was our experience. And the shortest wait time on hold to ever talk to someone was 90 minutes.

Just terrible.

It seems like a great idea but I've never heard of anyone actually having a good experience.

 

[Get Buckets]

Receiving one courtesy of the seller is fairly common, but actually purchasing one yourself? :eyes:


They are absolutely garbage. "Easy home repairs" are definitely not "a call away".

They're 27 calls, an incompetent repair company, ******** estimates, and threatening lawsuits to finally get adequate work done ...and then if you're LUCKY, your issue will be resolved...away.

My experience as well.

 

[buckethead1978]

Home warranties are for dumbasses.

 

[CrittendenWildcat]

Home warranties are for dumbasses.

Given one as part of purchase. Tried to use it twice, both times I had repaired the problems myself before getting a call back. If you desire any kind of service under your policy, you will need the patience of Job. Invest in stocks instead. Even if the stock market goes south and loses half it's value, you will still come out ahead, because those things are damn near worthless.

 

[Deeeefense]

My policy on any type of service contract be it home warranties, extended auto warranties, product warranties etc. is don't buy any of them. Instead self-indemnify. When you do need a repair you can select the contractor or vendor you want without a hassle - no calling and begging. You may lose a few dollars on some but you will win on many more because you'll never use them and at the end of the day you will be many dollars ahead.

 

[UKGrad93]

I've owned two new houses that came with the one year builders warranty. Absolutely worthless. They just brushed off the few things that I called about.

I've learned to fix most things myself. I've had success with hiring a plumber, a contractor and garage door repairman once. Mostly it's just a hassle to find anybody when things break.

My guess is that you should really just move to a new house every 5-7 years.

 

[anthonys735]

^For minor stuff they're not too bad. For big stuff they rarely want to actually fix the issue or consider it preexisting. They've run off most the decent contractors because they pay awful, pay slow and the amount of red tape required to get paid isn't worth it. If you have one, like BBdk said, dig in and be patient. You'll eventually get a decent payout for what you're looking for.

 

[BBUK_anon]

The home I just bought came with a home warranty. I think it is with the same as the OP. The homes about 12 years old and our double oven went out. It cost us $100.00 bucks and about 8 weeks fighting them but they replaced the electronics. The rest is in fine shape and is about a 2500 dollar oven but so far so good.

 

[LordEgg_rivals16573]

I sold a house about a decade ago over by Lafayette high school. As an additional incentive I thought might help - turned out I didn't need it - I bought some five hundred dollar fix-anything home warranty from my realtor or someone they were affiliated with. About a year later I ran into my realtor and they asked if the buyer had ever contacted me. Half drunk and twice paranoid I pressed them for what happened. Turned out the 1945 **** pipes evaporated around the time of sale and the cost was upwards of 15 grand for a total excavation and re laying pipe, etc. According to realtor the damn warranty paid for all of it. Salute!