Home Warranty recommendations?

Neilk · 06-17-2006, 07:14 AM

Hi,

I am purchasing a house and we need to decide on a Home Warranty provider. I haven't decided on one, but I was wondering if anybody had any advice on what to look for. Also, does anybody have any experience with the following companies?

Old Republic- Home Protection Plan
Nations- Residential Service
Best Home Warranty Company
American Home Shield

I know I need to read the contract language to see what's covered, but the collective brain trust might have some insight on which companies are cooperative with repairs and which make it difficult to get anything fixed on their dime.

Thanks.

yasir · 06-18-2006, 10:25 AM

hmsnational.com : Friend has it and seems to be pretty happy with them.
Countrywide.com : Recently got an invitation from them and since they have my morgage too,i might just go with them..
Later

Pat S · 06-18-2006, 06:14 PM

Had one from GMAC that the sellers paid for. I tried to make 4 claims in the first year, three were denied. The one they did do sucked. They sent a plumber to fix a small slow drip at a joint on a pipe. It was in the unfished basement. Took the professional moron 4hrs to replace 1 90deg elbow and it was so bad that a few months later I redid it all.
I tried to cancel the policy and get a refund on the remaining amount of the premium and they refused saying that since the seller purchased it I couldn't cancel.
Pat

turbo6bar · 06-18-2006, 06:19 PM

home warranty = rip-off

Neilk · 06-18-2006, 06:26 PM

Duly noted... we are buying a home that will probably need a new AC unit in the next 3-5 years. I had illusions of the AC failing in the first year of home ownership and the home warranty covering it. Darn... since the seller is paying for it, I guess I'll get it, but I won't expect ANYTHING to be covered.... aim low, avoid disappointment. I guess it's a CYA for the seller.

Thanks for the advice.

jhelgesen · 06-19-2006, 04:24 AM

I've had good luck with mine, seller paid for a year. 2 claims, 1 electrical (bad gfc receptical), 1 for the ac, (needed recharging). Both covered and paid for. Mine is american home shield.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

For most houses around here the warranties run $300-$400. If that makes the sale go smoother, I say buy it. My realtor paid it for me last time around.

cashflyer · 06-19-2006, 09:03 AM

When I bought my home, I bought the AHS policy for $350 as a "just in case" measure to cover any surprises I found in the first year. I only had one claim when the external AC unit failed. The AHS people were pleasant to deal with, but slow. It took 3 days before they got a service person out. $45 copay is all I had to fork out on a $240 bill.

But do the math: $350 > $240
Was that piece of mind in having the warranty worth the net loss of $110? For me, yes... at least for the first year while I became more familiar with my home.

Joeaksa · 06-19-2006, 09:13 AM

Friend of mine had his complete pool pump unit replaced using the warranty. They were not excited about it but they paid up.

EdT82SC · 06-19-2006, 09:31 AM

You're much better off putting the money you would have spent on the waranty into a savings account account, and use the money when (if) you need a repair. I had three claims in the warany period on my home. One I had to fix right away myself because it was leaking water in an area that would cause damage so I went to home depot, and fixed it myself. The warrany company said they would have covered it if one of their plumbers had fixed it, but they wouldn't even cover the parts I bought. The other two claims were denied. So pretty much worthless for me.