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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 22, 2022 11:47:13 GMT -5
I think we've done this already and the predominant opinion was they're a scam and mostly a selling feature when putting your home on the market. My home came with a warranty with American Home Shield and we had a couple repairs. Dryer and refrigerator and aside from slow response and parts issues repairs were fully covered. Rates went up, shopped around and did some research. Choice Home Warranty came up as the clear winner. Got 14 months for substantially less than AHS. Never had a claim. Our son did the same and within months had his fridge and AC unit go out. Absolute nightmare with back and forth, refusals to cover, wrong parts repeatedly ordered for fridge (which was down for over a month!). His AC system had to be replaced and end result was Choice covered about a 3rd of the cost. Now that is far from what I would have expected but still more than the cost of the policy. Digging deeper there are a lot of similar experiences with this company and I'm guessing they're somehow paying Google for the high recommendations.
Just curious if any of you have had a positive experience and/or opinions on specific companies. I'm not sure I'm going to renew at a special discounted rate (which is $100 more than last year), but my AC unit is aging and I'd hate to gamble any help away.
Thoughts?
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Mar 22, 2022 11:59:58 GMT -5
Any product warranty you pay for is gambling in its simplest form--you are betting the item is going to fail.
If it does break within a reasonable amount of time, you win. If it somehow soldiers on and calls you a liar, you lose.
The only time I've ever used a home appliance warranty is when buying or selling a house. It's a bargaining chip that provides some peace of mind. I have never extended one of these warranties. I would guess the only time it makes sense to keep one of these programs running is if the person has no financial cushion. But then over the long term, that person would pay into the program more than they get out of it.
And this type of program is not really a product warranty. It's insurance, just like medical and dental.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Mar 22, 2022 12:00:32 GMT -5
I don’t have a whole home warranty, but have one on the HVAC system with HomeServe. It has cost me about $800 this far and has saved me about $3,000 in service calls and repairs. So I’m up $2,200.
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Post by rickyguitar on Mar 22, 2022 13:26:38 GMT -5
We had a home warranty on the house we are in now. When the water heater went out it was difficult to find someone to do the work because they just did not pay enough for the work.
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Post by slacker 🐨 on Mar 22, 2022 13:55:05 GMT -5
One came with the purchase of our home in the summer of 2019. We did have some issues (central vac, whole house humidifier, viking range, and refrigerator). They fixed the fridge, range and humidifier, but dodged the central vac saying it was normal wear and tear. It was nice since we were buying a 19 year old home with some aging appliances, but I would never pay for one.
Like Peegoo said, it's gambling. I can afford to be "self-insured" on that stuff plus I would expect them to weasel out of some, if not all, of any significant issue anyway.
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Post by Leftee on Mar 22, 2022 14:05:46 GMT -5
Good move not going with AHS. I’ve had experience with them and I don’t recommend.
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Post by Leftee on Mar 22, 2022 14:06:46 GMT -5
We had a home warranty on the house we are in now. When the water heater went out it was difficult to find someone to do the work because they just did not pay enough for the work. And the guys they do find that will come out… well… It’s much better they didn’t. |
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 23, 2022 9:29:58 GMT -5
Man, these people are relentless. At least 2 calls a day, texts and emails, all from different sales agents. I finally responded to one of the emails. "Hi James,
Our policy was $480 last year with an extended 2 months. We have not to-date made any claims. I don't see how a 20% increase equates a "promotional offer". Unless Choice can match these same terms ($480/yr + 2 months) we will elect not to renew. Please advise your colleagues as the barrage of solicitations from Choice has been pretty demonstrative.
Please confine future offers and communications to email. Thank you for your understanding."
I'm not sure I'll even renew if they match last year's rates, just curious how this will play out. Not holding my breath.
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Post by tahitijack on Mar 26, 2022 12:08:28 GMT -5
Useless. Our policy had too many exclusions. When we had a claim for a water leak their inspector looked at it and said the cost of repairs was less than the $100 deductible. I said fine I'll pay the $100 go ahead and make the repairs. He told me they don't do that.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Mar 26, 2022 12:44:34 GMT -5
Well they bit on my counter offer of no price increase. I'm gambling here a bit and it's all hinging on the age of my AC unit. Also my fridge. I know I won't pay just the service call fee if either have to be replaced, but I'd expect the policy to pay for itself in that case. After this year I'm done. While we have no immediate plans to move it's being discussed. Our quiet gated neighborhood is showing some signs of things to come. Most of the homes being sold are being bought by "investors" and rented out. Suddenly these homes have 6 cars in the garage, driveway and street and appear to be inhabited by multiple adults. Not my thing, not interested in seeing my investment deteriorate.
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Post by Leftee on Mar 26, 2022 14:57:13 GMT -5
^ I hate when that happens. ^
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