Does anyone use this service? Supposedly, you pay approx $40 to $50 per month and if you need repairs on applicances, A/C, etc, they have a list of contractors to come and check out the problem. You pay an additional $50 or so for service call and then they repair as needed including "free replacement" of appliance if it can't be fixed. I've never purchased any type of warranty like this but of course get stuff in the envelope with my house payment and it made me curious. Good or bad experiences with this service? Thanks

it is ok but coverage is in fine print...read what it doesnt cover

Yep, I have it and use it. I have had the outside unit on my A/C replaced, 50 bucks, electrical issues, 50 bucks, garbage disposal replaced twice(kids throwing stuff in), 50 bucks. Has saved me way more than I have paid in. I bought a house with "issues". I would definately recomend American Home Shield. Its pretty easy to get service and they usually show up within 48 Hrs for me.

I can't remember who we used when we purchased the lake house last year...It was like $300 for the 1 year warranty (we made the seller pay for that) and then we paid the $75 deductible for any calls...Only had to use it 2 times...First time we didn't have to pay the deductible, the realtor covered it and the second time paid for the warranty (a valve went out on the propane furnace at Thanksgiving)...We did have to pay that guy up front and submit a receipt for reimbursement...

+1

Never had something they wouldnt cover yet but yes there are things that wont get covered.

I had it and used it when a leak was found under my house foundation. They paid like $75 for the repair, but I had to pay $1200.00 for access to the leak

It isn't extremely easy to get them to replace they want to fix everything. I ended up letting it lapse and ended up taking the premium money (put some with it) and replaced the A/C and furnace.

They just use local contractors, not a bad deal if you don't mind things being fixed and not replaced.

I have had only pretty average luck with home warranties...specifically American Home Shield. The seller paid for the warranty when we bought this house in 2004. We had a problem with the heat...turned out to be a simple repair...after they came out 3 times. My opinion is they use inferior contractors...most of the better ones do not need to work with these type companies but again that is JMO. A good contractor would have fixed the problem the first time out.

Another time we had a plumbing issue and the people they sent were really bad...they did eventually fix the leak but it was a half azzed repair at best. I requested they replace the outdoor faucet because it would not shut off all the way and their reply was no dice because it is on the outside of the house...I'm serious...

We let the warranty lapse and no way I would pay for incompetent service companies that they subcontract.

I have heard good stories and bad about them but my experience was not good...that said I would still recommend signing with one only if you are buying a different house since unforseen issues could come up if the inspector failed to find them. That would be the only time I would use them...

When we bought our first house, we had the seller pay for 1 year then we kept it for a few more years. It paid off for us as well and that was only on 1 call when our outside A/C unit went out on a Friday. Called HS and they had someone out there that day to check it and they were back on Saturday to replace the unit, all I was out of pocket was $35.

I've used American Home Shield for years with no issues.
>> visit them @ www.AHS.com.
I have used them when buying and/or selling homes.
You can pay a yearly lump sum or make payments.
Good piece of mind.
It's a great tool for homes over 7yrs. old with the "minimum
construction" appliances mentalilty of most general contractors that you're not familiar with.

your homeowners may cover a portion of that.

I have had good luck with American Home Shield. Some of the others...not so much.

It is OK as stated by others, but they ARE an insurance company of sorts, therefore the goal is to take in money and NOT pay out money. They are certainly tough when you have a claim

I recently purchased a warrant through them. It seemed like a no brainer after paying 1000.00 dollars for a AC repair even though the part was warrantied through the original contractor. The refrigerant and labor was not.
I even convinced my sister and dad to buy one for there homes. Dads AC quit the next week. They are giving him some hassle. They claim the inside unit and outside unit are different seer ratings and causing the outside unit to burn up. Hence there is a inproper installation voiding the full warranty. They are willing to replace the bad part one time. They will replace both parts for a increased cost. Then everything would be warrantied.
Were pursuing other avenues now on his repair.
GE issues a home waaranty and someone on our BASS club swears by there customer service.
They do write warrantys though more exspensive than AHS.

[quote= They claim the inside unit and outside unit are different seer ratings and causing the outside unit to burn up. Hence there is a inproper installation voiding the full warranty. [/quote]

Our home warranty provider said the same on AC repair
for us last year. It may well have been the truth,
but we kept pushing and insisting. Finally ended up
about $300.00 out of pocket for an outside unit installed
(of the correct size we're told ). Don't let up on them
as I agree with others, the way they make thier money is
avoiding claim payments however possible.

PK

AHS are in business to NOT pay claims. If some one else is paying for it, fine, but don't expect it to be any great insurance for you against any potential problems the home may have. AHS will find a way to not pay if at all possible or say the problem was pre-existing which they do not cover either.

exactly right. I had the same thing happen. They will not replace a mismatched system.

Exactly!!! If something goes out they try to find every way possible to avoid paying. They will find a "pre existing" condition, or say the unit want properly maintained, or installed incorrectly... they are very good at getting out of paying. I guess it could be a worthwhile thing to have if you buy a new home with all new appliances and such, kinda hard for them to say it was a pre existing condition then!

Man, I dont know why but I have never had any of the issues you guys are talking about. Maybe location? I'm sure the metroplex gets alot more calls on it than the Waco area.

a new home will have it's own warranty as will the appliances...and without paying a $50 copay

Wow guys I wish I would have checked here first. My position with AHS is my dad has a Receipt of a complete new unit installed 6 months prior to policy start date. The AC failed three weeks into policy. He (my father) entered into contract with a new cooling airconditioner. They took payment and issued policy. They did not require an inspection and as a layman we tend to follow if it's working it must be write positioning.
Buy insurance policy in case of mechanical failure.
Now this.
Keep posting folks. Lets here what you have to say.

Guy at work is fighting with them now.

4 Years ago the replaced his A/C unit and botched the job. Something about running lines or ducts too small.

Now it's out again and the A/C company is giving him, the run around. They are having to replace the unit as well as all of the lines or ducts that they screwed up the first time.

This has been going on for at least two weeks now and still no air at his house.