Home Warranties

There's no such thing as a good home warranty. They're all scams that leave you with substandard work that costs more than paying it out of pocket.

Put the $500 a year premium plus your co-pays into a maintenance account and draw from that when you need repairs. I guarantee that you'll come out ahead and you won't be stuck with the work of their half-assed contractors.

I got one as an incentive during the closing process on my condo paid for by the seller (you, the tax payer via freddie mac). Love it. I have had them come out to replace the coils in my AC unit, get electrical work done when the previous repair folks had jacked it up in a room, had the refrigerator repaired, and had them handle plumbing issues. It is $100 for the service call each time.

I would have come out ahead if I had paid for it myself. Just my experience.

What do one of these things cost? Only reason I ask is that a current buyer is asking for one and trying to see how much I'll be out. House is in the 180-200k range.

About $500/year

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Any OT'ers have experience with good home warranty companies around LA? To me it seems worth it if you think shite is about to start breaking like my AC unit and stove. Just curious on what good companies/prices are?

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I have 2 homes in Louisiana and both are with American Residential Warranty (ARW).

I suggest using this type of service when the value of the home supports the decision. Mine are newer and one is leased to a great tenant that uses it about 2 weeks/mnth.

I have used it three times (freezer, A/C issue, and hot water heater) The heater was a large issue.

The comment about the repairmen being horrible is untrue. Actually, it was a Sears tech who came and did the freezer (replaced coil). I chose the AC and plumber (they needed immediate attention) and they were fine with that as long as repair guy called them first.

I pay about $45/mnth (per home) with a $55 deductible when someone is called out.

On the leased home, the tenant has the 800 # and doesn't even have to call me if an issue comes up. (She's an OT baller with 5 homes). BTW, she uses this company as well. SO shes fine with paying the $55 as long as issue is taken care of. If shes out of town, I have someone meet the repair guy there. I don't like work and this makes it hassle free for me....to each his own though..

NOTE!: I will say this VERY IMPORTANT tidbit. Always meet the repair guy there and be super nice. When he gets on the phone with the warranty company to verify the price and REASON for the need to repair, they will ask him a bunch of questions trying to pry info out of him that may give them reason to deny the claim. His words are all they have to go on. Simply checking your policy on the broken issue, you will know what needs to be said to them to make it a covered repair......a cold drink or snack goes a long way...

This is exactly why I'm not re-upping. My AC is about to go but it needs to be replaced not repaired a bunch of times at $75 pet visit