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Started By
Message
Homeowners of the OT: Home warranties
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:31 pm
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:31 pm
I just recently purchased my first home. It’s definitely a starter home but I’m very satisfied with it and excited to make it my own. It was built in 1950 so it’s an older house.
I’ve heard mixed reviews on home warranties. On one hand, I’ve heard that it’s a waste of time/the service is terrible and that I’d be better off just having an emergency rainy day fund. On the other, I’ve heard that it’s a reassuring thing to have, and that it’s saved people a lot of money.
Any advice from you old baws/Bawette’s who have been around the block a time or two would be greatly appreciated
I’ve heard mixed reviews on home warranties. On one hand, I’ve heard that it’s a waste of time/the service is terrible and that I’d be better off just having an emergency rainy day fund. On the other, I’ve heard that it’s a reassuring thing to have, and that it’s saved people a lot of money.
Any advice from you old baws/Bawette’s who have been around the block a time or two would be greatly appreciated
30
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:36 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
The way they spam my mailbox makes me feel like they're full of shite, but I don't know.
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:38 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
I personally want to select who works on things in my house. With a warranty I believe you’ll get whomever is the absolutely cheapest for the warranty company. Most warranties must not be worth the money they cost, or home warranty companies would go out of business.
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:42 pm to Dawgfanman
One came with the house we are in now, and they are mostly useless and a waste of money.
I renewed our's once because I had a friend who is in HVAC and he told me I would soon need new units and it basically kept those units running until I was ready for him to put in a new system. In my case, they lost money on this house.
You don't get to choose who comes out or how quickly they come out. My friend would inspect their work, and generally shake his head. The people they had working looked like they were on their first assignment.
After we put in the new units, I just let it drop.
I renewed our's once because I had a friend who is in HVAC and he told me I would soon need new units and it basically kept those units running until I was ready for him to put in a new system. In my case, they lost money on this house.
You don't get to choose who comes out or how quickly they come out. My friend would inspect their work, and generally shake his head. The people they had working looked like they were on their first assignment.
After we put in the new units, I just let it drop.
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:43 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
My parents had AHS and used it at least once a year. Mostly appliances. If your AC blows in summer you will want it
This post was edited on 4/4/24 at 12:44 pm
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:44 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
I had one and the electrician, garage door company, etc they sent me were meth-head looking clowns. Absolutely clueless and warranty company was no help, can't recall the name.
There are some good companies out there though.
There are some good companies out there though.
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:44 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
I would absolutely not pay for one. We got one "gifted" to us by the sellers. It took us 7-8 months from start to finish to get a new cooktop installed as well as a hood vent. It's been a few years, but I think we still even had to pay a big out of pocket as well. It was a huge crock of shite and a bigger hassle than it was worth, would have been even more pissed if I had paid for the actual warranty.
ETA a big issue with these is that you have to use people they approve as well to do the actual work and for the appliance purchase if needed.
ETA a big issue with these is that you have to use people they approve as well to do the actual work and for the appliance purchase if needed.
This post was edited on 4/4/24 at 12:46 pm
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:46 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
I feel strongly they are a waste of money. They don't cover a ton of things on normal repairs, and the copay's can sometimes be more than an actual repair. The only way they are cost effective is if you have some major repair/equipment replacement. You will still be paying a significant portion, but you will get your money back. Good luck getting that approved though.
The main reason for me though, is the service you get is terrible. You have to use repair companies that the warranty company contracts, and they almost always contract the lowest bidder, cutting corners, trash companies. So even if you luck up and get them to cover lets say a complete HVAC replacement, you have some crap company that probably won't be in business the next year doing the work.
This was my experience, and some others in my family, as well as close friends. Nobody I know that has used them would ever spend money on one again. I won't even take one for free on a home sell negotiation, LOL. Maybe there is a reputable company out there that somebody has had good luck with?
The main reason for me though, is the service you get is terrible. You have to use repair companies that the warranty company contracts, and they almost always contract the lowest bidder, cutting corners, trash companies. So even if you luck up and get them to cover lets say a complete HVAC replacement, you have some crap company that probably won't be in business the next year doing the work.
This was my experience, and some others in my family, as well as close friends. Nobody I know that has used them would ever spend money on one again. I won't even take one for free on a home sell negotiation, LOL. Maybe there is a reputable company out there that somebody has had good luck with?
This post was edited on 4/4/24 at 12:53 pm
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:48 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
Had one for several years and learned it’s basically only good at covering simple relatively inexpensive items like garbage disposals. Any big ticket item they pay as minimal as possible. My last straw was AC unit. Big $ item you’d hope a home warranty would cover. Even though the unit was shot and had to be replaced they would not pay for a whole new unit. They cut me a check for the parts and labor they deemed need repairing even though it was unrepairable. So I needed A 5k new unit and they gave me 1k.
Given cost of the warranty it was not worth it to keep it. Got my check and cancelled.
Given cost of the warranty it was not worth it to keep it. Got my check and cancelled.
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:53 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
99% of the time anything with the word ‘warranty’ in it followed by a cost is not worth the shite that comes out of a dogs arse.
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:55 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
quote:
it’s a waste of time/the service is terrible
and a waste of money
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:56 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
(no message)
This post was edited on 4/20/24 at 4:58 pm
Posted on 4/4/24 at 12:58 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
cheapest of the cheapest service...waste IMO
Posted on 4/4/24 at 1:13 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
Brother in law bought a house built in the 1850s and they replaced his AC unit after it went out. Another friend had a washer die, and they refused to replace it and it took them
about 3 months to fix it.
So, I'm going to say the most likely way you come out ahead on it is if the AC goes out. Then you're still at the mercy of the home warranty company to fix the issue in a timely manner.
about 3 months to fix it.
So, I'm going to say the most likely way you come out ahead on it is if the AC goes out. Then you're still at the mercy of the home warranty company to fix the issue in a timely manner.
Posted on 4/4/24 at 1:23 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
Bought a house that seller provided 1 year warranty on
1st week fridge went out
They sent someone, said part x was needed
They sent someone with a different company with part x
Part x did not fix fridge
They sent someone, I WFH, company said no one was home
They sent someone from original company that said new fridge was needed
Had to wait another week for paperwork to buy new fridge, amount provided did not cover entire cost of new fridge
All in all it was about 6 weeks
Never filed another claim, just bought what we needed (garbage disposal & oven) & did not renew
1st week fridge went out
They sent someone, said part x was needed
They sent someone with a different company with part x
Part x did not fix fridge
They sent someone, I WFH, company said no one was home
They sent someone from original company that said new fridge was needed
Had to wait another week for paperwork to buy new fridge, amount provided did not cover entire cost of new fridge
All in all it was about 6 weeks
Never filed another claim, just bought what we needed (garbage disposal & oven) & did not renew
Posted on 4/4/24 at 1:24 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
First of all, congrats.
We had a home warranty, and kept it for however long the initial policy lasted. We never used it.
My buddy had a home warranty, and they had to replace his AC that went out during the warranty period. I believe he paid a deductible.
I'd say pay for the warranty just in case. Especially since your house is so old. Once the warranty period is up, its up to you whether or not you want to renew it.
We had a home warranty, and kept it for however long the initial policy lasted. We never used it.
My buddy had a home warranty, and they had to replace his AC that went out during the warranty period. I believe he paid a deductible.
I'd say pay for the warranty just in case. Especially since your house is so old. Once the warranty period is up, its up to you whether or not you want to renew it.
Posted on 4/4/24 at 1:27 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
As first home buyer I'd assume you are pushing to make all the bills/mortages because I was at that perior in life. I'd keep or get the insurance for the first year just as a safety net. After that keep building your rainy day fund so you can cover those expenses when something breaks...but having it that first year is a good safety net until you get a feel for homeownership and situation of this house.
Posted on 4/4/24 at 1:28 pm to LSUJML
I had a very similar experience. Called for a plumber once and an hvac company once. New companies/looked like it was the first day on the job. I declined having them do the repair and paid reputable compnies to complete them instead.
Posted on 4/4/24 at 1:35 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
I'll tell you my experiences and you decide from there
AHS - all customer service is over seas ( Philippines?) and is a scripted patronizing communication.." I see you are frustrated, I want to help you" will be quoted about 20x a call. Their customer service is front line of contact fodder and I never found a way past them.
The actual service wasnt any better
It was 101 degrees one summer and AC died. I called AHS and they could get someone out in 3 days it was their contractual time frame. Temp has to be 104 for them to use an emergency clause to get someone out sooner and yes the customer service agent pulled up the c weather forecast. I went outside of AHS and got someone there the next day ... Cost me about 220-230 but I would have paid and AHS service fee of $125 ( in addition to the $48 I was paying every month).
I had about 5..6 service issues on that AC so over the course of 7 years I paid roughly 4000 in premiums and $750 in service call charges
AHS - all customer service is over seas ( Philippines?) and is a scripted patronizing communication.." I see you are frustrated, I want to help you" will be quoted about 20x a call. Their customer service is front line of contact fodder and I never found a way past them.
The actual service wasnt any better
It was 101 degrees one summer and AC died. I called AHS and they could get someone out in 3 days it was their contractual time frame. Temp has to be 104 for them to use an emergency clause to get someone out sooner and yes the customer service agent pulled up the c weather forecast. I went outside of AHS and got someone there the next day ... Cost me about 220-230 but I would have paid and AHS service fee of $125 ( in addition to the $48 I was paying every month).
I had about 5..6 service issues on that AC so over the course of 7 years I paid roughly 4000 in premiums and $750 in service call charges
Posted on 4/4/24 at 1:41 pm to Jeb Busch Lite
I have AHS and am about to cancel it... it's $80 a month and when I factor in the $1,000 a year I don't feel like I'm ahead. I have 2 big issues with it
1. timing: as other have elluded to THEY decide when someone gets sent out to your house. You're AC breaks in August...could be 2-3 days to LOOK at it. I've ended up calling an AC guy and footing the bill to have it fixed that day...so then why am I paying them... I come out ahead if I need a total replacement but by then I probably will have spent the cost of a new unit non the subscription plus paying my own service calls.
2. quality of contractors: They may foot the bill, but they will save costs by sending out the cheapest bidders. I had my water heater fail and leak (bonus...it's in my attic) They of course said it would be a few days before someone came to look at it so I had to get up there and drain it myself to minimize the damage. Spent 3 days without hot water while they took their time and eventually did get a full replacment but the dipshit who did it stepped through my living room ceiling. well apparently one of the things we signed while getting reayd for work and them starting to work on it was a liability release...a-hole refsued to pay a dime for anything...said take me to court mf... so there I was hole in my ceiling that I had to fix out of pocket and the headache of this repair taking forever to complete...all while we had a newborn.
I got a free new water heater, but ended up wishing i had just paid for it myself.
1. timing: as other have elluded to THEY decide when someone gets sent out to your house. You're AC breaks in August...could be 2-3 days to LOOK at it. I've ended up calling an AC guy and footing the bill to have it fixed that day...so then why am I paying them... I come out ahead if I need a total replacement but by then I probably will have spent the cost of a new unit non the subscription plus paying my own service calls.
2. quality of contractors: They may foot the bill, but they will save costs by sending out the cheapest bidders. I had my water heater fail and leak (bonus...it's in my attic) They of course said it would be a few days before someone came to look at it so I had to get up there and drain it myself to minimize the damage. Spent 3 days without hot water while they took their time and eventually did get a full replacment but the dipshit who did it stepped through my living room ceiling. well apparently one of the things we signed while getting reayd for work and them starting to work on it was a liability release...a-hole refsued to pay a dime for anything...said take me to court mf... so there I was hole in my ceiling that I had to fix out of pocket and the headache of this repair taking forever to complete...all while we had a newborn.
I got a free new water heater, but ended up wishing i had just paid for it myself.
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