Which Home Warranty Company Do You Suggest?

[leekellerking]

Okay, as you should know by now, we are closing on a home in New Territory next Wednesday and I need to pick a home warranty company. I am perusing the brochures our agent gave me (including the one in Spanish!) and wanted some guidance from the GroupMind (tm).

So, what home warranty company do YOU use? (see poll)


Thanks,


Lee

[buck000]

We had American Home Shield for a few years, but decided to forego them this year, because they raised their per-visit rate, and we just figured we'd chance things on our 10 y.o. house this year.

I'm not voting for American Home Shield in your poll, but neither do I particularly recommend against them. The contractors that did come were reasonably competent, as far as I can tell.

Best of luck...

[Kidder]

We have American Home Shield and have been very satisified with their services!

They have fixed everything from our microwave, to A/C repair, to dishwasher repair.

[Gixxer Geezer]

well what ever you do.. stay away from Home Warranty of America...my central heat went out late monday night.. called them and they gave me some a/c heat guy from Angleton.. I am in Alvin, called him for about 8 hours only to get a voice mail.. then he called me back and said he hasnt had a contract with them since last year.. good record keepin on their part huh? then they get some guy in Galveston.. he shows up about 8 hours later and tells me what wrong with my heat.. but he dont have the part and will have to order it.. this was wednesday.. ok today is Saturday and he says the part is in an he is going to schedule someone to come put it in.. its almost 4:00 Sat. and no one yet.. bet he dont show.. this sucks big time.. so save your money in a cookie jar and when something happens.. hire your own guys and get it done....where's those space heaters... going down in the 30's tonight..:eek2:

[Fbronco86]

I use state farm.

[ben1364]

<snip>

So, what home warranty company do YOU use? (see poll)

Lee

We have Old Republic and have been pleased to date. We have had a couple claims that were handled promptly, courteously and satisfactorily. This is the first time we have purchased a home warranty service.
Ben White/The Hills, TX

[azoomm]

American Home Shield.

In my last job, that was the company that covered all the homes we sold. They had fantastic response times and customer support.

[mjacks]

How old is the house and the mechanicals/appliances? If it is a fairly new home I personally would roll the dice and keep the money in my pocket. My house is older but for all intents and purposes all the mechanicals are pretty new.

edit: If the seller is paying for the warranty in the closing costs, go for it. That is what I did when I bought my house.

[STryder]

We were provided with a one year American Home Shield warranty when we closed on our house 4 years ago and we've renewed it ever since.

We've had pretty good service from them. The service providers (plumbers/ a/c tech and such) are assigned on a rotating basis and we've had a couple dufus's (dufi?), but the response from the AHS folks has been good.

They did change their service charge this year and added a couple of exclusions that made us think about not renewing. We did eventually renew due to the overall good service that they have provided. But, read the coverages carefully.

[Woodys650]

HMS National Home Warranty Services. They replaced almost all plumbing in one of our old houses (including some fixtures). Would have run around $3k. We paid a $75 deductible. It was an old house we knew would have problems and they were awesome. We still carry HMS, 8 years later, on a rental property we kept up in Nebraska. Swear by them.

[Plane Dr]

I have yet to see a "warranty" program that was good value. The majority of the ones I have seen are bordering on scams.

My world is contribute steadily and continually to savings so if you need it you have it. Otherwise you are just giving your money away. My 2 cents anyway.