Home Warranties

[STRONGNUFF]

Had them when I had my house, and they were okay. Water heater went out and they wanted to charge me a bunch of BS to get it in code and have a fucking permit and shit. Had one of my friends that has a contracting company fix it, faxed them all the receipts and they paid in full minus the $50 call fee or whatever.

I guess I've been lucky so far, every claim: from Pool equipment to Complete air handler's, water heater ect has been covered 100% minus my $60 service call fee with no questions asked.
<---Knocks on wood

[kingjason]

See above for the important part of these posts. 25 years old, 1962, and 7 years old. If your house/appliances are older, then it may make since. If not, then just save the money yourself.

Cost of new dryer at Home Depot: $800 or so. Cost of home warranty for 7 years > $2000. You do the math.

Oh I get it and I am slowly replacing all my applainces with new. The last house I bought got a full remodel and all new everything top to bottom. I still got the home warranty there was no choice. So I called them and received a nice 400.00 check when I canceled.

You would still lose that argument on a full AC replacement.

[talisman]

Yeah, what always concerned me was the entire AC or heating system taking a dump. That can get expensive fast. Everything else was just a bonus. I think I ended up about breaking even for the few years I had my house, but it had some older equipment in it.

[GeorgeG.]

I wouldn't pay for it after the 1st year paid by the seller. Like mentioned above, water heaters will probably need to be brought up to code (not covered), misc stuff with AC repairs weren't covered in the past with me. That's about all I had used it for, for the few years I had it. With the cost of $400/yr, + all the bs they didn't cover, I figured it would be better to just pocket that money and not renew.

[juiceweezl]

Oh I get it and I am slowly replacing all my applainces with new. The last house I bought got a full remodel and all new everything top to bottom. I still got the home warranty there was no choice. So I called them and received a nice 400.00 check when I canceled.

You would still lose that argument on a full AC replacement.

Depends on the way they enforce the contract. I turned a house I bought in 2001 into a rental. AHS warranty let's say averages $375 a year for the 11 years I've owned the home. Add in required service calls and then the other fees. Let's do the math.

11 * $375 = $4125 (and it's probably more per year than this -- I know my new house is)
11 * $200 (annual service and cleaning) = $2200
1 * $60 (claim fee/co pay) = $60
1 * $300 (fee they'll charge for code compliance/scam) = $300
Total = $6685 out of pocket over an 11 year period.

Depending on the severity of the repair/replacement, monies used for tax deductions or claimed for "green" upgrades, etc., you may be able to replace the compressor for less than that. A furnace, evaporator, and compressor may run you more, but who's to say they'll cover all of that without the hassles? Anyway, I'll take the gamble and hold on to my own money rather than paying an escrow in case I need a repair. Remember, they are a profitable company. I'll cross my fingers and bury mason jars myself. Just my .02.

[BradM]

I've used American home shield the past seven years with no complaints.

X2 7 years, no complaints. Have probably saved me around 2k including all the service calls/monthly billing.

[Special K]

See above for the important part of these posts. 25 years old, 1962, and 7 years old. If your house/appliances are older, then it may make since. If not, then just save the money yourself.

Cost of new dryer at Home Depot: $800 or so. Cost of home warranty for 7 years > $2000. You do the math.

My point was that my warranty company has paid for everything that has gone wrong with our home regardless of age, length of ownership etc. They have never balked at a repair. Additionally, for whatever reason we have a 4 ton outside unit with a 5 ton unit in the attic which became an issue when it needed to be replaced. They could have voided the warranty and walked away but instead they made it work and we were able to have us some heat that first winter an every winter after that.

Having an older home, I find value in the home warranty.

[white trash wagon]

A new water heater is like $250 and easy to replace. Same with a dishwasher, etc. I'd keep it for one year since the seller is paying it, but I would not renew.

You haven't priced appliances in quite a while. I replaced a gas 50 gal hot water heater 2 years ago. The cheapest at Home Depot was $398 & it had HORRIBLE ratings, next step up was $598. Electrics are usually higher. Decent dishwasher start at $400.

[juiceweezl]

Having an older home, I find value in the home warranty.

Exactly what I stated above -- it's worth it for an older home or older appliances. Once I had replaced stuff though, I'd discontinue with it. New stuff should last beyond its warranty period.

[juiceweezl]

You haven't priced appliances in quite a while. I replaced a gas 50 gal hot water heater 2 years ago. The cheapest at Home Depot was $398 & it had HORRIBLE ratings, next step up was $598. Electrics are usually higher. Decent dishwasher start at $400.

I see them for $3-400 for electrics. Gas is always going to be higher. I replaced one about 2.5-3 years ago at my rental. I paid like $220 for the thing and changed it myself in less than half an hour with some PVC glue and piping. Dishwashers can be had for below $400, especially if you shop around and use discount houses. Appliances are like flooring and many other construction items -- it depends on how much you want to spend.

Still, even more to my point -- you cited 2 major appliances that have a combined cost of less than $1K. Basically go 2 years without a claim and you can pay cash for the items. I hope you also know that purchasing something with your credit card can extend the warranty on items and double it in many cases. I'll say it one more time -- if your shit is old, get the warranty. If your shit is newer and you know how to do maintenance (like changing filters, washing off the screens around the compressor, etc.), then don't get it.

[juiceweezl]

You haven't priced appliances in quite a while. I replaced a gas 50 gal hot water heater 2 years ago. The cheapest at Home Depot was $398 & it had HORRIBLE ratings, next step up was $598. Electrics are usually higher. Decent dishwasher start at $400.

Not that I'm saying what's decent or not, but here's a stainless steel Jenn-Air dishwasher for $350 on CL.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/app/3267689217.html

Besides, I married a dishwasher!!!!!

[Forever_frost]

I have American Home Shield. 40 bucks a month and pretty much everything from the AC to the fridge is covered. I've actually had them working on my AC several times, you just pay the service charge and you're good

[kidcapri]

American Home Shield here and very happy with the cost and service. They just replaced my 80 gal water heater(with code upgrades) for only the service call cost. They have covered 3 A/C service calls and replaced my upstairs heating unit as well. Oh, I almost forgot, they have covered 2 garage door service calls also. 2 thumbs up from me. The bill for the water heater was $1,100 and it cost me $65