Home Warranty Recommendations (Howe: appliances, new house, water heater)

[LeagleEagleDFW]

The upstairs A/C unit in our new house is really old (small upstairs) and I don't think it will last too much longer. I need to get a home warranty and all I really care about is making sure they'll replace that without a headache.

Any recommendations? Every company has terrible reviews, it seems.

[ccmusica]

I have always used American Home Shield. They are pretty good. The only glitch may be if they cannot find a comparable model they will offer you cash in lieu of replacement if they can't repair it. The cash they offer is THEIR cost to buy another one, not necessarily retail price. They charge a $75 fee for the repair person to come out to your house.

[mikestrong]

I used American Home shield. They are acceptable.

[BigDGeek]

American Home Shield...have used them since 2009 and it pays for itself every year. They'll fix the AC before they'll replace it and you'd be amazed what they can fix. They always manage to fix mine despite me wanting a new one.

[mSooner]

Not Home Warranty of America.

Regardless, be prepared to sweat it out a few days if your A/C goes in the summer...and it will. They aren't going to replace it immediately and will band aid it if at all possible.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by mSooner

Not Home Warranty of America.

Regardless, be prepared to sweat it out a few days if your A/C goes in the summer...and it will. They aren't going to replace it immediately and will band aid it if at all possible.

+1 to this.

[globe9]

We had Old Republic the first year in our house that seller paid for. We were very happy with them the 2 times we used them on A/C repair. They even sent out a repair guy on July 4th.

We didn't renew with them though b/c it just wasn't worth it to us once we were the ones responsible for the bill. All of our appliances, water heater and HVAC system are pretty new. We're better off just saving the warranty money and taking care of repairs ourselves. Plus we get to choose the company/repair man ourselves.

[richard88]

We got Old Republic too. We got the repair money on the AC too. Not bad. We can choose to get the money or they get the person to do the work. The option of getting the money would be lesser amount than what you would get out of from the total repair worth. However, because we did not get the most comprehensive plan, so there're some hidden things they don't cover for example if the AC evap coil is in the attic, it cost extra and the normal plan don't cover that. You really have to see the coverage lines carefully. Once the AC is out in the Summer in TX, it can be brutal and difficult to get repair person to come on the same day especially if it is from the warranty-assigned-companies.

[nsumner]

I've used Old Republic for years. Rememeber that when you get a warranty, you have to wait at least a month before you can make any claim. Also, make sure that whatever company you choose offers emergency service. You'll be shocked at how many don't have the emergency service.

[LeagleEagleDFW]

Thanks for the suggestions. This is just for the upstairs AC unit, which is about 18 years old. The downstairs one is less than three years old, so it wouldn't be a huge deal with a couple days wait if the upstairs one goes out.