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Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,358
Registered: ‎05-05-2010

Re: Warranty Plans for Home and Automotive Repairs

Regarding home/appliance repair plans, check with your utility (gas and/or electric) provider.  Their plans are better than the stand-alone companies who usually have a high deductible and poor/slow service.  As a single not-handy woman, when I bought my condo I checked reviews on the "home warranty" programs, which were horrible.  I signed up for a protection plan through my electricity provider that covers all my appliances.  No deductible and when I have needed them, they sent reputable local repair companies right away, no additional fee/deductible and the repairs were done right. 

 

Recently, when my hot water heater failed, the repairman was able to fix it and said I should have up to 18 mos. left before the water heater would need to be replaced.  I signed up for additional coverage on my existing plan, for an extra $10/month they will replace the water heater when needed.  Seemed like a no-brainer to me.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,526
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Warranty Plans for Home and Automotive Repairs

Thanks everybody for your input, it has answered a few questions.  Think I'll hold off on enrolling in this type of service.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,906
Registered: ‎06-24-2011

Re: Warranty Plans for Home and Automotive Repairs

For two years 12 years ago, my niece worked as a loan officer in a bank. She said she earned a % for every auto warranty she sold at the closing of an auto loan, and was a good saleswoman in getting people to buy the warranty. She made excellent extra $ selling them.

 

My own experience was with a home warranty. When I lived in the desert, my AC went out in 112 degree weather. The AC repair service associated with the home warranty company couldn't schedule anyone to come to my house for over a week - I would've literally been dead from the heat by then. I called a different AC service that came out the same day - not covered by the warranty.

 

Another time, my garage door opener stopped working. The home warranty company sent someone the following day (I unplugged it & manually opened & closed the door in the meantime). The service person didn't know how to repair or install a new garage door opener! He apologized, but I still had to pay the $75 service call fee. I then called a different garage door company; again, not covered by the home warranty.

 

I don't have a home warranty anymore and probably never will again.