We have had a very negative experience with Home Warranty, Inc. We recently bought a house. We were extremely grateful we purchased the warranty when our dryer stopped working after us being there 5 days. However, based on the experience so far, we are seriously questioning if this warranty is worth it. We called right away when our dryer stopped working. They opened a claim and gave us the name/number for the maintenance company to contact. It took the company 6 days to be able to inspect the dryer. Once they came out, they were very nice and professional. The maintenance company advised that due to the cost of parts and labor, they are recommending the dryer to be replaced. They advised we should have a call by the end of the day and be able to go dryer shopping. We attempted contact, and it was 2 days later we finally heard from Home Warranty, Inc. They advised us they would give us $250 towards a replacement or repairs. Based on what the maintenance company advised, thay would not cover the cost for repairs, and it sure wouldn't cover the cost for a replacement. This was upsetting information.
I reached out to Home Warranty, Inc. to get more information and clarification. The first level employees I spoke with were polite and professional. They were only able to handle within the scope of their position, which is understandable. My call was escalated to Manager named Scott. That was were the negative experience really kicked in. I personally work as a Manager for an insurance company, so I am familiar with his type of role. I will also fully admit that I was not the easiest person to deal with, but I never yelled, used foul language, or made inappropriate comments.
He started with a long explanation of how they determined the $250. I advised I wasn't even necessarily upset about the amount they determined. I explained my question was why are they ignoring the recommendation from the maintenance company they told us to use. The maintenance company recommended replacement instead of repairs. Scott continued to explain they will play for the cost of repairs, and continually failed to answer my question. He finally said they would only replace the dryer if the cost of the repairs exceeded the value of the dryer. I asked if that was stated in the policy, and Scott stated yes. I clarified and said "it states in your policy that the repairs have to exceed the value of the item for you to replace it". He said yes and offered to read the policy. He then read that portion on the policy, and there was no mention of repairs having to exceed the value. I stated that I didn't hear him mention it as he was reading the policy. I asked again if it was in the policy. He again said yes. I stated the policy you just read to me did not mention it. He then said, well... it's up to our discretion. I said oh, okay... so it's not in your policy.... so you lied to me. He became very upset by my comment. I wasn't trying to be rude, but you knowingly gave me incorrect/false information. Call it what you want, that is not appropriate.
Scott then offered to get me to his supervisor Ron, I agreed. He came back and said Ron was on the phone, but I could send an email in to the company with my complaint. I requested to wait on hold to get faster resolution. He proceeded to tell me that was not an option. I would now have to send in a written request and explain how they violated their policy. I explained that didn't seem fair that now I have to comb through the policy to prove they are violating it. He stated he did everything he could and this was my only option. I advised this was not fair treatment, especially after I had just been lied to. He became very upset by my comments, refused the let me speak (he kept talking over me), then hung up the phone on me. I would like to point out again, that I never yelled, used foul language, or made inappropriate comments.
I spoke with her maintenance company again, and they stood by their statement that the dryer should be replaced. This being the maintenance company chosen by Home Warranty, Inc. I called back to Home Warranty, Inc. I was finally able to get my call escalated to Ron (Scott's Manager). He was professional, as was all the first line handlers were. I thanked him for taking my call. He allowed me to explain my situation, and seemed fairly understanding. He stood the statement of giving us $250 for replacement or repairs. However, he provided us with another company who could get the repairs completed for that amount. I advised I didnt care who did the repairs as long as they were done well and safely.
We were able to get an appointment set up with the new maintenance company, and hopefully that will go well. The new maintenance company was very polite and professional as well.
My biggest issue is how this entire situation was handled. It took so long for us to get any resolution. Being told we could only have $250 for repairs or replacement, when that would not cover the cost of either (we also already paid our $100 deductible). Having to spend hours on the phone and escalate it up several levels to finally be given a maintenance company that can complete the repairs at the price they are quoting. Not to mention my horrid conversation with Scott where he was unprofessional and lied to customers.
The jury is still out on whether this warranty was worth it.