Print the value of index0
AHS, American Home Shield I have been made a Victim of American Home Shield ,Do NOT Use this company Memphis Tennessee
AHS (American Home Shield) my family is a family of real-estate professionals and we once recommended this company and until now used them. I recommend you do not use this company and or any of the affiliate companies.
We have been long-term customers for almost 12 years living in the same home with the same heat pump. We have had them come out maybe a 1/2 dozen times for very minor repairs. Then we had one major repair and they used every excuse in the book to avoid fixing the problem.
Our heat pump stopped working during some hot days, we have an infant at home so we became concerned and called in a service call. The tech that came out first looked like a bum and had an unmarked beat up car. My wife was concerned about letting them. When they left they said the compressor was bad and they needed a wire harness and left (never said anything else) just that the parts would be in a couple days.
After a couple days we called them back and they said AHS AMERICAN Home Shield denied the claim. We called and requested a second opinion because they said the unit had urine damage, since we do not have a male dog and never had one we did not understand. Also the tech that came never brought in a tank to test the refrigerant, so how could we have coil damage that he never checked. We think he was a unit person and did not want the big job.
After we noted that the coils were not bad and that we had a full charge. Some basic troubleshooting showed we had a bad compressor. After reporting back to AHS about the compressor they denied the claim again based on Dog urine.. The second company noted that a couple coiling fins at the very bottom maybe 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch had some deterioration but could not speculate on the cause. They still refused the coverage and attempted a force buyout.
This goes on and on and they still refuse to pay and even just come out and fix the compressor. I am willing to start or join a class action against this company.
Patrick
Westerville, Ohio
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Dan
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Sometimes a Necessary Evil
#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, September 04, 2008
Consumer Reports says that some warranties are not necessary. I agree. I had a heat pump on my home for 11 years. Never had any preventive maintenance performed on it except monthly filter changes. To maintain the warranty, the company wanted me to have it serviced twice a year (at about $50 per). Over the 11 years, I would have paid about $1100. It finally failed (plugged expansion valve). Cost of repair by a reliable tech: $475. I spend about $225 on three other techs to fix the problem - they couldn't because of their ineptitude.
Heat pumps and A/C units are sealed units. Unless they leak, they should never need refrigerant; but most techs want to add a little for a charge. The servicing should be a general cleaning of the evap fins and condenser fins and maybe lube of the blower motor.
I take what I would spend on warranties and extended service plans for my A/C, TV, computer, water heater, stove, refrigerator, microwave oven, car and car parts and every other thing I buy and save the money. That money I would use for repairs if or when needed. Buying an extended warranty is a bet you are making. You are betting you're going to collect, the warranty company is betting you're not. In either case, you loose. They have your money and they can deny your claim. You're actually paying for a repair or replacement that may never be needed.
Learned My Lesson
Logan,Utah,
U.S.A.
I too was sold AHS through my realtor.
#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, September 04, 2008
AHS is promoted by many realtors. This need to stop, AHS reflects poorly on realtors.
I have since found a very reputable company. When looking for a new company, look for the following:
1) A company that uses repairmen certified for the unit they are working on. For example, if you have a Lennox air conditioning unit, make sure the repairman is Lennox certified. AHS sends out service people who have signed up with them. Many of these service people are not certified and make their money by finding reasons to deny service. They collect their $55 and move on to the next sucker. they only have to do 5 or 6 of these a day to make good money.
2) Check the Terms and Conditions. There are two phrases typically used under 'Items not Covered' that have totally different meanings. They are:
a) Product not maintained according to manufacturer's specifications.
or
b) Breakdown caused by failure to maintain according to manufacturer's specifications.
It sounds like AHS is using terminology similar to the first phrase to deny your claim. This means that even if your breakdown is not caused by a maintenance issue, if they can find any example of poor maintenance, they will deny your claim.
If AHS used the second method of claims adjustment, they would see the bent fin did not cause the breakdown, but the age of a twelve year old compressor is the cause of the breakdown. Since age is not one the NOT COVERED list, your item would be covered.
I now use a company this adjusts claims using the 2nd method and they have been very fair to me over the years. Don't give up, if you choose the right company you will be well taken care of.