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Houses are a big pain, no doubt about it. Something is always broken, stopped up, leaking or starting to smoke. The idea of a "home warranty" sounds attractive but all too often, the reality is something else, as the complaints in this section show.
Minor appliance repairs can turn into major productions and major repairs are all too often not covered under the "pre-existing condition" clause. So the question is: would you be better off saving the money you'd spend on a warranty and putting it aside to help cover routine maintenance problems?
Henry of Pacheco CA (1/21/03) thinks so:
Their standard plan covers nothing. They won't cover things that can be cleared from your sewer line, they won't cover things that can't be cleared from your sewer line and they won't cover you sewer line at all unless it breaks right under your house.
I'm out three grand to replace the sewer line on the house I just bought, plus carpet cleaning.
Mike of Wetumpka, AL November 6, 2008
Mike of Wetumpka AL (11/06/08)
Home Warranty is a RIP-OFF. Nothing is ever covered. They send a company to evaluate the problem for a 75 fee. If it is covered by warranty, the company gets a reduced payment from Old Republic to make the repair. If not under warranty, they can gouge the consumer. Guess which determination most of their subs make?
In one specific case, they sent an AC contractor out who did NO WORK for the 75, he just determined the problem was not covered by warranty and they wanted an additional 500 for the repair. I had another reputable company check the problem. Service call and repair was 120 (also stated that company called by Old Republic was trying to rip me off.) Further research found that Old Republic does not check their subs; not even a BBB check!
150 in service calls that did no work plus a wasted 399 policy! Michael of Cerritos, CA November 4, 2008
Michael of Cerritos CA (11/04/08)
A home protection policy was provided by the seller of the home I purchased on June 3, 2008 through the escrow. I had a professional inspection prior to escrow closing and the garbage disposal did not leak. It was fine for a month, but started leaking badly in early July. I inspected it and saw water coming out of the unit and also noticed a dent in the bottom of the disposal. I phoned Old Republic and explained all of this thoroughly and because the policy covered a mountain vacation home, they gave me the phone number of the Genera Plumbing to call and make an appointment.
The never mentioned that they would not cover a repair if there was damage present, although since the disposal worked for 4 years since the home was built and made it through the inspection, I believe it was coincidental to the leak. The plumber showed up at the designated time and I told him about the leak and damage I found. He said Old Republic will not cover a repair if there is damage, then called Old Republic to confirm this and then asked me how I wanted to pay the 50 service fee before he left. I refused and asked how much he wanted to replace the disposal and he said he would have charged Old Republic 145 so I paid him out of my pocket for the new disposal, but refused to pay the 50 fee for nothing more than providing a phone number to me.
I have been hounded for months for the 50 trade call fee to the point they are threatening collection action. I have repeatedly requested that they cancel the policy and refund any unused portion of the money for the contract and they have ignored me. I am in the process of filing a small claims lawsuit against them but they have also refused to provide me with a physical address to enable me to serve them.
I could have taken a cash credit rather than allow the seller to purchase this worthless policy. I am also out 145 for the replacement of the disposal. The unit the plumber installed costs 49 at Home Depot. Also, they are threatening to turn this service fee over to collections, which could impact my excellent credit. I have had another negative experience with Old Republic on another mountain home that burned in the 2004 fires in San Bernardino. Tabitha of Lexington, KY November 4, 2008
Tabitha of Lexington KY (11/04/08)
Almost immediately upon moving in, I noticed the diswasher was not cleaning the top rack thoroughly. I changed soaps and tried everything. Nothing worked. I called Old Republic twice and they said it was a pre-existing condition and they weren't sending anyone out. I called my realtor who called the account executive. They said they would send someone out. I paid 50 cash to KY-TN services and the technician wasn't even in my house 10 minutes. All he did was open the dishwasher door, he didn't turn it on or anything. He said the seal was broken and I had hard water. He said because my diswasher was 8 years old, he would recommend Old Republic replace it.
Old republic called the next day and said they weren't repairing it or replacing it and that I need to buy a water softener. Funny how the bottom rack is clean but the top one isn't. After 6 phone calls from me and my realtor, I emailed their account executive for my area and told her I would file a claim with the attorney general and in small claims court if they didn't refund me. She claims they are refunding me in full for the warranty. We'll see if the check shows up.
I lost a total of 440 to them. 50 for the maintenance man to just look at my dishwasher. He didn't fix it. I also am out the 390 the seller of my home paid for the warranty. Amy of Somewhere, FL October 28, 2008
Amy of Somewhere FL (10/28/08)
This warranty replaces nothing and it is always cheaper for me to call my own handy man than pay them the 55 service call. The contractors they use are always late and never follow up.
Steve of Lewisville, TX October 23, 2008
Steve of Lewisville TX (10/23/08)
Plan covers electrical wiring to include electric outlets. I moved in and my washer outlet did not work properly. I talked to the previous owner reported no problems. The inspection report indicated no problems. I was asked a very deceiving line of questions and was told sorrry I could not prove that it was an existing problem? The company did not even send anyone out. How am I supposed to prove that anything is not an existing problem? Told sorry we don't cover
I am out 85.00 to an electrician to come out and fix. Company does not seem concerned about fixing problems, just getting out of fixing problems. Company does not recognize home inspection reports, other companies do. I suggest going with anyone, but Old Republic
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