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AHS Complaint - AHS isn't worth your money - Service request - hot water heater
Service request - hot water heater - Complaint
I purchased a home with an AHS home warranty on 9/30/10 (contract # 23242654). On 10/7/10, the hot water heater stopped working (the flame had gone out and would not re-ignite). By chance, I had a licensed plumber installing a water line for my refrigerator that day. He tried to light the flame, but it would not light. He examined the unit and said the inside of the unit was corroded and leaking internally and thus, the unit’s flame was extinguished and would not re-ignite.
I called AHS on 10/7/10 to have the unit repaired or replaced. Abbey Plumbing came to my home on 10/7/10 to examine the unit. I believe the repair man’s name was Dan, who wasn’t in a good mood. He was actually handling a personal call most of the time he was at my home, arguing with someone on his cell phone. He thought the issue was caused by water damage/flooding after seeing some staining at the bottom of the basement walls (I’ve been in the house for almost 2 months, and the walls always look that way). Plus, the unit was working when I took ownership on 9/30/2010 and the basement did not flood while I’ve been in the house. Additionally, the Seller’s Disclosure stated that there has not been flooding/water accumulation in the basement in the past.
AHS called me a few hours later to say the repair was not covered due to water damage, and it would cost me +$500 just to replace the igniter and it would be another week until the part would arrive and he can schedule my repair. I informed the agent that another plumber had a different diagnose and she said I could pay another $60 service fee to have another AHS plumber assess the issue a couple days later. Or, I could dispute the assesment, which would take several days and I would be without hot water for a couple more weeks during this review process. She also said I could have it fixed, then dispute their claim afterwards.
As a result, I called the other plumber for pricing and he said the +$500 cost was outrageous (and it wouldn’t fix the real issue) and he could replace the entire unit for only $770 the next day. Understandably, I used Attilio to replace my existing unit rather than have another one of AHS' plumbers rule in AHS’ favor.
I sent a letter disputing AHS' assessment and got a response from Delphine on 12/1. She indicated that the first woman I spoke with on 10/7 should not have said that I could dispute after the fact. She said they never give in to a dispute and once I declined their second plumber's assessment, I was out of luck (which was never communicated to me). My only course of action would be to hire an attorney to fight AHS.
In short, this seems like a scam!
I called AHS on 10/7/10 to have the unit repaired or replaced. Abbey Plumbing came to my home on 10/7/10 to examine the unit. I believe the repair man’s name was Dan, who wasn’t in a good mood. He was actually handling a personal call most of the time he was at my home, arguing with someone on his cell phone. He thought the issue was caused by water damage/flooding after seeing some staining at the bottom of the basement walls (I’ve been in the house for almost 2 months, and the walls always look that way). Plus, the unit was working when I took ownership on 9/30/2010 and the basement did not flood while I’ve been in the house. Additionally, the Seller’s Disclosure stated that there has not been flooding/water accumulation in the basement in the past.
AHS called me a few hours later to say the repair was not covered due to water damage, and it would cost me +$500 just to replace the igniter and it would be another week until the part would arrive and he can schedule my repair. I informed the agent that another plumber had a different diagnose and she said I could pay another $60 service fee to have another AHS plumber assess the issue a couple days later. Or, I could dispute the assesment, which would take several days and I would be without hot water for a couple more weeks during this review process. She also said I could have it fixed, then dispute their claim afterwards.
As a result, I called the other plumber for pricing and he said the +$500 cost was outrageous (and it wouldn’t fix the real issue) and he could replace the entire unit for only $770 the next day. Understandably, I used Attilio to replace my existing unit rather than have another one of AHS' plumbers rule in AHS’ favor.
I sent a letter disputing AHS' assessment and got a response from Delphine on 12/1. She indicated that the first woman I spoke with on 10/7 should not have said that I could dispute after the fact. She said they never give in to a dispute and once I declined their second plumber's assessment, I was out of luck (which was never communicated to me). My only course of action would be to hire an attorney to fight AHS.
In short, this seems like a scam!
Comments:
Posted by saj80 on 2010-12-02:
I would forget about the warranty and find a good local plumber to replace the water heater. On a side note, why are you heating hot water?
Posted by werelucky on 2010-12-02:
Didn't you have a home inspection before you purchased the house. They should of picked that up along with having an answer of previous flooding. You should ALWAYS have a professional home inspection before you buy. That and having an attorney review your contract.
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