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Old Republic Home Protection

Home Warranties • American Home Shield • Buyers Home Warranty • Choice Home Warranty • First American Home Warranty • Home Warranty of America • National Home Protection • Nationwide Home Warranty • Old Republic --- • Home Warranties Not Always What They Seem • Old Republic Responds • Think Twice Before Buying an Extended Warranty --- • Home Warranties Not Always What They Seem

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.

Ralph of Orlando, FL November 14, 2009

Bought their full protection, appliances, roof, pool/spa adder. Called 10/15/09 ice maker quit working - not covered, no reason. Pool pump started to leak and pool heater did not work. Called in tickets. Told them EXACTLY what parts needed, referred to Dales Gas in Orlando for repair. Again told him what parts to bring (model #, serial number) I used to do this work before a car accident. Guy shows up, says I dont have parts. Nver looks at heater.

Comes back 3 days later, installs WRONG parts - turn on pump, it sounds like garbage disposal, water everywhere. Call Old Republic - they are sending same guy back. I ask what if he says it is "fixed" - was told case is closed - even though water going everwhere. They have now caused more damage, I have to replace a 500 pump because of their "work" OR could care less. Never looked at heater, says "must be ignitor or something"

Blaine of Kingwood, TX October 5, 2009

We bought a home that the seller (HUD) included a Old Republic Home Owners Warranty. The a/c needed some repair so we called Old Republic who gave us an a/c contractor. we called them they came out in about 3 days. We paid the required 60.00 fee and they looked at the system and said the unit had been red flagged so he was going to deny our claim. He reported this to Old Republic. Old republic denied the claim as a pre-existing condition because of the flag. I called ORHW and explained the pre-existing condition clause in our warranty. I was told that mine was not included because of the red flag on the unit. I went into the attic to see what the flag said. I pulled the flag off to see why the gas company had put a flag on our unit. The flag was for the mortgage company and it said "electricity Off" nothing more. Old Republic's attitude is similar to other insurance co's they only want to collect premiums not pay claims.

Lisa of Columbia, SC September 22, 2009

Home that we purchased came with an Old Republic Home Warranty Protection plan. We had a problem with a hot water heater. Old Republic sent a plumber out. We ended up paying over 200 at our cost for various parts. The plumbing company took 4 days to complete the work which meant no hot water. Because we had continued to have problems with the pilot light staying lit we called the gas & electric company. We were informed by them and later by the city housing inspector that the hot water heater was NOT installed up to code and was dangerous. As of writing our hot water heater is "locked" by the gas & electric company ~ no hot water! The company Old Republic contracted to do the work is no longer in business. Upon calling Old Republic to inquire about our options they were very unhelpful. They were NOT concerned that they had contracted a plumber that installed a hot water heated that was not to code and was dangerous. Don't use this company. They are rude, unhelpful, and obviously contract with companies that don't do work that is safe and to city code.

Manish of Coppell, TX September 19, 2009

I'm voicing my extreme dis-satisfaction about Old Republic's home protection service. This complaint is based on my service call to fix my dishwasher that has been open for 6+ months now ! We had opened a service call with Old Republic for our home dish washer in March 2009. Since then Old Republic has sent about 4-5 different technicians at 6-8 different visits. Every time they promise us that this is the technician who can help solve our problem, and every time they return empty handed. For the last 2-3 technician visits, they have been promising us that this is the "last one". We were supposed to get a Sears technician (the manufacturer of the unit) - and even today their technician could not solve the problem ! So for the last 6 months, we have been washing and/or drying dishes by hand. We have been taking time off or making alternate arrangements so that we can be home to receive their technicians. I consider this an extremely poor service on their part. Our patience has run its course now. Old Republic either needs to get this unit fixed or replace it NOW - enough is enough ! For once Old Republic needs to put themselves in our shoes and make the right decision, vs. a decision that just tags us along with a view to saving them some .

Ty of San Diego, CA September 19, 2009

I called Old Republic Home Warranty to fix a plumbing issue. They sent someone out to look at my faucet for the shower. They left without comment. Old Rep. called me and refused to fix, claiming that it was not covered. Being a contractor I read the coverage that I purchased and explained to Old Republic that is was covered. They argued with me and tried to say the Plumbing Co. claimed the part NOT covered was the problem and said, "sorry."

So I went to the plumbing company and asked to speak with the owner. I ask him to review the case and give me his thoughts. He said to me that the insert was bad. Correct I said. So why did Old Reublic deny? They blamed the plumbing co. The owner had no idea why Old Republic would say that and said he would be out to fix.

The plumbing company showed up and cut a 2X3 hole in the drywall, put in a new insert and left the drywall on the floor and left. I waited two weeks for them to come back but they never did. I called Old Repubic and then the plumbing company. Feeling I had a good contractor to contractor relationship with the plumbing company I called up and said...what the hell? Why did you leave the drywall on the floor and not replace, tape, mud and texture the drywall. Oops sorry.

So, a young man came out and slapped some hot mud on the drywall and called it done. He says that all OR will not authorize anything further. I was stunned. Old Republic confirmed that it was not covered. It looks like a 3rd grader slapped a bunch of paste from school on the wall. Completely unprofessional, completely substandard business practices. Being a contractor, its not a big deal for me to fix yet I feel like I have been ripped off. I will not renew, nor will I renew any of my rental properties.

I asked around with fellow contractors. I found out that the contract company get their money from you when they show up and another set amount of from Old Republic. Sometimes it is more cost effective to move onto the more "gravy" jobs than it is to deal with you problems. That is the case with me. Plumbers are not drywallers so they rather move on. My advice? Stay away from these Home Warranty companies and through word of mouth or references find yourself a decent handyman or contractor. One you can trust. Do your homework, ask as many question that you feel you need to. If you can find a good handyman/contractor that comes recommended or you seen their work, it will pay off over time. Due dillegence is the key.

Carley of Golden, CO September 15, 2009

I took out the ultimate protection policy last month. I called them today because when I turned on my furnace Saturday night, the heat didn't come on. My furnace was working fine all last winer and I never had a problem until now. Because I didn't run the furnace this summer, that said it wasn't covered and they wouldn't send out a tech. I told them to cancel my policy. Being a realtor, I will definetly never recommend this company! I am without heat!

Susan of Houston , TX September 12, 2009

We are renting from homeowners who have purchased your plan. In the last two months we have had to use plumbers and air conditioning people. It was the ABSOLUTE WORSE SERVICE I have EVER received. The plumbers had to come out THREE times and the third time we were charged for something which should have been fixed the FIRST time. We are in Houston and have been without air for 2 1/2 days.

The technician was to make a second call on Saturday sometime after noon. It is now 5:30 PM and we have not heard from him. We have called only to be told he was "getting closer" to our house-he had other stops to make. REALLY-when I spoke with him Friday he said his only call was at 10 AM Saturday and he would be here after then and complete the repair.

When our landlord first told us about the company I was quite thrilled to know they existed. If the two repair companies are any indication of the rest of their services, I think I'll take my chances on my own. Perhaps the BBB should take another look at their rating. The company leaves a lot to be desired and I intend to tell EVERYONE I know.

jennifer of jacksonville, NC August 10, 2009

We contacted old republic home warranty on 7/18/09 that our a/c was not working. A technician came out on three separate occaisions to try and repair it before deciding it needed to be replaced. On 7/25/09 a new unit was ordered. It is now 8/10/09 and we still do not have a/c. We called the warranty people after one week and they told us "it has been ordered and it will get here when it gets here".

After two weeks we were told if it did not show up by 8/10/09 they would authorize the local contract a/c company to provide the unit. I called the local company today - no unit. I called the old home republic people to get an authorization number and was told that there was no record of our previous conversation detailing when they would authorize local supply of the unit and they were not going to authorize the local company to supply parts that have been ordered.

It has been 4 weeks with no a/c and record heat. How long do they have to repair this? Isn't there a reasonable time frame they have to respect? It is 90 degrees in my house, my children can't sleep, we paid 300 dollars for window a/c units that aren't strong enough to keep the upstairs cool and I have missed 8 hours of work to be home to meet the a/c tech.

Kate of Kansas City, MO July 8, 2009

I am so displeased with any/all contact that I have had to make with Old Republic Home Protection. I will try my best to make it known how horrible of a situation it was to deal with ORDP company as well as the company that was referred to me for my repairs, Mechanically Inclined located in Overland Park, KS. I have been paying on my warranty for 2 full years. I have had to use the warranty 2 times in 2 years.

The first experience wasn’t too bad. The 2nd experience has been a complete NIGHTMARE. I contacted your company on 06/09/2009 stating that my air conditioning unit wasn’t working. My plan expired on 06/15/2009. The company that you referred to come out and take a look at my air conditioner was the worst company that I have worked with thus far in my life. They came out, I paid them 236, and nothing was fixed. I called them numerous times, left messages, and never received a phone call back. Very professional. Finally after calling your company 4 times, waiting on hold for AT LEAST 30 minutes each phone call, you all FINALLY decided to help me out and say that I could recall the particular order. Not once did anyone tell me this the first 3 phone calls of me desperately trying to get someone to help me with my problem and at the same time having no cold air in my home on 90 degree days.

The last phone call (and this is after I’ve spoken with 3 different individuals at your company) is when some nice man stated that he could help!! WHAT A CONCEPT!!!! So he transferred me to another department in order to do a recall. Finally, the company came out for a second time, which was on 06/22/2009. At this time, the tech got my air conditioner working at 70% efficiency. On the invoice he stated that the compressor needed to be replaced, old suction line dryer needs removed, the unit needed to be leveled, etc. Considering that my home is currently on the market, I told the new buyer that Mechanically Inclined would be coming out to replace/remove these items so that the air conditioner would work at 100% efficiency.

I have spent the last few weeks calling Mechanically Inclined asking them when they were going to come out to replace these items because I’m closing on my home and these things need to be taken care of before I move out. I contacted them 3 times and each time the lady I spoke with stated that they were still waiting for these parts to get ordered. I had to call your company again today, 07/08/2009, because of course I receive a bill stating that I haven’t paid you all a 75 trade fee!!!! Paid that when I wrote a check to Mechanically Inclined on 06/15/2009. So another mistake on your part which started the conversation off well. Decided that since I was on the phone, I would make sure that when Mechnically Inclined comes out to replace these items that they had said they were doing for the last 3 weeks, they would still be covered because this has been an ongoing issue since 06/09/2009.

Talked with a lady from the authorization department who was the worst part of this whole process! She stated that because my air conditioner was working at 70%, there was nothing wrong with the unit. She also stated that the only way that can be fixed is if I get a whole new unit! WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD NO ONE HAVE TOLD ME THAT WHEN THEY FIRST CAME OUT! Because- now my warranty doesn’t cover anything (another plus for your jacked up company), my air conditioner needs repairs that won’t be done and won’t be covered as well, and I’m once again stuck in the mud with absolutely no help from your company or Mechnically Inclined.

It is so disappointing to be treated like this especially after I’ve already paid this company around 2,000 in the last 2 years!!! I will make it a point to speak so un-highly of this company to whoever is around to hear it. I will post my opinion on any website, business recommendation website, that I can find. I am so extremely irritated, mad, upset, lost, and just baffled that I’ve been treated with such unprofessional bull.

Don of Kingwood, TX July 6, 2009

We had a plumber out July 3rd. He inspected the A/C as a follow-up after Albright AC and Heating and made the following observations: 1. Over 50% of the homes in the area have the same plumbing arrangement for their A/C and Heating units as exists in this home. 2. Added 1 gallon of bleach to the drain lines. The lines became clear in minutes.

Plumber stated that if we wanted to replumb one unit per drain, the cost would only be 350.00. However, since this configuration has been working since the home was built, we could also leave it alone and continue to run some bleach in lines during the summer months. Owner called and stated that this is the first time the drain lines have clogged since he has owned the home. He also stated that this plumbing configuration has passed numerous house inspections.

My opinion of this situation would be that the contractor, Albright AC and Heating, might not quite understand there responsibilities to the customer under such circumstances and that Old Republic, in order to save money, is willing to shirk their responsibilities and ignore the purpose of their homeowner contracts. Both of which is a very sad state of affairs.

Not being from this part of the country, I can't understand why Albright A/C and Heating and Old Republic couldn't have known what the problem might be or at least tried to fix the problem while they were on location. Both companies need to be watched carefully. After reading other complaints on the website, it appears that Old Republic has quite a record for following this same pattern for refusing claims.

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