American Home Shield RIPPED OFF IN CALIFORNIA Carroll Iowa

11/23/07, a water heater located in our loft broke and water started sttreaming down our walls and thru the hallway lights. We immediately did what we could to contain the water - including turning off circuit breakers and turning off the water. Called AHS and told them that this was an emergency can you get someone out asap. She said it did not appear to be an emergency and I would have to wait until their vendor called me. I waited 10 minutes and called AHS again. Explained the situation, they gave me the number of who was to come out. - This was Friday and the vendor said they could not make it out until Monday. They also informed me that AHS did not place the order as an emergency. Talking to neighbors - we were referred to a company that does a lot of work in our area. Called - they came in within 20 minutes. I called AHS and said that I found someone and I expected to be reimbursed. I was told to send the bill - but never actually was told where to send it. In the meantime, I paid 1610.00 out of my pocket to have the water heater replaced. Due to the location, it was a two man job. They pumped the water out for a number of hours. My insurance came out and the damage was 1988.00. Of course, AHS said that this was not an emergency and I should have waited for their vendor. Even the insurance agent agreed it was an emergency and seemed to know what a crappy company AHS is. I have been going back and forth with them. Offered us $429.00 then offered $589.00. They said they would not pay for drip pans or the supply lines - except under water heater it does not state it will not be paid. I even called their corporate office - at least I did. I received yesterday a call back from a Judy and she said Mr. CRawford (CEO) really weanted to settle this for me. I sent in a copy of my bill to the FAX she gave me. She called me back today - I was out of my office. She left me a phone number to call her back. Can you believe it was a number to one of their other companies. I checked my caller ID and the number that came in and called it. Suprise - suprise - I received the number for service requests for AHS. NOT A CORPORATE OFFICE - finally got someone on the phone - on hold for ten minutes - he came back and said "JUDy" (supposedly from the corporate office) was actually just another idiot at another call center. I asked the young man - well - are you transferring me to the corporate office where Judy is - he laughed and said Judy was NOT in the corporate office but in another call center and he would send her an E-Mail to call me.

These people are so scripted - they should not be allowed to sell their policies in the State of California or anywhere else for that matter.This is not the first problem I have had with them. I keep trying to cancel the policy. Yesterday, I was told that I would receive an answer within 21 days. I said to the clerk an answer for what - I want to cancel.
I am going to Small Claims Court on this and also in the process of making a complaint with the California Attorney General's Office and the California Department of Insurance. This Company is a scam and a ripoff. -

Disgusted in california
Sacramento, California
U.S.A.