Assurant Home Depot Extended Protection Plan -Gave me the run-around for 23 days- Internet, Texas

I purchased a water heater from Home Depot (top-of-the line unit that they sell, with a 12 yr mfr guarantee) as well as purchasing a Lifetime Extended Service Plan on 8/30/09.  On 1/1/13, my water heater stopped working (not leaking water, just not producing hot water) and the Home Depot warranty service center sent out (same day) a repairman from RR of LA North. He ordered a part, and came back on 1/9 to install the part. (yes, from 1/1 - 1/9 my water heater was not working).  I took off 1/2 day from work to meet him at my house. Then on 1/11, the water heater made a LOUD BOOM SOUND (very disturbing and scary) and stopped working again. I thought something blew up in the garage. Serviceman came out on 1/12, and found the pilot light was off. The loud boom could have been gas surging into the gas pipe into the water heater and caused the boom.  Then on 1/14, he came back to record the gas measurements, as requested by ASSURANT Insurance Co. Then on 1/19

and on 1/21, pilot light went out again. I called for service and this time, a different serviceman from RR of LA North came out same-day. He took down the Serial Number and called from his truck and said, yes, a new water heater is needed. He verified by calling someone at his shop, that the labor costs are included, and so, I asked him to come back on FRI 1/25 to take out the old, and replace with the exact same unit, a new one. I will take off a day from work for this. He said he would submit the claim and call me later. That was 3 days ago! I haven't heard from RR of LA North, nor from Home Depot Warranty Center, nor Assurant.  I have called Assurant Insurance Company 3 times. I am on DAY # 23 waiting for my water heater to be fully operational.  Today I talked to the Home Depot call center in The Phillipines (of all places!) for help. There's now a problem with the plumbing company not submitting the claim properly, and now, Assurant says GE/Rheem has yet to authorize this and has not, which is holding up the job.  This is absurd!  They have sent a plumber 4 times to my house in 21 days. When does this madness stop?  I am dealing with: Home Depot Extended Warranty Service, RR of LA North (Rescue Rooter), Assurant insurance company, and now Rheem/G.E. (in Alabama).