Guardsman Furniture Protection Reported claim for minor damage to table by maid. Denial of claim stated claim was not received within 5 days, and maid is not covered by policy. Their policy is worthless, don't be duped. Grand Rapids, Michigan

Weirs Furniture Store recommended that I buy damage protection insurance for dining room and breakfast room tables I bought. A week or so after purchase a maid scratched the one of the table tops, which we believe can be fixed inexpensively. I filed a claim with Guardsman and they replied that I did not file within the time limitation of the agreement (5 days only allowed, didn't know that, and it took more than 5 days to get the forms to file!), and that a maid is an independent contractor (I assured them I have no contract of any nature with the maid) and therefore not covered.  Maids are not bonded, do not carry insurance, and such events are the reason I bought the insurance. I spoke with them and their only reply was "We are sorry". They are not near as sorry as I am. Don't buy Guardsman. They are well named, as they are a man that guards against paying for all claim. My rating: -10 on a scale of 0 to 10 (yes, that is minus 10!).