American Home Shield American Home Shield decieveptive practices Houston Texas

Letter to American Home Shield Corporate Representative:

Dear Dave Crawford, September 17, 2007

Would a major unexpected home system or appliance repair bill wreak havoc with your household budget? Do you have better things to do with your time than hunt down reliable, well-qualified repair technicians?

It's never been easier to protect your home's covered systems and appliances against breakdowns from normal wear and tear. With a home warranty from American Home Shield ("AHS"), you will feel relieved knowing unexpected repair bills won't blow your budget.



I got this off your website and I just want you to know this is why I budgeted $41.00 a month for 9 years to protect me from the cost of my A/C unit failing in my older home. My A/C stopped cooling in March of 2006. I was told that a rock probably hit the condenser coil from a lawn mower and it wasnt considered normal wear and tear. The technician said he could replace my unit for $7000.00and that AHS would not pay for any of it. I told AHS that was excessive and I was told by several knowledgeable people that I trust that it could be fixed so they sent out another technician that confirmed that the repair was not normal wear and tear and he could replace my A/C today for $5700.00. I told him I would ask around to see if the A/C could be repaired first. I repaired the A/C from a company in Spring who told me both of these technicians were extremely overpriced to the point of being ridiculous and the A/C could easily be repaired and it was done for $100.00. Brian Dixon, the supervisor I spoke to at AHS told me the prices quoted were excessive and I was free to go to other companies but AHS wasn't going to pay. I paid $55.00 for each technician and paid for the repair myself. I assumed it was behind me and my A/C was fixed but I was very disappointed that I had to pay for two service calls and that AHS would send such people to my home. This weekend 9/14/07 I noticed my air conditioner was making a loud noise and stopped working. I called AHS and was told there is an exclusion on my A/C until I provide evidence the A/C was repaired and in good working order from a year and a half ago. I was not notified of this exclusion until a year and a half after the repair was made when asking for service on the excluded appliance. I have been using the A/C for almost a year and a half and find it unacceptable that I have not been at least sent a letter or notified that AHS wanted proof of the repair or it would exclude the coverage, you have my address. I would have definitely provided documentation had it been requested it a reasonable time. I was not contacted, no letter was mailed, nobody said anything about this request or an exclusion on the several phone conversations made during this ordeal. I had no idea the coverage was terminated. I called the number that I had for the company that repaired my A/C and it no longer is in service, I sent what invoices I could find for that time period but AHS said it is not acceptable or that the service listed is not what was required. If AHS had informed me that they excluded coverage of the major appliance of my A/C I would have opted to cancel the coverage and save that $41.00 a month for a year and a half to save for the repair that I knew was coming. I was not notified. I am requesting the $41.00 a month I paid for coverage since March 2006 refunded if my A/C is not covered. Proof of repair was the reason for the exclusion, the leak was was repaired and working for a year and a half. My home changed ownership in December of 2006 and I opened a new service contract with American Home Shield January 1st, 2007 after this repair to include my
A/C unit and was told nothing of exclusion, I was sent a contract that states my A/C unit is under warranty and I have been paying the full $41.00. The service company invoice was not requested in a reasonable time (A year and a half later); I am not covered and apparently have not been since this exclusion was made. I was not made aware of the exclusion. I thought I was protected and I am not from a very expensive home repair that is wreaking havoc on my household budget.
Please give this your prompt attention. My young son and I are without A/C and I am trying to solve this problem as soon as possible.

Thank you.

I am interested in joining any class action suit. Please contact me. after AHS realized I had a new contract startin January /07 they sent out another A/C tech who took pictures and said hAHS would not cover the A/C because my A/C unit has storm damage and was improperly installed. They have covered this A/C for 9 years and said nothing of an exclusion untill they were required to replace it.

Petra
Spring, Texas
U.S.A.

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