Thoughts on extended warranty companies ...
4Anyone have experiences dealing with Asurion when it comes to warranty claims? I finally settled on a new water heater, and it’s an additional $70 for 5 years after the original labor warranty (3 years) expires. On paper (screen), if something goes wrong, it would’ve paid for itself, but at the same time, I’m not sure if it’s worth it if they’re a PITA to deal with.
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Only dealt with them with cell phones, decent to work with.
Like @sassymango, I’ve only dealt with them for cell phone replacements: two damaged and one stolen phone. The damaged ones were simple and easy. The stolen one was also simple, tho getting a police report was not easy. That’s not Asurion’s fault tho, and I totally get and support their reasons for wanting the police report.
$70/five years ==> $14/year ==> ~$1.17/month which will be totally worth it IF something happens during years 3 to 8, so it really boils down to whether or not something happens during this time.
Given that spending the $70 will push most problems after year 8 while not spending it will make them happen in year 4 or 5, I’d say to go for it and, if the $1.17 is an issue, just get a less fancy coffee once each month.
@sassymango @baqui63 Thank you! It’s not so much a cost issue but a company issue; hearing first hand that they’re decent to work with is good.
When it comes to water heaters, it really just boils down to a few companies, and reviews are scattered on all of them. I guess I’ll see if I can find a non-Monday/non-Friday build date when I buy it, at least.
@narfcake When it comes to water heaters, it really just boils down to…
What does it cover?
New elements? New T&P valve? Leaks? Leaking drain valve? (most come with a really shitty plastic drain valve)
@narfcake, @daveinwarsh asks some good questions here, tho I got the impression that the extended warranty was on the labor to replace any parts that fail during years 4-8. Meaning that the thing comes with a “free” warranty that covers parts for 8 years and labor for three.
@daveinwarsh All except the anode rod (it’s sacraficial). This one does have a brass drain valve.
@baqui63 Correct. Tank and parts is actually 12, but labor is only three – which is still better than one or zero years on labor for a $50-70 cheaper model.
I’d get it if it’s one of those new heat pump style heaters (moving parts)… For a traditional couple-o-heating-elements-inside-a-cylinder… Nah. Odds of something happening in years
4-8, but not 0-3, that would be covered under warranty, aren’t there for me.
Thank you to everyone for not referring to the appliance as a hot water heater.
(Although… come to think of it, living in Florida a case could be made to defend the usage of that maligned term!)
@jester747
The water to be heated is usually not at absolute zero, so technically, the water to be heated is “hot” is cosmic terms.
“Mmmm. I’m a mammal whose body temp is 46F. I feel hot.”
Of course all this is way lame.
Blame the goat.
@jester747 I live in Florida. I can attest to many people calling it a hot water heater. It is so common that I’ve even caught myself calling it that.
Even during the summer, I would never call my water hot. I’d call it warm, sometimes. Especially if it’s been sitting in my well tank, heating all day, if I haven’t been home using it.
@jester747 No heat pump; I won’t even consider one of those. In this case, it’s natural gas with a low Nox burner, electronic ignition and electric flue damper.