Sub Zero and home warranty

7 years ago

We recently bought a house that is 15 years old. It has a built in 2 unit Sub Zero refrigerator. A soon as we moved, I found out there is ice build up in the refrigerator. After a few days the ice melted and the temperature of the refrigerator started going up. It went up to high 50s. Then the temp of the freezer started going up from -5 to 10. I called factory authorized Sub Zero service company (only one in our area). They cleaned the condenser and did a diagnostic. They mentioned that the units are in good condition but evaporator in the refrigerator needs to be repaired/replaced and the motor for freezer need to be fixed. They estimated it at $1200.

We have American Home Shield(AHS) home warranty for which we are paying $800+ per year. Is it possible for me to get this service covered under warranty? The Sub Zero technicians mentioned that usually warranty companies send inexperienced contractors who usually do more damage than fixing. I've read similar things when I googled. They mentioned that I can argue with the warranty company and have the "experts" fix it and get the cost reimbersed.

How should I go about this? Should I just call AHS, pay them service call fee and have them come take a look at it? Or, should I mention that I had diagnostic done and I want to go with factory authorized service technicians work on it and have it reimbursed (if at all this is possible)

Anyone have experience with this type of situation? First time we've taken a home warranty and haven't called them yet.

The technicians mentioned that they pumped gas into the condenser (or somewhere) and they have the units working temporarily, but they said it might last only a month and the units will have the problem again. The units are working exactly as the technicians mentioned and am trusting their opinions.

Suggestions please.

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Comments (4)

blubird
7 years ago
I would call AHS for service, but if the units are currently working, they might not find anything to fix, unless you can prove the diagnostic codes.
smm5525
7 years ago
Cash out the claim and have authorized service center repair.
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jt fields
7 years ago
I don't have AHS but I do have a home warranty. With ours you have the option of receiving cash instead of the repair. You must first have one of their authorized repair companies come our and diagnose the problem. They will then pay you what they would normally pay their repairman. You then need to send proof of the actual repair back to the warranty company.

In a perfect world that's how it works anyway. In practice, the repairman that the warranty companies use are very hit and miss. I've had two A/C claims and one plumbing claim that worked out well. I had a built-in microwave go out that they gave me $700 to replace. But I've also had an electrical and another plumbing claim that were both denied coverage. In both instances I feel they should have been covered and that the repairman just wrote up his diagnosis in a way that would cause it to be denied. Some of them just want the service call fee and don't want to mess with actually having to do the repair.

Also, be prepared to wait. Every claim I've placed has taken several days, including ones where our A/C units were out. I've had repair people just not show up or reschedule multiple times. After they diagnose the repair, I've had it take them a couple of days to write it up and get the warranty company to approve or deny it. What should be a one day service call can take a week going through a warranty company.

Also, check your policy coverage as well. There are certain exclusions and sometimes limitations. For example, refrigerator repairs are limited to $1,000 on mine probably because they realize high end appliances, such as Sub-Zero, are very expensive to repair.
HU-647707615
3 years ago
What home warranty company do you have?? i have American Home Shield and they will not reimburse for service of my subzero/Viking appliances if I use authorizEd company.

Sub Zero and home warranty

Comments (4)

blubird

smm5525

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