Author name: nhsca

Lenexa, KS, June 11, 2020 – John Walsh, General Counsel with Cinch Home Services of Boca Raton, Florida has been named President of the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA). Christopher Wasson, Vice President and General Counsel with Old Republic Home Protection of San Ramon, California was named Vice President of the NHSCA and Rodney Martin, Chief Executive Officer of America’s Preferred Home Warranty of Jackson, Michigan was elected Secretary/Treasurer of Association. The Association meeting also welcomed HomeServe USA of Norwalk, CT and AFC Home Club of Marietta, GA to its ranks of the premier and trusted home service contract providers. “The addition of two new providers just keeps us on course to remain the group that consumers and regulators look to in order to manage the growth of the home services space,” noted Art Chartrand, NHSCA Exec Director and Chief Counsel. As president, Walsh will continue to work towards the goals of the association to provide protection for the industry and its customers. “I am proud to take on this role. In a Covid-19 world and perhaps especially in a post Covid market we expect to meet numerous new challenges in providing the home services consumers so greatly need. We expect to meet and exceed those consumer expectations,” said Walsh. Christopher Wasson is a well-respected attorney and business leader having worked in the industry with multiple large national providers. “Mr. Wasson represents the next generation of leaders and brings a fresh, forward thinking perspective to the table. He has a keen legal mind and a pragmatic approach to dealing with challenges in our industry,” added Chartrand. Rodney Martin is a hands-on leader and an innovative thinker. Martin spearheaded the groups adoption of its accreditation program for home warranty providers and was a key architect of the associations new Advisory Council which also received approval at the June meeting. “As the leaders in home services, we have to be looking to the future and innovating. We have to move at the pace consumers wants us and that pace is based upon consumer needs and on emerging technologies. We expect our new Advisory Council will serve up new ideas and programs to get us there.” The group met via a ZOOM conference call through tis Lenexa based national headquarters. They plan to return to in person meetings next year in Boothbay Harbor, Maine June 16-19, 2021.

At its national meeting on June 11, The National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) announced the formation of a home services resource group to be known as the NHSCA Advisory Council. The purpose of the council is to identify and study important issues facing the service contract industry and making recommendations and improvements for the consumers our members serve.

National Home Service Contract Providers offer advice to homeowners on maintenance tips to prevent fires. Lenexa, KS — Whether you are springing forward or falling back, it’s a good time for homeowners to replace the batteries in their smoke detectors. The members of the nonprofit, National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) would also like to remind homeowners that it’s also the perfect time to perform some regular maintenance on appliances and systems to help prevent a devastating home fire. Home service contracts cover service, repair or replacement of the major systems and appliances in your home that fail due to normal wear and tear. Heating and electrical systems as well as appliances including oven/range, water heater, kitchen refrigerator, dishwasher, garbage disposal, trash compactor and specialty items such as built-in bathtub whirlpool, and central vacuum systems are items generally covered in a home service contract. Optional coverage is also available, and varies by state. Regular maintenance to these systems is important to keep them running and operating efficiently so the NHSCA offers the following tips to homeowners to help them keep their home and families safe and comfortable as cold weather approaches. Furnace Your furnace should be cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified HVAC technician. If the first time you turn the furnace on in the season you perceive a dusty or even burnt smell, there is likely no need for concern. The majority of the time it’s just burning the dust out of the combustion chamber due to lack of use. Changing your furnace air filter may help, but if the odor persists, call a technician. The older the furnace, the more important this service is. Newer gas furnaces are equipped with many features that shut the furnace off when a problem is detected. If you think you are saving money by closing vents in rooms not utilized during the winter, think again. In reality blocking vents actually causes the system to work harder. If you close off more than 20% of the registers in your house it can cause high resistance and unnecessary heat build up in the furnace. Change your furnace filter at least once every three months. If you plan to have any remodeling work done in your home, be sure to change the filter once it’s completed as dust, dry wall debris and other byproducts of such work can clog the filter much more quickly. Clothes dryers According to the National Fire Protection Association clothes dryers and washing machines were involved in one out of every 22 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments in 2006-2010. The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires was failure to clean (32%). Most of those involved dryers, and many of them were due to buildup of dust and lint in the clothes dryer exhaust duct. Make sure to not only clean out the lint trap with each use, but also occasionally clean the dryer exhaust duct and behind/under the appliance as well. Electrical System The National Fire Protection Association recommends having a licensed electrician review your home every 10 years. Small upgrades and simple safety checks, like making sure outdoor grounds and connections, are secure can prevent larger problems. It is also a good idea to do a visual inspection of anything electrical to be sure there are no frayed cords or wires and any exposed wiring. Look in the attic and crawl spaces for wiring which appears to have been damaged by pests or insects. Some old wiring is insulated with material insects eat or chew on, and squirrels or other rodents will often chew the insulation off. Warning signs that may indicate a potential problem with your homes electrical system include: frequently blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers; dim or flickering lights; overheated plugs, cords, or switches; and bulbs that wear out too fast. Fire Detectors Testing your fire detectors to make sure they work and taking the time to refresh the batteries can make the difference between saving the life of a family member. Take the time to check allof the detectors in the home. If you feel that specific rooms that do not have a fire detector but you feel may need one, now is a good time to add them. Appliances Most electrical fires are caused by faulty electrical outlets and old, outdated appliances. Other fires are started by faults in appliance cords, receptacles and switches. Never use an appliance with a worn or frayed cord that can send heat onto combustible surfaces like floors, curtains, and rugs which can start a fire. Water Heaters The most common problem with water heaters is failure that causes flooding. But water heaters can also cause house fires. Take the time to inspect your water heater at least once a year. Remove paper, accumulated dust or other combustibles from the heater enclosure. Many experts suggest keeping boxes and other storage items at least three feet away from the furnace or water heater. If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, like California, water heaters must be properly strapped so that they don’t fall over during an earthquake. Water heaters weigh several hundred pounds when full, so a proper seismic strapping kit must be installed. Extinguish the pilot light before using flammable liquids or setting off aerosol bug bombs. Remember when it is time to change the clocks, it’s also a good time to safety check your home. For more helpful information on home maintenance visit the NHSCA website,  www.homeservicecontratc.org and see all our helpful tips and short videos on caring for you your home. #10d

National Home Service Contract Association offers helpful tools allow consumers to select the most reputable providers of home service contracts. (Lenexa, KS)  Contracts are only as dependable as the providers behind them. The members of the non-profit trade association, National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA,) are the leaders and professionals in the home service contract industry trusted to serve millions of consumers each year. NHSCA members are registered and are easily identified through a NHSCA Company Code number and use of the NHSCA logo. Links to individual websites may be found on the NHSCA website at www.homeservicecontract.org  These are providers who adhere to a code of ethics and actively work with state regulators to protect consumer interests. In 2015, the state of New Jersey filed charges against Stanley Safe Club or Stanley Warranty alleging the company and its owner defrauded consumers in New Jersey and other states. The alleged violations include: conducting business under the name “Stanley Warranty” when the company sells residential and motor vehicle service contracts; advertising and representing that consumers can call the company’s claims department 24 hours a day and that the company has more than 90,000 service providers, when it does not; continuing to charge consumers after they cancelled service contracts; and failing to respond to consumer inquiries for several weeks, if at all. In another 2015 case, Edison New Jersey based CHW Group, Inc., which does business as Choice Home Warranty, agreed to pay the State $779,913.93 in a lawsuit filed against them. The state alleged the company enticed consumers to buy so-called comprehensive coverage for crucial home systems and appliances and then denied their claims using alleged deceptive practices. As part of the settlement, the company also agreed to revise its business practices and retain a compliance monitor for at least a year. Neither company is a member of the NHSCA. “No matter what the industry, there will always be companies that operate beyond the law and fail to meet their obligations,” Art Chartrand, legal counsel for the NHSCA, said. “One of our primary missions is to educate and inform homeowners about home service contracts so that expectations can be met fairly. At the NHSCA, we work directly with state regulators and have a near constant presence in each state capital to protect consumers and provide fair and honest competition.” The home service contract industry has a strong reputation and long history of serving consumers. As with any industry, not all companies grow and flourish. Selecting a NHSCA member company provides added security with the knowledge that your contract provider meets certain criteria that will help ensure they will be there when you need them. Using a non-NHSCA member is a risk consumers do not need to take. Consumers may locate NHSCA members operating in their state by visiting www.homeservicecontract.org/state-associations The New Jersey Home Service Contract State Association was formed as a division of the National Home Service Contract Association and represents the premier and most respected providers of home service contracts in New Jersey. It provides news, information, education, regulation and legislation resource for the industry. Here are a few items to consider when selecting your contract provider: If the price or benefits sound too good to be true – you know it likely will be. Visit the NHSCA website and contact a member in your state to compare price and benefits. Ask your local REALTOR®. Nobody is more familiar with or understands the industry better. They work with home service contract providers on a daily basis and can offer knowledgeable guidance. If despite your best efforts, your provider disappears or fails to perform, contact a member of the NHSCA to replace your coverage. Competitive members operate in all states and are ready, willing and above all, able to offer you a service contract on your house. Home service contracts are optional contracts that provide consumers with a single point of contact for most household appliances and systems. A call to an 800 number dispatches a screened,  licensed and qualified local contractor to your home. This eliminates having to shop-around or price compare at what could be a very stressful time. With one call, consumers receive the service, repair or replacement needed to keep their home running smoothly. The National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) is a non-profit 501(c) (6) industry trade organization of member companies serving home service contract providers and consumer interests throughout the United States. To learn more about the NHSCA and to find answers to the most common questions regarding the purchase of home service contracts, visit www.homeservicecontract.org    or call 913-871-5600. #11         Helpful tools allow consumers to select the most reputable providers of home service contracts. (Lenexa, KS – July 14, 2015)  Contracts are only as dependable as the providers behind them. The 15 members of the non-profit trade association, National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA,) are the leaders and professionals in the home service contract industry trusted to serve millions of consumers each year. NHSCA members are registered and are easily identified through a NHSCA Company Code number and use of the NHSCA logo. Links to individual websites may be found on the NHSCA website at www.homeservicecontract.org/contact-nhsca-members. These are providers who adhere to a code of ethics and actively work with state regulators to protect consumer interests. In the last few weeks the state of New Jersey filed charges against Stanley Safe Club or Stanley Warranty alleging the company and its owner defrauded consumers in New Jersey and other states. The alleged violations include: conducting business under the name “Stanley Warranty” when the company sells residential and motor vehicle service contracts; advertising and representing that consumers can call the company’s claims department 24 hours a day and that the company has more than 90,000 service providers, when it does not; continuing to charge consumers after they cancelled service contracts; and failing to respond to consumer inquiries for several weeks, if at all. In another case, Edison New Jersey based CHW Group, Inc., which does business as Choice Home Warranty, agreed last month