NHSCA Announces Accreditation Program for Home Service Contract Providers

Sept, 2019 – Lorna Mello, President of the NHSCA announced this month “The NHSCA is taking a major leap forward with its accreditation program.  Regulators and Legislators have asked the NHSCA to develop a formal program of compliance and standards within the home warranty industry, and we responded.”  On September 5, the NHSCA Board of Directors adopted the program for implementation immediately.

“The new NHSCA accreditation essentially becomes the “good housekeeping” seal of approval for serious and responsible home warranty providers” reports Richard Adams, NHSCA Vice-President and principal of National Home Guaranteed of Utah. Adams added “My company has already been through the process and among the first to be accredited. I am proud of that.”

Art Chartrand, Executive Director and Counsel for the NHSCA reports the program is designed to benefit not only providers, but also to assure the consuming public and regulators as well.  “The home service contract industry is regulated in every state by various agencies, but they cannot do all the review and monitoring. They have to rely upon the legitimate industry to help police itself.”   Chartrand says the program is a positive thing and even the best of companies will benefit from a top to bottom review of laws, regulations, contracts and compliance.

“The award of the NHSCA accreditation logo demonstrates to consumers and the industry our membership’s commitment to proper regulation and compliance” says John Walsh, General Counsel for NHSCA member Cross Country Home Services, Inc. based in Florida.  Walsh, also the NHSCA Treasurer/Secretary added “NHSCA membership is what REALTORs look for when recommending a home warranty provider. This program is just another step forward to assure regulators and consumers we take our responsibility seriously to meet their expectations.”

Current NHSCA member companies have until May 1, 2020 to complete the audit and receive accreditation. The first phase of accreditation is voluntary and good for five years. For new applicants to the NHSCA,  the audit and accreditation will become mandatory including an on-site stand down review of operations.

About the NHSCA

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. For more great industry and consumer information, visit https://homeservicecontract.org.

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Home Care Made EZPZ

Homes need constant care and home service contract makes budgeting “EZPZ.” by: Arthur J. Chartrand*

Buying a home can be a challenging process but selecting a home service contract shouldn’t be. Thankfully the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) has made the process easy. As a matter of fact, they have made it “EZPZ” for you. (Easy Peasy, if you are not into the acronym thing.)

Homebuyers need only look for the NHSCA logo which is granted to member companies that agree to adhere to sound and ethical business practices. No company can buy an NHSCA logo¾they have to earn it. Companies are vetted by peer review which means that even their toughest competitors have to approve of them. Onsite office audits and visits to member offices by NHSCA counsel are common. Adhering to a code of ethics, compliance with all state laws and regulations and fair advertising practices are just a few of the requirements.

We tend to trust when an electrical appliance is “UL certified” or a household product gets the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.” The NHSCA is the seal of approval for the home service contract industry (often referred to in real estate circles as a “home warranty”).

Media often cover stories about consumers being ripped off by an unscrupulous financial adviser, home contractor or auto mechanic.  Is everyone in these professions bad?  Clearly not. The consumer simply lacks a knowledgeable reference or takes the wrong approach. Asking for input from a trusted neighbor or a real estate agent is also a good idea. Caution should be utilized when using online sources where marketing and advertising dollars can impact ratings.

The same goes for Google searches. Trusting a company just because they pop up as the number one ad sponsor does not mean they are the best choice.  Unfortunately, some companies spend millions of dollars on meta data and search engine optimization rather than focusing on good service.  If you research Google to a greater degree you will note government sanctions against home warranty companies with names like “select,” “secure” or “choice” in them.  Educate yourself and read the full story.

The NHSCA represents the highest standard in home service contract protection and works to promote the same throughout the industry. There are a few very good companies who are not yet members of the NHSCA. Accordingly, the NHSCA is constantly reviewing companies and targeting the finest, legitimate and responsible companies for membership.

The NHSCA takes fraud seriously. It continually monitors the industry and works cooperatively with government officials as well as consumers in a robust effort to combat fraud.  To see its most recent effort simply visit www.homeservicecontract.org  Marginal providers just won’t come near the NHSCA.

NHSCA members serve nearly five million households and pay out nearly two billion dollars in service claims every year. If a consumer ever has an issue with a service by an NHSCA member, the NHSCA website provides an avenue of communication direct to the top of its member companies.

So look for the NHSCA logo when picking a home warranty company. Or just think  “EZPZ.” In fact, if you forget NHSCA or www.homeservicecontract.org, just remember “EZPZ.” Go to EZPZhome.organd you will find the most qualified and reliable providers in the industry. If that isn’t easy enough, visit EZPZhome.org.  How EZ is that?

The NHSCA is an IRS registered 501 (c)(6) trade group of highly selected and premier providers of home service (warranty) contracts. The NHSCA is based in the heart of Americaat 10000 Marshal Drive, Lenexa, KS 66215 with members serving consumers throughout the United States.

For more information or an interview, contact:
Joy L Moore, Chief of Staff NHSCA
10000 Marshal Drive
Lenexa, KS 66215
Ph: 913.871.5600 FAX: Use Email
[email protected]

* Arthur J. Chartrand is an attorney, consumer rights advocate, former national radio talk show host and counsel to the National Home Service Contract Association

Email him at: [email protected]