Consultant sifts Triad warranties to find 20% that aren't worthless

Insurance consultant Stephen Barry is sifting through heating and cooling equipment claims on the defunct Triad Warranty to determine which ones are insured. The late owner of the company, Harold Scott, had sold approximately 100,000 warranties before 1995, many of which were activated only with the installing contractor. Barry has found that only about 20,000 of the 100,000 warranties are insured through Energy Mutual. He performs the search for free, and will complete research all of a dealer's purchased warranties for a fee.
DALLAS -- Every day, Stephen Barry gets mail -- from state attorneys general, state insurance commissions, anxious homeowners, angry contractors, and Better Business Bureaus. To each, Barry must provide an [...]