American Home Shield Review (April 2024)
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American Home Shield (AHS) is one of the leading home warranty companies due to its comprehensive protection and high coverage caps. It’s one of the oldest home warranty companies on the market, holding over 50 years of experience. AHS plans cover repairs and replacement with limits of up to $5,000, far exceeding the industry standard of $2,000. However, AHS plans are somewhat pricey and come with a limited add-on catalog.
Despite these limitations, AHS remains a favorite among U.S. homeowners. When we surveyed 1,000 homeowners about their home warranty provider, AHS was the most popular choice at 37.5%.
Editor’s Note: This review was updated in March 2024 with our latest consumer survey data, competitor comparison details, and added insights from industry experts.
Our Take on American Home Shield
The company is known for its comprehensive plans and generous coverage caps. AHS offers up to $4,000 for appliances and $5,000 for systems, exceeding most home warranty providers. It’s also one of the few home warranty companies to cover items with physical damage or preexisting conditions. However, AHS is priced higher than many home warranty providers and offers little coverage customization with only six add-ons.
In American Home Shield reviews, policyholders appreciate the ease of submitting claims, the company’s timely responses, and knowledgeable technicians. However, negative experiences included denied claims for covered items and lower-than-expected claim payouts.
Pros and Cons of American Home Shield
AHS offers rare coverage for rust, corrosion, and sediment damage along with flexible service call fee options and generous coverage limits. However, its comprehensive coverage plans are pricey and the company offers fewer coverage add-ons than its competitors.
Here are the pros and cons of American Home Shield:
Pros
Cons
How We Rated American Home Shield
We rated AHS using our detailed review standards based on the criteria that homeowners find most important. Its final rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars was set by points earned in each category. Below is a breakdown of AHS’s performance across each category:
- Coverage: AHS received a high score for its comprehensive coverage which includes preexisting conditions and physical damage.
- Value: AHS scored lower for its bundled-coverage pricing, which is slightly higher than from its competitors.
- Trustworthiness and transparency: AHS lost points here for its below-average review scores.
- Availability and service: AHS earned a high score for its prompt claims process and 24/7 claims line.
Our Home Warranty Experts
We consulted the following home warranty experts to learn more about the home warranty industry, the typical shopping experience, and common consumer pain points.
American Home Shield Coverage Plans
American Home Shield offers three home warranty plans in every state other than Alaska and Hawaii. The company offers the ShieldSilver systems-only plan along with two comprehensive options in ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum.
Our team analyzed American Home Shield sample contracts to get full details on available coverage. We learned that the company offers generous coverage limits for both systems and appliances. AHS also covers items with rust, corrosion, sediment damage, and preexisting conditions. All plans include a 30-day workmanship guarantee, which is pretty standard.
Air conditioning, heating, and plumbing systems receive a $5,000 coverage cap, higher than from most providers. In addition, electrical and ductwork receive unlimited coverage. AHS pairs major appliances with a $2,000 limit, matching industry-standard coverage levels.
AHS’s most comprehensive plan, ShieldPlatinum, doubles the appliance coverage limit to $4,000 per covered item. This option also includes perks such as coverage for code violations and permits, discounted HVAC tuneups, and $1,500 in roof-leak protection.
Here’s an overview of the three AHS plans:
This plan offers system-only coverage including air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems.
This plan includes everything in ShieldSilver and adds appliances such as cooktops, kitchen appliances, laundry machines, and refrigerators.
This plan covers everything in ShieldGold and adds code violations, permits, modification coverage, free HVAC tuneups, roof-leak repairs, and unlimited AC refrigerant.
Here’s the list of items covered by each American Home Shield plan.
| Coverage | ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioners | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in exhaust/vent/attic fans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in microwave ovens | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling fans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes dryers | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes washers | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dishwashers | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Doorbells and chimes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Faucets and valves | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage-door openers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage disposals | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating units | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instant hot/cold water dispensers | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior electrical lines | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior plumbing lines | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Main breaker and fuse panel box | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ranges/cooktops | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Refrigerators | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roof-leak repairs | – | – | ✓ |
| Ovens | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Toilets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water heaters | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Whirlpool tub motor and components | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Optional Add-Ons
AHS only has six additional items that can be included with plans, far less than from most providers. Pricing varied from $5 to $18 per item in our quote, which aligns with competitors.
During secret shopping, we created a sample quote with add-ons in less than two minutes. Your monthly premium with AHS adjusts automatically based on coverage selections.
We’ve listed the available AHS add-ons below:
- Electronics extended warranty
- Guest unit
- Pool and spa
- Roof-leak repair
- Septic pump
- Well pump
Why Would American Home Shield Deny a Claim?
American Home Shield, like all home warranty companies, has coverage exclusions that could lead to denied claims. It’s worth noting that AHS doesn’t cover standard maintenance services such as air filter changes for your air conditioner. Additionally, AHS won’t cover construction costs, manufacturing defects, or mold and mildew removal. Other exclusions include items used for commercial use, breakdowns caused by misuse, vandalism, or a natural disaster, and cosmetic issues.
Upon reviewing the sample contract, we were impressed with how AHS clearly outlined its exclusions. Each covered system or appliance has distinct columns detailing “what is covered” and “what is not covered.” AHS also includes a frequently asked questions section covering its policies as well as pertinent definitions.
Note that service contract terms vary from state to state. The company provides contracts specific to each state, so it’s important to review the correct one for your location. Contact American Home Shield for more information on state-specific clauses.
How Much Does American Home Shield Cost?
American Home Shield costs between $29.99 and $89.99 per month, based on our sample quote for a home in Mesa, Arizona. Pricing also varies based on your selected service call fee. ShieldSilver, the cheapest plan, ranges from $29.99 to $39.99. The other plans are costlier, with ShieldGold priced from $49.99 to $59.99 and ShieldPlatinum from $79.99 to $89.99.
AHS’s home warranty costs are higher than the industry average. Plan pricing depends on where you live, the type of plan you choose, and how many add-ons are included in your coverage. For example, a plan may cost more if you live in a state with regular severe weather or if your home is larger than 5,000 square feet.
American Home Shield only offers monthly premiums. One of our team members owns an AHS plan and confirmed that the company automatically withdraws monthly premiums from the credit card on file. You can make payments via PayPal, a credit card, or your bank account.
We’ve outlined AHS pricing and coverage caps below:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Coverage Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| ShieldSilver | $29.99–$39.99 | $100–$125 | $5,000 |
| ShieldGold | $49.99–$59.99 | $100–$125 | Systems: $5,000 Appliances: $2,000 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $79.99–$89.99 | $100–$125 | Systems: $5,000 Appliances: $4,000 |
What’s American Home Shield’s Service Call Fee?
AHS offers service call fees of either $100 or $125 per service repair. Our homeowners survey revealed that home warranty customers at large pay an average of $100 for service call fees. You can pick your service call fee when using the company’s online quote tool.
Filing Claims With American Home Shield
American Home Shield’s claims process involves filing a claim via your online portal or calling its 24/7 claims phone line. One of our team members tested the AHS claim process and listed out the following steps:
You can request service 24/7 online or by calling 833-706-2863. Our team member filed a claim on his smartphone by signing into his claims portal account. AHS’s claims portal displays what’s covered under your plan and lets you select your needed repair.
Once you’ve selected items, you’re taken to the next screen that lets you describe the problem. The “Symptom” drop-down box offers several common issues to choose from. It also provides an “Other” option if you can’t find an applicable problem. This screen also displays your agreed-upon service fee.
Next, you’ll receive details about your claim’s service professional. AHS mentions when to expect a phone call and provides information about the business. You can choose your own technician if AHS can’t find one within its broad network of licensed service providers. Obtain approval from AHS before your technician begins work and keep itemized receipts of the repair or replacement.
After our team member submitted his claim, AHS sent a confirmation email and text stating that it had been received. Within an hour, our team member got a call from a local service provider and scheduled a next-day appointment. Our team member recalled that the service contractor arrived before the appointment time and repaired the issue in two hours.
We recommend reviewing your service agreement to understand specific terms and conditions. According to Chartrand, AHS exists to fix issues that arise within a commercially reasonable time frame. Because of this, expecting immediate fixes for large breakdowns such as for HVAC failures is unreasonable.
American Home Shield Reviews
To better understand the AHS customer experience, we analyzed dozens of third-party reviews from sources such as the BBB, Reddit, Trustpilot, and BestCompany. Many customers were pleased with quick fixes and easy claims processes, while others had issues with denied claims and negative experiences with on-site technicians.
Here’s a breakdown of our review findings:
What Homeowners Like
- Timely claims response: Many customers appreciate the quick response times for submitted claims, typically within 24 hours or less.
- Simple claims process: Several customers were satisfied with the ease of the company’s online claims process.
- Courteous technicians: Other reviewers praised technicians for being friendly and taking the time to explain issues.
What Homeowners Dislike
- Denied claims: Several homeowners reported that their claims were denied, including for issues related to manufacturing defects.
- Lower-than-expected payouts: Several customers who received approvals found that they were considerably lower than what was necessary for the repair.
- Underskilled technicians: According to some reviews, certain technicians lacked the required skill set to complete repairs.
American Home Shield Customer Scores
American Home Shield is accredited and holds a B rating on the BBB, which is typical for most home warranty providers. AHS’s customer review scores are mixed across third-party sites, with 2.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot but 4.1 out of 5 stars on BestCompany.
Despite inconsistent scoring, we found that AHS takes customer service seriously. During our secret-shopping process, we experienced wait times of under three minutes each time we called. Every representative we spoke with answered our questions fully without pressuring us to sign up.
American Home Shield Customer Reviews
Below is a sample of both positive and negative reviews for AHS:
Positive Reviews
Negative Reviews
American Home Shield vs. Competitors
We’ve compared AHS to other top home warranty companies below.
| Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NR | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $38–$64 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| A+ | $44–$58 | $70 | VISIT SITE | |
| B+ | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | VISIT SITE | |
| A | $27–$70 | $65–$100 | VISIT SITE |
| Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Response Time | BBB Rating | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Home Shield |  | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | Up to 48 hours | B | VISIT SITE |
| Liberty Home Guard |  | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | Up to 48 hours | NR | VISIT SITE |
| Select Home Warranty |  | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | 48-84 hours | B- | VISIT SITE |
| First American Home Warranty |  | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | 4-48 hours | B | VISIT SITE |
| AFC Home Warranty |  | $38–$64 | $75–$125 | 24-48 hours | B | VISIT SITE |
| Elite Home Warranty |  | $44–$58 | $70 | Up to 48 hours | A+ | VISIT SITE |
| Cinch Home Services |  | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | 2-24 hours | B+ | VISIT SITE |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty |  | $27–$70 | $65–$100 | Up to 48 hours | A | VISIT SITE |
| American Home Shield | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Monthly Cost | $29–$89 |
| Service Fee | $100–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Liberty Home Guard | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $49–$59 |
| Service Fee | $65–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | NR |
| Select Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $44–$47 |
| Service Fee | $60–$75 |
| Response Time | 48-84 hours |
| BBB Rating | B- |
| First American Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $42–$82 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| Response Time | 4-48 hours |
| BBB Rating | B |
| AFC Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $38–$64 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| Response Time | 24-48 hours |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Elite Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $44–$58 |
| Service Fee | $70 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Cinch Home Services | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $30–$56 |
| Service Fee | $100–$150 |
| Response Time | 2-24 hours |
| BBB Rating | B+ |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $27–$70 |
| Service Fee | $65–$100 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | A |
*We based pricing information in this section on a sample for a 2,004-square-foot, single-family home in Mesa, Arizona. BBB ratings are accurate as of March 2024.
American Home Shield vs. Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard (LHG) offers more affordable and specialized plans compared to AHS. Homeowners can get focused coverage with system-only or appliance-only plans, avoiding paying for unneeded coverage. The company also offers a far more extensive add-on catalog with 42 options to choose from. LHG also offers unique home maintenance services including pest control, carpet cleaning, and gutter cleaning.
AHS provides generous coverage limits and flexible service call fees to compensate for its limited coverage. Providers that offer extra features often have lower coverage limits. LHG coverage limits range from $500–$2,000 for its items, considerably lower than with AHS.
Learn more: Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield
American Home Shield vs. Select Home Warranty
Select Home Warranty is an affordable alternative to AHS, offering speciality and comprehensive plans for under $50 per month. Its coverage protects essential home systems and appliances and includes 12 add-ons. The company also provides roof-leak coverage at every plan tier, coverage that AHS only includes with its priciest choice.
Select’s coverage limits are limited to $500 per item, which is significantly lower than the industry standard. However, Select may be the right fit for homeowners who need basic coverage at a reasonable price point.
Learn more: Select Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield
How To Choose a Home Warranty
When buying home warranty coverage, take certain steps to ensure that a plan fits your needs. Assessing your home items and setting a budget are the first steps to beginning your search. We’ve created the outline below to help you choose the right home warranty plan.
- Check your current items: Assess your appliances and systems to determine which ones need extra coverage. Older items may require frequent repairs, so look for coverage that includes preexisting conditions.
- Set your budget: Consider your monthly and annual budgets when determining premiums, including add-ons and service call fees.
- Request multiple quotes: We recommend getting quotes from at least three providers. Compare coverage plans, costs, add-on pricing, and technician policies.
- Review sample contracts: Review each sample contract and pay attention to key terms and conditions such as coverage caps, exclusions, and add-on limits.
- Check customer reviews: Nally explained that reading reviews is an excellent way to get real experiences from current customers. “Pay attention to low ratings and negative comments, and look for any repeated complaints,” he said. We recommend checking companies on the BBB to ensure good business practices and reputations.
Home Warranty Cost Calculator
We created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty.
To calculate your projected annual cost, use the following steps:
- Enter your monthly premium
- Enter your service call fee
- Enter your estimated number of claims
It’s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers, as annual costs and service fees vary between them.
Use the table below to compare your calculated cost to repair or replace common appliances.
| Appliance | Average Repair Cost | Average Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
Dehumidifier |
$50–$200 |
$1,300–$2,800 |
|
Microwave |
$50–$400 |
$60–$2,000 |
|
Dishwasher |
$50–$500 |
$400–$3,000 |
|
Exhaust Fans |
$16–$300 |
$250–$950 |
|
Electric Range |
$100–$500 |
$230–$3,000 |
|
Gas Range |
$100–$500 |
$230–$3,000 |
|
Dryer |
$100–$400 |
$450–$2,300 |
|
Oven |
$100–$430 |
$400–$3,000 |
|
Washer |
$50–$450 |
$400–$2,300 |
|
Freezer |
$90–$500 |
$160–$2,900 |
|
Refrigerator |
$40–$350 |
$200–$5,000 |
Life span and repair cost data sourced from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and Home Depot.
American Home Shield: Final Verdict
We recommend AHS to homeowners who need comprehensive protection for their homes. Its generous coverage caps and preexisting condition protections make it the best choice for older homes. Although American Home Shield charges more for comprehensive protection, its extensive coverage offers peace of mind for those faced with costly repairs.
Some customers cited inefficient technicians and delayed repairs but our team experienced positive results. We recommend assessing your appliances and systems to determine if a more comprehensive plan is best for your needs.
FAQ About American Home Shield
Is American Home Shield regulated?
Yes, American Home Shield is checked by government regulators and industry associations. These home warranty regulations are in place to ensure that American Home Shield has the homeowner’s best interest in mind.
Does American Home Shield cover roof leaks?
Yes, AHS does cover roof leaks. The company will pay up to $1,500 for roof-leak repairs over the agreement term.
How do American Home Shield warranties work?
American Home Shield warranties work like any other home warranty. Customers can file a claim online or over the phone when a covered item breaks due to normal wear and tear. AHS will send a technician to you within 48 hours to assess the issue. The technician will then recommend a repair or replacement and ask you to pay a service fee.
Do I need an American Home Shield warranty if I have homeowners insurance?
Even if you have homeowners insurance, we recommend buying a home warranty to cover repairs or replacements on major systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance only covers structural damage to your house from instances like natural disasters, fire, or theft.
How do I cancel an American Home Shield policy?
You can cancel your AHS plan at any point by calling 833-706-2865. If you cancel within 30 days of signing up, the company will refund all contract fees. If you cancel after the first 30 days, the provider will refund you a prorated amount for the remaining length of coverage.
Does American Home Shield have a cancellation fee?
Yes, American Home Shield charges an administrative fee if you cancel your policy more than 30 days after purchasing a plan. This fee equals your monthly premium. For example, the administrative fee will be $50 if you paid a $50 premium.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
