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American Home Shield Review (March 2024)

Author Icon By Dana Getz + 1 other Reviewer Icon Reviewed By Mike Qiu Updated 02/23/2024

American Home Shield (AHS) is a veteran in the home warranty industry and one of the best home warranty companies. We recommend AHS for its comprehensive coverage alongside excellent customer service. Read on to see if it’s the right home warranty provider for you.

American Home Shield
4.4
BBB Rating: B
Monthly Cost: $29–$89
Service Fee: $100–$125
Phone: (844) 782-5366
American Home Shield is our top pick for comprehensive coverage
LIMITED TIME OFFER: $150 OFF All Home Warranty Plans
Pros
  • Pays out up to $4,000 per covered appliance in its ShieldPlatinum plan ($2,000 with ShieldGold)
  • Includes coverage for rust, corrosion, and sediment damage
  • Doesn’t exclude coverage for pro-series appliances
Cons
  • Charges over $60 per month for its ShieldPlatinum plan, which is higher than other providers charge for comprehensive coverage
  • Provides limited coverage flexibility, only offering five additional coverage options
  • Monthly Cost: $64 – $74
  • Service Fee: $100-$125
  • BBB Rating: B
  • Plan Options: 3 (ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum)
  • Known for: Best Comprehensive Coverage

American Home Shield offers the ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum plans. The ShieldSilver plan covers systems, the ShieldGold plan adds appliances to the entirety of the ShieldSilver’s coverage, and the ShieldPlatinum plan increases coverage limits and offers a free HVAC tune-up.

The table below highlights each plan’s coverage options:

  • ShieldSilver: $5,000 for systems
  • ShieldGold: $5,000 for systems, $2,000 for appliances
  • ShieldPlatinum: $5,000 for systems, $4,000 for appliances

Our Take on American Home Shield

We rated American Home Shield 4.4 out of 5 stars. We consider the company to have one of the most comprehensive home warranty plans due to its three plan options, generous coverage limits, and flexible service call fees. Its extensive plan options, nationwide availability, and decades of experience make it a good investment for homeowners.

Additionally, Frontdoor, American Home Shield’s parent company, offers a mobile app that pairs well with a coverage plan. We downloaded the app and found an extensive how-to library that provides routine maintenance tips, repair instructions, and more.

With a home warranty from AHS, you’ll only pay your monthly premium and chosen service call fee when your systems and appliances unexpectedly break down. When we surveyed 1,000 homeowners, 76% said they paid $400 or more for a broken system or appliance repair. An AHS plan could pay for itself within the first repair because plans start at $360 annually.

In the American Home Shield reviews we read, policyholders love the ease of submitting claims, timely responses about their claims, and knowledgeable technicians who are happy to give thorough explanations of the work they perform.

Note: The pricing above and throughout the article reflects a sample quote we pulled for a 1,500-square-foot single-family home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Your pricing may vary depending on your location, your home’s size and type, and your plan and add-on selections.


Pros and Cons of American Home Shield

Pros Pays out up to $4,000 per covered appliance in its ShieldPlatinum plan, which is higher than most competitors Includes coverage for rust, corrosion, and sediment damage, while most competitors say "maybe" Doesn’t exclude coverage for pro-series appliances, while many competitors charge extra
Cons Charges over $60 per month for its ShieldPlatinum plan, which is higher than other providers charge for comprehensive coverage Only offers five additional coverage options, while competitors like Liberty Home Guard offer over 40

American Home Shield Plans and Coverage

American Home Shield plans cover some of the most important household systems and appliances. AHS offers the following three plans:

ShieldSilver

ShieldGold

ShieldPlatinum

The ShieldSilver plan covers systems including:

  • Air conditioning
  • Plumbing
  • Discounted home maintenance services
  • Electrical systems

This plan does not cover appliances, and the systems coverage cap is $5,000.

The ShieldGold plan includes everything in ShieldSilver, plus:

  • Refrigerators
  • Cooktops
  • Kitchen Appliances
  • Laundry Appliances

The systems coverage cap is $5,000, and the appliance coverage cap is $2,000.

The ShieldPlatinum plan covers everything in ShieldGold plus:

  • Roof-leak repairs
  • Coverage for code violations, permits, and modifications
  • Free HVAC tune-up
  • Unlimited A/C refrigerant

This plan is best for comprehensive coverage, and the appliance coverage cap doubles to $4,000.

American Home Shield Coverage Caps

American Home Shield provides multiple coverage caps. For example, AHS includes a $5,000 limit per covered system in all plans. AHS pairs major appliances with a $2,000 limit. Its most comprehensive plan, ShieldPlatinum, doubles the appliance coverage limit to $4,000 per covered item. You are responsible for the additional cost if a repair or replacement exceeds the established coverage cap.

In addition to generous coverage caps, American Home Shield covers unique conditions other providers do not. For example, it covers items with rust, corrosion, sediment damage, and preexisting conditions. It doesn’t require a home inspection before granting coverage.

American Home Shield Exclusions

American Home Shield has notable coverage exclusions. It won’t cover standard maintenance, such as air filter changes for your air conditioner. It won’t cover construction costs associated with repairing or replacing an item, manufacturing defects, mold or mildew removal, and more.

Here is American Home Shield’s sample contract, which lists its exact terms and conditions. Note that service contract terms vary from state to state. Contact American Home Shield for more information on your state-specific clauses.

American Home Shield Coverage Plans Compared

We compiled a list of American Home Shield’s covered items per plan in the table below.

CoverageShieldSilverShieldGoldShieldPlatinum

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

American Home Shield offers coverage for five additional items that you can include with any plan. American Home Shield provides comprehensive coverage limits and flexible service call fees to compensate for its limited additional coverage. Providers that offer more add-ons, such as Liberty Home Guard, tend to have lower coverage limits.

Here are the optional add-ons with the sample pricing we requested. For ShieldSilver and ShieldGold holders, roof-leak protection is also available for purchase.

  • Electronics extended warranty ($14 per month)
  • Guest unit ($10 per month)
  • Pool and spa ($24 per month)
  • Roof-leak repair ($10 per month)
  • Septic pump ($5 per month)
  • Well pump ($8 per month)

American Home Shield Pricing

American Home Shield’s home warranty prices are higher than industry averages. Plan pricing depends on where you live, the plan type you choose, and how many add-ons you include in your coverage. For example, a plan may cost more if you live in a state with severe weather or if your home is larger than 5,000 square feet. In addition, plans usually cost more if you choose more comprehensive coverage.

American Home Shield costs between $29.99 and $89.99 per month, not including $100 and $125 service call fees. We utilized American Home Shield’s online quote tool for pulling pricing data. In total, the online quote process took under two minutes to complete. Selecting add-ons was easy. You simply check a box next to the add-on you want. Your monthly premium adjusts automatically based on your selections. 

One of our team members owns an American Home Shield plan and confirmed that the company automatically withdraws the monthly premium from the credit card on file.

Choosing a higher service fee means your monthly premium will be cheaper and vice versa. The table below shows pricing details for each plan paired with a $100 or $125 service fee:

Plan$125 Service Fee Price$100 Service Call FeeCoverage Caps
ShieldSilver$29.99$39.99$5,000
ShieldGold$49.99$59.99Systems: $5,000
Appliances: $2,000
ShieldPlatinum$79.99$89.99Systems: $5,000
Appliances: $4,000

The pricing above reflects the quote we pulled for a single-family home located in Raleigh, North Carolina. We recommend filling out this simple online form to get a free quote for plans in your area.


How Do You Use Your American Home Shield Plan?

Once you sign up, you’re a click or call away from using your American Home Shield plan. During our secret-shopping process, we experienced brief wait times each time we called AHS, averaging under three minutes per call. Each representative we spoke with answered our questions fully without pressuring us to sign up.

American Home Shield’s claims process involves filing a claim via your online portal or calling its 24/7 claims phone line. Although you can file a claim anytime, American Home Shield’s response time may vary.

It aims to process your claim and send a service technician to diagnose your issue within 48 hours of receiving it. However, if you file a claim after normal business hours or during holidays, American Home Shield may take longer to process your claim.

You can choose your own technician if American Home Shield cannot find one within its network of licensed service providers. You must first obtain approval from American Home Shield before your technician does work and keep itemized receipts of the repair or replacement.

It’s a good idea to review your service contract to understand your plan’s specific terms and conditions, especially how it handles claims. According to Arthur Chartrand, of counsel to the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA), American Home Shield, and home warranties in general, are in business to send someone to your home and fix your issue within a commercially reasonable time. He adds that expecting quick fixes for large breakdowns, such as an HVAC failure, is unreasonable.

How Do You File a Claim With American Home Shield?

During our testing process, a member of our team filed a claim for a plumbing leak. He filed the claim on his smartphone online by signing into his claims portal account. American Home Shield’s claims portal displays the repairs covered under your selected plan. Our team member entered his issue by selecting several prompts. After he submitted his claim, AHS sent a confirmation email and text stating it received the claim.

Within an hour, our team member received a call from a local service provider and scheduled an appointment for the next day. Our team member recalled the service contractor arrived before their scheduled appointment and repaired the issue in roughly two hours. Our team member reported that the contractor was courteous, knowledgeable, and provided satisfactory service.


Which States is American Home Shield Available?

American Home Shield offers home warranty coverage in 48 states nationwide, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.


American Home Shield Reviews

American Home Shield has a mix of positive and negative customer reviews. Overall, we found customers were satisfied with the service and value American Home Shield provides. Some customers are happy with the quick fixes and easy claims process, while some complain about denied claims and negative experiences with on-site technicians.

We analyzed dozens of customer reviews from sites such as the Better Business Bureau, ConsumerAffairs, and Trustpilot. Our analysis suggest that a home warranty is worth it from American Home Shield, given the plans start at just $29.99 per month.

Positive American Home Shield Reviews

Satisfied AHS customers highlight the company's timely response, ease of submitting claims, professional and courteous technicians, thorough explanations of work performed, and reasonably-priced coverage of necessary repairs.

“My HVAC fan that blows air for my AC died. I filed a claim online, was assigned a contractor, Climate Masters, and am extremely pleased with the outcome. I received a $900+ repair and a skilled technician for a low co-pay of $125. I would highly recommend American Home Shield.” — John C., Jun. 6, 2023, on BBB

“The necessary service was done promptly, the serviceman was professional and explained everything thoroughly, and the problem was resolved without further action.” — BJ, Jun. 13, 2023, on Trustpilot

Very pleased with the responsiveness of the company as well as the contractors assigned to do the work. Job was completed less than 24hrs after submitting the work order–which is unheard of especially considering it was a holiday. Great job.” — Brian P., Jun. 1, 2023, on Trustpilot

Negative American Home Shield Reviews

Negative reviews about American Home Shield highlight poor customer service, including long hold times, disconnected calls, and lack of follow-through.

“American Home Shield came out in February and charged me and never fixed the hole in my wall going to tub and yet they charged me and never fixed my toliet. Also, I dispatched them for my whirlpool tub, and they sent a plumber instead of an electrician and it has been over 2 weeks and no movement. Also, I called them about my pool, and they will not cover the t-cell when they did in the past. I will be dropping them!” — Milly G., Jun. 21, 2023, on BBB

We’ve had AHS for over 20 years. These last 5 years have seen a decline in their customer care. Every year the price goes up, and the service contractors go down. The worst is the multiple complaints about certain contractors, yet they keep them as vendors. Its like they give a kickback to contractors for listing stuff on the invoice that nulls your contract for that item.” — Chandra W, Jun. 21, 2023, on BBB

We needed a faucet repair, and the first guy that AHS sent out was okay, but the repair was done incorrectly. So, we had to send for another one, and they came out and fixed it. Also, we had to call AHS eight times to get the proper information.” — Gregory, Jun. 7, 2023, on ConsumerAffairs

We also received this feedback from one of our readers:

They are unresponsive, do not follow through on calls, and use cut-rate service vendors who lack in their ability to complete repairs in a timely manner. I have now been waiting a month for hot water, have had three visits from the service vendor, and have been told by both the vendor and AHS that the parts are on order. My previous experience with AHS was to get a clothes dryer repaired. After over a month of waiting for parts, I finally purchased a new dryer. Several months later they did reimburse me for the purchase. AHS never did any follow-up until I cancelled the service call and demanded payment.— John F., Oct. 28, 2022

Despite some negative reviews, we found American Home Shield takes customer service seriously. As noted, we had a positive experience speaking with representatives. In addition, the NHSCA, a non-profit industry organization that self-regulates member companies, lists American Home Shield as a member company. When we surveyed 1,000 homeowners about which home warranty provider they use, American Home Shield was the most popular at 23%.


American Home Shield vs. Competitors

Company BBB Rating Monthly Cost Service Fee Visit Site
A $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
No results were found.
Monthly Cost Service Fee Response Time BBB Rating Link
American Home Shield American Home Shield $29–$89 $100–$125 Up to 48 hours B VISIT SITE
Liberty Home Guard Liberty Home Guard $49–$59 $65–$125 Up to 48 hours A VISIT SITE
Elite Home Warranty Elite Home Warranty $44–$58 $70 Up to 48 hours A+ VISIT SITE
Select Home Warranty Select Home Warranty $44–$47 $60–$75 48-84 hours B VISIT SITE
AFC Home Warranty AFC Home Warranty $38–$64 $75–$125 24-48 hours B VISIT SITE
First American Home Warranty First American Home Warranty $42–$82 $75–$125 4-48 hours B VISIT SITE
Cinch Home Services Cinch Home Services $30–$56 $100–$150 2-24 hours B VISIT SITE
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty $27–$70 $65–$100 Up to 48 hours A- VISIT SITE
American Home Shield
Logo American Home Shield
Monthly Cost $29–$89
Service Fee $100–$125
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Liberty Home Guard
Logo Liberty Home Guard
Monthly Cost $49–$59
Service Fee $65–$125
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating A
VISIT SITE
Elite Home Warranty
Logo Elite Home Warranty
Monthly Cost $44–$58
Service Fee $70
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating A+
VISIT SITE
Select Home Warranty
Logo Select Home Warranty
Monthly Cost $44–$47
Service Fee $60–$75
Response Time 48-84 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
AFC Home Warranty
Logo AFC Home Warranty
Monthly Cost $38–$64
Service Fee $75–$125
Response Time 24-48 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
First American Home Warranty
Logo First American Home Warranty
Monthly Cost $42–$82
Service Fee $75–$125
Response Time 4-48 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
Cinch Home Services
Logo Cinch Home Services
Monthly Cost $30–$56
Service Fee $100–$150
Response Time 2-24 hours
BBB Rating B
VISIT SITE
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
Logo 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
Monthly Cost $27–$70
Service Fee $65–$100
Response Time Up to 48 hours
BBB Rating A-
VISIT SITE

Annual Home Warranty Cost Calculator

We created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty. Enter your monthly premium, service call fee, and estimated number of claims to see your projected annual cost. It’s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers, as annual costs and service fees vary between them.

ApplianceAverage Repair CostAverage 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

Lifespan and repair cost data sourced from InterNACHI and Home Depot


American Home Shield Review - Key Takeaways

We rated American Home Shield 4.4 out of 5 stars for its comprehensive coverage options and high coverage caps. Furthermore, AHS allows you to choose your service call fee to customize your premiums for further peace of mind.

If you’re ready to sign up for a home warranty with American Home Shield, get a free online quote for pricing in your area. Read its sample contract and call a representative to understand coverage options, exclusions, and limitations.


FAQ About American Home Shield

Is American Home Shield legitimate?

Yes, American Home Shield is legitimate. With more than 50 years of experience, American Home Shield is the home warranty industry’s oldest and largest home warranty company. It has a network of more than 17,000 professional contractors who provide service if a major home system or appliance breaks down or malfunctions.

Although AHS home warranty has mixed reviews, most customers are satisfied with the provider’s responsive customer service, customizable pricing, and fast claims process. In our survey of 1,000 homeowners, a confusing or difficult claims process was the most common complaint (21%), so this is a standout feature.

Is American Home Shield regulated?

American Home Shield is regulated by government regulatory bodies and industry associations. These home warranty regulations are in place to ensure American Home Shield has the homeowner’s best interests in mind.

Does American Home Shield cover roof leaks?

Yes, AHS covers roof leaks. The company will pay up to $1,500 for roof leak repairs per the agreement term. Note that roof-leak repair coverage isn’t available in Hawaii.

How do American Home Shield home warranties work?

American Home Shield home warranties work like any other home warranty. Customers can file a claim online or over the phone when a covered item breaks down due to normal wear and tear. American Home Shield will send a technician to you within 48 hours to assess the issue. The tech will then recommend a repair or replacement. At this time, you’ll pay your set service fee.

Do I need an American Home Shield home warranty if I have homeowners insurance?

Even if you have homeowners insurance, we recommend buying a home warranty to cover repairs and replacements on major systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance only covers structural damage to your house from instances including natural disasters, fire, and theft.

How do I cancel an American Home Shield policy?

You can cancel your American Home Shield plan anytime by calling 833-706-2865. If you cancel within 30 days of signing up, American Home Shield will refund your contract fees. If you cancel after the first 30 days, the company 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 after 30 days of purchasing a plan. This fee equals your monthly premium. For example, if you paid a $50 premium, the administrative fee will be $50.


Why Trust Us? Our review and rating process for the best home warranty companies
57
Companies Considered We carefully considered 57 companies to find the best home warranty providers available.
2000
Home Owners Surveyed We surveyed 2,000 home owners to see what they care about most when in comes to home protection.
57000
Reviews Analyzed We went through 57,000 customer reviews of home warranty companies to see what people had to say about each provider.
31
Coverages Compared We compared 31 policies to find the best home warranty offerings on the market.

Our Rating Methodology

We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to score each provider objectively. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. 

We score each provider against our review standards, which include four comparison categories: coverage, value, trust and transparency, and availability and service. We rate each provider across 31 factors within these categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We then convert the final scores to a 5-star rating. 

Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:

  • Coverage (40%): We scored coverage based on included home systems and appliances, add-on options, and unique benefits. We also compared coverage caps and policy exclusions.
    • Additional coverage items
    • Annual coverage cap
    • Home systems coverage
    • Major appliances coverage
    • Obstructed wall coverage cap
  • Value (30%): We compared the coverage level received to monthly pricing to determine plan value. We considered premium pricing, service fees, and flexibility in customizing plan costs. 
    • Average monthly cost
    • Cost flexibility
    • Lowest service fee
  • Trust and Transparency (16%): We evaluated each company’s reputation using the Better Business Bureau ratings and customer reviews on third-party review sites. We read through plan change policies, workmanship protections, and sample contract availability. 
    • Brand reputation
    • Policy change flexibility
    • Sample contract availability
    • Workmanship guarantee length
  • Availability and Service (14%): We award higher scores for faster claim processing and response times. We also considered service technician policies, including options to choose your technician. 
    • Claims process
    • Guaranteed response time
    • Service flexibility

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.

New Jersey Residents: The product being offered by the featured brand is a service contract and is separate and distinct from any product or service warranty which may be provided by the home builder or manufacturer.