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Looking for a comparison of Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield? Choice Home Warranty (CHW) and American Home Shield (AHS) are top-rated home warranty companies that offer comprehensive plans that protect a variety of home appliances and systems. Continue reading for the This Old House Review team’s analysis of Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield and determine which offers the best home warranty.
Our Take
Both American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty offer comprehensive home warranty plans that protect your major systems and appliances. American Home Shield offers more coverage plans and customization options than Choice Home Warranty, but Choice Home Warranty plans cost less.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield
| Provider | Choice Home Warranty | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Choice Home Warranty | American Home Shield |
| This Old House rating | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Get a free quote | Visit site | Visit site |
| Plan options | Basic, Total, and optional add-ons | ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, ShieldPlatinum™, and optional add-ons |
| Monthly premiums | $36–$44 per month | $40–$58 per month |
| Service fee deductible | $60–85 | $75–$125 |
| State availability | 48 states (all except California and Washington) | 49 states (all except Alaska) |
| BBB rating | B- | B |
| Years in business | 12 | 49 |
Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Coverage
American Home Shield offers three plans plus optional add-ons, while Choice Home Warranty offers two plans and options for extra coverage. Here’s a detailed breakdown of these providers’ coverage options:
Choice Home Warranty Coverage
Choice Home Warranty offers two coverage plans: a Basic Plan and Total Plan. The Basic Plan covers 14 appliances and systems but excludes coverage for an air conditioning system, refrigerator, washer, and dryer. The Total Plan covers everything in the Basic plan, plus these four items.
Plans
| Plans | Basic Plan | Total Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | Basic Plan | Total Plan |
| Air Conditioner | ✓ | |
| Refrigerator | ✓ | |
| Clothes Washer | ✓ | |
| Clothes Dryer | ✓ | |
| Heating System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing Stoppages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water Heater | ✓ | ✓ |
| Whirlpool Bathtub | ✓ | ✓ |
| Oven, Range, and Stove | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cooktop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in Microwave | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage Disposal | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage Door Opener | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling and Exhaust Fans | ✓ | ✓ |
Choice Home Warranty also offers these nine optional add-ons:
- Septic system
- Sump pump
- Stand alone freezer
- Second refrigerator
- Central vacuum
- Pool and spa
- Septic tank pumping
- Limited roof leaks
- Well pump
American Home Shield Coverage
There are three American Home Shield plans: ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, and ShieldPlatinum™. ShieldPlatinum covers everything included in the Systems and Appliances plans with additional benefits such as coverage boosts and roof leak coverage.
Plans
| Systems and Appliances | ShieldSilver™ | ShieldGold™ | ShieldPlatinum™ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems and Appliances | ShieldSilver™ | ShieldGold™ | ShieldPlatinum™ |
| Air Conditioning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Doorbells | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smoke Detectors | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling Fans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing and Stoppages | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water Heaters | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water Dispensers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Central Vacuums | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Refrigerators | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ranges, Ovens, and Cooktops | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Clothes Washer | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Clothes Dryers | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Dishwashers | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Built-In Microwave | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Trash Compactors | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Freestanding Ice Maker | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Garage Door Opener | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Built-In Food Centers | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Coverage Boost | ✓ | ||
| Roof Leak Coverage | ✓ |
AHS offers coverage for these five optional add-ons:
- Pool and spa
- Well pump
- Septic pump
- Electronic extended warranty
- Guest units up to 750 square feet
Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Cost
Choice Home Warranty monthly premiums cost less than American Home Shield premiums, ranging between $40–$58 per month. Choice Home Warranty charges a $60–$85 service call fee, while American Home Shield lets you choose a service fee of $75, $100, or $125. The lower the service fee you select, the higher your monthly premium will be and vice versa.
Note: The cost of optional add-ons will vary depending on the specific item purchased, typically adding about $40 to $180 per year to your overall cost.
Choice Home Warranty Cost
| Monthly Premium Cost | $36–$44 per month |
|---|---|
| Monthly Premium Cost | $36–$44 per month |
| Service Fee Deductible | $60–$85 |
American Home Shield Cost
| Monthly Premium Cost | $39.99–$57.99 per month |
|---|---|
| Monthly Premium Cost | $39.99–$57.99 per month |
| Service Fee Deductible | $75–$125 |
Because the cost of a home warranty will depend on your location, the coverage plan you choose, and the square footage of your home, we recommend getting quotes from both providers.
Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Reviews
American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty both received positive ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Regarding customer reviews from the BBB, American Home Shield reviews are more positive, on average, than Choice Home Warranty reviews.
Home Warranty Reviews Comparison
| Provider | Choice Home Warranty | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Choice Home Warranty | American Home Shield |
| BBB rating | B | B |
| BBB accreditation | No | Yes |
| Average BBB customer review rating (out of 5 stars) | 1 star | 2 ½ stars |
| Number of customer reviews on BBB webpage | 1,483 reviews | 6,198 reviews |
Our Conclusion
We recommend American Home Shield if you want comprehensive coverage from a trustworthy provider. If you’re on a budget and want basic home warranty coverage, Choice Home Warranty may be a better option.
Note: A class action lawsuit was filed against Choice Home Warranty in 2019 and remains ongoing. To read more about the lawsuit, click here.
To learn what each provider would charge, request free quotes using the panel above. For additional information on these providers, read our American Home Shield review and our Choice Home Warranty review.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Warranties
Is a home warranty worth it?
A home warranty plan from a reputable provider like American Home Shield or Choice Home Warranty may be worth it for homeowners because it protects them from having to pay unexpected expenses out of pocket when a system or appliance breaks down or needs significant repairs.
How does a home warranty plan work?
Homeowners pay a monthly premium between $25–$60 for their home warranty. When a repair or replacement is needed, homeowners file a claim and are only responsible for a service call fee between $60–$125.
Is there a waiting period for home warranty coverage?
After purchasing a warranty, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before you can request service on a system or appliance.
How much does American Home Shield cost?
American Home Shield costs between $39.99–$57.99 per month and lets you choose a service fee of $75, $100 or $125. The service fee you select affects the cost of your monthly premium.
Do Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield cover HVAC?
Yes. Both Choice Home Warranty plans cover your HVAC system, and you can get HVAC coverage from American Home Shield with the company’s Systems and Combo Plans.
Do Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield cover roofs?
No. American Home Shield doesn’t offer roof coverage, but you can purchase optional roof leak coverage from Choice Home Warranty. With this coverage, you’ll be covered for the full cost of repairing a roof leak but won’t have coverage for roof replacements.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.