American Home Shield Review (2026)

American Home Shield is one of the oldest and most well-known home warranty companies, offering coverage for home systems and appliances across the country. Its plans range from system-only coverage to comprehensive protection for both major home systems and appliances. The company also stands out for covering certain preexisting conditions that many competitors exclude from coverage.

In this review, we explain why American Home Shield ranks among the best home warranty companies by comparing its plans, pricing, coverage, and customer reviews. We also surveyed 2,000 homeowners nationwide about their home warranty experiences and highlight feedback from American Home Shield customers, along with insights from our firsthand claims testing.

Best Overall

American Home Shield

4.9

Overall Score

We use extensive first-party research, secret shopping, and firsthand testing to evaluate companies on key factors. We then develop a numeric score for each brand to determine an overall score.

Explore Plans

Monthly Cost $36–$100

Service Fee $100–$125

BBB Rating B

States Covered 48 states (ex. AK, HI, & NYC)

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Extends higher coverage limits of up to $5,000 on major systems and up to $4,000 per appliance
• Doesn’t require you to submit maintenance records when requesting service, unlike many competitors
• No age limits on covered systems and appliances

Cons

• May charge higher average monthly pricing, especially for comprehensive coverage
• Only a few add-on choices compared to companies such as Liberty Home Guard
• Not available in Alaska or Hawaii

Add-Ons

American Home Shield offers fewer add-ons when compared to other service providers. Current offerings include:

• Electronics Protection Plan
• Guest unit 
• Pool and spa equipment 
• Roof leak repair 
• Septic pump
• Well pump

Our Take on American Home Shield

American Home Shield offers some of the highest coverage limits among the home warranty providers we reviewed. Its most comprehensive plan includes up to $4,000 for appliances and $5,000 for home systems, helping offset the cost of expensive repairs and multiple breakdowns during your contract term. Plus, its network of more than 17,000 contractors makes it easier to schedule qualified technicians without long wait times.

One of American Home Shield’s biggest advantages is its willingness to cover items with preexisting conditions or physical damage, which many competitors exclude from coverage. A preexisting condition refers to a problem with an appliance or system that existed before your home warranty coverage began.

However, American Home Shield charges more for its comprehensive coverage compared to many competitors. It also offers only six add-on coverage options. While that may be enough for homeowners who need standard systems and appliance protection, those with specialty items, such as a septic system or second refrigerator, may find more flexibility elsewhere.

In American Home Shield reviews, customers frequently mention the straightforward claims process, quick response times, and knowledgeable service technicians. Negative feedback centers on lower-than-expected claims payouts and occasional reports of technicians who were unable to fully resolve repair issues.

Despite these drawbacks, American Home Shield remains one of the most popular home warranty providers. In our 2026 survey of 2,000 homeowners nationwide, 41% said they currently have an American Home Shield home warranty.

What Does American Home Shield Cover?

American Home Shield offers a system-only plan and two comprehensive system-and-appliance plans. Our survey showed that 75% of homeowners with American Home Shield chose a comprehensive plan. Below, we’ll discuss the available plans and their coverage details.

Core Plans

American Home Shield offers three plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. If you only want coverage for your home’s major systems—like heating, cooling, and electrical—ShieldSilver is a good fit. The plan covers 14 systems, and you get up to $5,000 in coverage for air conditioning, heating, and ductwork. Plus, there’s no cap on plumbing and electrical repairs.

The ShieldGold plan includes everything in ShieldSilver and adds major appliances, including cooktops, kitchen appliances, laundry machines, and refrigerators. The appliance limit is $2,000, which is on par with the industry standard.

ShieldPlatinum is the top-tier option, offering the most coverage. It doubles the appliance limit of the ShieldGold plan to $4,000 and offers extra perks like a free HVAC system tune-up and up to $1,000 for roof leak repairs, which most other companies charge extra for.

Coverage Details

American Home Shield’s plans also cover issues many other home warranties exclude, like rust, corrosion, sediment damage, and certain preexisting conditions. Preexisting conditions only qualify for coverage if they weren’t detectable through a visual inspection or a simple mechanical test before your home warranty plan starts.

In our survey, 35% of American Home Shield customers said they purchased a plan to protect older systems and appliances, making the company’s comprehensive coverage a good fit for homes with aging equipment. The company also covers items that were improperly installed or modified, which is another advantage over many competitors.

All American Home Shield plans come with a 30-day workmanship guarantee, which is standard for the home warranty industry. This guarantee states that American Home Shield will fix your item for free if something goes wrong with a repair or replacement after it’s completed.

All of American Home Shield’s plans have a $50,000 aggregate coverage limit, which is the total amount the company will pay during your policy term. Once you’ve received $50,000 in approved payouts, you’ll have to pay for any remaining repairs or replacements out of pocket.

Covered Items by Plan

Add-Ons

American Home Shield offers six add-ons that you can buy with your plan. This is far less than other providers we’ve reviewed, which typically offer 8–12 options. Pricing and coverage caps vary between each covered item. Coverage caps range from $500–$3,000, which is slightly higher than most other home warranty companies. We’ve listed the available add-ons below:

• Electronics extended warranty
• Guest unit
• Pool and built-in spa equipment
• Roof-leak repair
• Septic pump
• Well pump

Homeowner Insights

Roof-leak coverage was the most popular add-on among American Home Shield customers in our survey, making it a worthwhile upgrade to consider if your home is prone to roof leaks that can cause damage over time.

The Fine Print

Like all home warranty companies, American Home Shield has some exclusions that can lead to denied claims. For example, it won’t cover standard maintenance services, like changing air filters in your air conditioner, which the company considers routine tasks homeowners can handle themselves. 

The company also won’t cover construction costs, which can include any expenses related to structural changes or modifications to your home. American Home Shield also excludes manufacturing defects, or flaws in an appliance or system that occur during production. Additionally, American Home Shield won’t cover mold and mildew removal, as these are often considered environmental hazards and require specialized removal services.

Below is a screenshot of a sample contract from the American Home Shield website that outlines key coverage details.

How Much Does American Home Shield Cost?

American Home Shield costs between $36 and $100 per month, based on averages we pulled from over 1,200 sample quotes, including single-family homes over and under 4,000 square feet. The total cost of American Home Shield coverage depends on the plan, add-ons, and service call fee you choose. Here’s a breakdown of the average plan costs:

• ShieldSilver: $36 per month
• ShieldGold: $50 per month
• ShieldPlatinum: $100 per month

American Home Shield only allows you to pay monthly premiums, unlike many home warranty companies that give you the option to pay annually. This matters because other providers typically offer discounts if you pay annually.

Home Warranty Cost Factors

In certain states, American Home Shield’s comprehensive plans can cost more than the industry average of $70–$80 per month. For example, in Rhode Island, the ShieldPlatinum plan averages around $112–$142 per month, which is higher than the national average.

Pricing also varies based on your selected service call fee, which is the price you pay when a technician comes out to service an item. American Home Shield allows you to choose between a $100 or $125 fee. Choosing the lower service call fee will increase your monthly costs and vice versa.

If you live in an area with severe weather or have a home larger than 5,000 square feet, you can also expect higher premiums due to the increased risk of claims and more systems to cover.

Add-On Costs

The cost of add-ons varies based on your selected service. Add-ons start at $5 monthly for septic pump coverage and go up to $24 for pool and built-in spa equipment protection. You can add roof-leak coverage to the ShieldSilver and ShieldGold plans for $10 monthly. We recommend only choosing essential coverage and limiting add-ons to keep your overall costs down.

Here’s a breakdown of add-on fees by plan:

Discounts

American Home Shield offers various discounts that can help lower monthly costs.

American Home Shield Customer Service

American Home Shield offers a mobile app that makes managing your home warranty plan more convenient. Available for both iOS and Android devices, the app allows users to file and track service requests, view contract details, and manage payments all in one place. It’s designed to streamline communication between homeowners and service technicians, helping reduce claim delays and paperwork.

Video Chat with Live Experts

ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plan holders also have access to real-time video chat, a feature that connects users with experienced repair professionals for live troubleshooting and support. According to the American Home Shield website, these experts have an average of 20 years of experience with appliances and systems such as your home’s HVAC, plumbing, and electrical.

Video chat is available daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET and is included at no additional cost. In many cases, an expert can help resolve an issue on the spot, potentially avoiding a technician visit and saving you on service fees.

To use the feature, open the American Home Shield app, log in, and tap “Video Chat with an Expert.” Next, select the category that matches your issue, start the video call, and use your phone’s camera to show the expert the problem. The expert will then walk you through potential fixes or recommend a service visit if needed.

Comparing American Home Shield to Other Top Providers

American Home Shield tops our list of leading home warranty providers, though it’s more expensive than other companies. Liberty Home Guard and Select Home Warranty are more budget-friendly, but Select has the lowest rating compared to other providers because it generally offers less coverage. Elite Home Warranty and First American are great midrange options.

Provider	Monthly Plan Cost	Service Fee	BBB Rating Note: BBB ratings are accurate as of January 2025. NR, or “No Rating,” indicates that the BBB has not issued a rating due to an ongoing review or update to a company’s profile	State Availability
Liberty Home GuardExplore Plans	$57–$68	$65–$125	NR	All 50 states
American Home ShieldExplore Plans	$36–$100	$100–$125	B	48 states (ex. AK, HI, & NYC)
Choice Home WarrantyExplore Plans	$60–$68	$100	B	49 states (ex. WA)
First American Home WarrantyExplore Plans	$77–$130	$100–$125	A-	36 states

_{Note: Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings are accurate as of the time of publishing. A “No Rating” or “NR” indicates that the BBB has not issued a rating due to an ongoing review or update to a company’s profile.}

What Do Customers Say About American Home Shield?

To better understand the American Home Shield customer experience, we looked into third-party reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot, as well as responses from American Home Shield customers in our 2026 home warranty survey.

American Home Shield holds a B rating from the BBB and is accredited by the organization, along with a customer rating of 1.32 out of 5 stars based on more than 6,200 reviews. On Trustpilot, the company has 3.8 out of 5 stars based on more than 15,000 customer reviews.

Below are sample reviews from American Home Shield customers:

“I’ve had American Home Shield for over six years, and I truly appreciate their excellent service and prompt attention whenever I’ve needed repairs. Every time I’ve had to submit a service request, the process has been smooth, and they’ve connected me with reliable contractors who get the job done. … They’ve given me great peace of mind, and I’m grateful for the service they’ve provided.” —Jeanette C. via Trustpilot, June 2026

“I would definitely not recommend using this company. I’ve been for weeks without a washer. It takes them forever to come out, forever to get a part that doesn’t even work and who knows when my replacement will really be here. They also do not cover the pedestal for my washer so I have to pay out of pocket for that. So $75 a month, $135 to come out and now $189 for the pedestal. And the mass amount of time you spend on the phone with them is horrible customer service.” —Kelli B. via Trustpilot, June 2026

Insights From Customer Reviews and Our Survey

To learn more about customer experiences, we compared themes in online reviews with our survey results and firsthand testing. Overall, our findings reflected what we found in customer reviews. Most of our survey respondents reported positive claims experiences and were satisfied with their coverage, though some experienced longer repair timelines similar to those described in online reviews.

Customers say in online reviews that American Home Shield frequently responds to submitted claims within 24 hours or less, surpassing its promised 48-hour turnaround time. We experienced a similar turnaround when we tested American Home Shield’s claims process firsthand. After our home warranty tester submitted a claim online, a service technician reached out within an hour to schedule a next-day appointment.

Other reviews mention friendly, knowledgeable technicians and several long-time customers who had stayed with American Home Shield for more than 10 years. Negative reviews suggest that the company’s service isn’t consistent in every area, with some customers reporting waits of two weeks or more for repairs or replacement parts, lower-than-expected claims payouts, or technicians who couldn’t complete repairs.

Our home warranty survey revealed similar experiences with American Home Shield:

• 93% of respondents had their most recent claim approved
• 53% had their claim resolved within one week, while another 29% said it took two to three weeks
• 50% received a repair, while 36% received a replacement
• 92% said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome of their most recent claim

Our Experience With American Home Shield

We signed up for an American Home Shield plan and submitted a couple of claims to see how it really works. Below, we’ll share what we learned about the sign-up process and how American Home Shield handled things when we needed a repair.

Signing Up

American Home Shield makes signing up for services online or over the phone easy. Our tester used the online quote tool to start his sign-up process. You can also use the online tool to compare plans and switch between service call fees. Any changes you make, like adjusting fees or selecting add-on options, will instantly update to show your estimated costs in real time.

After selecting your plan, you’ll be prompted to finalize your payment details. Our American Home Shield tester 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. You can also add any promo codes before finalizing your purchase. Once completed, you’ll receive a confirmation from American Home Shield that includes your plan start date, which is 30 days after sign-up. 

The process is straightforward. Once your account is established, you can manage your policy through the customer portal or intuitive smartphone app. 

Filing Claims

American Home Shield’s claims process involves filing a claim via your online portal or calling its 24/7 claims phone line. Our team member tested the American Home Shield claim process and listed the following steps:

Step 1: Start the Claim

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. American Home Shield ’s claims portal displays what’s covered under your plan and lets you select your required repair. 

In his case, he needed to repair a leaky bathroom pipe. American Home Shield offers service call fees of either $100 or $125 per service repair. You can pick your service call fee when using the company’s online quote tool.

Step 2: Enter Issue Details

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.

Step 3: Confirm Your Claim and Submit

After that, you’ll get details about the service professional assigned to your claim. American Home Shield will let you know when to expect a call and share info about how the company is handling the repair. If they can’t find a technician through their network, you can choose your own—just make sure to get American Home Shield approval before any work starts. We recommend keeping itemized repair or replacement receipts for later reimbursement.

Home Warranty Advice From a Homeowner

Determining whether an American Home Shield plan is the way to go depends on your circumstances. Having that safety net for unexpected repairs is a big relief for many homeowners. American Home Shield covers major systems and appliances, saving you significant money if something breaks down. But over time, the monthly premiums and service fees can add up, making you wonder if you’re getting your money’s worth.

Our tester, Scott P., said he was satisfied with the service he received. However, he was unsure whether to keep his American Home Shield policy. 

“I appreciate the peace of mind that my home is covered with the policy,” Scott says, “But my biggest complaint is the amount I’ve spent on the plan over the years.” 

An important consideration is whether the coverage makes sense for your situation. If your home is older or has aging systems, the chances of costly repairs are higher, so having a plan could be a good move. However, if your home is newer and doesn’t need much maintenance, the plan’s lifetime cost might not be worthwhile.

Is American Home Shield Right for You?

American Home Shield is a solid fit for homeowners who want comprehensive coverage, especially those with older systems and appliances more likely to break and need repairs. The company offers higher coverage limits than many competitors and covers preexisting conditions, making it a strong choice if you’re concerned about expensive breakdowns. While American Home Shield’s plans cost more than those of many competitors, you may find the added protection worth it if you want broader coverage and higher claim limits.

Our testing and survey results support our recommendation. American Home Shield responded quickly during our claims testing, and 85% of customers in our 2026 survey reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their plan. Another 90% said they planned to renew their coverage.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly plan or extensive add-on options, another provider may offer a better fit. If you prioritize comprehensive coverage and generous claim limits, American Home Shield is one of the strongest home warranty companies we reviewed.

FAQs About American Home Shield

How We Evaluated Home Warranty Providers

Our home warranty ratings and recommendations are based on a detailed methodology that objectively evaluates each provider. Our research includes reviewing coverage options, analyzing sample contracts, conducting focus groups, and gathering insights through direct provider research.

To get a hands-on feel for each company’s products, we tested online quote tools, reached out to customer support teams, and surveyed 2,000 home warranty policyholders nationwide to learn more about their experiences. We’ve also signed up for home warranty plans with 11 leading providers over a two-year span to directly experience the enrollment and claims processes ourselves. 

We use this information to score each provider in six comparison categories that we think are most important when choosing a home warranty. We rate each provider across 23 factors within those categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We convert the final scores to a 5-star rating. 

Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:

• Coverage (35%): This category looked at how comprehensive each provider’s coverage was, including whether they covered unique items. Companies that covered the most items and had higher annual limits received the highest scores. We docked points from providers that imposed long waiting periods or had depreciation policies that decreased your payouts for aging items. 
• Cost (20%): We looked at average monthly prices and service call fees. We gave the most points to companies that offer pricing at or below the industry average and don’t impose any surcharges or extra fees.
• Trustworthiness (15%): To gauge reputation and reliability, we reviewed customer ratings across sites like the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot, as well as companies’ responses to complaints. We also checked for National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) membership. Providers with the highest ratings and longest workmanship guarantees received higher scores. We deducted points for any ongoing legal issues.
• Plan transparency (10%): We read terms, policies, and disclosures in provided contracts and on each company’s website. Providers with transparent contract details and policies received more points. 
• Customer support (10%): Companies with multiple claims filing options, fast response times, and accessible customer support scored well in this category.
• Flexibility (10%): We awarded more points to providers offering more plan options, larger add-on catalogs, the ability to choose your own technician, and customer-friendly cancellation policies.