Choosing between Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield, two of our top-rated home warranty providers, largely comes down to coverage and cost. American Home Shield is our top choice overall, offering more comprehensive protection and rare coverage for certain preexisting conditions. Choice Home Warranty is a better fit for budget-conscious homeowners who still want coverage for major systems and appliances.
To compare these providers, we analyzed coverage, costs, contract terms, and customer feedback. We also conducted firsthand testing and reviewed our 2026 home warranty survey of 2,000 homeowners nationwide for additional insight into claims and customer experiences.
Key Takeaways
- American Home Shield is our top choice overall for its comprehensive coverage, higher limits, and protection for certain preexisting conditions.
- Choice Home Warranty is the better option for budget-conscious homeowners, offering lower-cost plans and a longer workmanship guarantee than American Home Shield.
- Our 2026 survey supports this comparison, with 59% of American Home Shield customers placing the most importance on coverage when buying a plan and 30% of Choice Home Warranty customers focusing on price.
Our Take on Choice Home Warranty vs American Home Shield
Choosing between Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield ultimately depends on your coverage needs and budget. American Home Shield is the better choice if you need comprehensive coverage and higher limits. It covers conditions many home warranties exclude, including damage from rust, corrosion, and improper installations or modifications. These protections can make American Home Shield especially useful if you have older systems or appliances. However, its plans cost more and offer fewer add-ons for customizing coverage.
Choice Home Warranty is the better fit if affordability is your priority. Its two plans provide systems and appliance protection at a lower price than American Home Shield, with midrange coverage limits. However, Choice Home Warranty doesn’t offer the same protection for preexisting conditions, making it better suited to homeowners who want straightforward coverage without paying for broader protections.
Our 2026 home warranty survey of 2,000 homeowners nationwide also showed a difference in what customers prioritized when choosing these providers. About 59% of American Home Shield customers said coverage was their most important consideration, compared with 46% of Choice Home Warranty customers. Choice customers placed more emphasis on price, with about 30% naming it their top priority, compared with 20% of American Home Shield customers. If you’re weighing the two, consider whether stronger coverage or a lower price matters more for your home and budget.
We recommend Choice Home Warranty if you:
- Prioritize lower monthly costs
- Want combined systems and appliance coverage
- Feel comfortable with midrange coverage limits
We recommend American Home Shield if you:
- Have older systems or appliances
- Want protection for certain preexisting conditions
- Prefer higher coverage limits
How Do Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield Compare?
The table below gives you a side-by-side look at Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield. We pointed out which company comes out on top in four key areas, including coverage, cost, and customer reviews.
| Category | Winner | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | American Home Shield | American Home Shield provides higher coverage limits for most items, plus coverage for preexisting conditions. |
| Cost | Choice Home Warranty | Choice Home Warranty offers more affordable comprehensive plan options. |
| Customer reviews | American Home Shield | American Home Shield has a slightly better overall customer review score when considering both Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings |
| Our experience | American Home Shield | American Home Shield offered better services in our testing, including quick claims processing and technician appointments within 24 hours. |
What Does Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield Cover?
Both Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield offer a range of home warranty plans to meet different homeowner needs. Choice provides two comprehensive plans that cover both appliances and systems, while American Home Shield offers more variety with a systems-only plan and two combination options.
In our 2026 survey, around 69% of respondents said they prefer a comprehensive plan with both systems and appliance coverage. With that in mind, we compared the top comprehensive options from each provider: Choice Home Warranty’s Total Plan and American Home Shield’s ShieldPlatinum plan.
Comparing Coverage: Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield
Overall, American Home Shield offers more comprehensive coverage, while Choice provides stronger protection after a repair is completed. The table below compares Choice Home Warranty’s Total Plan to American Home Shield’s ShieldPlatinum plan for some essential systems and appliance coverage.
| Coverage | Choice Home Warranty Total Plan | American Home Shield ShieldPlatinum Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioners | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-in exhaust/vent/attic fans | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-in jetted tub tub motor and components | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-in microwaves | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ceiling fans | ✔ | ✔ |
| Clothes dryers | ✔ | ✔ |
| Clothes washers | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dishwashers | ✔ | ✔ |
| Doorbells and chimes | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garage door openers | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garbage disposals | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heating system | ✔ | ✔ |
| Instant hot and cold water dispensers | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Electrical system | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing system | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ranges/ovens/cooktops | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerators | ✔ | ✔ |
| Water heaters | ✔ | ✔ |
| Normal wear and tear | ✔ | ✔ |
| Improper installation or repair | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Insufficient maintenance | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Rust, corrosion, or sediment damage | 𝗫 | ✔ |
Choice Home Warranty’s Total Plan covers nine appliances and nine systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, laundry appliances, and dishwashers. American Home Shield’s ShieldPlatinum plan offers broader protection, covering nine appliances and 14 systems. Its top-tier plan also includes benefits Choice lacks, including roof-leak coverage and one free HVAC tune-up.
American Home Shield also covers conditions that Choice and many other providers exclude, including certain preexisting conditions and damage from rust, sediment, corrosion, improper installation, and poor maintenance. These added protections can make American Home Shield a better fit if you have older systems and appliances or are concerned about coverage gaps.
However, Choice has an advantage when it comes to workmanship protection. Its guarantee covers parts for 90 days and labor for 60 days, compared with American Home Shield’s 30-day guarantee. This gives Choice customers a longer window to have a failed covered repair addressed.
Coverage Limits
When comparing coverage limits, American Home Shield offers better coverage overall. Coverage limits outline the maximum amount homeowners could receive for repairs or replacements over their contract term, which is typically 12 months.
While Choice does offer a generous $3,000 limit per item, American Home Shield provides $4,000 or more for most items. American Home Shield includes electrical and plumbing coverage without caps, meaning there’s no set limit on what the company will pay for repairs. This could offer significant savings for homeowners who need frequent repairs or own complex systems.
Here’s an overview of each company’s coverage limits for essential home items. We recommend reviewing American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty sample contracts for more details.
| Item | Choice Home Warranty Total PlanCoverage Limits | American Home ShieldShieldPlatinum Coverage Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning systems | $3,000 | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Clothes dryers | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| Clothes washers | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| Dishwashers | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| Electrical | $3,000 | Unlimited |
| Heating systems | $3,000 | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Ovens | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| Plumbing | $3,000 | $500–unlimited |
| Refrigerators | $3,000 | $4,000 |
Add-Ons
If you need optional coverage, Choice Home Warranty offers a larger selection with 13 add-ons, compared with six from American Home Shield. Choice offers add-on options like secondary appliance, sump pump, central vacuum, and sprinkler system coverage. However, some items Choice sells as add-ons, including sump pumps and trash compactors, are already included in American Home Shield’s standard coverage.
American Home Shield offers fewer add-ons than Choice but includes unique options like a guest unit and electronics protection. Coverage limits between the companies are similar for some comparable options, including $3,000 for pool and spa equipment and $1,500 for well pumps. American Home Shield provides higher limits for roof leaks and septic pumping. However, American Home Shield doesn’t disclose coverage limits for every add-on on its website or in its sample contracts, which we recommend confirming before you buy.
Homeowner Insights
Roof-leak coverage was the most popular add-on for both providers in our 2026 survey, purchased by around 39% of Choice Home Warranty customers and 40% of American Home Shield customers. Sewer or water line coverage ranked second in popularity for both, at about 28% of respondents.
What Isn’t Covered by American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty?
Both Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield exclude certain items and conditions from coverage in their contracts. Cosmetic damage, like dents or scratches, is not covered, since this does not typically affect functionality. Specialty systems, including solar panels and commercial-grade appliances are also excluded, limiting coverage to standard home systems and appliances.
Other exclusions include costs of bringing systems up to code, structural modifications, and damages caused by natural disasters like floods or earthquakes. Both companies also exclude secondary damages from a covered system failure, meaning if a leaking water heater damages flooring, companies may only cover repairs to the water heater.
In addition to these exclusions, we want to highlight differences in each provider’s sample contracts that could impact your claims.
Coverage Start Date
Both providers impose a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins, which is standard in the industry. During this time, home warranty companies will not approve claims. However, Choice Home Warranty allows customers to shorten the waiting period if they provide proof of continuous coverage from a previous provider, with no lapse in protection.
Home Inspection and Maintenance Documents
American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty don’t require maintenance or inspection records to qualify for home warranty coverage. However, certain circumstances may require these records.
American Home Shield may ask for additional information, including home inspection reports, repair receipts, or invoices, to process a claim. Homeowners must submit the requested documents within 30 days. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the service request, and if the plan expires before resubmission, the company will deny coverage for that request.
Choice Home Warranty may request maintenance and home inspection records when coverage is denied and the customer asks for a review to assess the decision.
HVAC Efficiency Upgrades
The companies also differ in their approach to handling HVAC coverage. American Home Shield provides more extensive coverage by including upgrades needed to maintain compatibility and comply with modern energy efficiency and refrigerant standards when repairing or replacing HVAC systems. This also extends to necessary upgrades to duct connections, plenums, and electrical lines.
Comparatively, Choice Home Warranty does not cover upgrades or modifications required for compatibility with new systems or changes in technology, refrigerant requirements, or efficiency standards mandated by government regulations.
How Much Do Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield Cost?
To compare home warranty costs, we collected more than 4,000 quotes nationwide for single-family homes in rural and urban areas, including homes above and below 5,000 square feet. We averaged these quotes to determine national costs and used them to compare pricing from American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty.
Plan Costs
Choice Home Warranty offers more affordable home warranty plans between the two providers. The lower-tier Basic Plan costs $60 per month, while its highest plan tier, the Total Plan, costs $68 per month. By comparison, American Home Shield charges as low as $35 per month for its systems-only ShieldSilver plan and as high as $100 per month for its highest-tiered ShieldPlatinum plan.
However, Choice does not offer any trade service call fee flexibility, charging a standard $100 fee whenever you need a repair. With American Home Shield, you can choose between a $100 or $125 trade service fee. Choosing the higher fee lowers your monthly costs and vice versa. For example, when we chose the $125 service call fee during our quote collection process, our monthly charges decreased overall.
While American Home Shield’s plans have higher upfront costs, the company’s flexible service call fees can offer savings in the long run. Homeowners anticipating fewer repairs may benefit from lower monthly payments with a higher service fee. Meanwhile, Choice Home Warranty’s fixed $100 service fee applies universally, providing predictable costs regardless of the repair type.
You can compare each provider’s plan costs below.
Choice Home Warranty Cost
| Home Warranty Plan | National Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
|
Basic Plan |
$60 |
|
Total Plan |
$68 |
American Home Shield Cost
| Home Warranty Plan | National Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
|
ShieldSilver |
$36 |
|
ShieldGold |
$50 |
|
ShieldPlatinum |
$100 |
Add-On Costs
Choice Home Warranty offers a wider selection of add-ons, including a second refrigerator for $3 per month, septic tank pumping for $5, and a septic system for $10. However, some items Choice sells as add-ons, including sump pump and trash compactor coverage, are already included in American Home Shield’s standard plans. American Home Shield also offers specialized add-ons, including electronics protection for $14 per month and guest unit coverage for $16.
Pricing is similar for some comparable add-ons. Both companies charge about $8 per month for well pump coverage, while Choice charges $15 for pool coverage, compared with $18 from American Home Shield. Choice also charges $6 for limited roof-leak coverage, versus $10 with American Home Shield. When comparing add-ons, consider what each base plan already includes rather than looking at the number or price of optional protections alone.
Below, we’ve outlined the add-on costs for each provider.
Choice Home Warranty Add-On Costs
| Home Warranty Add-On | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
|
Stand-alone ice maker |
$3 |
|
Central vacuum |
$3 |
|
Second refrigerator |
$3 |
|
Stand-alone freezer |
$3 |
|
Sump pump |
$3 |
|
Septic tank pumping |
$5 |
|
Limited roof leak |
$6 |
|
Trash compactor |
$6 |
|
Well pump |
$8 |
|
Sprinkler system |
$8 |
|
Septic system |
$10 |
|
Pool and spa |
$15 |
|
Additonal spa |
$15 |
American Home Shield Add-On Costs
| Home Warranty Add-On | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
|
Septic pump |
$5 |
|
Well pump |
$8 |
|
Roof leak repair |
$10 |
|
Electronics protection (through Allstate) |
$14 |
|
Guest unit |
$16 |
|
Pool and built-in spa equipment |
$18 |
Discounts
American Home Shield offers the following discounts for its customers:
- AARP members: AARP members can take advantage of a 25% discount on home warranty plans, which they can combine with other ongoing promotions to maximize savings.
- Military personnel: Active-duty service members and veterans receive a $35 discount on home warranty plans, which they can combine with other promotions for even greater savings.
- Multiple properties discount: Homeowners who sign up for coverage on multiple properties can receive $50 off their total cost, making it a cost-effective option for those with more than one home to protect.
- Refer a friend program: For every successful referral, you’ll earn a $25 Amazon gift card, and your friend will receive the same as a thank-you for buying a plan.
- Seasonal discounts: The company offers seasonal discounts throughout the year for major holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Choice Home Warranty doesn’t offer promo codes or seasonal promotions like American Home Shield, based on our research. However, our sample quote from Choice included a 5% discount on both monthly and annual rates for new customers.
Our Experience With Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield
Our team tested the signup and claims processes for American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty to gain firsthand insight into the customer experience. We’ve outlined our experiences below.
Plan Sign Up
Both companies allow you to sign up for service over the phone or online. We tested the online quote tool to sign up for services.
Choice Home Warranty offers a simple three-step process online. After entering your information, including your home address, property type, and square footage, you can choose your plan and add-ons. In the final step, you can choose between annual or monthly payments and enter your payment details.
American Home Shield offers a four-step process, separating your plan selection from the add-on options. The company provides more detailed plan information than Choice, including coverage limits and exclusions. You can also toggle between two service call fees to see adjusted pricing. In addition, American Home Shield offers more payment options, including credit card, PayPal, or bank account, though you are limited to monthly payments only
Claims Process
Overall, our American Home Shield tester had more consistently positive experiences when filling claims than with Choice Home Warranty. Here’s an overview of one of their claims experiences.
American Home Shield Claims Experience
Our American Home Shield tester submitted a claim for a leak in his bathroom and kitchen floor through his smartphone. He logged into his account, selected the relevant problem icons, and submitted the claim. He immediately received email and text confirmations. Within five minutes, a local contractor contacted him, offering early and late appointment times.
The contractor arrived ahead of schedule, fixed the leak in two hours, and went beyond the work order by advising on a mold issue. American Home Shield also reimbursed him for a drywall contractor to repair the drywall for the leak.
Choice Home Warranty Claims Experience
Our Choice Home Warranty tester submitted claims for her inoperative air conditioning unit and an issue with her fridge and freezer. She called to file her claim over the phone and experienced a wait time of over an hour. Once connected with a representative, the process took less than five minutes. She received an email confirmation within 24 hours but had to call daily for two weeks to check on the service timeline.
The repairs varied in completion time—while the air conditioner was fixed in one visit, the fridge and freezer required three separate technician visits. Technicians were sourced for her by the company, and she couldn’t choose an alternative despite the delays.
Homeowner Insights
Our 2026 survey found similar claim timelines for both providers, with most approved claims resolved the same day or within one week. Longer waits were less typical, though 16% of Choice Home Warranty customers reported waiting three weeks or longer, compared with 10% of American Home Shield customers.
What Do Customers Say About Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield?
We reviewed Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot for more insights into customer experiences. We also analyzed our 2026 home warranty survey of 2,000 homeowners nationwide to see how customer opinions compare based on coverage priorities, claims, and renewal.
Choice Home Warranty Reviews and Survey Insights
Positive reviews for Choice Home Warranty commonly mention helpful representatives and successful repairs, while negative feedback points to claim denials, repair delays, and contractor issues. Our survey suggests that price plays a larger role for Choice customers than it does for American Home Shield customers.
- Price matters more to customers: About 30% of Choice customers ranked price as their top consideration when buying a plan, compared with 20% of American Home Shield customers.
- Repairs and replacements were nearly even: About 42% of approved claims resulted in a repair, while 40% resulted in a replacement.
- High claim approvals: About 90% of Choice customers in our survey said their most recent claim was approved.
American Home Shield Reviews and Survey Insights
Homeowners typically praise American Home Shield for its straightforward claims, successful repairs, and helpful technicians. In negative reviews, customers mention contractor issues, service delays, and unexpected out-of-pocket costs. Our survey also showed that American Home Shield customers prioritized coverage when choosing a warranty.
- Protecting older items drives purchases: About 35% of homeowners purchased a warranty with American Home Shield primarily to protect older systems or appliances.
- Coverage is a top shopping priority: About 59% of American Home Shield customers ranked coverage as their most important consideration, compared with 46% of Choice customers.
- Repairs are more common than replacements: About 50% of approved American Home Shield claims resulted in a repair, compared with 36% that resulted in a replacement.
Homeowner Insights
Customers of both providers showed strong renewal intent in our 2026 survey. About 86% of Choice Home Warranty customers and nearly 90% of American Home Shield customers said they planned to renew their coverage once their current contract ends.
Is Choice Home Warranty or American Home Shield Better for You?
American Home Shield may seem right for you if you need comprehensive coverage and higher limits, while Choice Home Warranty can offer a better fit if keeping costs down is your main concern. Consider the age of your systems and appliances, the coverage you need, and how much you’re comfortable paying each month. We also recommend reviewing each provider’s exclusions and service fees before signing up.
FAQs About Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield
What does American Home Shield typically cover?
American Home Shield covers essential home systems and appliances, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heaters, and major appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens. The company also offers additional coverage add-ons, including pool equipment, septic systems, and well pumps.
Is Choice Home Warranty the same as American Home Shield?
No, Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield are different home warranty providers. The companies also differ in available coverage options, add-ons, pricing, and coverage limits.
Which is better: American Home Shield or Choice Home Warranty?
The better option depends on your home warranty needs. American Home Shield offers more comprehensive coverage and a wider range of add-ons, making it a strong choice for those seeking more flexibility. Choice Home Warranty, however, is more affordable and might appeal to those looking for a simpler plan.
How does a home warranty differ from homeowners insurance?
A home warranty covers the repair or replacement of specific home systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear, while homeowners insurance protects against damage to your property from events such as fire, theft, or natural disasters. Home warranties focus on maintenance, whereas homeowners insurance addresses unexpected property damages.
How We Evaluated Home Warranty Providers
We evaluated both providers using our comprehensive rating methodology. Our research included comparing plan options and features, collecting quotes, and reviewing each company’s sample contract.
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.
Using this data, we scored each provider across six key comparison categories essential when selecting a home warranty. Each company received a total score of 100 points, which we converted into a 5-star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:
- Coverage (35%): This category looks at how comprehensive each provider’s coverage is, including whether it covers unique items. Companies that cover the most items and have higher annual limits received the highest scores. We docked points from providers that impose long waiting periods or have depreciation policies that decrease your payouts for aging items.
- Cost (20%): We looked at average monthly prices and service call fees. We gave the most points to companies offering pricing at or below the industry average that don’t impose any surcharges or extra fees.
- Trustworthiness (15%): To gauge reputation and reliability, we reviewed customer ratings across sites such as 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.
