American Home Shield (AHS) is a home warranty company that offers service in every U.S. state except Alaska and Hawaii. This Old House reviewed more than a dozen home warranty companies, and AHS earned our top score.
The qualities that give AHS the top spot on our list of the best home warranty companies are its variety of plans, its generous coverage limits, and its unique policy of covering appliances and household systems with existing damage—items not often covered by other home warranty providers.
This review of American Home Shield examines the company’s coverage, services, reputation, costs, and reliability in detail.
American Home Shield
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 is a solid choice for homeowners looking for comprehensive protection. The company offers high coverage caps, with up to $4,000 for appliances and $5,000 for systems on its most comprehensive plan. You can feel confident that your repairs will be covered, even if they’re expensive or you have multiple issues in one year. Plus, it has a network of more than 17,000 contractors, making it easier to get a professional to your home to complete repairs without long delays.
What sets AHS apart is its willingness to cover items with physical damage or preexisting conditions, which most other providers won’t cover. “Preexisting conditions” means any problems your appliances or systems had before you signed up for a home warranty plan.
On the downside, AHS is more expensive than many home warranty companies and has only six add-on coverage options. The small number of add-ons isn’t a major issue if you just need basic system and appliance coverage, but if you have unique coverage needs, such as a septic tank or a second refrigerator, you may want to consider a different provider.
In American Home Shield reviews, customers say they like how easy claim submission is, the company’s quick responses, and its knowledgeable technicians. Negative experiences include complaints about lower-than-expected claims payouts and technicians who lacked the skills necessary to complete the repairs.
Despite the limitations, AHS is a top choice for many U.S. homeowners. In our 2024 survey of 1,000 consumers, 37% named AHS as their current home warranty provider.
We Recommend American Home Shield If You:
- Need coverage for an older home
- Own systems and appliances with pre-existing damage or wear
- Require frequent electrical or plumbing system repairs
We Don’t Recommend American Home Shield If You:
- Want a cheaper coverage plan
- Need customizable add-on coverage
- Need an appliance-only plan
American Home Shield Coverage
American Home Shield offers a good variety of coverage options, including a system-only plan and two system-and-appliance options. Our survey revealed that 82% of the 375 respondents with an AHS plan chose one of the more comprehensive plans. 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 just need coverage for your home’s major systems like heating, cooling, and electrical, ShieldSilver is a good fit. It 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 such as 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—something most other companies charge extra for. AHS’s plans also cover things other warranties usually exclude, like rust, corrosion, sediment damage, and preexisting conditions. The company also protects items installed or modified incorrectly, which is a nice bonus.
All American Home Shield plans come with a 30-day workmanship guarantee, which is standard for the home warranty industry. This guarantee ensures that AHS will fix your item for free if something goes wrong with a repair or replacement after it’s completed.
All AHS plans have a $50,000 aggregate limit, or the total amount the company will pay during your plan term. Once you’ve received $50,000 in approved payouts, you’ll have to pay for any remaining repairs or replacements out of pocket.
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 jetted tub tub motor and components | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-in microwaves | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ceiling fans | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Clothes dryers | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Clothes washers | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dishwashers | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Doorbells and chimes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Faucets and valves | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garage door openers | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garbage disposals | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heating units | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Instant hot/cold water dispensers | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interior electrical lines | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interior plumbing lines | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Main breaker and fuse panel box | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ranges/cooktops | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerators | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Roof-leak repairs | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | ✔ |
| Ovens | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Toilets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Water heaters | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Add-Ons
AHS has six add-ons that can be included with plans. This is far less than other providers, 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 AHS add-ons below:
- Electronics extended warranty
- Guest unit
- Pool and built-in spa equipment
- Roof-leak repair
- Septic pump
- Well pump
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, such as changing air filters in your air conditioner, which are routine tasks homeowners are expected to handle themselves.
You also won’t be covered for construction costs, which include any expenses related to structural changes or modifications to your home. Manufacturing defects, which are flaws in an appliance or system that occur during production, are also excluded. Additionally, AHS 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 outlining key coverage details in January 2025.
American Home Shield Cost
The total cost of AHS coverage depends on the plan, add-ons, and service call fee you choose. Below, we’ll break down the typical AHS costs so you can get a better idea of what to expect.
Plan Cost
American Home Shield costs between $36 and $100 per month, based on averages we pulled from over 1,200 sample quotes, which included single-family homes that were over and under 4,000 square feet. Below is a breakdown of the average plan costs:
- ShieldSilver: $36 per month
- ShieldGold: $50 per month
- ShieldPlatinum: $100 per month
AHS 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.
In certain states, AHS comprehensive plans can be more expensive than the industry average of $70–$80 per month. For instance, in Rhode Island, quotes for the ShieldGold plan averaged around $112–$142 for ShieldPlatinum coverage. The exact cost depends on your location, plan type, and any add-ons. If you live in an area with severe weather or have a home larger than 5,000 square feet, expect higher premiums due to the increased risk of claims and more systems to cover.
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. AHS allows you to choose between a $100 or $125 fee.
Choosing the lower service call fee will increase your monthly costs. When we used the online quote tool, we found that the higher $125 fee lowered our monthly premiums. So, if you don’t mind paying a bit more when you need a repair, you can save on your monthly costs.
We’ve outlined AHS monthly plan pricing and service call fees below:
American Home Shield Monthly Plan Cost by Service Call Fee
| ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 Service Call fee | $39 | $53 | $105 |
| $125 Service call fee | $32 | $46 | $95 |
The cost of add-ons varies based on your selected service. It starts at $5 monthly for septic pumps and goes up to $24 for pool and built-in spa equipment. 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:
American Home Shield Add-On Fees by Plan
| Add-On Coverage | ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Septic pump | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Well pump | $8 | $8 | $8 |
| Guest unit | $12 | $17 | $25 |
| Roof-leak repair | $10 | $10 | Included |
| Electronics | $14 | $14 | $14 |
| Pool and built-in spa | $24 | $24 | $24 |
We based the pricing information in these sections on a sample for a 2,400-square-foot, single-family home in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Discounts
AHS provides various discounts. Here’s an overview of ways you can save:
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 Cost | BBB Rating* |
|---|---|---|---|
$36–$100 | $100–$125 | B | |
$60–$68 | $100 | B | |
$45–$60 | $70 ($150 for after hours and weekends) | B | |
$77–$130 | $100–$125 | B | |
$57–$68 | $65–$125 | NR |
*BBB ratings are accurate as of January 2025.
Note: 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
Customer Reviews: Reddit, Trustpilot, and More
To better understand the AHS customer experience, we analyzed dozens of third-party reviews from sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Reddit, and Trustpilot. Many customers were happy with quick fixes and easy claims processes, while others had issues with denied claims and unfavorable experiences with on-site technicians.
Customers noted that the company frequently responds to submitted claims within 24 hours or less, surpassing its promised 48-hour turnaround time. Our 2024 survey uncovered similar findings, with 44% of AHS customers receiving a response in 12 hours or less.
We also experienced a quick turnaround when we tested AHS’s claims process. After submitting our claim online, a service technician contacted us an hour later to schedule a next-day appointment.
Other reviews mentioned friendly repair technicians who took the time to explain issues. We also noticed that many reviewers were long-time customers who had stayed with AHS for 10 years or longer. It’s rare to find such loyalty with a home warranty company.
Negative reviews suggested that American Home Shield’s quick service is not consistent in every area. Some customers reported waiting for two weeks or more for repairs or replacements, which aligned with 3% of our survey respondents.
Other reviewers also mentioned delays in waiting for replacement parts, with some repairs taking a month or longer. Additional complaints included lower-than-expected payouts and claims that technicians lacked the required skills to complete repairs.
Below are sample reviews from AHS customers:
“I had issues with the A/C not working once and the water heater leaking. The a/c got fixed within three days, only had to pay the $75. The water heater was more expensive because they had to update some plumbing to be up to code, which was not covered. My total there was $500, which included the new water heater, all parts, and three workers to get to the current code. This was also done within a week or so.”
—ChiefBroady via Reddit, June 2024
“It took almost a month to get resolution. Makes no sense when parts need to be ordered why the technician can’t get locally to save time for me the customer, that the order has to go through American Home Shield. I give credit for the companies that are contracted through you because I’m sure the put up with a lot of upset customers because of how long it takes to get things fixed. You should really go back to getting items locally.”
—Andrea Q via Trustpilot, December 2024
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 AHS handled things when we needed a repair.
Signing Up
AHS 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 AHS 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 AHS 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 AHS claim process and listed out 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. AHS’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. AHS offers service call fees of either $100 or $125 per service repair. Our survey revealed that home warranty customers pay an average of $100 for service call fees. 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. AHS 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 AHS approval before any work starts. We recommend keeping itemized repair or replacement receipts for later reimbursement.
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. AHS 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 AHS 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 Worth It?
American Home Shield is worth it if you’re looking for a reliable home warranty company, especially if you have an older home that might need more repairs. It offers higher coverage limits and even covers preexisting conditions, which can really help with unexpected breakdowns.
While its plans might be more expensive than those of other providers, the potential cost savings on repairs and replacements and the peace of mind of knowing your home is covered could make it worth it in the long term.
Some homeowners have mentioned issues with technicians or delays, but the service was quick and efficient when we tested it. In our survey, 92% of AHS users said they were either very satisfied or satisfied with their current plan.
We recommend assessing the age and condition of your home’s appliances and systems to determine whether a comprehensive plan from AHS is appropriate.
How We Evaluated Home Warranty Providers
We use a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each home warranty company we review. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and running focus groups and homeowner surveys.
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 deduced 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.
