Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield (2024)
Written by
Reviewed by
A home warranty plan, or home service contract, protects homeowners from paying expensive repair and replacement bills for their systems and appliances. This article compares Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield on their coverage plans, reviews, and more to help you decide which is best for protecting your home.
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 our analysis of Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield and determine which offers the best home warranty for your needs.
Our Take on American Home Shield vs. Choice Home Warranty
Both American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty offer comprehensive home warranty plans that protect your major systems and appliances.
Provider | ||
|---|---|---|
|
This Old House rating |
9.3/10 |
9.5/10 |
|
Get a free quote |
||
|
Plan options |
Basic, Total, and optional add-ons |
ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, ShieldPlatinum™, and optional add-ons |
|
Monthly premiums |
$50–$60 per month |
$29.99–$89.99 per month |
|
Service fee deductible |
$100 |
$100–$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:
What Does Choice Home Warranty Cover?
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 | 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 |
✓ |
✓ |
What Does American Home Shield Cover?
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.
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 |
✓ |
Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Add-Ons Compared
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
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, call 929-400-6165 or submit this simple form.
AHS offers coverage for these five optional add-ons:
- Pool and spa
- Well pump
- Septic pump
- Electronic extended coverage
- Guest units up to 750 square feet
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, call 844-529-9298 or submit this simple form.
Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Cost
Choice Home Warranty monthly premiums cost less than American Home Shield premiums, ranging between $50–$60 per month. Choice Home Warranty charges a $100 service call fee, while American Home Shield lets you choose a service fee of $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 cost: $50–$60
- Service call fee cost: $100 per claim
| Plan | Price | Service Fee | Coverage Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $50.58 per month | $100 | $3,000 (exclusions may apply) |
| Total | $59.14 per month | $100 | $3,000 (exclusions may apply) |
American Home Shield Cost
- Monthly cost: $29.99–$89.99
- Service call fee cost: $100-$125 per claim
| Plan | $125 Service Fee Price | $100 Service Call Fee | Coverage Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| ShieldSilver | $29.99 | $39.99 | $5,000 |
| ShieldGold | $49.99 | $59.99 | Systems: $5,000 Appliances: $2,000 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $79.99 | $89.99 | Systems: $5,000 Appliances: $4,000 |
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.
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 1/4 stars |
|
Number of customer reviews on BBB webpage |
>3,000 reviews |
>11,000 reviews |
Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield – Which is Best For You?
We recommend American Home Shield if you want comprehensive home appliance insurance and systems 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.
Comparing the Best Home Warranty Companies
| Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Response Time | BBB Rating | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choice Home Warranty |  | $46–$55 | $100 | 4–48 hours | B | VISIT SITE |
| Liberty Home Guard |  | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | Up to 48 hours | NR | VISIT SITE |
| American Home Shield |  | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | Up to 48 hours | B | VISIT SITE |
| Select Home Warranty |  | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | 48-84 hours | B- | VISIT SITE |
| First American Home Warranty |  | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | 4-48 hours | B | VISIT SITE |
| AFC Home Warranty |  | $38–$99 | $75–$125 | 24-48 hours | B | VISIT SITE |
| Elite Home Warranty |  | $44–$58 | $70 | Up to 48 hours | A+ | VISIT SITE |
| Cinch Home Services |  | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | 2-24 hours | B+ | VISIT SITE |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty |  | $27–$70 | $65–$100 | Up to 48 hours | A | VISIT SITE |
| Choice Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $46–$55 |
| Service Fee | $100 |
| Response Time | 4–48 hours |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Liberty Home Guard | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $49–$59 |
| Service Fee | $65–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | NR |
| American Home Shield | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Monthly Cost | $29–$89 |
| Service Fee | $100–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Select Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $44–$47 |
| Service Fee | $60–$75 |
| Response Time | 48-84 hours |
| BBB Rating | B- |
| First American Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $42–$82 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| Response Time | 4-48 hours |
| BBB Rating | B |
| AFC Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $38–$99 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| Response Time | 24-48 hours |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Elite Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $44–$58 |
| Service Fee | $70 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Cinch Home Services | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $30–$56 |
| Service Fee | $100–$150 |
| Response Time | 2-24 hours |
| BBB Rating | B+ |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $27–$70 |
| Service Fee | $65–$100 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | A |
| Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | $46–$55 | $100 | VISIT SITE | |
| NR | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $38–$99 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| A+ | $44–$58 | $70 | VISIT SITE | |
| B+ | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | VISIT SITE | |
| A | $27–$70 | $65–$100 | VISIT SITE |
Frequently Asked Questions
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 $29.99–$89.99 per month and lets you choose a service fee of $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.
Related Resources
- American Home Shield Review
- Choice Home Warranty Review
- Liberty Home Guard Review
- Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield
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.
