When comparing Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield, both top home warranty providers, the right choice depends on your budget, coverage needs, and service expectations. Both companies cover major home systems and appliances, but each has different strengths. American Home Shield provides comprehensive protection, including rare coverage for pre-existing conditions, while Choice Home Warranty appeals to budget-conscious homeowners.
To help you decide, our guide compares these two companies based on coverage, costs, and customer reviews so you can choose the best option for your home.
Is Choice Home Warranty or American Home Shield Better?
Choosing between Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield ultimately depends on your coverage needs and budget. American Home Shield is a solid choice for homeowners seeking comprehensive protection. The company offers higher-than-average coverage limits and includes typically excluded conditions, such as items damaged by rust, corrosion, and improper installations or modifications. Although American Home Shield comes with higher pricing and limited add-ons, it’s a good option for homeowners who need higher limits for complex systems or protection for older items.
On the other hand, Choice Home Warranty offers more budget-friendly options with midrange coverage limits. Although the company provides only two plan options, it offers comprehensive protection at a more affordable price than American Home Shield. While Choice doesn’t include the same robust protections, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions, it is a good choice for homeowners who want basic coverage for essential systems and appliances.
We recommend Choice Home Warranty if you:
- Want affordable, comprehensive coverage
- Have unique coverage needs, such as secondary appliance protection
- Need mid-tier coverage for newer items
We recommend American Home Shield if you:
- Have older systems and appliances
- Want protection for items with preexisting damage
- Prefer higher coverage limits over $3,000
Comparing Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield Side-by-Side
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. |
Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Coverage
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.
Our 2025 survey of 2,000 home warranty customers nationwide found that 70% of respondents prefer a comprehensive plan with both systems and appliance coverage. With that in mind, we’ll compare the top comprehensive options from each provider: Choice Home Warranty’s Total Plan and American Home Shield’s ShieldPlatinum plan.
What Do Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield Cover?
Choice Home Warranty’s Total Plan covers nine appliances and nine systems, including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, laundry appliances, and dishwashers. However, coverage falls short compared to American Home Shield’s ShieldPlatinum Plan, which includes nine appliances and 14 systems. American Home Shield also provides additional perks with its top-tier plan that Choice lacks, such as free roof-leak coverage and one free HVAC tune-up.
American Home Shield stands out by including preexisting conditions or damages that existed before coverage began. Most providers we’ve reviewed, including Choice, exclude these from protection. American Home Shield also covers items affected by rust, sediment, corrosion, improper installation, and poor maintenance, making it a better option for owners of homes with older or aging systems and appliances.
However, Choice does offer a longer workmanship guarantee. These guarantees protect repairs and replacements if the work fails within a set timeframe. Choice covers parts for 90 days and labor for 60 days, while American Home Shield offers 30-day coverage, which is standard in the industry but still falls short of Choice’s protection.
While Choice offers more extended repair guarantees, American Home Shield provides broader coverage and better protection for home systems and appliances.
Coverage Plan Comparison
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 | ✔ |
Coverage Limits
When comparing coverage limits, American Home Shield offers better coverage overall. Coverage limits indicate 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.
Coverage Limits Comparison
Here’s an overview of coverage limits for essential home items. We recommend reviewing American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty sample contracts for details on full coverage.
| 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 add-on coverage, Choice Home Warranty offers a larger selection with 11 options available. This aligns with the industry average of 8–12 options per provider. By contrast, American Home Shield offers only six add-ons, excluding commonly included items such as sump pumps, secondary appliances, and central vacuums.
However, American Home Shield provides unique guest house coverage and an electronics protection plan. Both companies offer similar coverage limits for most add-ons, though American Home Shield offers slightly higher caps for roof leaks and septic pumping.
| Add-On Coverage | Choice Home Warranty Coverage Caps | American Home Shield Coverage Caps |
|---|---|---|
| Additional spa | $3,000 | 𝗫 |
| Central vacuum | $3,000 | 𝗫 |
| Electronic protection plan | 𝗫 | $5,000 |
| Guest unit | 𝗫 | Unlimited |
| Pool and built-in spa equipment | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Roof leak repair | $500 | $1,000 |
| Second refrigerator | $3,000 | 𝗫 |
| Septic pumping | $250 | $500 |
| Septic system | $500 | $500 |
| Sprinkler system | $500 | 𝗫 |
| Sump pump | $3,000 | 𝗫 |
| Well pump | $1,500 | $1,500 |
The Fine Print
Both Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield exclude certain items and conditions from coverage in their contracts. Cosmetic damage, such as dents or scratches, is not covered, since this does not typically affect functionality. Specialty systems like 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 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 Document Requests
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 require additional information, such as 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.
With Choice Home Warranty, the company 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 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.
In contrast, 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.
Cost Comparison
To compare costs, we gathered sample quotes for a 2,132-square-foot single-family home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Below, we highlight how American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty stack up based on home warranty costs.
Plan Cost
Choice Home Warranty offers more affordable home warranty plans between the two providers, based on our review. The lower tier Basic Plan costs $47 per month, while its highest plan tier, the Total Plan, costs $55. By comparison, American Home Shield charges as low as $70 for its systems-only ShieldSilver plan and as high as $130 for its highest-tiered ShieldPlatinum plan.
However, Choice does not offer any service call fee flexibility, charging a standard $100 fee. You owe these fees each time you request a repair or replacement. With American Home Shield, you can choose between a $100 or $125 service fee. Choosing the higher fee lowers your monthly costs and vice versa. For example, when we chose the $125 service call fee in our quote, our monthly charges decreased by $10.
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 Monthly Plan Cost by Service Call Fee
| Plan | $100 Service Fee |
|---|---|
| Basic Plan | $47 |
| Total Plan | $55 |
American Home Shield Monthly Plan Cost by Service Call Fee
| Plan | $100 Service Fee | $125 Service Fee |
|---|---|---|
| ShieldSilver | $80 | $70 |
| ShieldGold | $100 | $90 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $130 | $120 |
Add-On Costs
Choice Home Warranty offers affordable add-ons, with options like septic tank pumping at $5 per month and a second refrigerator for just $3 per month. On the other hand, American Home Shield provides specialized options such as an electronics protection plan for $14 and guest unit coverage for $16. When comparing similar options, Choice charges less—pool coverage is $15 per month with Choice, compared to $24 with American Home Shield.
While Choice often has lower costs for many add-ons, it’s important to consider how these options will affect your monthly premium. For instance, adding several add-ons to Choice’s base plan may still result in cost savings compared to American Home Shield, especially considering the company’s higher service call fees and base plan costs.
Below, we’ve outlined the add-on costs for each provider.
Choice Home Warranty Add-On Costs
| Add-On | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Additional spa | $15 |
| Central vacuum | $3 |
| Pool and spa | $15 |
| Roof-leak repair | $6 |
| Second refrigerator | $3 |
| Septic system | $10 |
| Septic tank pumping | $5 |
| Stand-alone freezer | $3 |
| Sump pump | $3 |
| Well pump | $8 |
American Home Shield Add-On Costs
| Add-On | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Electronic protection plan | $14 |
| Guest unit | $16 |
| Pool and built-in spa equipment | $24 |
| Roof leak repair | $10 |
| Septic pump | $5 |
| Well pump | $8 |
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, such as 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.
Signing 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.
In contrast, 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. In contrast, our Choice Home Warranty tester had a mixed experience, with some repairs completed quickly and others delayed for up to a month. Here’s an overview of one of their claims experiences.
American Home Shield Claims Experience
Our 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 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.
What Homeowners Say
Choice Home Warranty has a Trustpilot rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on more than 45,500 reviews. However, the company’s BBB rating is lower, with a B grade and an average of 1.04 out of 5 stars from nearly 4,500 reviews. In addition, the Arizona Attorney General filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against Choice in October 2019, accusing the company of making false promises to consumers. The ongoing lawsuit alleges that Choice collected millions in sales but used contract exclusions, payment caps, and bad-faith refusals to avoid paying for repairs.
American Home Shield also holds a B rating from the BBB, but with a slightly higher average of 1.96 out of 5 stars across over 9,400 reviews, indicating somewhat more positive customer feedback. On Trustpilot, American Home Shield has a slightly lower rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars from over 8,700 reviews, reflecting similarly mixed customer experiences.
Choice Home Warranty Reviews
Positive reviews for Choice Home Warranty often praise the company’s affordable plans, fast response times, and helpful customer service, with many customers appreciating quick service for essential systems like their HVAC and plumbing. However, negative feedback tends to focus on denied claims, long repair wait times, and issues with fine print in contracts, leading to unexpected costs. Additionally, some customers report poor contractor quality, communication problems, and difficulty reaching support, causing dissatisfaction with the overall service.
Below are sample reviews for Choice Home Warranty:
“Choice Home Warranty made a recent change that I thoroughly enjoy—you pay the service fee upfront. Recently, our microwave went out after months of working when it felt like it. I filed the claim, and Choice Home Warranty had a technician out in a couple of days. The gentleman was young and energetic. He had our microwave fixed within an hour. He was a master at the job, plus a very nice young man.” —Roger W. via Trustpilot on Feb. 1, 2025
“The repair yesterday seems to have solved the problem. However, this is the third time that we have submitted a claim for the same problem. [The] first time we were told there was not a problem, [and the] second time we were told that it was working properly after a control panel was replaced when it wasn’t and continued to get worse. We now have three service calls to replace a $25 part.”—Jack B. via Trustpilot on Jan. 31, 2025
American Home Shield Reviews
Based on reviews we read, homeowners praise American Home Shield for its efficient claims process, fast contractor assignments, and knowledgeable technicians. The company’s coverage for pre-existing conditions and the user-friendly online platform also received positive feedback. However, some negative reviews highlight frustrations with unprofessional contractors, delays in service, and denials due to exclusions or unclear policy terms. Additionally, while some customers found the service they received satisfactory, others felt disappointed by the cost and limited coverage for certain systems.
Below are sample reviews for American Home Shield:
“The American Home Shield rep resolved a complex issue with my refrigerator [and] the service company contacted me [the] next day for the appointment. Tech quickly diagnosed the issue and got the part shipped in three days [and] replaced [it on the] following Monday. Fridge works like it was brand new.” —David via Trustpilot on Feb. 24, 2025
“While I get ‘sympathetic’ American Home Shield phone reps, I have yet to get resolution regarding the new water heater issue. It’s been five weeks since I approved the work, three weeks since I paid for half the work, and four days since the contractor failed to perform the work. Still no response from Brick St. Plumbing. And American Home Shield needs to do more to resolve the problem with no additional cost or time loss for me.” —Rodriguez via Trustpilot on Feb. 3, 2025
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 such as 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
Our comprehensive rating methodology allows us to evaluate each home warranty provider objectively. We gathered insights by interviewing company representatives, obtaining quotes, reviewing sample contracts, and conducting homeowner surveys and focus groups.
Each company is scored across six essential factors based on homeowner priorities. We then translated these scores, totaling 100 points, into 5-star ratings for each provider. Below is an overview of these key factors:
- Coverage: Providers with extensive coverage, higher limits, and fewer restrictions scored the highest, while those with long waiting periods or depreciation clauses lost points.
- Cost: We compared monthly fees and service charges, giving preference to providers with lower-than-average pricing and no extra fees.
- Trustworthiness: Ratings were based on customer reviews, BBB and Trustpilot scores, National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) membership, and complaint resolution, with deductions for ongoing legal issues.
- Plan transparency: Companies with straightforward contracts and easy-to-find policy details earned higher scores.
- Customer support: Providers offering fast response times, multiple claim filing options, and accessible support ranked better.
- Flexibility: More plan choices, add-on availability, technician selection, and flexible cancellation policies led to higher scores.
