The Home Service Club and American Home Shield are two leading home warranty providers, offering financial protection against unexpected repairs of major home systems and appliances. While both companies provide comprehensive service, they differ in key areas such as coverage options, pricing, and customer satisfaction. In this article, we compare The Home Service Club and American Home Shield to help you determine which home warranty company is the best fit for your needs and budget.
How Do The Home Service Club and American Home Shield Compare?
| Provider | The Home Service Club | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 3.3/5 stars | 4.8/5 stars |
| Coverage options | Standard, comprehensive, and optional add-ons | Systems, appliances, combination, and optional add-ons |
| Monthly cost | $63–$74 | $35–$100 |
| Service call fee | $65–$125 | $100–$125 |
| State availability | 50 states and Washington, D.C. | 49 states (excluding Alaska) |
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating | B- | B |
| Year founded | 2008 | 1971 |
Pros and Cons of The Home Service Club
Pros
- Covers 18 systems and appliances in the Standard Plan and 30 systems and appliances in the Comprehensive Plan
- Provides coverage on systems or appliances, regardless of age, make, or model
- Offers a 30-day labor guarantee and 90-day parts guarantee
Cons
- Has lower coverage limits for many key items
- Include low aggregate limits for its plans
Pros and Cons of American Home Shield
Pros
- Covers up to $5,000 for systems and $4,000 for home appliances
- Doesn’t cap coverage for electrical and plumbing systems
- Offers coverage for preexisting conditions, including rust and sediment damage
Cons
- Charges higher for its coverage compared to The Home Service Club
- Offers offers only six optional add-ons
How Does The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield Coverage Compare?
- The Home Service Club offers two coverage plans that protect various home systems and appliances and 10 optional add-ons for greater customization. In contrast, American Home Shield provides three plans, including system-only and comprehensive options, but fewer add-ons, limiting flexibility. We’ll break down key coverage differences below to help you decide which provider best meets your needs.
The Home Service Club Coverage
The Home Service Club’s Standard Plan covers 18 essential home systems and appliances, including HVAC systems, refrigerators, and dishwashers. Coverage caps vary by item, ranging from $300–$2,000, generally lower than what American Home Shield. For example, the Home Service Club caps HVAC repairs at $2,000, while American Home Shield offers up to $5,000.
The Comprehensive Plan includes everything in the Standard Plan plus 12 additional items, for a total of 30. This plan covers nonstandard items such as ductwork, whole-house exhaust fans, attic fans, and plumbing stoppages. While overall coverage caps remain the same as with the Standard Plan, these extra items have lower caps, ranging from $300–$600.
Home Service Club Plans
Here’s a breakdown of the items covered in each Home Service Club plan:
| Coverage | Standard Coverage | Comprehensive Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioners | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating system (including heat pumps) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing system | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water leaks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water heater | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical system | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling fans | ✓ | ✓ |
| Central vacuum | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage door opener | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in microwave oven | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dishwashers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Refrigerators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ovens/ranges/cooktops | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trash compactors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Food centers (built-in) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes washer and dryer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Freestanding ice makers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✓ | |
| Gas leaks | ✓ | |
| Sump pump | ✓ | |
| Whole house exhaust and attic fans | ✓ | |
| Instant hot and cold water dispenser | ✓ | |
| Pest control | ✓ | |
| Telephone wiring | ✓ | |
| Alarm warning | ✓ | |
| Smoke detectors | ✓ | |
| Doorbells | ✓ | |
| Whirlpool motor and pump assemblies | ✓ | |
| Plumbing stoppage coverage | ✓ |
American Home Shield Coverage
American Home Shield offers three plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. ShieldSilver covers 14 major home systems, including heating, cooling, and electrical, with up to $5,000 limits for HVAC and ductwork repairs. The company also stands out with unlimited coverage for plumbing and electrical repairs. ShieldGold builds on this by adding major appliances such as cooktops, refrigerators, and laundry machines, with a $2,000 per-appliance limit—matching the industry standard.
ShieldPlatinum offers the most extensive coverage, doubling the appliance limit to $4,000 and including extras such as a free HVAC tune-up and up to $1,000 for roof leak repairs. Unlike many competitors, American Home Shield covers issues such as rust, corrosion, sediment buildup, and preexisting conditions. The company also protects improperly installed or modified items, providing more comprehensive coverage than most home warranty providers.
American Home Shield Plans
Here’s what each American Home Shield plan covers:
| 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 and 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 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Comparing American Home Shield vs. Home Service Club Add-On Options
American Home Shield and The Home Service Club offer these add-ons to customers:
American Home Shield Add-Ons
- Electronic extended warranty
- Guest units
- Pool and spa
Home Service Club Add-Ons
- Freestanding freezer
- Jetted bathtub
- Pool and spa coverage
- Refrigerators with dual compressors
- Roof-leak coverage
- Sewage ejector pump
- Sprinkler system
- Utility line coverage package
- Water softener
- Well pump
How Does The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield Cost Compare?
The Home Service Club and American Home Shield offer similar pricing, but with key differences in how each company structures its costs. The Home Service Club’s monthly premiums range from $63–$74, with a fixed service fee between $65 and $125. In contrast, American Home Shield has a broader range of monthly premiums, from $35–$100, and allows customers to choose a service fee between $100 and $125 for more control over their monthly costs.
By comparison, the average home warranty cost is typically between $47 and $82 per month, putting both providers within this general range but with different levels of flexibility and pricing structures.
Home Warranty Cost Comparison
We’ve compared provider costs below:
| Cost | The Home Service Club | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $63–$74 per month | $35–$100 per month |
| Service call fee | $65–$125 | $100–$125 |
Note: Pricing based on sample quotes we pulled from each provider across U.S. states for single-family homes under and over 5,000 square feet
How Do The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield Reviews Compare?
The Home Service Club holds a B- rating and is not accredited with the BBB. The company has a lower average customer review rating of 1.13 out of 5 stars, based on 47 reviews. In contrast, American Home Shield is accredited by the BBB and has a higher average rating of 1.96 out of 5 stars, though still relatively low. American Home Shield has a significantly larger number of reviews, however, with 9,332 as of this writing.
Home Warranty Customer Reviews Comparison
| Provider | The Home Service Club | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| BBB rating | B- | B |
| BBB accreditation | No | Yes |
| Average BBB customer review rating (out of 5 stars) | 1.13/5 stars | 1.96/5 stars |
| Number of customer reviews on BBB webpage | 47 reviews | 9,332 reviews |
Note: The above customer review data was pulled from the BBB and is accurate as of February 2025.
What’s Our Top Pick?
- American Home Shield and The Home Service Club both offer home warranty plans with unique strengths. American Home Shield offers coverage for damage due to rust or corrosion, while The Home Service Club covers more items in its plans and has more optional add-ons.
- Because of its reputation as an industry leader, comprehensive plan options, and flexible service fees, we recommend American Home Shield over The Home Service Club for most homeowners. That being said, The Home Service Club is still a strong choice and could benefit homeowners who need quick protection, as the company doesn’t require a home inspection before coverage begins.
FAQs About Home Warranties
Is a home warranty worth it?
A home warranty, also known as a home service contract, protects your home systems and appliances from expensive repairs caused by normal wear and tear. Homeowners who have a home warranty pay a relatively low premium that costs about $47–$82 per month. Whenever service is needed, they pay a service call fee between $75–$125. Without a home warranty, common repairs and replacements could cost thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Do home warranties cover pools and spas?
Most home warranty companies offer coverage for pools and spas as an optional add-on, which can be purchased separately from the company’s pre-packaged plans.
Is there a waiting period on a home warranty?
After a home warranty plan is purchased, most home warranty companies have a waiting period before a homeowner can submit their first claim. American Home Shield and The Home Service Club have a waiting period of 30 days.
Our Rating Methodology
We used a detailed rating methodology to score each home warranty company we reviewed objectively. Our research involved speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and homeowner surveys. We also gained firsthand experience by testing 11 top home warranty providers and conducting secret shopping.
We then used this information to score each provider across six key comparison categories that we deemed most important when choosing a home warranty. Each provider Received a final score totaling 100 points, which were converted into a 5-star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:
- Coverage: We evaluated each provider’s coverage and whether companies cover unique items. Providers that cover important household items with higher annual limits received better scores. We deducted points for long waiting periods or depreciation policies that reduced payouts for aging items.
- Cost: We looked at average monthly prices and service call fees, awarding points to companies offering pricing at or below the industry average without surcharges or extra fees.
- Trustworthiness: We reviewed customer ratings on sites such as the BBB and Trustpilot and checked for National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) membership. Providers with the best ratings and most extended workmanship guarantees scored higher, while points were deducted for ongoing legal issues.
- Plan transparency: We assessed the transparency of each company’s contracts and policies. Providers with clear, detailed terms and policies scored more points.
- Customer support: Companies with multiple claims filing options, fast response times, and accessible customer support received higher scores in this category.
- Flexibility: We awarded more points to providers offering various plan options, larger add-on catalogs, the ability to choose a technician and customer-friendly cancellation policies.
