The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield
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The Home Service Club and American Home Shield are both top-rated home warranty companies that protect major systems and appliances when they unexpectedly break down. However, they have a few key differences. In this article, we examine coverage plans, cost, customer reviews, and more so that you can decide which company best fits your needs.
How Do The Home Service Club and American Home Shield Compare?
| Provider | The Home Service Club | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| This Old House rating | 3.3/5 Stars | 4.8/5 Stars |
| Get a free quote | Not available through This Old House | Visit site |
| Coverage options | Standard, Comprehensive, and optional add-ons | Systems, Appliances, Combo, and optional add-ons |
| Monthly premiums | $45.95–$60.95 per month | $39.99–$57.99 per month |
| Service fee deductible | $95 | $75–$125 |
| State availability | 47 states (excluding Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin) | 49 states (excluding Alaska) |
| BBB rating | C | B |
| Years in business | 11 | 49 |
What Are the 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
- Not available in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin
- Not accredited by the BBB
The Home Service Club offers two coverage plans that protect a variety of home systems and appliances. This provider also offers 12 optional add-ons that allows customers to further customize coverage.
What Are the Pros and Cons of American Home Shield?
Pros
- Has over 45 years of industry experience
- Offers coverage for damage due to rust and corrosion
- Available in 49 states
Cons
- Offers only five optional add-ons
- Customers can’t choose their own technician
American Home Shield has been in the home warranty industry since 1971 and has a contractor network of over 16,000 independent professionals. Because of how popular American Home Shield is, nearly one out of every two home warranty customers purchases their home warranty from the company.
How Does The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield Coverage Compare?
- The Home Service Club offers two plans and optional add-ons, while American Home Shield offers three plans along with extra coverage options.
Keep reading to compare coverage details between the two providers.
The Home Service Club Coverage
The Home Service Club offers two coverage plans: a Standard Plan and Comprehensive Plan. The Standard Plan covers 18 home appliances and systems, and the Comprehensive Plan covers 30 home appliances and systems. The Home Service Club includes more in its base plan than American Home Shield.
Here are the items covered in each Home Service Club plans:
Home Service Club Plans
| Plans | Standard Coverage | Comprehensive Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioners | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating system (including heat pumps) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing system | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water leaks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water heater | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical system | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling fans | ✓ | ✓ |
| Central vacuum(s) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage door opener | ✓ | ✓ |
| Microwave oven (built-in) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dishwashers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Refrigerators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ovens, ranges, and cooktops | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trash compactors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Food centers (built-in) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes washer/clothes dryer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Freestanding ice makers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✓ | |
| Gas leaks | ✓ | |
| Sump pump | ✓ | |
| Whole house exhaust and attic fans | ✓ | |
| Instant hot/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. ShieldPlatinum combines ShieldSilver and ShieldGold and adds extra perks like coverage boosts and roof leak coverage. In contrast to The Home Service Club, kitchen and laundry appliances aren’t covered in the base plan.
Here’s what each American Home Shield plan covers:
AHS Plan Options
| 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 | – | – | ✓ |
American Home Shield vs. Home Service Club Add-on Options Compared
American Home Shield and The Home Service Club offer these add-ons to customers:
American Home Shield Add-Ons
- Septic pump
- Pool and spa
- Well pump
- Electronic extended warranty
- Guest units up to 750 square feet
Home Service Club Add-Ons
- Jetted bathtub
- Well pump
- Roof coverage
- Sewage ejector pump
- Pool or spa
- Water softener
- Freestanding freezer
- Spa and spa heater
- Sprinkler system
- Freestanding additional refrigerator
- Refrigerator built-in units with dual compressors
- Utility line coverage
How Does The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield Cost Compare?
Based on the quotes we received, monthly premiums from The Home Service Club are roughly the same as premiums from American Home Shield. Note: The Home Service Club doesn’t offer flexibility with its service fee, but American Home Shield allows you to choose a service fee between $75–$125—the amount you choose impacts your monthly premium.
Home Warranty Cost Comparison
| Company | The Home Service Club | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premium Cost | $45.95–$60.95 per month | $39.99–$57.99 per month |
| Service Call Fee | $95 | $75–$125 |
How Do The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield Reviews Compare?
The Home Service Club is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and received a lower rating than American Home Shield from the organization. However, The Home Service Club reviews have been more positive, on average, than American Home Shield reviews.
Home Warranty Customer Reviews Comparison
| Provider | The Home Service Club | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| BBB rating | C | B |
| BBB accreditation | No | Yes |
| Average BBB customer review rating (out of 5 stars) | 4.5 stars | 2.5 stars |
| Number of customer reviews on BBB webpage | 1,483 reviews | 6,198 reviews |
Who’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 offers 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 should be considered by homeowners who need quick protection, as it doesn’t require a home inspection before coverage begins.
Before buying a home warranty, we recommend getting a free quote from The Home Service Club and American Home Shield in the panel above. You can also learn more about both of these companies by reading our The Home Service Club review and our American Home Shield review.
FAQ 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 $25 to $60 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 back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts from each company, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for coverage, cost, trustworthiness, plan transparency, customer support, and flexibility to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
