Need to compare The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield? These top-rated home warranty companies offer plans that protect major systems and appliances when they unexpectedly break down. In this article, the This Old House Reviews Team examines coverage plans, cost, customer reviews, and more so that you can decide which company best fits your home protection needs.
The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield: Side-by-Side Overview
| Provider | The Home Service Club | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| This Old House rating | 9.15/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Get a free quote | Visit site | 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 |
Pros and Cons of The Home Service Club
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Covers 18 systems and appliances in the Standard Plan and 30 systems and appliances in the Comprehensive Plan | Not available in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin |
| Provides coverage on systems or appliances, regardless of age, make, or model | Not accredited by the BBB |
| Offers 12 optional add-ons, which is more than what other home warranty companies offer |
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.
Get a free quote from The Home Service Club by calling 800-842-9334 or by filling out this easy form.
Pros and Cons of American Home Shield
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Has over 45 years of industry experience | Offers only five optional add-ons |
| Offers coverage for damage due to rust and corrosion | Customers can’t choose their own technician |
| Available in 49 states |
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.
To get $50 off of a new plan, call 844-529-9298 or submit this form.
The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield Coverage
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.
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 | ✓ |
The Home Service Club also offers 12 optional 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
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.
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 offers these five add-ons to customers:
- Septic pump
- Pool and spa
- Well pump
- Electronic extended warranty
- Guest units up to 750 square feet
The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield Cost
Based on the quotes our Reviews Team 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 Fee Deductible | $95 | $75–$125 |
The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield Reviews
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 |
Our Conclusion
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 protection for specific add-ons.
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.
Compare Top-Rated Home Warranty Providers
Excellent alternatives to American Home Shield and The Home Service Club are First American Home Warranty, and Select Home Warranty. Compare these companies below:
Top-Rated Home Warranty Providers Comparison
| Provider | First American Home Warranty | Select Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Get a free quote | Visit site | Visit site |
| Best for | Value | Lowest deductibles |
| This Old House rating | 8.3/10 | 8.9/10 |
| Coverage plans | 2 + optional add-ons | 3 + optional add-ons |
| Monthly cost | $36–$38 | $36–$38 |
| Service fee | $75 | $60–$75 |
| BBB rating | B | B |
| Years in business | 35 years | 8 years |
| States covered | 35 states (Not including AK, CT, DE, HI, IL, LA, ME, MA, MN, NH, NY, ND, RI, VT, WI) | 46 states (excludes Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, and Wisconsin) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers, and we aim to provide transparency in our review standards and research process.
Our research process includes speaking with representatives from more than 40 home warranty providers, requesting quotes, and asking clarifying questions to gain insight into each provider’s benefits and downsides. We also analyze sample contracts from each company to understand specific coverage terms.
To rate companies, we apply the data we have gathered to our review standards. These standards are on a 100-point scoring system, which is detailed below:
- Coverage (35 points): Providers are scored based on breadth and depth of coverage. We focused on key home systems (HVAC, plumbing, and electrical), essential appliances (refrigerator, ovens, and laundry machines), and unique coverage items (such as roof-leak coverage and code violation allowances). Coverage scores are weighted by taking into account coverage caps and other limiting factors, meaning providers with greater range of coverage and higher coverage caps score the highest.
- Value (30 points): A company’s plan value is a reflection of how well it serves the customer in comparison to what the customer pays for the policy. We accounted for monthly costs, service call fees, and cost flexibility (such as customizable service call fees, discounts, and multi-year policies).
- Trustworthiness and Transparency (21 points): Trustworthiness and transparency are a reflection of how well the provider considers the customer’s interests. We scored items such as the length of workmanship guarantees, online availability of a sample contract, policy change flexibility, and ease of cancellation. Additionally, we scored items that reflect industry reputation and customer satisfaction, including analyzing brand reputation across the Better Business Bureau and third-party customer review aggregators.
- Availability and Service (14 points): Quality of customer service is key to customer satisfaction. We dug into each provider’s guaranteed response times, claims processes, service flexibility, emergency availability, and more.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.