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The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield

Compare The Home Service Club and American Home Shield side-by-side to determine which is best for your home.

Author Image Written by Dana Getz + 1 other Reviewed by Jacquelyn Kfoury Updated 12/02/2024

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?

ProviderThe Home Service ClubAmerican Home Shield
This Old House rating3.3/5 Stars4.8/5 Stars
Get a free quoteNot available through This Old HouseVisit site
Coverage optionsStandard, Comprehensive, and optional add-onsSystems, 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 availability47 states (excluding Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin)49 states (excluding Alaska)
BBB ratingCB
Years in business1149

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

PlansStandard CoverageComprehensive 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 AppliancesShieldSilver™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

CompanyThe Home Service ClubAmerican 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

ProviderThe Home Service ClubAmerican Home Shield
BBB ratingCB
BBB accreditationNoYes
Average BBB customer review rating (out of 5 stars)4.5 stars2.5 stars
Number of customer reviews on BBB webpage1,483 reviews6,198 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.

Rating:
Best Comprehensive Coverage

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. 

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