TotalProtect vs. American Home Shield
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American Home Shield has more than 50 years of experience and offers flexible service fees, while TotalProtect does not. However, TotalProtect has a better BBB rating and cheaper monthly premiums. Both home warranty companies offer add-ons at an additional cost.
Keep reading to see our in-depth comparison of TotalProtect and American Home Shield.
How Do TotalProtect vs. American Home Shield Compare Side-by-Side?
| Features | TotalProtect | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| This Old House Rating | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 |
| Plan Options | Systems, Appliances, Combo, and optional add-ons | ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, ShieldPlatinum™, and optional add-ons |
| Monthly Premiums | $35–$59 | $40–$58 |
| Service Fees | $100–$125 | $75–$125 |
| State Availability | Available in all U.S. states | Available in all U.S. states, except Alaska |
| BBB Rating | A- | B |
| Years in Business | 40 | 48 |
How Does Coverage Compare Between TotalProtect vs. American Home Shield?
American Home Shield
As a veteran home warranty provider, American Home Shield offers three flexible home warranty plans that can fit the needs of various homeowners.
American Home Shield Coverage
| Item | ShieldSilver™ | ShieldGold™ | ShieldPlatinum™ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heating | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Built-in exhaust, vent, and attic fans | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Main breaker and fuse panel box | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Doorbells | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interior electrical lines | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ceiling fans | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garage door openers | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interior plumbing lines | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Toilets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Faucets and valves | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Whirlpool tub | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Water heaters | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerators | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Ranges/cooktops | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Ovens | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dishwashers | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Built-in microwaves | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garbage disposals | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Instant hot/cold water dispensers | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes washer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| HVAC tune-up | ✔ | ||
| Roof leak coverage | ✔ |
TotalProtect Home Warranty
TotalProtect offers coverage through three comprehensive plans: a Systems Plan, Appliances Plan, and Combo Plan, each providing customers with protection on major home systems or appliances. Compare TotalProtect coverage plans below.
TotalProtect Coverage
| Item | Systems Plan | Appliances Plan | Combo Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothes dryer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes washer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Cooktop/Range | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Built-in dishwasher | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Refrigerator with built-in ice and water dispenser | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Wall oven | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Range exhaust hood | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Built-in microwave | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Built-in trash compactor | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Air conditioning (2 units) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Heating system (2 units) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Water heater | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Toilets | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Plumbing lines | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Plumbing stoppages | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Sump pump | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Whirlpool bath | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Attic/Whole-house exhaust fan | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Central vacuum | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Door bells and chimes | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garage door opener | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Smoke detectors | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Main breaker/Fuse panel box | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Interior electrical lines | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Interior gas lines | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement–$500 benefit | ✔ |
If you’re looking to add to your coverage, TotalProtect Home Warranty offers a Premier Upgrade package that adds perks such as equipment disposal, code upgrades, and electrical modifications.
TotalProtect vs. AHS Optional Add-Ons Compared
TotalProtect and American Home Shield also offer these optional add-ons items:
TotalProtect Add-Ons
- Faucets
- Outdoor gas line
- Outside water line
- Septic tank/Septic tank pumping
- Standalone freezer
- Surge protection (available in only some states)
- Swimming pool
- Spa
- Heater for swimming pool or spa
- Water softener
- Well pump system with a booster pump
American Home Shield Add-Ons
- Electronic extended warranty
- Pool and spas
- Well pump
- Septic pump
- Guest units up to 750 square feet
How Does the Cost of TotalProtect vs. American Home Shield Compare?
TotalProtect Home Warranty and American Home Shield offer comparable coverage, with TotalProtect offering their Appliances Plan and Systems Plan for less. See how the companies compare in pricing below.
American Home Shield Prices
| Plan | $75 Service Fee | $100 Service Fee | $125 Service Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ShieldSilver™ | $54.99 per month | $44.99 per month | $39.99 per month |
| ShieldGold™ | $64.99 per month | $54.99 per month | $49.99 per month |
| ShieldPlatinum™ | $79.99 per month | $69.99 per month | $64.99 per month |
American Home Shield, like most home warranty companies, requires customers to pay a service call fee, or deductible, when a contractor responds to a service call. AHS allows customers to choose their service fee: $75, $100, or $125. A lower service fee usually increases your monthly premium, while a higher service fee decreases it.
TotalProtect Pricing Breakdown
| TotalProtect Home Warranty Plan | Cost |
|---|---|
| Systems Plan | $34.95 per month |
| Appliances Plan | $44.95 per month |
| Combo Plan | $58.95 per month |
TotalProtect customers can also pick their service fee, choosing between $100–$125.
Note: The monthly premium for your TotalProtect plan can increase if you choose a lower deductible. Additionally, the cost of your plan can go up if you add on optional coverage for items such as a swimming pool, water softener, and outdoor gas line.
How Does TotalProtect vs. American Home Shield Compare Overall?
American Home Shield offers some of the most complete protection, giving homeowners the ability to choose between three plans. AHS also provides 24/7 customer service and allows customers to adjust their monthly premium by selecting their service fee, giving some freedom to choose the price paid per month.
AHS lets customers choose their own service fee, but prices can be more expensive than some of AHS’s competitors. Additionally, AHS doesn’t provide coverage in Alaska and only covers repairs for up to 30 days.
In comparison, TotalProtect Home Warranty offers similar coverage through their three plans and provides nationwide coverage. Unlike many home warranty companies, TotalProtect doesn’t have a price cap on home systems and appliances.
However, TotalProtect’s service fees are a little higher than the industry average, costing between $100–$125.
In sum, we recommend American Home Shield as our top home warranty pick.
FAQs About Home Warranties
What is the cancellation policy for American Home Shield and TotalProtect?
Most home warranty companies allow you to cancel your plan for a free refund within the first 30 days, as long as no claim is made during that time. American Home Shield and TotalProtect allow customers to cancel within the first 30 days for a full refund and anytime after for a refund on the prorated amount on the remaining length of coverage.
How does a home warranty work?
If a covered item under your home warranty plan breaks down due to normal wear and tear, you’ll file a claim with your provider, who will then dispatch a service technician to repair or replace the item. All you pay is the agreed upon service fee.
How long is a home warranty contract length?
Home warranty contracts typically last for a year, though you may be able to sign up for a multi-year plan and get a discount on pricing if the provider offers these within its plan portfolio.
Is a home warranty worth it?
If you have a system or appliance that’s prone to breakdowns or just want an extra layer of protection for items in your home, a home warranty is worth it. For example, if your water heater breaks down in the dead of winter, a home warranty can cover the cost of its repair or replacement, saving you from paying expensive, out-of-pocket costs.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to score each provider objectively. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys.
We score each provider against our review standards, which include four comparison categories: coverage, value, trust and transparency, and availability and service. We rate each provider across 31 factors within these categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We then convert the final scores to a 5-star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:
- Coverage (40%): We scored coverage based on included home systems and appliances, add-on options, and unique benefits. We also compared coverage caps and policy exclusions.
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- Additional coverage items
- Annual coverage cap
- Home systems coverage
- Major appliances coverage
- Obstructed wall coverage cap
- Value (30%): We compared the coverage level received to monthly pricing to determine plan value. We considered premium pricing, service fees, and flexibility in customizing plan costs.
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- Average monthly cost
- Cost flexibility
- Lowest service fee
- Trust and Transparency (16%): We evaluated each company’s reputation using the Better Business Bureau ratings and customer reviews on third-party review sites. We read through plan change policies, workmanship protections, and sample contract availability.
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- Brand reputation
- Policy change flexibility
- Sample contract availability
- Workmanship guarantee length
- Availability and Service (14%): We award higher scores for faster claim processing and response times. We also considered service technician policies, including options to choose your technician.
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- Claims process
- Guaranteed response time
- Service flexibility
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.