American Home Shield has more 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.

Side-by-Side Comparison

FeaturesTotalProtectAmerican Home Shield
Get a Free QuoteNot available through This Old HouseVisit site
This Old House Rating8.9/109.5/10
Plan OptionsSystems, Appliances, Combo, and optional add-onsShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, ShieldPlatinum™, and optional add-ons
Monthly Premiums$35–$59$40–$58
Service Fees$100–$125$75–$125
State AvailabilityAvailable in all U.S. statesAvailable in all U.S. states, except Alaska
BBB RatingA-B
Years in Business4048

TotalProtect vs. American Home Shield Coverage Comparison

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

ItemShieldSilver™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

Customers also have the option of tacking on additional coverage for the following items:

  • Electronic extended warranty
  • Pool and spas
  • Well pump
  • Septic pump
  • Guest units up to 750 square feet
To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 844-529-9298.

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

ItemSystems PlanAppliances PlanCombo 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.

To help complete your coverage, TotalProtect also offers optional coverage on the following items:

  • 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

TotalProtect vs. American Home Shield Cost Comparison

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 PlanCost
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.

Our Conclusion

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 through 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. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, fill out this online form or call 844-529-9298.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team backs 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, value, trustworthiness and transparency, availability, and customer service to arrive at a final score out of 100.  

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.