American Home Shield is a popular home warranty* service because it offers flexible plans to fit all your needs, has competitive pricing on those plans, and offers free quotes over the phone. Plus, this service has a reliable claims department working around the clock. And with 17000 contractors on staff, you can have a technician at your house in no time. Are there any downsides to using American Home Shield home warranty? Let's find out.
| Feature | Status |
| Annual Premium | Varies based on customer |
| Plan Types | Systems, Appliances, Combo |
| States | Active in 49 states |
| HVAC | Yes |
| Contractors | In-Network & Out-of-Network, 17000 |
| Home Inspection Required | No |
| Claims Service Fee | $75-$125 |
| 24/7 Claims Department | Yes |
| Workmanship Guarantee | 30 days |
American Home Shield has excellent coverage range. In fact, it'll cover a lot of items that other home warranty brands will not. The official coverage policy is that as long as the appliance or system is in good working condition, American Home Shield will cover it regardless of age, model, or brand. That's a great claim.
You can get coverage for 9 major appliances and 14 whole house systems plus more, with one of these plans. Again, this is above average considering most home warranty services will only cover a handful of systems.
Coverage applies to normal wear and tear of the item and not deliberate damage or negligent usage of the appliance. Yet again, American Home Shield pulls ahead of the competition offering higher limits on the coverage as well. While coverage for systems does not have a dollar limit, appliances coverage is limited to $3,000. This can be boosted with their Platinum Plan to $6,000. Finally, American Home Shield generously includes certain appliances like a second fridge into your plan without forcing you to buy expensive add-ons.
Your contract will begin 30 days after you've signed.
As mentioned, American Home Shield covers a wide spectrum of appliances and systems within 3 separate plans. Here's a look at what each one covers:
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ShieldSilver |
ShieldGold |
ShieldPlatinum |
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Roof Leak Repair |
Add-on |
Add-on |
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Air Conditioners |
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Heating Units |
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Ductwork |
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Built-in Exhaust, Vent & Attic Fans |
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Main Breaker & Fuse Panel Box |
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Doorbells & Chimes |
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Interior Electrical Lines |
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Ceiling Fans |
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Garage Door Openers |
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Water Heaters |
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Interior Plumbing Lines |
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Toilets |
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Faucets & Valves |
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Whirlpool Tub Motor & Components |
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Refrigirators |
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Ranges/Cooktops |
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Ovens |
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Dishwashers |
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Built-in Microwaves |
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Garbage Disposals |
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Instant Hot/Cold Water Dispensers |
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Washers |
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Dryers |
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American Home Shield also offers added coverage for more expensive systems or equipment including electronic extended warranty, pools and spas, well pumps, septic pumps, and guest units.
And finally, we come to the downside of working with American Home Shield. It's not really a downside in working with the company, rather a downside in researching it. That's because American Home Shield doesn't publish any pricing information for the annual premiums you'll pay. Each customer is given a customized pricing quote based on the plan, appliances, systems, and home they want covered. Again, not really a downside. It just means you have to call up and get a quote before you can do comparison shopping.
American Home Shield offers 3 plans; a systems plan - ShieldSilver, a combo plan that covers both systems and appliances - ShieldGold, and a plan that covers all this plus roof leaks and more - ShieldPlatinum. If you know that one or the other is more important for you to have covered, then opt for the individual package. But if you're the type that wants to cover all your bases, then go with the Combo Plan. It'll give you the most peace of mind.
| Plan | ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum |
| Per Month | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Per Year | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Coverage | 14 critical home systems | ShieldSilver plus 9 everyday home appliances | Covers everything plus more |
You can submit a claim online at any time of day or night with the 24/7 claims department. American Home Shield has 17000+ contractors on staff, so their response times are generally very fast. While times will vary based on time of call, type of repair needed, location, and other factors, American Home Shield guarantees to dispatch a contractor to your home within 24 hours of the request being made. In reality, response time is much faster, but that's the worst-case scenario.
All contractors are qualified and local. This ensures that not only do you get fast service, but you get professional service as well. Plus, all American Home Shield contractors are routinely reviewed by real customers, so they're constantly being evaluated for quality of service. If they can't fix the problem, American Home Shield will cover your replacement costs. And if you have a recurring issue, a contractor will return to fix the problem free of charge.
Something unusual about American Home Shield is that in addition to offering in-network contractors, members can use out of network contractors as well. Terms and conditions may apply, so be sure to check with your policy beforehand. But generally, if you have a contractor you already use regularly who is certified, you can have the repairs made, and American Home Shield will reimburse you the costs.
Another benefit of using American Home Shield is the service call fee structure. Most home warranty services have a flat rate fee that you pay each time a contractor comes to your home for a repair, and the rate doesn't change. American Home Shield lets you choose the rate you want to pay from 3 different pricing options. Why? Because the more you pay on your deductibles, the less you'll have to pay on your monthly premiums. So, you can choose:
This is a refreshingly flexible pricing option that you won't find elsewhere.
“On time and professional. Would hire them anytime I need their service” - Beth J. July 2022
“Used them 3 times no hassle easy and I've had service within a week all three times and the contractors have all been excellent” - Robert H. July 2022
“My vacation home is located in a remote area but American Homeshield always provides me with highly qualified professionals who do an excellent job! Extremely pleased!” - Sharon G. July 2022
“I signed up with AHS two months ago and I've had 3 things go wrong at my house, after I paid my deductible they fixed all 3 things in a timely manner.” - Michael P. June 2022
American Home Shield is a fast, efficient, and easy to work with home warranty service. With flexible service charges that let you choose your monthly premium levels, 17000+ contractors on call, and a 24/7 claims department, American Home Shield is a veteran in the industry and earns a place at the top of the home warranty services list.
American Home Shield is one of the oldest standing home warranty services. Serving homeowners across the US for over 50 years, American Home Shield currently boasts an impressive 2 million happy customers. Working with thousands of contractors, AHS provides fast and professional service. That's why it's earned a B rating with the BBB.
*New Jersey Residents: The product being offered is a service contract and is separate and distinct from any product or service warranty which may be provided by the home builder or manufacturer.