Founded in 1971, American Home Shield is one of the oldest players in the home warranty marketplace. Its widespread availability, choice of service fees and flexible rates all helped it land on our list of the top home warranty companies.
AHS offers three monthly plans and coverage caps that are higher than most. Plus, the highest ShieldPlatinum tier adds coverage for roof leaks, code violations and permits.
We love that AHS covers appliances no matter how old they are and doesn't require service or maintenance records. We also like that, unlike a lot of competitors, it will cover repairs needed because of improper installation, unknown pre-existing conditions, corrosion, rust or sediment.
American Home Shield does lack an appliance-only plan, however, and only guarantees repairs for 30 days. Some service repair providers stand by their work for months or even the length of your contract.
American Home Shield
Plans
ShieldSilver plan covers HVAC, electrical, plumbing systems, while the ShieldGold plan adds laundry appliances. The ShieldPlatinum increases coverage limits and adds microwaves, ceiling fans, icemakers and roof leak repairs.
Availability
Not available in Alaska or Hawaii.
Coverage limits
ShieldSilver: $5,000 per covered HVAC system, ShieldGold: $2,000 per covered appliance, ShieldPlatinum: $4,000 per appliance, $5,000 per HVAC, $1,000 for roof leak repairs. All American Home Shield plans have a $50,000 total limit per contract.
Add-ons
Electronics, pool/spa, septic systems, well and septic pumps, roof leak repairs, guest units
Service fee
$100 or $125
Pros
- In business since 1971
- Option to choose your contractor
- Covers unknown pre-existing issues
Cons
- Appliance-only plan not available
- Workmanship only guaranteed for 30 days
American Home Shield
Pros and cons of American Home Shield
- Higher coverage caps
- Available in most states
- Pays for access repairs
- Choice of service call fees allows you to lower premiums
- Higher-than-average premiums and fees
- No appliance-only plan
- Limited choice of contractors
- Not available in Alaska and Hawaii
American Home Shield plans and pricing
American Home Shield is available nationwide except in Alaska and Hawaii. It has coverage options for both single-family and multi-unit homes, including condos, townhomes and mobile homes. (It does not cover commercial properties.)
AHS states that its rates begin as low as $29.99 a month, depending on location. The rates listed here are based on a single-family home in Montgomery County, Maryland, with ZIP code 20895 and a service call fee of $125.
ShieldSilver
Covers: 14 home systems, including HVAC, electrical and plumbing, with a $5,000 limit per covered HVAC system and a $50,000 aggregate limit for the life of the contract.
Monthly rate: $50
ShieldGold
Covers: Same coverage as ShieldSilver plan but adds kitchen and laundry appliances, with a $2,000 limit per covered appliance.
Monthly rate: $70
ShieldPlatinum
Covers: Same as ShieldGold plan but increases appliance coverage to $4,000 per covered item, adds $1,000 for roof leak repairs, unlimited AC refrigerant a free HVAC tune-up and coverage for code violations and permits.
Monthly rate: $100
AHS has a 30-day workmanship guarantee and discounts are available for covering more than one home.
Add-ons
Optional coverage is available for:
- Pools and spas
- Home electronics, including smartphones, computers and gaming consoles
- Septic system
- Sump or well pumps
- Roof leak repair (for tiers below ShieldPlatinum)
- Guest units
Requirements and exclusions
AHS has a 30-day waiting period, during which it will not cover the replacement cost of systems or appliances.
Items still under a manufacturer warranty or with known pre-existing conditions are not covered. However, unlike many other home warranty companies, AHS does cover maintenance that arises from insufficient maintenance, improper installation, unknown pre-existing conditions, as well as from rust, corrosion or sediment.
Review your policy details to find out about additional exceptions or exclusions.
Coverage limits
AHS sets caps on how much it will pay to repair or replace certain items. These limits may vary depending on the policy you sign up for.
- $5,000 per covered HVAC system
- $3,000 for plumbing or electrical systems
- $2,000 per covered appliance (ShieldGold), $4,000 per appliance (ShieldPlatinum)
- $1,000 for roof leak repair
- $250 for code violations, permits or modifications
- $50,000 aggregate limit for the life of the contract.
Fees
American Home Shield allows you to choose a service call fee of $100 or $125, with the higher rate resulting in a lower premium.
Customer service
You can get a custom quote or enroll for coverage on the AHS website or by calling 844-984-3185, daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. The AHS mobile app allows clients to manage their plans or submit service requests.
Existing customers can call the customer care line 24/7 at 800-776-4663. After you file a service request, you should be contacted by a technician within 48 hours to schedule an appointment. Customers can choose their contractor with preapproval in select locations but AHS doesn't provide details about getting authorization for preferred contractors.
AHS offers a 30-day workmanship guarantee: If a covered repair is not done correctly, it will send a contractor back to fix it again free of charge. While helpful, that's more limited than competitors like Select and America's First Choice.
American Home Shield earned a B from the Better Business Bureau, which is typical of home warranty companies. But its more than 9,400 customer reviews are largely negative, averaging only 1.9 out of five stars.
On Trustpilot, AHS received an average of 3.6 out of 5 stars. While a third of its reviews earned five stars, nearly 60% are one-star reviews.
How does AHS compare to other home warranty companies?
We put American Home Shield up against two major competitors in the home warranty market.
| American Home Shield | AFC Home Warranty | Select Home Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | 48 states (not available in Alaska or Hawaii) | 48 states (not available in California or Hawaii) | 47 states (not available in Nevada, Washington or Wisconsin |
| Plans | ShieldSilver: Home systems, ShieldGold: Adds appliances, ShieldPlatinum: Covers both, plus roof leak repair and higher appliance coverage caps | Silver: major appliances; Gold: Adds home systems; Platinum: Adds faucets, plumbing clogs, fans, built-in microwaves; Diamond: Adds electronics, exterior water and sewer lines | Bronze Care: Major appliances, Gold Care: Home systems, Platinum Care: Both |
| Average premiums | Starting at $30 | $31-$52 | $44-$47 (with discounts) |
| Coverage cap | $2,000 per appliance and $5,000 per system, ShieldPlatinum raises appliance limit to $4,000. Aggregate limit of $50,000 for all claims per term | $ 3,000 per appliance, $500 on electrical and plumbing, no limit on HVAC. Aggregate limit of $50,000 for all claims per term | $500 for appliances, electrical and plumbing; $3,000 for A/C and heating |
| Service call fee | $100 or $125 | $75-$125 | $75-$100 |
| Guarantee | 30 days | For length of the contract | 60 days |
| Choose your contractor? | In limited situations | Yes | No |
American Home Shield vs. Select Home Warranty
Our sample rates with American Home Shield were higher than those for Select Home Warranty but AHS provides more extensive coverage, including for HVAC systems and older appliances.
It also allows you to work with a technician of your choice in limited circumstances, while Select doesn't make that option available.
Select Home Warranty
Plans
The Bronze Care plan covers appliances, Gold Care protects HVAC, electrical and other home systems. Platinum Care plan covers both and adds garage door openers, ceiling fans and plumbing clogs.
Availability
Not available in Nevada, Washington or Wisconsin
Coverage limits
$3,000 for AC/heating; $500 for electrical, plumbing and appliances; $400 for roof leak
Add-ons
Central vacuum, sprinklers, pool, spa, sump or well pump, septic system, roof leaks
Service call fees
$60 to $75
Both companies struggle with customers reporting delays in the processing of service requests, however, Select's 60-day workmanship guarantee is twice as long as AHS's protection.
While Select may be better suited for homeowners prioritizing affordability, AHS is the superior choice for those willing to pay a premium for more robust coverage.
American Home Shield vs. America's First Choice Home Warranty
AHS once again falls behind the competition on affordability — although your premiums will ultimately be impacted by your location and your choice of service call fee.
Both AHS and AFC companies have a B rating from the Better Business Bureau and a significant number of one-star reviews on Trustpilot (74% for AFC compared to 60% for AHS.)
AFC Home Warranty
Plans
Silver: Appliances, garage door
Gold: Adds HVAC, electrical, plumbing, ductwork
Platinum: Adds faucets, plumbing stoppages, fans, built-in microwaves
Diamond: Adds electronics (including phones), exterior water and sewer linesAvailability
Nationwide except California, Hawaii and Washington state
Coverage limits
$3,000 aggregate for all covered appliances per contract term
Add-ons
Pool/spa, septic systems, well and sump pumps, freezers, roof leaks
Service call fee
$75, $100 or $125
While AHS guarantees its workmanship for only 30 days, AFC stands by its parts and labor for the length of your contract.
However, AHS will cover up to $1,000 to repair floors, ceilings or walls if a contractor needs to cut into them to reach a covered system. AFC, on the other hand, doesn't cover access repairs. In addition, AHS covers malfunctions due to inadequate maintenance and unknown pre-existing conditions, both of which AFC excludes.
How do I buy a policy with American Home Shield?
You can get a rate quote and sign up for a service contract on the American Home Shield website or by calling 844-984-3185, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
You'll need to provide information about your appliances and home systems. AHS recommends enrolling over the phone to ensure you understand what your contract covers.
Is an AHS home warranty worth it?
American Home Shield offers several tiers of coverage, doesn't require service or maintenance records on appliances and will address repairs stemming from inadequate maintenance and unknown pre-existing conditions.
Combined with a $50,000 annual aggregate coverage limit, that makes AHS a strong candidate for a home warranty.
Its service call fees tend to be pricier than other companies, however, and the terms under which you can choose a technician are not clear. While not deal breakers, they bear consideration.
American Home Shield FAQs
Is American Home Shield legit?
Yes, American Home Shield is a legitimate home warranty company that has been in business since 1971 and received a B from the Better Business Bureau. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, AHS is a subsidiary of Frontdoor, Inc., a publicly traded company that specializes in home services.
How much is AHS's service call fee?
Customers can choose either a $100 or a $125 service call fee. The fee you choose affects the cost of your monthly premiums.
How do I file a claim with American Home Shield?
You can file service requests after the 30-day waiting period is over. Requests can be made on the AHS website, via the mobile app or by calling 800-776-4663.
AHS says it typically responds to service requests and connects customers with technicians within about 48 hours.
How do I cancel an American Home Shield home warranty?
You can cancel by calling 844-226-1958 and speaking to a customer representative. If you cancel your plan within 30 days after the waiting period, AHS will provide a full refund, minus any service fees that were incurred.
If you cancel later than 30 days after coverage begins you'll receive a pro-rated refund, minus a cancellation charge of up to one month's rate and any service fees incurred during that time. (Exact terms vary by state.)
If you are moving, you can transfer coverage to your new home or transfer the remainder of your warranty to your current home's new owner. To transfer service, call 844-301-1048.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every home warranty review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of home warranty products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Our methodology
CNBC Select reviews home warranty companies based on various factors:
- Availability: We considered which states a company issues policies in, as well as any waiting periods.
- Costs: We considered premiums and service call fees, as well as the availability of discounts and limited-time offers. Sample rates listed in this review are based on a single-family home with a $125 service call fee in Montgomery County, Maryland, in ZIP code 20895.
- Plan coverage and add-ons: We rated companies on how extensive each plan is and what add-ons are available for an additional charge.
- Coverage limits: We considered the caps put on plans, as well as requirements for coverage and if maintenance records are needed to approve a claim.
- Customer satisfaction: We considered the availability of customer service representatives, the speed at which technicians are contacted and the ratings and customer review scores each company received from the Better Business Bureau. We also noted any outstanding legal action.
- Choice of technicians: We noted if a company allows customers to work with a contractor of their choosing.
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