American Home Shield Reviews, Plans, and Pricing
American Home Shield (AHS) is a veteran in the home warranty industry and has been in business for more than 45 years. The company provides some of the most comprehensive and customizable coverage, demonstrates excellent customer service, and is a great option for those who want to protect a variety of home systems and appliances. Below you’ll find information on plans, pricing, customer reviews, and how American Home Shield compares to the competition.
CTA: Get a free quote on an American Home Shield warranty today online or by calling 888-878-4576.
Pros and Cons of American Home Shield
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of signing up for an American Home Shield protection plan:
AHS Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pros | Cons |
| Has generous coverage caps on systems and appliances | Doesn’t allow customers to choose their own technician for repairs |
| Allows customers to build their own home warranty plans and customize coverage | Is not available in Alaska |
| Lets customers choose between a $75, $100, and $125 service fee | Repairs guaranteed for only 30 days |
American Home Shield Plans and Coverage
American Home Shield home warranties provide extensive coverage for some of the most important items in the home. AHS is one of the few home warranty companies in the industry that offers four plans to its customers: an Appliance Plan, Systems Plan, Combo Plan, and a Build-Your-Own Plan, which lets customers choose up to 10 items to include in coverage. If customers want to go over that 10-item limit, they’ll have to pay $2 for every additional item.
The Systems Plan covers major home systems like the air conditioning and heating, the Appliance Plan covers important appliances like the refrigerator and dishwasher, and the Combo Plan covers a combination of systems and appliances.
Compare American Home Shield plans below and see the appliances and systems covered under each plan:
AHS Plans
| Appliance Plan | Systems Plan | Combo Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance Plan | Systems Plan | Combo Plan |
| Refrigerator | Air conditioning | Refrigerator |
| Clothes washer/dryer | Heating | Clothes washer/dryer |
| Range/Oven/Cooktop | Ductwork | Range/Oven/Cooktop |
| Dishwasher | Electrical | Dishwasher |
| Built-in microwave | Plumbing/plumbing stoppages | Built-in microwave |
| Freestanding ice maker | Water heater | Freestanding ice maker |
| Trash compactor | Central vacuum | Trash compactor |
| Garage door opener | Doorbells | Garage door opener |
| Built-in food center | Smoke detectors | Built-in food center |
| Ceiling fans | Air conditioning | |
| Garbage disposal | Heating | |
| Instant hot/cold water dispensers | Ductwork | |
| Re-Key | Electrical | |
| Plumbing/plumbing stoppages | ||
| Water heater | ||
| Central vacuum | ||
| Doorbells | ||
| Smoke detectors | ||
| Ceiling fans | ||
| Garbage disposal | ||
| Instant hot/cold water dispensers | ||
| Re-Key |
In addition to these home warranty plans, American Home Shield offers coverage for five additional items that you can include with any plan. You can get pricing for these additional items when you go to the AHS website and request a free quote.
- Electronic extended warranty
- Pool and spas
- Well pump
- Septic pump
- Guest unit
American Home Shield Pricing
AHS plan pricing will depend on where you live, the type of plan you choose, and how many add-ons you include in your coverage. When our team called AHS for pricing, here are the estimates they gave us. We recommend calling them at 888-878-4576 to get a free quote for plans in your area.
AHS Plan Cost
| AHS Plan | Cost |
|---|---|
| AHS Plan | Cost |
| Systems | $49.99 per month |
| Appliances | $49.99 per month |
| Combo | $59.99 per month |
| Build-Your-Own | $54.99 per month |
In addition to a monthly premium, AHS customers pay a service call fee, a one-time fee paid to the contractor that comes out and addresses the system or appliance in question. AHS lets customers choose the service fee they want: $75, $100, or $125. Typically, a lower service fee means you’ll have to pay more each month, while a higher service fee means you’ll pay a lower amount every month.
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American Home Shield Reviews
American Home Shield has been an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 1997 and has received a B rating from them. Note: BBB accredited businesses pay a fee for accreditation and their services have not been evaluated or endorsed by the BBB. The BBB rating is based on the amount of complaints received from the public and other company information—customer reviews are not included in this rating.
Take a look at a few American Home Shield reviews from current customers:
“I especially like that they give the policyholder multiple options of service contractors; it gives the policyholder a chance to do some research and choose the best contractor from the list. This was my first time having [AHS], hopefully any other dealings will go just as smoothly as this recent translation.” — Dana R. on March 18, 2020
“Great service! Our furnace broke and I was able to request service online. Within a day, our contractor came out. He was very professional and fixed our furnace in a timely manner. We LOVE the security of having a home warranty that covers all our appliances and major systems. Definitely recommend.” — Jamie E. on March 16, 2020
“Service professional was great but the wait time for scheduling was longer than expected.” — Charles A. on February 28, 2020
AHS Compared to the Competition
If you’re not sure American Home Shield is right for you, see how the company stacks up against the competition and consider getting free quotes from each company to better understand your options.
Compare Home Warranty Companies
| Provider | American Home Shield | Choice Home Warranty | First American Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | American Home Shield | Choice Home Warranty | First American Home Warranty |
| Plan options | 4 + optional add-ons | 2 + optional add-ons | 3 + optional add-ons |
| Monthly premium | $50–$60 | $36–$44 | $36–$38 |
| Service fee | $75–$125 | $60–85 | $75 |
| Recall period | 60 days on parts and labor | 90 days on parts 30 days on labor |
30 days on parts and labor |
| Best For | Coverage | Repair Guarantee | Value |
Frequently Asked Questions about American Home Shield
Is American Home Shield legitimate?
With almost 50 years of experience, American Home Shield is one of the oldest home warranty companies in the industry. AHS has a network of more than 15,000 professional contractors that provide service in the event that a major home system or appliance breaks down or malfunctions.
Which is better: American Home Shield or Choice Home Warranty?
Both companies have their pros and cons and one may be better suited to you depending on your home coverage needs. For example, if you want to customize coverage, American Home Shield is a great option as it allows customers to pick and choose 10 items to include in their plan.
If you want a more affordable option, Choice Home Warranty may be a good pick. CHW provides two plans—a basic plan and a total plan—that cost between $36–$44 a month. AHS is slightly more expensive with plans that cost between $50–$60 a month.
Does American Home Shield cover pre-existing conditions?
No, American Home Shield does not cover pre-existing conditions on home appliances and systems.
Does American Home Shield cover roof leaks?
No, American Home Shield does not cover roof leaks, but Select Home Warranty and Choice Home Warranty do.
Does AHS require a home inspection?
No, AHS doesn’t require a home inspection to grant coverage. The age of your systems and appliances won’t affect coverage, either.
How do American Home Shield home warranties work?
If a covered item breaks down due to normal wear and tear, customers can file a claim online or over the phone. AHS will get a technician out to you within 48 hours to assess the issue. In your home, the tech will recommend a repair or replacement. At this time, you’d pay the set service fee.
Do I need an AHS home warranty if I have homeowners insurance?
Even if you have homeowners insurance, it’s recommended that you buy a home warranty to cover repairs and replacements on major systems and appliances. Homeowners insurance only covers structural damage to your house from natural disasters, fire, or theft.
How do you cancel an AHS policy?
You can cancel your AHS plan at any time. If you cancel within the first 30 days of signing up, AHS will refund your contract fees. If you cancel after the first 30 days, the company will refund you a prorated amount for the remaining length of coverage.
Our Conclusion
The This Old House Reviews team rated American Home Shield 9.5/10 and one of the best home warranty providers. It’s a great option for those who want to customize their own coverage and have generous coverage caps on important home items. It’s also a solid choice for those who want a more veteran home warranty company (remember: AHS is one of the oldest companies in the industry).
American Home Shield may not be a great option for homeowners who want to choose their own technician to complete repair work or homeowners who live in Alaska, as this is the only state that AHS doesn’t service.
If you’re ready to sign up for an American Home Shield home warranty, we recommend getting a free online quote for accurate pricing in your area.
Get a free quote on an American Home Shield warranty today online or by calling 888-878-4576.
Company Information
- Company name: American Home Shield
- CEO: Rex Tibbins
- Years in business: 49 years
- Telephone: 833-850-4092
- Address: 860 Ridge Lake Boulevard
- City/State: Memphis, TN
- Zip code: 38120
- BBB rating: B
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparency and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for home warranty providers is on a 100-point scale based on seven factors:
- Plan options
- Coverage specifics (5)
- Pricing Trustworthiness (25)
- State availability (5)
- Customer service (10)
- Additional benefits (5)
Our Reviews Team reviewed 45 companies and we have a full-time researcher who collects (and regularly updates) more than 100 specific data points from each company to help us compare them on key factors such as coverage, cost, service, and dependability. Read more on our methodology here.
