American Home Shield Review | 2024 Guide
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American Home Shield is a widely available home warranty service with more than 50 years of experience. Often regarded as the founder of the home warranty industry, the company is known for its comprehensive coverage options and customizable fee structure. Unlike some home service contract providers, AHS offers coverage without a pre-contract in-home inspection.
After researching dozens of providers across the industry, we determined that AHS was among the best home warranty companies for homeowners. In this review, we take a closer look at American Home Shield’s plans, prices, claims process, and reputation to help you determine if it’s the right choice for you. We’ll also examine how AHS’s offerings compare to competitors’ services and show you a few consumer reviews.
Overview of American Home Shield
- State Availability: 48 states (excluding Alaska and Hawaii)
- Service Fee: $100–$125
- Number of Plans: Three
Pros
- Flexible pricing structure allows you to choose your own service call fee
- Covers improper installation and modification, unknown preexisting conditions, and items damaged by rust and corrosion
- Excellent roof-leak protection with coverage up to $1,500 is included with the ShieldPlatinum plan
Cons
- Customers don’t have the option to choose their own contractor unless the company can’t locate a technician
- Fewer add-on options than some competitors
American Home Shield Rating and Review
American Home Shield (AHS) scored 4.1 out of 5 stars in our rating system. A few highlights include its flexible service call fee model and affordable basic plan that provides excellent coverage for built-in systems and appliances. Another highlight is the mobile app offered by American Home Shield’s parent company, Frontdoor. It offers one video consultation with the free version of the app. Additionally, it provides a library of how-to articles within the app. Topics range from repair instructions to routine maintenance tips. A potential downside for some homeowners is that AHS offers limited add-on options.
Here’s how we rated American Home Shield in key categories:
- Available Plans (4.3 out of 5): AHS offers variety with three plan options, two of which are combo plans.
- Plan Coverage (3.8 out of 5): AHS rated well for its plan coverage for built-in systems, which covers all the major home systems without a preset coverage cap. AHS provides appliance coverage with high coverage caps. However, it doesn’t offer as many add-on options as its competitors, and it doesn’t cover built-in trash compactors.
- Price Range (5 out of 5): AHS offers a flexible service call fee model and at least one plan for less than $45 per month.
- Industry Reputation (4.8 out of 5): AHS provides service contract transparency, has been in business for more than 50 years, and maintains a good reputation on third-party sites, such as the Better Business Bureau.
- Customer Support (4.8 out of 5): AHS gives customers an easy-to-use online customer portal and 24/7 claims support. A member of our team, who owns an AHS policy, reported that AHS processed each claim he filed within 24 hours of him submitting it.
- Additional Features (4 out of 5): AHS allows you to choose your own contractor and transfer your policy.
American Home Shield Coverage Options
American Home Shield offers three home warranty plan options: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum, each with an increasing number of covered home systems and appliances. For all three plans, there is a $5,000 coverage cap (dollar limits the company will pay for a covered item) on built-in home systems. There is a relatively high $2,000 coverage cap on home appliances with the ShieldGold plan and a $4,000 appliance cap with the ShieldPlatinum plan.
American Home Shield includes a one-month workmanship guarantee for all covered repairs. This means the company will send a repair technician free of charge if a covered item malfunctions within 30 days of a repair performed by an AHS technician. We confirmed this during our testing process when one of our team members filed a claim for his HVAC system. After the initial repair, he noticed his heater wouldn’t turn off manually. He contacted AHS, and the company sent a new technician the next day. He didn’t pay an additional service call fee because the breakdown occurred within 30 days.
To learn more, review an AHS sample contract.
ShieldSilver
AHS’s ShieldSilver plan covers a suite of home systems, including air conditioning, heating units, ductwork, built-in exhaust, vent, and attic fans, main breaker and fuse panel box, doorbells and chimes, interior electrical lines, ceiling fans, garage door openers, interior plumbing lines, toilets, faucets and valves, whirlpool tub motor and components, and water heaters.
ShieldGold
ShieldGold covers all the items in the ShieldSilver plan plus nine appliances, including your refrigerator, range/cooktop, oven, dishwasher, built-in microwave, garbage disposal, instant hot/cold water dispenser, washer, and dryer. This plan stipulates a coverage cap—or the total dollar amount the provider is willing to pay for a covered item—of $2,000 per appliance.
ShieldPlatinum
ShieldPlatinum covers all the items in the ShieldGold plan and doubles the major appliance coverage limit to $4,000. It also covers roof-leak repairs up to $1,500, an annual HVAC tune-up, unlimited AC refrigerant, and coverage for code violations and permits.
Optional Add-Ons:
- Electronics Protection Plan (covers TVs, computers, tablets, printers, home theater systems, smart-home products, headphones, video game consoles, and more)
- Pool or spa
- Guest unit up to 750 square feet
- Septic pump
- Well pump
- Re-key services (makes old keys obsolete without changing the lock)
- Discounted heat or AC tune-up and air filter discounts
American Home Shield
American Home Shield Pricing
With AHS, you can choose a $100 or $125 service call fee. Based on our team member’s experience after filing a claim, AHS charges your credit card on file before it sends a technician to your home. With AHS’s customizable fee structure, choosing a higher service fee will result in a lower monthly payment and vice versa.
According to our quote for a 5,000-square-foot single-family home in Malibu, California, you can expect to pay between $29 and $90 per month for a plan. Because pricing will vary from home to home, we recommend requesting a personalized quote before making your final decision.
American Home Shield Coverage Caps
American Home Shield places a $5,000 coverage cap on major systems. With the ShieldGold plan, you’ll be eligible for up to $2,000 per covered appliance. This allowance expands to $4,000 per home appliance with the ShieldPlatinum plan.
American Home Shield Reviews
AHS holds an accreditation and B rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). As part of our research into the home warranty industry, we listened to dozens of customer service calls. During our call listening, we noticed that AHS representatives were consistently patient and clear with customer questions and concerns.
We also analyzed more than 800 positive and negative customer reviews across multiple review aggregators, including Best Company and Trustpilot. Overall, many homeowners shared that they had been with the provider for years and praised the quality of the service they received. The most common complaints were slow response times and impersonal customer service experiences.
Here are some examples of positive AHS customer reviews:
Our team member who purchased an American Home Shield plan and tested its services had a positive claim-filing experience and noted the company’s quick turnaround times. He submitted his most recent service request over the phone. Within a few minutes, an in-network service provider contacted him and set an appointment time for the next day. The technician arrived early and completed the repair in under three hours. The only payment required was the service call fee.
However, not everyone has a positive experience with American Home Shield. Here are some negative consumer reviews:
“Not satisfied with the coverage. Every time someone comes out they can’t find anything wrong and if they do the warranty doesn’t cover it.”
–Angela via Best Company
“This company replaced my furnace when it failed a while back, when I had a Bryant unit and when they replaced it after a month without a furnace. They installed a Goodman unit, which I had never heard of this brand, but to add insult to injury, they came back to me and told me there was a modification fee to install the new unit, and I was billed $900.00. In the second incident, my garage door spring broke, and I was unable to open my garage door. I called and was told they cover the opener but not the spring that lifts the door! That was $300 dollars after paying monthly and 100-dollar service call fees! Think twice before you use this company!” –Larry via Trustpilot
When we reached out to the provider for comment on the negative reviews featured in this article, we did not receive a response.
American Home Shield vs. Other Home Warranty Companies
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | BBB Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39.99–$79.99 | $100–$125 | B | VISIT SITE | ||
| $49–$60 | $65–$125 | NR | VISIT SITE | ||
 | $44–$48 | $65–$75 | B | VISIT SITE | ||
 | $45–$70 | $75–$125 | B | VISIT SITE | ||
 | $44–$97 | $75–$125 | B | VISIT SITE | ||
 | $45–$61 | $100–$150 | B+ | VISIT SITE |
Our Recommendation
American Home Shield is an excellent choice for customers looking for an established, veteran provider. The company has built a network of more than 17,000 contractors nationwide to provide reliable service.
AHS may be particularly attractive if you own high-end appliances or other big-ticket items. With a $5,000 coverage cap on built-in systems and up to $4,000 in coverage for appliances, AHS offers generous home warranty coverage compared to most other providers.
To request a free quote from American Home Shield, call 844-529-9298 or use this simple online tool.
American Home Shield
Frequently Asked Questions
How long must I wait before I can file a claim?
You must wait 30 days before you can file a claim. AHS will require you to complete the initial 30-day waiting period from your sign-up date before you can request service for the first time.
What does American Home Shield cover?
American Home Shield covers up to 26 essential appliances and major systems when they break down due to normal wear and tear. Unlike many of its competitors, American Home Shield covers items that have been damaged by rust and corrosion, improper installation or modification. The plan also includes unknown pre-existing conditions that couldn’t be detected by a visual inspection or simple mechanical test.
Will American Home Shield replace my refrigerator?
Yes, AHS covers the repair and replacement of refrigerators in its ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans. To receive service on a broken fridge, you should contact the claims department through the online portal or over the phone as soon as you notice the first signs of trouble. After receiving your claim, AHS will initiate service with a local service contractor within 48 hours.
Will American Home Shield reimburse me?
Yes, American Home Shield will reimburse you in some cases. If an AHS technician isn’t able to service a covered item due to extenuating circumstances, AHS may provide cash in lieu of service, which will be based on the best price for services in your area. In these cases, you will pay for the repair service or replacement cost out-of-pocket and then submit an itemized list of costs before AHS will provide reimbursement.If the total cost to repair or replace a covered item exceeds the coverage caps outlined in the policy, AHS will issue a check for the total coverage amount minus the cost to diagnose the issue.
How We Chose the Top Home Warranty Providers
Our team reviewed and researched dozens of home warranty providers, thoroughly analyzed sample agreements, and identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis and interviews with industry experts. Our in-depth methodology guides our review process to provide transparent information about the companies we review.
During this process, we determined that the most critical aspects of a home warranty company include available service plans and add-ons, depth of coverage, plan cost, industry reputation, customer support infrastructure, and additional features. We also focused on the ability to choose your own contractor, upgrade your coverage package, transfer your plan to another owner, and cover roof-leaks, high-end appliance brands, ceiling and exhaust fans, and faucets and fixtures.
Our research supported that plan coverage should carry the most weight, with customer support as the second-most important factor. Industry reputation, plan availability, and additional features were rated equally. Therefore, we determined that price range, while worth considering, should not be the primary basis for choosing a home warranty provider for your home’s needs.
New Jersey Residents: The product being offered by the featured brand 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.
