American Home Shield (AHS) is a home guarantee service provider that uses tiered strategies, thorough protection and generous policy caps.
Home guarantees are service agreements that cover repair work and replacement of home systems and devices if they break down or stop working due to typical wear and tear. These kinds of mishaps aren’t normally covered by house owners insurance coverage, and can frequently lead to expensive repair work.
A home guarantee business like American Home Shield (AHS), nevertheless, can assist cover the expenses of unforeseen repair work and reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Ranked amongst Money’s Best Home Warranty Companies, American Home Shield stands apart for its heating and cooling protection. Below we evaluate American Home Shield, its strategies, protection limitations and schedule. We likewise check out consumers evaluations, typical problems and how it compares to other home guarantee suppliers.
American Home Shield Overview
American Home Shield is a subsidiary of Frontdoor Brands. The business has actually been around because 1971 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee.
- Customizable service prepares
- Offers home electronic devices protection choices
- High protection cap with its premium strategy, ShieldPlatinum
- 30-day craftsmanship assurance
- Coverage is not readily available in Alaska
- Roof leakage protection is not readily available in Hawaii
American Home Shield’s Services
American Home Shield strategies and protection
American Home Shield has 3 home guarantee strategies:
- ShieldSilver
- ShieldGold
- ShieldPlatinum
All 3 tiers cover a mix of home devices and systems, with ShieldPlatinum using the most thorough protection.
AHS lets you pick from 2 service call charges, either $100 or $125. Naturally, the greater the service charge, the lower your regular monthly premium will be.
All strategies consist of protection for repair work brought on by typical wear and tear, rust, deterioration, sediment, inadequate upkeep and inappropriate setup or repair work.
Like most home guarantee business, AHS has a 30-day waiting duration before you can make a home service demand. However, it doesn’t need a home evaluation or upkeep records, which some rivals do.
Here’s a breakdown of American Home Shield’s home guarantee strategies and what each deals:
| ShieldSilver (Starts around $29.99/mo*) |
ShieldGold (Starts around $49.99/mo*) |
ShieldPlatinum (Starts around $79.99/mo*) |
| • Air conditioners • Heating systems • Ductwork • Built-in exhaust fans • Main breaker and fuse panel box • Doorbells • Interior electrical lines • Ceiling fans • Attic fans • Garage door opener •Water heating systems • Interior pipes lines • Toilets • Faucets and valves • Built-in jetted tub motors, pumps and air switch puts together • Discounted home upkeep services |
All products covered in ShieldSilver plus: • Ranges/cooktops • Ovens • Dishwashers • Built-in microwaves • Garbage disposals • Installed instantaneous hot/cold water dispensers • Washers • Dryers • Refrigerators (consisting of in-refrigerator icemaker) |
All products covered in ShieldSilver and ShieldGold plus: • Roof leakage repair work • Free heating and cooling tune-up • Unlimited A/C refrigerant • Coverage for code infractions, authorizations and adjustments • Higher protection limitation for devices |
| *Prices might differ depending upon your state. Current priced estimate costs are for a home in California. |
Optional include ons
AHS likewise uses the following optional add-ons:
- Roof leakage repair work (not readily available in Hawaii)
- Pool and integrated health spa devices
- Home electronic devices security strategy
- Guest system
- Septic pump
- Well pump
The Home Electronic Protection Plan consists of protection for the following electronic devices:
- television’s
- Video video game consoles
- Smart home items
- Home theater systems
- Desktop/laptop computer
- Printers
- Tablets
- Headphones
Coverage limitations
Coverage limitations are the optimum amount the home guarantee business will pay if a home appliance or system were to break down. These limitations can alter depending upon the home system and protection strategy.
For circumstances, American Home Shield uses an optimum protection cap of $4,000 for devices with the ShieldPlatinum strategy, rather of the $2,000 limitation it uses to consumers with the ShieldSilver or ShieldGold strategy.
Other American Home Shield protection caps consist of:
| Covered product | Coverage limitation |
| Ductwork | $5,000 |
| Heating and a/c systems | $5,000 (some systems might be restricted to $1,500) |
| Sewage ejector pump | $500 |
| Appliances | $2,000 ($4,000 with ShieldPlatinum) |
| Roof leakage repair work | $1,000 |
| Well pump system | $1,500 |
| Septic system | $500 |
| Pool and integrated health spa devices | $3,000 |
| Electronics | $2,000 (approximately $5,000 aggregate) |
| Repairs that need gain access to through concrete | Up to $1,000 |
What American Home Shield doesn’t cover
American Home Shield strategies don’t cover the following home items or events:
- Doorbells that are part of intercoms, video monitoring or security systems
- Toilets seats, lids or toilet tank lid
- Any steam component of shower heads or shower towers
- Humidifiers, ultraviolet lights, dehumidifiers, home purification systems
- Jetted tubs, jets or lines connecting to the jet pump
- Stoppages cause by collapsed lines outside the property, or due to roots
- Septic tanks, water softeners, filtration systems, saunas or steam rooms
- Freestanding freezers, wine chillers, bar refrigerators or other specialty refrigerators
- Cost of construction or modifications
- Cost of non-standard equipment, such as cranes and scaffoldings
- Breakdowns caused by misuse, abuse, vandalism, pets or pests
- Known pre-existing conditions
- Damages caused by acts of nature
- Breakdowns covered by manufacturer’s warranty
You can check American Home Shield’s sample contract online for more information on its home warranty coverage, exclusions, and policy terms. There may be other things that void a home warranty, but these depend on each company.
American Home Shield Availability
State availability
American Home Shield is available in 49 states — all, except for Alaska.
Contact information
American Home Shield’s customer service department is available 24/7.
You can contact an agent at 800-858-1922 for service or at 888-683-8576 for sales. Current customers can also request service through their account on the online portal.
User experience
American Home Shield has a customer portal that makes it easy to request service, track the status of claims and manage payments and billing.
Like most home warranty companies, American Home Shield has a 48-hour response time. This is the time the company may take to schedule a diagnosis appointment with a service contractor. However, response time may change depending on the season and the demand.
American Home Shield’s website offers plenty of information about its home warranty plans. You can also enter your address on the site to get an immediate free quote and purchase your service online.
American Home Shield’s Credentials
Regulatory or legal actions
Most home warranty companies have contract clauses that prevent customers from suing them or joining class action lawsuits against them. In some cases, a state’s attorney general or the U.S. Department of Justice may file a suit against the home warranty company.
We located a few older lawsuits against American Home Shield dating back to 2003 and 2009. However, as of this writing, we didn’t find recent regulatory or legal actions against the company.
Although we try to include accurate and up-to-date information on regulatory and legal actions, we don’t claim this information is complete or fully up to date. As always, we recommend you do your own research as well.
American Home Shield’s Customer Satisfaction
Third-party ratings
- Better Business Bureau: 2.17 out of 5 star-average based on 10,565 customer reviews.
Customer complaints
American Home Shield has pretty dismal ratings across several review platforms.There is also a Facebook group of AHS customers that provide regular updates on their problems with the home warranty company.
American Home Shield is accredited by the BBB, and has a B rating and accreditation grade.
Here are some common complaints about AHS:
- Denying claims (that customers believe to be legitimate)
- Extended waiting times and convoluted processes to fulfill service requests
- Many customers complained the company wouldn’t repair or replace air conditioners or water heaters.
- Repairs that took longer than expected, lengthy waiting times or delayed repairs
The data above is based on research that was available at the time of publication.
American Home Shield Comparison
Aside from American Home Shield, there are other home warranty companies you can consider.
Here’s how American Home Shield compares to competitors like Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty.
American Home Shield vs. Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty offers two affordable home warranty plans, with prices ranging from around $46 to $55. Unlike American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty’s plans aren’t tiered; instead its two plans cover a mix of both appliances and home systems.
The Basic Plan covers 14 different home items including heating, electrical and plumbing systems, kitchen appliances and garage door openers. The Total Plan, on the other hand, adds coverage for air conditioning, clothes washer, dryer and refrigerator.
However, when it comes to coverage limits, American Home Shield offers higher caps than Choice Home Warranty. For instance, American Home Shield covers up to $5,000 for heating and cooling systems, whereas Choice Home Warranty covers a fixed maximum of $3,000 for most covered items per annual contract.
| Company | Plan pricing | Service Call Fee (or deductible) |
Availability | BBB Rating |
| American Home Shield | $29.99 – $89.99* | $100, $125 | Contiguous US | B |
| Choice Home Warranty | $46 – $55* | $85 | 49 states | D+ |
| *Prices may vary depending on your state. Current quoted prices are for a home in California. |
American Home Shield vs. First American Home Warranty
Similar to American Home Shield, First American Home Warranty offers three tiered plans that cover a mix of major home systems and appliances: Starter Plan, Essential Plan and Premium Plan.
The Starter Plan covers plumbing system, electrical and heating systems, dishwasher, refrigerator, oven, cooktop and built-in microwave oven. The Essential Plan adds coverage for water heaters, air conditioning, garage door opener and clothes washer and dryer.
The Premium Plan includes coverage for all the home items covered by the Starter and Essential Plan, plus protection for garbage disposal, faucets, instant hot water dispensers, central vacuum systems and enhanced coverage for permits, code violations and improper installations.
In terms of pricing, American Home Shield offers lower priced plans. AHS plans start at around $29.99 a month for its basic plan, whereas First American Home Warranty’s start at around $42.
However, First American’s Premium Plan includes coverage for items that AHS doesn’t cover, such as trash compactor, shower heads, and central vacuum systems, for around $67 a month and a service call fee of $125. By contrast, AHS’ premium plan starts at around $79.99 with a service call fee of $125.
Keep in mind, however, that while First American offers a somewhat more comprehensive plan, its coverage limits for some home items are lower when compared to American Home Shield.
| Company | Plan pricing | Service Call Fee | Availability | BBB Rating |
| American Home Shield | $29.99 – $89.99* | $100, $125 | Contiguous US | B |
| First American Home Warranty | $42 – $82* | $75, $100, $125 | 35 states | B |
| *Prices may vary depending on your state. Current quoted prices are for a home in California. |
Explore other home warranty options
Check out our reviews for other home warranty companies you can consider:
American Home Shield FAQ
Is American Home Shield trustworthy?
American Home Shield is a legitimate company with over 50 years in the home warranty industry. It offers tiered home warranty plans that cover a mix of appliances and home systems. The company is accredited by the BBB and currently holds a B rating.
Can you cancel American Home Shield?
You can cancel your AHS contract within the first 30 days of your coverage. Once you do, AHS will refund your contract fees minus any service and claims incurred by American Home Shield.
If you cancel your contract after 30 days, you’ll get a pro-rated refund of your contract fees for the rest of the contract term, minus an administrative fee of up to one month’s payment (where permitted by law) and any service or claims costs incurred by American Home Shield. However, cancellation terms may vary by state.
What is the deductible for American Home Shield?
American Home Shield allows you to choose two options for your trade service call fee. You can choose to pay $100 or $125.
Does American Home Shield cover roof leaks?
Yes, American Home Shield covers roof leaks, however this coverage is only included in its premium plan, ShieldPlatinum. Its lower-tiered plans —ShieldSilver and ShieldGold— do not include roof leak coverage, but you can add it for an additional fee.
How We Evaluated American Home Shield
We evaluated American Home Shield using a combination of publicly available data on its website and other sources such as consumer review websites. We considered the following factors:
- Services offered: We looked into the company’s coverage, limits and availability, and compared them with competing home warranty companies.
- Cost: We evaluated offering and pricing and compared them with competitors to determine cost-effectiveness.
- Reputation: We checked whether AHS had any pending legal or regulatory actions.
- Customer service: We read customer reviews online to gauge customer satisfaction and most common complaints.
What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid When Considering an American Home Shield?
When considering an American Home Shield, mistakes seasoned investors should avoid involve overlooking the fine print of the contract. It is essential to thoroughly review the terms and conditions, ensuring they align with your specific needs. Additionally, neglecting to compare plans and coverage options might lead to inadequate protection for your investment. Lastly, failing to research customer reviews and ratings can prevent you from making an informed decision.
Summary of Money’s American Home Shield Review
American Home Shield offers comprehensive home warranty services, relatively high coverage limits and competitive pricing. Customers can choose from three different plan tiers that cover a combination of home systems and appliances. With AHS you can also choose your service call fee and several add ons to customize your plan.
AHS stands out for its high coverage limits and HVAC protection which covers removal of A/C refrigerant, issues brought on by mismatched units and breakdowns up to $5,000 per system and per agreement term. Customers with the ShieldPlatinum plan also get unlimited refrigerant coverage.
The company is registered and accredited with the BBB, and currently has a B rating. However, it has a relatively low customer rating, with most common complaints having to do with denied claims, extended waiting times and convoluted processes to fulfill service requests.
As usual, we recommend doing your own vetting of the company and to carefully read guarantee protections before progressing.
