American Home Shield Review (2022)

American Home Shield (AHS) is a home warranty industry veteran, with over 50 years of experience under its belt. AHS is one of the top-rated and highly-trusted providers available to homeowners across the US. Available in all 48 continental states, American Home Shield provides some of the most comprehensive coverage, protecting all the major home systems and appliances. AHS customers can customize their coverages and pricing in order to find the perfect plan for their homes. AHS serves over 1.8 million policyholders with the help of its robust network of over 50,000 technicians. The home warranty industry is heavily saturated with hundreds of providers, but with five decades of experience and top-tier customer service, AHS is easily a top pick.

In this review, you’ll find out all the details about American Home Shield’s pricing, service fees, annual limits, plan options, customizable features, customer support, and more. If you want an accurate quote for your home, fill out this online form or call 888-365-2839.

Our Take on American Home Shield

House Method’s experts rate home warranty providers on several factors including monthly premiums, service fees, customer service reviews, coverage, experience, coverage limits, and more. We rated American Home Shield a 9.6/10 and the best customizable home warranty because of its adjustable coverage and overall pricing, extensive coverage options, broad availability, and excellent customer support. If you’re looking to customize your home warranty policy and get the perfect plan for your home, American Home Shield is the ideal service provider. 

AHS Pros & Cons

American Home Shield Coverage and Plans

American Home Shield offers three home warranty plans—ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum—at an average cost of $50–$60 per month. All three plans include coverage on major home systems, but only ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum have combination coverage on both systems and appliances. ShieldGold is a combo plan that covers most of the items in ShieldSilver plus an additional seven appliances, such as a dishwasher, dryer, and refrigerator. However, ShieldPlatinum is the best plan option because it covers all items in ShieldGold, plus four more for complete coverage on 27 appliances and systems. You can also get ShieldPlatinum for as low as $59.27 per month if you choose to go with the highest service fee option.

AHS is unique because it allows customers to choose their service fees of $75, $100, or $125. Choosing a lower service fee results in a higher monthly premium and vice versa. For example, a new policyholder in Raleigh, North Carolina, would pay $45 for ShieldGold if they chose the $100 service fee, but $5 less per month if they chose the $125 service fee. Although these services fees may seem higher than average, they allow for industry-high annual limits on major appliances and systems. ShieldPlatinum has unlimited coverage caps on systems and up to $3,000 per year on appliances. You won’t get this kind of home protection from nearly any other home warranty company. 

Whether you’re a landlord of rental properties, an owner of an older home, a first-time homebuyer, a real estate agent, or a selling a home, AHS’s customizable plans are sure to fit within your budget and cover all of the necessary features within your home.

American Home Shield Policy Coverage

Add-on Options from AHS

Optional add-on coverages are items that can be included in your home warranty plan for an additional cost per month. Many of the items typically offered as add-ons, such as smoke alarms, trash compactor, and locksmith, are already included in some of American Home Shield’s plan options. This leaves the add-on choices slightly limited, but you can still add on standard items like swimming pool or spa, septic pump, or well pump. AHS uniquely offers an Electronics Protection Plan covering several items you may own, like TVs, PCs, and tablets. Add-on options range from $5-$33.99 per month, but the cost depends on how much repairs or replacements on that item would cost. Be sure to check over your user agreement to know what parts are covered, the cost, and what items you can potentially add to your plan.

Optional add-ons available for coverage:

• Electronic Extended Warranty: TVs, laptops, desktops, tablets, home theater systems, gaming systems, smart home products, and more.
• Pool and spa: All components and parts of one heating, pumping, and filtration system.
• Well pump: All components and parts.
• Septic pump: Mainline stoppages* and sewage ejector pump.
• Guest unit: extended coverage on items in your policy for guest houses and rental units under 750 square feet. 

Coverage Details for Top Systems and Appliances

Air Conditioning

All components and parts of the following air conditioning systems are covered: ducted central electric split and package units, geothermal units, wall air conditioners, and mini-splits. Any issues caused by mismatched units are also protected. There is no annual dollar limit on the components of air conditioning system repairs, except for geothermal units. AHS will cover the cost to reclaim and remove refrigerant up to $10 per pound per occurrence. Customers who have a ShieldPlatinum plan get unlimited refrigerant coverage. ShieldPlatinum also comes with free HVAC-tune-up.

AHS does not cover window units, water towers, well pumps, and chillers. Specific HVAC units, such as geothermal and water source heat pumps, are only covered up to $1,500 annually. For more information, request a service contract and read the section labeled “Air Conditioning and Heating Note.”

Heating Systems

American Home Shield covers all parts and components for wall-mounted heaters, floor furnaces, package units, geothermal heaters, gas, electric, and oil forced-air heating. Coverage includes heat pumps, hot water and steam circulating heat, electric baseboard, room heating, and cable heat. These coverages have no annual limit, excluding geothermal heating units. The cost to reclaim and remove refrigerant is insured up to $10/pound unless you hold a ShieldPlatinum policy, then the coverage is unlimited. AHS will replace the heating unit if a breakdown leads to an issue that cannot be repaired.

AHS’s heating coverage is not responsible for the following: outside or underground piping, well pump and well pump components; portable units; fuel storage tanks; and pellet, grain, or wood heating units. Geothermal heating systems are only protected up to a $1,500 maximum per agreement term.

Plumbing Systems & Accessories

Leaks and breaks of water, drain, gas, waste, or vent lines; toilets; showerheads; diverter valves; faucets, permanently installed sump pumps (groundwater only); and built-in bathtub whirlpool motor, pump, and air switch assemblies are all covered by AHS’s policies. Repairs due to rust and corrosion are included for interior plumbing lines, and stoppages are also covered. Hose bibs, expansion tanks, toilet mechanisms, risers, fate valves, permanently installed sump pumps, and vent line leaks and breaks are all insured by AHS. 

Similar to Choice Home Warranty plumbing coverage, AHS doesn’t include caulking and grouting, septic tanks, saunas, and stoppages caused by collapsed vent or sewer lines outside the home. Plumbing systems and accessories are included in all three AHS plan options. AHS will contact a local plumber or repairman to service the plumbing system or accessory.

Washers and Dryers

All clothes washer and dryer components are covered, including the drain pump, tub bearing, heating element, drum roller, and motor. Appliances have a $3,000 coverage limit for access, diagnosis, and repair/replacement fees. This means washers and dryers are protected up to a combined limit of $6,000. If AHS cannot repair the covered breakdown, washers and dryers will be replaced.

Oven/Stove/Range

AHS protects all parts and components of ovens, ranges, and cooktops. Gas burners, cooktop elements, ignition systems, and temperature sensors are all part of the coverage. A typical repair or replacement on one of these items can cost up to $800 per occurrence. If you want coverage for these appliances, you can opt into ShieldGold or ShieldPlatinum, both of which offer appliance coverage up to $3,000 per contract term per item.

Electrical Systems

The AHS warranty covers all components and parts, including lighting fixtures and built-in exhaust/attic fans, ceiling fans, garage door openers, direct current wiring, main breaker, and fuse panel box. Systems have unlimited annual coverage, which is a steal considering electrical system repairs can cost up to $1,200 per occurrence.

Items not insured by AHS include security wiring, telephone wiring, circuit overload, and faceplates. The electrical coverages are featured on all three AHS policies. 

Refrigerator

All parts and components of your refrigerator that break down due to normal wear and tear are protected, but freestanding freezers, multi-media centers, and wine chillers aren’t covered. AHS will pay customers up to $3,000 for a refrigerator repair or replacement. AHS will insure multiple refrigerators as part of its plans and decorative features like light bulbs and hardware. The build-in ice machine and water filter and any associated water leaks are included.

American Home Shield Home Warranties Covers What Other Companies Don’t

With AHS, you’ll get coverage on several things that other home warranty providers don’t typically offer. These include

• Undetectable pre-existing conditions
• Appliances and systems with no maintenance records
• Older systems and appliances
• Issues due to rust, corrosion, or sediment
• Breakdowns caused by lack of maintenance
• Improperly installed items
• Issues caused by improper repairs or modifications
• Removal of old, defective items

Not Covered by AHS

Like other home warranty companies, AHS does not cover damage caused by acts of God; this includes theft, floods, storms, fires, etc. If you need coverage on your home due to this situation, look to your homeowner’s insurance policy for guidance. Homeowners insurance is meant to cover those damages, whereas a home warranty is geared toward normal wear-and-tear of home appliances and systems. AHS doesn’t offer coverage on a central vacuum, freestanding ice makers, or food centers, but other providers like The Home Service Club do.

American Home Shield Costs

American Home Shield has a unique pricing system that not many other home warranty providers offer. AHS allows its customers to customize their policy pricing through service fee adjustment. Customers can choose from a $75, $100, or $125 trade service call fee. The service fee selected directly impacts the cost of the monthly deductible. If you choose a higher service fee, your monthly price will be more affordable. However, if you choose a lower service fee, you’ll pay more per month, but the cost will be less each time you need a repair. There is some give-and-take with each option, and the right one depends on what the homeowner needs.

Nonetheless, this customization element allows homeowners to fit an AHS policy seamlessly into their budget without much fuss. Plus, with a low-cost monthly payment, policyholders can easily justify having a home warranty policy in place with just a few repairs.

Add-on Costs 

Add-on options from American Home Shield range from $5-$33.99 per month, an extra $60-$407.88 annually. The cost of optional coverages varies depending on the items and relies heavily on how much it would cost to repair or replace them. For example, septic pumps and well pumps are smaller and less costly to repair, so they cost $5 per month and $8 per month, respectively. However, coverage on swimming pools or electrons will be much more costly, so they are $24 per month and $18 per month, respectively. The most expensive add-on option is the Guest Unit at $33.99 per month; it includes all the items on the policy for an additional unit up to 750 sq. ft, which could very well be double the policy coverage.

Service Fees

As mentioned, the service fees from AHS are customizable. This feature is unique to American Home Shield and only a few other home warranty companies. It is not typical of a provider to allow the customer to choose their pricing. AHS offers service fees of $75, $100, and $125, and the monthly payment is dependent on the selected service fee. The service call fee is not customizable beyond those three options.

Coverage Length and Limits

Coverage starts 30 days after you purchase a contract and lasts for exactly one year after it begins. If you acquired the plan in a real estate transaction, coverage begins the day of closing. Before coverage ends, you’ll be notified of a plan renewal 60 days before the expiration of your contract. Unless you report to AHS that you don’t want to continue your plan, you’ll be charged the applicable plan fees, and your agreement will automatically renew.

One of the main differences between AHS and its competitors is the leniency regarding coverage limits. AHS doesn’t place a limit on systems for covered repairs during the length of your contract and offers coverage even if an item has been improperly installed, insufficiently maintained, or mismatched. Most appliances are covered up to $3,000 per contract term, but with the ShieldPlatinum plan, you can get coverage up to $6,000.

AHS does not cover home systems or appliances already protected under a manufacturer’s warranty (including appliance warranties from companies like Kenmore or Samsung). If you read the fine print, you’ll learn that if they cannot repair or replace a covered item, the company may offer money for you to repair or replace the item yourself. Review the terms of your desired plan before you sign up for a home warranty, so you know what’s covered and what’s not. A sample contract is available online.

Note: AHS is not liable for matching the brand, dimensions, or color of home systems or appliances.

American Home Shield’s Cancellation Policy

You can cancel your American Home Shield policy at any time you wish. However, if you cancel your policy within the first 30 days of signing up, you will get a full refund minus the cost of any paid service fees or claims. If you choose to cancel your policy after those first 30 days, you will get a refund for the unexpired term minus the administrative costs. These are outlined in your service agreement but usually end up being equal to or less than one month’s payment. Potential customers can find examples of administrative fees in a sample contract.

State Availability

American Home Shield services every state in the U.S., except for Alaska. To see the best home warranty companies for the state you live in, click on it below:

American Home Shield Reviews

As a consumer, you probably don’t have the time to sit around and sift through the hundreds of AHS reviews left by customers. At House Method, we’ve done the work for you. Our experts have gone through user complaints, reviews, and ratings of each home warranty company and compiled that information. Our reviews rated each home warranty company based on several factors, including customer satisfaction, service fees, consumer support, overall costs, annual coverage maximums, state availability, and more.

Below, we’ve included AHS ratings compared to the industry average.

American Home Shield Customer Reviews

Reading customer reviews is a great way to gauge how a home warranty company treats its customers. You can read why actual policyholders either loved or hated their policies. Common positive reviews for AHS include comments that the company has professional and knowledgeable staff, comprehensive coverage, and reliable contracts. Some of the negative reviews complain of claim denial, which is a common complaint from home warranty policyholders of any company.

American Home Shield has a B rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and an average of 2.54 stars from over 8,500 customer reviews.

Here’s a look at a few BBB reviews from AHS customers:

Dana R. said:

I especially like that they give the policy holder 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 to use ASH, hopefully any other dealings will go just as smoothly as this recent transaction.

Jamie E. said:

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

Chris S. said:

I’ve never dealt with people who genuinely did not want to solve a problem over the phone. I was put on hold over 20 times and transferred numerous times to people who could not solve the problem. They refused to cover a claim, did not want to refund the service charge even though no one came to my house and then they did not want to allow me to cancel my contract. I will never recommend them to anyone ever.

Sarah L. said: 

My furnace broke down in the middle of winter and everything went smoothly with AHS. The repair company they sent arrived in good time, the person was professional and knowledgeable and my heater was fixed and working again. Very pleased and the process was very easy for me.

Final thoughts

American Home Shield is one of the leading home warranty providers in the industry. AHS provides homeowners with affordable policy options, 24/7 customer support, and more extensive coverage than almost any other company. With three plans options, and the most comprehensive one going for as low as $65 per month, it will be hard to beat American Home Shield’s customizable pricing. The annual maximums, $3,000 on appliances and unlimited on systems, are almost unheard of. It’s a no-brainer why AHS is an industry leader with nearly 2 million customers. American Home Shield has you covered whether you’re located in a warm state like California, Texas, or Florida or enjoy the colder weather in New Jersey or Colorado.

AHS is a good choice for you if…

• You want to customize your home warranty coverage.
• You want a plan with higher limits for coverage on home repairs.
• You want technicians to remove and dispose of old appliances for free (most companies charge a removal/disposal fee but AHS doesn’t).
• You want a trustworthy company with many years in the business.

Although the costs included in the article are accurate, other factors—like location, size, and type of home—can influence the cost of your policy. We recommend getting a quote directly from AHS with your zip code to get an accurate estimate. Visit AHS’s website and fill out the 10-second form or call the phone number 888-365-2839 for your customized quote.

Compare American Home Shield to Other Home Warranty Companies

*Note: The cost of premiums will vary depending on the plan, location, and service fee selected.

American Home Shield vs. Choice Home Warranty

• Choice Home Warranty has more affordable policy options
• AHS covered pre-existing conditioners and rust/corrosion damage
• CHW vs. AHS plans: CHW only has two plan options, AHS has three
• AHS offers customizable pricing
• American Home Shield has higher coverage limits

American Home Shield vs. Select Home Warranty

• Select Home Warranty has cheaper plans
• AHS offers more comprehensive coverage
• AHS has more policy options and customizable coverage
• Both offer pool, spa, and septic as add-on options
• ShieldPlatinum comes with free roof leak coverage

American Home Shield vs. First American Home Warranty

• First American only offers two plans
• American Home Shield has customizable service fees
• First American is not available in 16 states
• American Home Shield covers air conditioning in its policies

Company information

• Company name: American Home Shield
• Company type: Public
• CEO: Rex Tibbins
• Ticker symbol: SERV
• Founding date: 1/2/1971
• Years in business: 50
• Telephone: 833-850-4092
• Address: 150 Peabody Pl, Memphis, TN 38103-3700
• Country: USA
• State availability: 49 states
• Service fee: $75–$125
• BBB rating: B
• Number of BBB complaints closed within last 3 years: 14,809

House Method Home Warranty Ranking Methodology

At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each home warranty provider according to our methodology.

We’ve done the homework for you and have researched over 50 home warranty companies so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home. Additionally, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader.

That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each home warranty provider according to our methodology. Our team spent hours on the phone speaking to representatives from each home warranty company to get information right from the source. We also dug into the fine print on each company’s service agreement to make sure no detail was left out.

To make the most of our research, we developed a formula to objectively determine the best home warranty companies based on the following criteria:

• Plans: Do they provide a variety of plan options? We looked at the number of plans each company offered and the flexibility of adjusting the plan.
• Prices: How reasonable are the monthly fees and service fees in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors.
• Coverage: How many items are covered in each plan? We looked at the number of items each company covers. We dig into all service contracts available to get all the details.
• Customer service: How is the customer experience when calling the providers? Based on our phone calls, we were able to judge each company’s customer service.
• Trust: What do customers rate the company? We looked into what customers are saying about their experience with the company.
• Nationwide availability: How many states does the company cover? We found the number of states covered by each company.
• Unique perks: Does the company offer discounts or cover special items? We looked for perks offered by each company that sets them apart from the competition.

How do we keep our data up to date?

We want to make sure we’re providing you, the consumer, with the most current data available for every home warranty company we’ve researched and rated. That takes significant effort but we feel that’s vital to providing you thorough and trustworthy reviews.

With that in mind, we have dedicated staff members who regularly update our database of home warranty research.

For those that want to come home to a house that is comfortable and functioning, a home warranty makes a lot of sense. For the price that a home warranty is offered, you will quickly learn that it is indeed a good value. At an average of around $40 per month, your policy will cost you just under $500 per year.

If you have ever had an appliance or a home system that needs repair, you probably understand quite well that you will quickly reach that $500 mark to get your home back up and running. Take your time to carefully consider your home warranty options, check around for discounts and then give yourself the peace of mind that you deserve.

For more details, check out our affiliate disclosure and rating methodology.