American Home Shield Review (2023)

American Home Shield (AHS) is a home warranty industry veteran with more than 50 years of experience. A top-rated and highly trusted provider available to homeowners across the United States, AHS provides comprehensive coverage in all 49 continental states, protecting all major home systems and appliances. The home warranty industry is saturated, but with five decades of experience and top-tier customer service, AHS is easily one of the best home warranty companies.

Our Take on American Home Shield

We rated American Home Shield a 4.7 out of 5. It earned high marks for its plan customizability and flexible service fee model. We recommend American Home Shield to homeowners interested in comprehensive coverage that goes where other popular providers won’t. Unlike many competitors, AHS covers unknown pre-existing conditions and damage caused by improper installations, poor routine upkeep, and more.

We surveyed more than 800 U.S. homeowners in May 2022 to find out what matters the most to them when choosing a home warranty. Here’s how AHS stacks up against the survey results:

• 33% of surveyed homeowners stated that cost is the No. 1 factor they consider when shopping for a home warranty. AHS’s home warranties cost between $35 and $90 per month, comparable to the national average of $51.61. AHS customers can choose a less expensive plan for well below average or a more expensive one for more comprehensive coverage.
• 12% of respondents indicated that a home warranty’s annual payout cap is the most important factor they think about when comparing home warranty policies. AHS’s coverage limits are covered up to $3,000 per item, with the company’s highest tier plan offering $6,000 worth of coverage per covered item.
• 3% of respondents said that having convenient communication was important to them, and 9% said that high-quality customer service was required for them to consider a company. AHS offers its policyholders comprehensive coverage and provides clear, understandable contracts. The company’s customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with the only complaints typically related to claim denial.

American Home Shield Plans and Coverage

American Home Shield offers three home warranty plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. ShieldSilver offers stand-alone coverage for 14 major home systems. ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum include coverage for a combo of 23 systems and appliances. The main difference between ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum is that platinum policyholders will also benefit from the following coverage boosts:

• $6,000 per appliance annual coverage limits (compared to $3,000 with ShieldGold)
• One free annual pre-season HVAC tune-up
• Unlimited A/C refrigerant
• Up to $1,500 per year in roof leak repairs
• Up to $1,000 per year for code violations and permits

American Home Shield Plans

Here’s an itemized overview of how American Home Shield’s home warranty coverage differs across each plan based on their inclusions and exclusions:

Covered Appliance or System	ShieldSilver	ShieldGold	ShieldPlatinum
Central air conditioning	✓	✓	✓
Heating	✓	✓	✓
Ductwork	✓	✓	✓
Built-in exhaust, vent, and attic fans	✓	✓	✓
Ceiling fans	✓	✓	✓
Interior electrical lines	✓	✓	✓
Main breaker and fuse panel box	✓	✓	✓
Doorbell	✓	✓	✓
Garage door openers	✓	✓	✓
Interior plumbing lines and stoppages	✓	✓	✓
Hot water heaters	✓	✓	✓
Faucets and valves	✓	✓	✓
Toilets	✓	✓	✓
Whirlpool tub motor and components	✓	✓	✓
Refrigerators		✓	✓
Freestanding ice maker		✓	✓
Built-in microwaves		✓	✓
Dishwashers		✓	✓
Ovens		✓	✓
Ranges and cooktops		✓	✓
Garbage disposal		✓	✓
Instant hot/cold water dispensers		✓	✓
Clothes washer		✓	✓
Clothes dryer		✓	✓
Roof leak repairs		✓	✓

AHS provides coverage for all of your home’s major systems, including the following:

• Air conditioning systems: All parts and components of ducted central electric split and package units, geothermal units, wall air conditioners, and mini-splits are covered. Customers who have a ShieldPlatinum plan get unlimited refrigerant coverage. ShieldPlatinum also comes with free HVAC tune-up.
• Heating: American Home Shield covers all parts and components for wall-mounted heaters, floor furnaces, package units, geothermal heaters, and gas, electric, and oil forced-air heating. These coverages have no annual limit, excluding geothermal heating units. The cost to reclaim and remove refrigerant is insured up to $10 per pound unless you hold a ShieldPlatinum policy; then, the coverage is unlimited.
• Plumbing systems: 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 from rust and corrosion are included for interior plumbing lines, and stoppages are also covered.

AHS’s plans also cover many major home appliances, with $3,000 per-item limits for the ShieldSilver and ShieldGold plans and $6,000 limits for some items with the ShieldPlatinum Plan. Covered items include:

• Range/cooktop/oven: AHS protects all parts and components of ovens, ranges, and cooktops. The coverage includes gas burners, cooktop elements, ignition systems, and temperature sensors.
• Refrigerators: All parts and components of your refrigerator that break down due to normal wear and tear are protected, but freestanding freezers, multimedia centers, and wine chillers aren’t covered. AHS will pay customers up to $3,000 for a refrigerator repair or replacement.
• 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.

Add-on Options 

Coverage add-ons are optional features that homeowners can purchase separately to extend their coverage beyond what’s included in their base plan. American Home Shield advertises six additional coverage items.

AHS’s optional add-ons available for coverage are the following:

• Electronics Protection Plan: Covers TVs, laptops, desktops, tablets, home theater systems, gaming systems, smart home products, and more
• Guest units: Extended coverage on items in your policy for guest houses and rental units under 750 square feet
• In-ground pools and spas: Covers all components and parts of one heating, pumping, and filtration system
• Roof leak repairs: Covers leaks that have occurred due to normal wear and tear. Automatically included in ShieldPlatinum
• Septic pumps: Covers mainline stoppages and sewage ejector pump
• Well pumps: Covers all components and parts

Additional services and discounts include the following:

• Discounted air filters: Up to 50% off retail air filter prices for your HVAC unit with covered delivery fees
• Discounted appliances: Exclusive access to discount rates on brand-name appliances
• Multiple property discounts: Get extra premium discounts for each additional property you cover with an AHS policy.
• Refer-a-Friend program: Receive a $25 Amazon gift card when you refer a friend to AHS.
• Rekeying services: $100 per year for all plan levels

American Home Shield Coverage Exclusions

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 homeowners insurance policy for guidance. 

A homeowners insurance plan covers 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.

Can You Cancel American Home Shield at Any Time?

You can cancel your American Home Shield policy at any time. However, if you cancel within your first 30 days of coverage, you’ll receive a full refund minus the cost of any paid service fees or claims. If you choose to terminate your service contract after those first 30 days, you’ll be refunded for the unexpired term of your coverage minus an administrative fee. These terms are outlined in your service agreement but are usually equal to or less than one month’s payment. Potential customers can find examples of administrative fees in a sample contract.

American Home Shield Cost

American Home Shield typically costs between $35 and $90 per month or $420 and $1,080 per year. With such a low-cost monthly payment, policyholders can easily justify having a home warranty policy in place with just a few repairs. 

We secret-shopped for a home warranty policy for a single-family home located in Raleigh, N.C., and here’s what American Home Shield offered:

Plan Name	$75 Service Call Fee	$100 Service Call Fee	$125 Service Call Fee
ShieldSilver	$49.99	$39.99	$34.99
ShieldGold	$59.99	$49.99	$44.99
ShieldPlatinum	$89.99	$79.99	$74.99

Quotes are for a 12-month contract.

Add-on coverage options range from $5 to $24.99 per month, depending on which coverage riders choose. 

The service fees from AHS are customizable. It is not typical of a provider to allow the customer to choose their pricing; this feature is unique to American Home Shield and only a few other home warranty companies. AHS offers service fees of $75, $100, and $125, and the monthly payment depends on the selected service 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. 

Annual Coverage Caps

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 signing up for a home warranty to 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 Availability

American Home Shield is available in 49 states and Washington, D.C., excluding Alaska. To see the best home warranty companies in your state, click on the map below:

American Home Shield Reviews and Reputation

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 2.25 stars from more than 11,000 customer reviews.*

* All BBB data is accurate as of November 2022.

American Home Shield Reviews From Actual Customers

Here are a few customer reviews we’ve pulled from Trustpilot:

“I have been with AHS for 20+ years with my primary and vacation home. My experience has always been a good one. I don’t have to look for an electrician, plumber, HVAC, or any appliance repair person. It is one call or email, and the rest is taken care of, including my pool pump. I can’t imagine being without AHS!” – Valerie A., 08/09/2022

“I have been associated with American Homeshield for decades. My wife and I were in real estate and always recommended American Home Shield to both our buyers and sellers. And we have always carried coverage on our own homes. We have never been disappointed in the service and never had any clients express disappointment.” – James W., 08/06/2022

“Very pleased with American Home Shield and the warranty they provide for our home. We had to have a blower motor replaced in our HVAC system after being in our home for only six months. They were very professional and thorough in getting the repairs completed in a minimum amount of time. And our cost was $75 for the repair, including a $1,500 special order motor!” – Bill P., 08/04/2022

“Response time was excellent – unfortunately, we were sent the wrong contractor, and the new one has not been dispatched yet. We have never really had a problem with AHS and have used them for years on many of our homes.” – Christine W., 01/28/2022

“We explained that we had a duct that had water in it creating a musty, damp smell. The young tech came in and said that the smell was due to mold. We have taken the duct that had the issue down, and the insulation was wet with brown stains. We now have to replace the duct at our costs.”– Judy K., 10/11/2021

Compare American Home Shield to Other Home Warranties

Company	Choice Home Warranty	Select Home Warranty	American Home Shield	Home Service Club	Liberty Home Guard	First American Home Warranty
Number of Plans	2	3	3	2	3	2
Annual Cost*	$562–$657	$500–$553	$420–$1,080	$615–$750	$840–$960	$432–$558
Service Fee	$85	$75	$75–$125	$95	$65–$125	$85
Coverage Cap	$3,000 for base coverage items, $500 for add-ons	$3,000 for HVAC, $500 for plumbing, electrical and appliances, $400 for add-ons	None for built-in systems; $3,000 (ShieldGold) or $6,00 (ShieldPlatinum) for appliances	None	$2,000 per item	None for built-in systems; $3,500 per covered appliance
Our Rating (out of 5)	4.9	4.8	4.7	4.6	4.5	4.2
Compare Free Quotes	choicehomewarranty.com	selecthomewarranty.com	ahs.com	hscwarranty.com	libertyhomeguard.com	homewarranty.firstam.com

Annual costs are based on a single-family 2,000-square-foot home in Raleigh, N.C. Prices will vary based on home size and region.

American Home Shield vs. Choice Home Warranty

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

Read our Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield comparison for a more detailed breakdown.

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.

Read our Select Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield comparison for a detailed breakdown.

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.

For a more detailed breakdown, read our First American Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield comparison.

American Home Shield vs. Sears Home Warranty

• AHS has slightly more affordable premiums for comparable plans.
• American Home Shield is a more established provider.
• Both AHS and Sears Home Warranty feature similar coverages.
• ShieldGold covers more items than Sears’ second-tier policy option.

For a more detailed breakdown, read our Sears Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield comparison.

Final Thoughts: Is American Home Shield Worth It?

In our opinion, American Home Shield is one of the country’s foremost home warranty companies, and homeowners would be hard-pressed to find a better home warranty provider. The company offers several plans and add-ons that allow homeowners to choose the right coverage level while keeping their monthly premiums at a comfortable level. 

AHS’s plans have above-average annual coverage limits of $3,000 per item, with the more expensive ShieldPlatinum plan offering an impressive $6,000 annual cap per item. AHS’s monthly premiums range from $35 to $90 per month. 

To get an accurate estimate of what AHS home warranties will cost you per month, call 888-365-2839 or fill out this 10-second online form using your ZIP code and home’s details.

House Method Home Warranty Ranking Methodology

At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. 

To create this rating system, our team spent hours researching more than 60 companies, analyzing 2500+ key data points, getting the thoughts and opinions of 1000+ homeowners, and speaking to home warranty company representatives directly. We also dug into the fine print on each company’s service agreement to ensure no detail was left out.

We developed an objective home warranty review and rating methodology to score each company based on several criteria. We used a five-point scale with a point index ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. The minimum awardable value is 0.0, whereas 1.00 is the maximum. These numeric points are translated into star ratings using whole-star increments between one and five. 

Here is a quick breakdown of our five core scoring categories: 

• Coverage (0.4): This category evaluates the scope of protection offered by a home warranty provider. We distinguished between limited and broad coverage to help homeowners identify their home protection needs. We also factor in claim turnaround times, average waiting period lengths, plan types, annual coverage limits, policy exclusions, etc.
• Cost (0.3): This category considers what home warranty companies charge homeowners monthly, annually, and out-of-pocket. We urge homeowners also to consider the cost-to-value ratio of a home warranty plan.
• Transparency and Trustworthiness (0.15): This category evaluates home warranty providers based on pending or past legal action, hidden fees, lack of information readily available on the website, exclusions, and more. We consider how upfront a company is to its potential policyholders, which says a lot about its products and services.
• Customer Support and Satisfaction (.09): This category evaluates the efficacy of a home warranty company’s effort to provide supportive guidance to inquiring customers and how policyholders are satisfied with the assistance they receive. 
• Customization (.06): This category evaluates the ability of homeowners to adjust and choose their policy details, such as pricing variation, optional add-ons, and the number of plans available.

Other Home Warranty Resources