TotalProtect vs American Home Shield

If you’re looking for comprehensive home warranty coverage, consider two of the largest and most reputable home warranty companies in the industry—TotalProtect and American Home Shield. Before choosing one of these companies to protect your home, keep reading to compare plans, pricing, benefits, drawbacks, and customer reviews.

*The TotalProtect corporate entity is now known as Homesure of America.

TotalProtect vs. American Home Shield coverage comparison

Before deciding between TotalProtect and American Home Shield, take inventory of your home systems and appliances to determine what items need coverage. Include auxiliary items like pools and spas, wells, septic systems, and other custom features for the most comprehensive coverage.

Take a look at what’s covered under a TotalProtect and American Home Shield plan:

TotalProtect coverage

TotalProtect offers coverage for the following major systems and appliances:

American Home Shield coverage

American Home Shield provides comprehensive protection for the following home items:

TotalProtect vs. American Home Shield cost

Comprehensive home warranty plans are priced based on the following factors:

• Where you live
• Square footage of your home
• Type of coverage chosen
• Service fee selected (note: the higher the service fee, the lower the annual cost)

Both American Home Shield and TotalProtect offer comprehensive home warranty plans to ensure that your chosen home appliances and systems are covered—and both offer free quotes, so you know exactly what you’ll be paying annually for coverage.

Here’s a rough breakdown of TotalProtect vs. American Home Shield costs: 

How does each home warranty work?

Once you’ve chosen the home warranty plan that’s best for your budget and needs, the process for submitting claims is very similar. Both American Home Shield and TotalProtect offer 24/7/365 claims service either by phone or online.

Once your claim is filed, customer service will provide you with the service company’s name, phone number, your service fee or deductible needed, and when you can expect service for your appliance or home system. 

After your service is scheduled, your technician will evaluate the problem and determine if a repair or replacement for the covered item is the best option for the appliance or system. The service fee is typically paid at the time of service, directly to the technician. Both TotalProtect and American Home Shield offer replacement of appliances that are beyond repair. Be sure to read the policy carefully to understand the limitations and exclusions.

Policy differences

If you’re still debating between TotalProtect and American Home Shield, let’s take a look at the differences in coverage policies. This chart does not replace an independent evaluation of contracts and plans, so carefully review any contract before you sign.

Our conclusion

Both TotalProtect and American Home Shield have their benefits and drawbacks. TotalProtect is slightly more affordable, but American Home Shield provides more comprehensive coverage for your home systems and appliances.

American Home Shield may be a good option for:

• Homes with guest houses (extended coverage is available for these units)
• People who want to pick and choose which items they want to be covered
• Those who want to select their own service fee

TotalProtect may be a good option for:

• Older homes that have pre-existing conditions
• Homes with multiple heating or air conditioning systems, as up to two units, are covered under the standard plan
• Homes with whirlpool bathtubs