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American Home Shield Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Excellent)
4,138 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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American Home Shield is a Tennessee-based company founded in 1971 to provide coverage on home appliances and systems in the United States through its network of home service professionals.

The company offers service contracts that cover the repair or replacement of major components of home systems and appliances. Customers can also purchase optional coverage for pools and spas, guest houses, home electronic systems, roof leaks, maintenance services, and more.

How Do We Rate American Home Shield?

Breakdown

4.8/5
Transparency
4.8/5
Claims Processing
4.7/5
Coverage Options
4.7/5
Additional Benefits
4.7/5
Customer Experience

Our Overall Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Excellent)

American Home Shield's coverage is among the most comprehensive we've seen in the industry. The company covers considerably more appliances and systems than its competitors and has fewer coverage limitations.

The company recently updated its plans—they now have three to simplify choosing the right one for your home. American Home Shield focuses on the repairs that offer the most value to consumers, removing items that are inexpensive to replace, increasing its coverage limits on appliances in its most expensive plan to reflect today's higher-priced, "gourmet" appliances, and adding roof leak coverage.

Coverage

Key Facts

Plan Types
Systems
Appliances
Combo Plan
Benefit Limit Type
Per Item
Typical Appliance Benefit Limit
$3,000
Typical Systems Benefit Limit
$0

Coverage Options - 4.7 / 5

American Home Shield offers consumers a choice of three plans, following a good-better-best model. Its ShieldSilver plan warrants systems only, but can be amended with certain add-ons, including pools, electronics, and guest houses. Its ShieldGold plan covers a range of systems and appliances, again with add-on options. Its ShieldPlatinum plan covers everything in the ShieldGold plan, plus roof leaks up to $1500 and some routine maintenance services. These include free HVAC tune-ups, unlimited top ups on your AC refrigerant, coverage for code violations including permits.

All told, American Home Shield covers 23 systems and appliances, considerably more than most of their competitors, and fully covers 11 of those items. There is no limit on the number of claims a customer can file over the year’s contract, either.

What does American Home Shield cover?

Covered Built-In Systems

  • Air Conditioning
  • Heating
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Water Heater
  • Instant Hot/Cold Water Dispenser
  • Doorbells
  • Ceiling Fans

Covered Appliances

  • Refrigerators
  • Dishwashers
  • Clothes Dryers
  • Clothes Washers
  • Ranges/Ovens/Cooktops
  • Built-in Microwaves
  • Freestanding Ice Makers
  • Built-In Trash Compactors
  • Garage Door Openers
  • Built-in Food Centers

Exclusions

For a full list of American Home Shield exclusions, check out this page.

Specialty Items

  • Guest Unit
  • Pool/Spa
  • Well Pump
  • Septic
  • Roof Leaks

Contract & Price

Contract Details

Annual Premium
Starting at $0
Minimum Contract Length
12 month(s)
Home Inspection Required for Contract?
No
Online Quote/Application

Contract & Price - 5 / 5

American Home Shield has a flexible pricing policy and offers three different coverage plans and two trade service call fee levels: $100 and $125.

This allows consumers to have input into the annual price based on their budgetary needs.

We requested a quote for a single family home under 5,000 square feet located in a medium-sized midwestern city. The minimum annual premium (Shield Silver Plan) was $59.99 per month. The maximum premium (Shield Platinum Plan) was $109.99. So AHS prices are somewhat higher than many competitive plans. Consumers should note that their final price will vary by plan, service call charge selected, and location.

Sample Contract

American Home Shield provides a sample contract for potential customers on its website: American Home Shield Sample Contract

Cancellation Policy

Customers can cancel anytime within their 30 day wait period and receive a full refund, and can cancel anytime during the contract term, as this is a non-binding contract.

Claims & Service

Claims

Service Fee
$100 and $125
Maintenance Records Required for Service?
No
24/7 Claims Department?
Waiting Period
30 days

Contractors & Service

Contractor Selection
In-Network Only
Contractor Network Size
14,000+ contractors
Number of Technicians
45,000 technicians
Service Recall Period
30 days

Claims Processing - 4.8 / 5

Consumers can submit a service request online 24/7/365. American Home Security does not require an inspection prior to purchase.

The company has a large network of service professionals and offers a 30-day workmanship guarantee on their services.

American Home Shield Reputation

Company Details

Year Founded
1971
NHSCA Membership
Number of Customers
1.7 million
Number of Employees
1,700
TrustPilot Rating
2.1 out of 5
BBB Rating
B
BBB Positive Reviews
392
BBB Neutral Reviews
50
BBB Negative Reviews
1,874
Date Collected
2023-07-24

Reputation - 5 / 5

American Home Shield has been in business since 1971, making it the oldest player in the industry. It has over 1.7 million customers.

In 1989, the company was acquired by ServiceMaster, an established firm that also owns Terminix and Merry Maids.

American Home Shield is accredited by the BBB and has a B rating. In this industry, negative customer reviews far outnumber positive ones.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
Company Phone
(888) 429-8247
Headquarters Address
150 Peabody Place, Memphis, TN, 38103
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 849, Carroll, IA, 51401
Year Founded
1971

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4138 Customer Comments & Reviews

Loading Reviews ...
ealexander.eea
4/4/2022
I had an issue with my HVAC system not cooling down the house. They sent someone out and found out it was the wiring of the new thermostat that was causing the problem. The company Eli Billing fixed it and installed a new thermostat. They were so friendly and professional. Really made me feel much better about the service. It's been working so well since.


J
Jole
4/2/2022
Our microwave repair was completed on 3-1-2022. We have the same problem today. They are not honoring the 60 day workmanship guarantee. They are requiring us to pay another service fee. Same problem, 32 days from the completed repair. And the repair took 11 days. That is a long time in the home warranty industry. We will cancel our policy and find a new company. This is the 4th repair of our microwave for the same problem in less that a year. The first repair for the same problem was July 2021. Each time we are required to pay the service fee.


mcmm.959
3/31/2022
I have been with American Home Shield for a little over a year now. I chose AHS for their efforts to get qualified service technicians for repairs. I haven't had too many repairs completed, so far I am satisfied with the prompt replies to get technicians to complete the repairs. I was really impressed when my heating unit stopped working on some very cold days. I was glad the technicians came and had my heat back on within a matter of minutes. I will tell anyone they can trust American Home Shield with their service issues.


C
Cathy S
3/29/2022
I have been with American Home Shield for 10 years and I absolutely love them, they are efficient, reliable and will continuing fixing the problem till it is fix. I have recommended them to 10 households so far. Yo will not be sorry or you will be if you don't sign up with them.


hillsmarion41
3/28/2022
American Homeshield Home Warranty has shown expert professionalism along with each and every Technician that they assigned to repair and troubleshoot the component and system relating to the component that needed to be repaired and replaced. In other words, everything is always done in a timely manner. Awesome is the job that has been done. And Thanks.


brandondenise51714
3/27/2022
My first call to AHS was VERY helpful! The plumber wasn't able to come until Wednesday, but they had a cancellation and got my sink fixed in a few hours! The service all the way around was amazing from everyone!


D
Donnita M
3/25/2022
Over a month ago I reached out to your company about my refrigerator a technician came 3 times and could not resolve my problem. I lost a lot of money due to throwing away food. The first tech kept replacing parts that did not resolve my problem. Finally when he decided to let your company know that the refrigerator need to be replace, you sent another company to check on my refrigerator. That company diagnosis the problem the first time. My sensor was out. He ordered the part and came and replaced it. Right now everything is going good with the refrigerator. I'm disappointed with the first company because i lost money as far as my food. This problem should have been resolved earlier. I... Read More


Lyly H
3/23/2022
I’ve been a customer of AHS for 10 years. Their services are terrific.


durrajin
3/23/2022
Sent different technicians out in a timely manner and resolved my issues fast. My only complaint is that homeowners should get atleast 2-3 service calls annually at no cost!!! Other than that service is great!!!


poole.barry
3/22/2022
How many of these positive reviews are "in-house" schills for them. I have used them twice, yeah, they are easy to file a claim, quick to assign a vendor, lousy at coverage. $175 in deductible, then the out of pocket because "we don't cover tree roots" or "we don't cover removing a $10 wood panel under a sink." That came to around $400 out of my pocket. For the premiums I pay, they should cover when my GI snakes out my ass.



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