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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.
 
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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
https://www.ahs.com/
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

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Fletcher M
9/26/2017
This service company was fine. American home Shield has no way of reaching them directly, nor getting assistance. They sent a service company from another state. I cannot believe they did not have someone local to provide this service. It took over two weeks to complete the minor service request. In my opinion, they failed tremendously from a customer support position as well as timely repairs.

Ron W
9/26/2017
our air conditioning and duct work was damaged during Irma the compressor was shorted out American Home Shield would not honor and repair the air conditioning and ductwork my wife has stage 4 heart failure and they were of no help whatsoever. The technician came out had the AC running as he was testing the unit it shorted the compressor the technician wrote compressor shorted unit will need 6 to 8 lb of R22 but when the report was sent it read storm damage unit not attached but pictures clearly show ductwork is attached to the unit the electrical wiring is attached to the unit how else would the technician have been able to get it started and tested when I told AHS this they denied and... Read More

S
Stacey
9/26/2017
We've used AHS to cover two different homes. Submitting and paying the fee for claims is easy and the companies they send out are always professional and timely.

Bernard B
9/26/2017
The service was extremely prompt and professional. I was contacted immediately and a technician came the next day, resolved the issue to our satisfaction.

Diane S
9/26/2017
The contractors who have been assigned to our service requests have been great. If you are able to use AHS online, the service is great. Be prepared if you have to call to wait upwards of 45 minutes on hold.

Kelly C
9/26/2017
I have always had a pleasant experience with AHS and will continue to be a loyal customer.

P
Pamela
9/26/2017
I am so happy with American Home Shield, they are prompt in scheduling and always follow up with satisfaction survey or feedback requests. While we all hate the inconvenience of a appliance or needed system in our homes to be on the down side, the good news is American Home Shield deals with quality professionals that always provide prompt assistance in resolving the immediate problem.

Richard W
9/26/2017
I am a new AHS customer. I had heard terrible things about Home Warranty companies, but so far - I have only requested one service - the service has been great.

Dayne A
9/26/2017
Very quick service and approval. My A.C. was replaced in no time and they sent a great local company that cares about his customers.

Briana D
9/26/2017
We are a military family, so we move around a lot. We've learned you never really know what you're going to get when you move into a house. In one home, we found the builder had 'cut corners' and left an ill-fitting pipe in the master shower that didn't seal properly. Over the years, it slowly leaked and eventually we noticed water damage in our living room baseboards. It cost us $5000 out of pocket to rip out our shower, break up the concrete and have the pipe fixed and shower replaced. We won't be going without a home warranty again. It is worth it. A home warranty is also the best way to go if you have renters- have the renters cover the cost of the small out of pocket fee for... Read More

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Limited Time Offer: $150 OFF All Plans*

  • Home Warranty Plans Starting at $29.99 a Mo.
  • Covering 2 Million Plus Members for 50+ Years
  • No Age Limits on Covered Systems & Appliances
  • No Inspections or Records Required
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