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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 ...
musicalescape08
3/22/2022
Paid for this service for 3 months before I filed my first claim on 3/4/2022. On 3/6 I had not heard from the contracter who was assigned to me, so I called them. They said they were no longer willing to work with AHS, nor were they willing to get on the portal and reject the claim. They gave no additional details as to why. That same day I called AHS back, they cancelled that claim and reissued a new one. I was refunded the $100 deductible, and recharged the same deductible. By the second day after being assigned a contractor, I reached out to contractor, who was extremely unprofessional in the way he handled my business (over text, unwilling to call me), but explained that he was going... Read More


C
Chris
3/22/2022
American Home Shield will not replace products that are covered with like products. They also made us pay $100.00 for a deductible and then made us pay the contractor, and we had to buy the ceiling fans that needed to be replaced. American Home Shield replaces your covered with the cheapest functional product available. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!!!


sheiladunbar57
3/21/2022
Best company for warranty I’ve used others they don’t compare with the service AHS provides fast and efficient


kaylacheek89
3/20/2022
They are affordable and it's easy to submit a claim. The claims are always handled in a timely manner and their contractors are always on time and professional.


E
Ernest G
3/18/2022
I am very pleased with the service I have received from American Home Shield. The technicians have been knowledgeable and professional.


G
Gwendolyn M
3/17/2022
I am very happy with the service provided for my accounts in Arizona and Kansas. The account for Illinois hasn't been used. The service provided with the companies used in the Washington State account for my house in Washougal haven't been quite as efficient or as helpful and those companies may need a review.


Vennisa G
3/17/2022
Home Shield is the way to keep you at ease if something should go wrong in your home or appliances. It's extremely easy to file a claim...It can be done right online. Pay your detectable, receive a message from a local contracted company, make the appointment, and they will be out before you know it to fix your home issue. I am very happy I chose Home Shield to protect my family and me from worry and stress. Thank you Home Shield first experience was excellent!


D
Doug J
3/15/2022
My experience with AHS was beyond what l hoped for. I am very pleased with both the interaction I’ve had with their representatives as well as the level of service I received.


K
Kylie
3/14/2022
I just switched to American home shield and both encounters I have had this year have been so easy and wonderful! They send you status updates and contract with great companies! Very happy with them.


T
Toya D
3/12/2022
AHS has speedily responded to my various requests for service. They consistently dispatched super professionals to get the jobs done; from a broken washing machine ( which they replaced with a brand new one) to a disabled garage door). Their follow up to ensure that I am a satisfied customer is greatly appreciated.



Our Partner

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