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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

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Heidi E
9/9/2017
I am so un-happy with the service, down to the tech people as well as trying to make a request. Ive been told over and that they will remove the 100.00 balance which I realize you pay to have a repair. My AC has yet to be repaired 4 times they have came out and cannot seem to fix it. So I have to go thru AHS and it wont allow me to because of the outstanding balance Im pretty done with this company, Ohh yet they can automatically take the payment out of the checking account. Very upset.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Heidi, I am sorry to hear that you are not happy with your services. We would to reach out to you regarding this matter. Please send us your contact information to us by emailing social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", and we will be in contact with you. Thanks

T
tom s
9/9/2017
I called ahs because my ac was leaking. They sent out Sweet Mtn Air. He tried a few things but could not fix it. I called the next day and told them(ahs) to not send sweet mtn air because he could not fix the problem, but send him they did. Again he could not fix the problem and was scheduled for the following day. I was not going to give him another and called Parker and sons. They responded the same day fixed the problem(which was a plugged exit line) very elementary. I pleaded with ahs to not send sweet mtn air but they ignored me and sent him anyway. If I could give a minus star I would.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Tom, We are sorry to hear about this situation and we would like to reach out to you regarding this matter. If you provide your contact information we will assign a representative to contact you regarding your concerns. Please email us at social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate" and we will be in contact with you. Thanks

M
macie S
9/9/2017
My microwave went out every year. They kept sending repairman to fix the issue but never doing a diagnostic to determine what the problem is. They kept changing parts the last person they sent I asked him about a diagnostic and he never took his tools out of his toolbox.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Marcie, Thank you for making us aware of this situation. We would like to follow up with you regarding this issue. If you can provide your contact information to us at social@ahslink. com attention "Consumers Advocate", we will be in touch with you. Thanks

Wayne F
9/9/2017
Took 5 days to have a tech come out, and another 5 days to gave repair done. 10 days without A/C in Las Vegas is unacceptable. Also have requested to speak to a supervisor to share my discontent and no one has called or reached out. very poor!

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Wayne, I apologize for this situation, If you can provide your contact information to us by emailing social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", and we will be in contact with you. Thanks

R
Randy C
9/9/2017
I had to wait 45 minutes twice to speak with a representative when I had a problem with a contactor. I could not speak with a supervisor but was told both times an AHS supervisor would call me within 24 to 48 hours. No one called. No one would call Sears to see why they didn't show and continued to change my appointment time without my knowledge. I finally had to contact BBB in order for AHS to respond. They still never stated why no one had contacted me prior or refused to contact Sears. The only reason I received a call was due to my BBB complaint. AHS was not responding to me. They were responding to BBB.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Randy, If you send your contact information to us by emailing social@ahslink.com, attention social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", we will be in contact with you. Thanks

Melvin P
9/9/2017
Some of the companies you contract with do substandard work that leaves a lot to be desired! On a couple of claims I had the feeling I was screwed over, the workmanship was shoddy and incomplete. Seriously considering moving my business elsewhere. We will see when the next issue comes up.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Melvin, We would like to follow up with you regarding this situation, if you provide us with your contract number or property address and phone number by emailing social@ahslink.com, and we will be in contact with you. Thanks

S
Sandra
9/9/2017
I was on hold for 30 minutes. ..this is unacceptable

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Sandra, My apologies for the hold time. If you are in need of assistance, please provide your contact information to us by emailing social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate".

P
Pearl b
9/9/2017
Good service for homeowners and good experience thus far although I would recommend reviewing non responsive contractors and replacing them from contract options . I am a happy customer with American home shield.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hi Pearl, We are pleased to hear that you are happy with your services. Thanks for the feedback.

B
Brandon A
9/8/2017
Warranty coverage is not as good as I would like for the premium I pay each year and the $100 fee for each service trip.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Brandon, Your feedback is important to us and we value your feedback. If there are any issues that we can help resolve, please provide your contact information to us by emailing it to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate". Thanks

C
Christian T
9/8/2017
The service communication is very good. They are very courteous and show up on time and with warning calls etc. my particular refrigerator might be possessed as they have been out 3 times to repair it. Each time it works for a few weeks then warms up. Hard to say if it is the experience of the technicians. I do like the service!

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Christian, We appreciate the feedback. If you are still experiencing issues with your refrigerator, please email your contact information to us a social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", and we will be in touch with you regarding this issue. Thanks


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  • 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