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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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L
lori
9/6/2017
I was with AHS for a over 2 years. Initially, I could get through to Customer Service and I would be contacted by an assigned company for my repairs. But, as time went on, it was significantly more difficult to get through to Customer service (one day I waited over 2 hours on hold and never reached anyone so just gave up) and I was not contacted by the assigned repair company for several days...I had to call them and ask them to come do the repairs. I ended up cancelling my service....a Representative encouraged me to stay with AHS a little longer, I agreed but set a cut off date (cancellation) a few months later. When I verified that my service was going to be cut off...no notes of that... Read More

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Lori, If you can provide your contact information to us by emailing social@ahslink.com, attention, "Consumers Advocate", we will be in contact with you regarding this matter. Thanks

D
David B
9/5/2017
Given run around on repair status. Lied to, no follow up. Wasted a lot of time on phone (on hold).? Need I say more. Stay away from this company.

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello David, I would like to reach out to you regarding your concerns,to see how we can resolve this matter. Please provide your contact information to us by emailing it to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", and we will be in touch with you. Thanks

Jeff K
9/5/2017
I was very upset to find that the automatic ice maker in our side-by-side refrigerator was not covered under our AHS warranty. I wrote and spoke with them about this. The ice maker is not an aftermarket add-on. It is an integral part of the refrigerator, and as such, should be covered. I went around and around with the rep on the phone, but AHS wouldn't cover it. It cost us $309 for a new ice maker.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Jeff, All feedback is important to us and we appreciate the time that you took to tell us about this experience. We appreciate the opportunity to improve our customer experience. Thanks

P
Pam
9/5/2017
Great professional service!

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Thanks for the Great feedback, Pam.

Wayne F
9/5/2017
It took 10 days to repair my A/C...I live in Las Vegas, 105 plus degrees. That is just way to long! Also takes over an hour to reach Customer Service, where the representatives have little ability to create any urgency. Managers don't come to phone. Facebook messaging gets no action, not even a return call. Bottom line is if you don't have the time to wait, don't pay this company a dime!

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Wayne, We would like to reach out to you regarding this experience with your services. If you can provide your contact information to us by emailing us at social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", we will be in touch with you regarding this matter. Thanks

H
Herman D
9/5/2017
American Home Shield is by far the worst provider ever and uses the most incompetent contractors who lie and never show up to do the work. Think twice before ever signing up with these crooks.

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Herman, I am sorry to hear this. I would like to follow up with you regarding this matter. If you can provide your contact information to us by emailing social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", we will be in contact with you. Thanks

Robert L
9/5/2017
I've had them for 6 months now. I've had my AC go out 4 times this summer and keep getting the same company to come out and "fix" it. So far this summer I've spent over a month out of my house due to AC not working. July 29th my refrigerator went out. It's August 29th and it's still not fixed. I've called 2 times and waited on hold for an hour or more each time. Both times i asked to speak to a supervisor. Supervisors were unavailable and they said they'd call me back. They will tell you that'll you'll get a call within 48 hours. I've yet to receive a response. They're a week overdue on both call backs and i don't feel like wasting another hour on hold to get the same run around. So i... Read More

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Robert, Please send us your contact information and we will be in touch with you regarding this issue. Email your information to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", and we will follow up with you. Thanks

J
Justin
9/5/2017
Every time I need to talk to AHS rep on the phone, it's at least a 40 minute wait every time. I have had one customer service representative hang up on me when I caught him in a lie. I really do not know how they get so many good reviews. That is what sold me on making the switch. I guess they are manipulating Numbers for the company on the website. I am on the waiting as I am writing this and I have been waiting 50 minutes. I also have issues with the service calls. Things never get fixed, just patched up. I had to make 2 service calls in the past 3 months for my air conditioning. Issue with my main floor toilet that never really got fixed. AHS is my 3rd home warranty... Read More

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Justin, I apologize for the wait time and the issues that you are experiencing regarding your services. Please provide your contact information to us by emailing social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate" and we will be in touch with you. Thanks

Dana M
9/5/2017
Helped us out a lot.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Many, thanks for the feedback, Dana!

D
David
9/5/2017
I originally put my request for service on August 31st. I called the plumber they assigned but never heard back. Called him 24 hours later and he said he immediately rejected it because it was sewage which he doesn't do. So I had to call American Home Shield again, waited 37 minutes on hold and eventually got someone who said he would get a plumber here first thing Tuesday morining. Now, Tuesday night sewer still backed up and no one has been assigned or contacted me. We have been without water since Thursday and still no help from AHS.

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello David, We would like to offer our assistance regarding this matter. If you provide your contact information to us by emailing social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", and we will follow up with up with you. Thanks


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