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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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J
jean G
9/5/2017
Last week you emailed me that EcoSystems Heating and Air would contact me within 24 hours, No one has contacted me and it has been 6 days though I do realize there was the Labor day holiday. The reason I needed this visit on my AC is because the last team you sent out never fixed my AC. They installed a new compressor and then charged me 780 dollars for freon. The AC works for about 15 to 20 minutes in the morning and then doesn't work the rest of the day. The owner of that company said I was using my system wrong. REALLY you put it on cool there is no other way to use it. Right now I am most likely to cancel my service with AHS even though they have been wonderful until this... Read More

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Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Jean, We certainly apologize for this issue. If you can provide your contact information to us by emailing social@ahslink.com, attention, "Consumers Advocate" we will reach out to you regarding this matter.

Lore' B
9/5/2017
I had AHS for a year before I needed them, of course it was hottest week in Georgia when my AC went out on June 21st. I was without my AC until July 5th. Mainly due to the fact that AHS seems to have crappy contractors as their contractors for their warranty service. Then I had some shower faucets that were not working properly, so different contractor. They were waiting on a part that they said had a long lead time and when I finally started asking questions and escalating the issue myself, I was able to get the part that costs $0 because it's a warranty part for my shower and it's a standard stock item. I spent 4 months believing what the contractor said. After reading over AHS... Read More

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Lore, We sincerely apologize for this issue that you have made us aware of, and we would like to reach out to you regarding this matter. If you can provide your contract number or property address and phone number to us by emailing it to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", and we will be in touch with you regarding this issue.

Anthony H
9/4/2017
Not sure what I've been paying for all these years. The last time I used AHS to get HVAC service the technician said the issue was not covered at all. So we were out of pocket for the visit with no solution. Furthermore the tech was supposed to get back to us with information so that we could look into finding a solution, and never heard back since. Is this just an elaborate scam?

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Anthony, We would like to reach out to you regarding this matter, if you can provide your contact information to us by emailing your contract number or property address and phone number to us at social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", we will be in contact with you. Thanks

Gary D
9/4/2017
They responded quickly to get a repair company out to fix air conditioning unit. Repair company responded within 72 hours (over weekend) and unit was up and running within a hour of the repair man arriving at our home.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Gary, We really appreciate the great feedback. Thanks

M
Mathew
9/4/2017
They Dont pay anything from the amount they Charge you but Only send cheap in competent services that work for a commission from what they charge you.

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
All feedback is important to us and we appreciate the time you took to tell us about this experience. We strive to provide excellent services to our customers and regret the experience that you have had.

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Felisha D
9/4/2017
I was sent a contractor initially that damaged my hvac and had to pay $950 for the damage they caused. I have called ahs multiple times to get this resolved and no one will call me back to resolve the issue. Whenever I call I am placed on hold for over an hour each time with no resolution. Unbelievably bad service

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Felisha, We would like to follow up with you regarding this issue. Please send your contact information to us by emailing social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", Thanks.

J
Jen
9/4/2017
First contractor that was sent out from Garland, TX was nothing but a rip off contractor wanting to charge all kinds of things that should be included. We alerted American Home Shield that the contractor from Garland, TX was no longer allowed to be on the property and they did the right thing and sent out someone trustworthy. Once that contractor was terminated, a new contractor was sent out from Paris, TX. They were awesome!! Quick, efficient, friendly and never tried to bill for anything. I believe that was Economy Air...

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Jen, I apologize for the issues that you have experienced with your services, however we are pleased to hear that this matter has been resolved to your satisfaction. Thanks for the feedback.

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Anthony w
9/4/2017
Had an issue were my A.C. unit was leaking onto the roof instead of through the pvc pipe going off the house. Used the American Home Shield website to file a claim. Nobody called me after a few days so I went back to the website and noticed a contractor was assigned. The contractor never called me either. Finally after a few days I call then and they tell me they are busy so I have to wait until Friday which was a week from when I called. So Friday shows up and they have not called me to schedule what time. So I call back and tell them I get off at a certain time to make it then. They give me a hassle and finally say ok. Then I get a call asking if I can show up earlier. I wasn't that busy... Read More

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Anthony, Please provide your contact information to us by emailing us at social@ahslink.com, attention, "Consumers Advocate", and we will be in touch with you regarding this matter. Thanks

C
Cathy T
9/4/2017
Can't even express begin to Explain how awful you guys were.

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hi Cathy, Please provide your contact information to us by email and we will reach out to you to offer assistance regarding your concerns. Please email social@ahslink.com, attention, "Consumers Advocate", attention "Consumers Advocate.

Marc W
9/4/2017
Phone is the only way to contact a customer service representative. Be prepared to be on hold for a minimum of 35 minutes. AHS offers no message service, no call back service, just wait on hold. Extremely frustrating.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Marc, I certainly apologize for the wait time and the issues that you have experienced regarding your services and would like to reach out to you regarding your concerns. 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


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