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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 is American Home Shield rated?

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

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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Dee R
8/15/2017
Came to fix refrigerator. Had to order part. Took another week or so. Repairman efficient and very nice. I don't like the fact that we are now billed for the service instead of paying the repairman directly.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Dee. Your feedback is important to us.

O
Oscar j
8/15/2017
I've called 3times for my dish washer which is still out of order !! The 3time they sent a drain cleaner and it's still not working !! I fell the warranty company uses fly by night companies to do the work instead of a highly trained compitent company

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Oscar, Please provide your contract number or property address and phone number to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate" and we will be in touch with you. Thanks

Tomika K
8/15/2017
Stating that I'm EXTREMELY dissatisfied with this company would be an understatement!!!!! The wait time to speak to a representative is so incredibly long…just sad…The technicians that have been sent into my home for multiple issues have ranged from incompetent to flat out lazy! I will most definitely seek a new warranty company at the end of my current contract!

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Tomika, Please send your contract number or property address to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate" and we will follow up with you regarding your concerns. Thanks

C
Christian
8/15/2017
The process was quick and professional. I was kept up to date with real-time notifications and everything works now.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
We appreciate the wonderful feedback Christian!

Daniel M
8/15/2017
We have had 3 opportunities to use AHS services in the last year of so. Two of the contractors performed well above expectation (Aqua maid pool services and SRL services for appliances) one was subpar (safe electric). Overall this was a good value. AHS may benefit from more timely follow up with the customer however.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Thanks for the feedback Daniel. We're pleased to hear you're satisfied with our services. If there is anything that we can do to improve, tell us about it by sending your information to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumer Advocate". and we will follow up with you.

G
Greg C
8/15/2017
The delivery of the service was slow. But adequate excuses were offered. The quality of the work was poor. For example electrical fittings which clearly would require cable connectors were left with the wire simply running through the hole in the box. The work was not to code.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hi Greg, Thanks for making us aware of this situation. If you provide your contract number or property address and phone number, by emailing social@ahslink.com, attention, "Consumers Advocate", we will follow up with you concerning this matter. Thanks

Christopher S
8/15/2017
They came through for us when when were just two days in our new home the ac unit and air handler died they replaced both......a piece of mind for sure.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
We aim to please. Thanks for the feedback Christopher!

William G
8/15/2017
The pressure overflow unit on my water heater failed. This unit is intended to prevent damage to the main unit due to over-pressures thus, extending its life. A function formally performed by a pressure relief valve it reduces potential for damage and/or excessive wear and tear to the unit. Both I and the plumber were surprised to here it was not covered. I was very disappointed that a feature designed to improve performance and reduce maintenance was not covered. Response to problem was very timely and the repair was performed in a very professional manner. It is important to note that an AHS rep did call to note that it was not covered, as stated by paragraph such and such in... Read More

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello William, We would like to look into this matter. If you email your contact information to social@ahslink.com, attention, "Consumers Advocate", we will look into this matter. Thanks

S
Sonia G
8/15/2017
Great experience thus far with dealing with AHS but only when you can get a person on the phone. Waited almost 1 hour and 1/2 to speak with an agent with no message on the auto attendant or queue stating wait time or reason for the delay.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Sonia, We certainly apologize for the wait time. If you need assistance, please email your contact information and your property address to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate" and also, Thanks for the feedback.

Barb M
8/15/2017
The benefit of having a home warranty can not be understated. One less thing to worry about, if it breaks, it will get fixed without breaking me. I just started my policy in June 2017 and have already used their services. Unfortunately my HVAC problem fell under the maintenance category so it wasn't covered, but the company they sent was outstanding, very professional and charged a fair price.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Thanks for the feedback Barb.


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