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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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Sondra p
8/1/2017
They are wonderful. Always on time, courteous and neat/clean.

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
We are delighted that you are pleased with your services Sondra. Thanks for the feedback!

Kisha T
8/1/2017
I called American Home Shield in October of 2017 about a leak I had in my home downstairs they sent three different companies out and said that I had a leak under my toilet because the slab was uneven remind you my home was built in 2000 this leak started in 2017. I explain to them that the leak wasn't coming from the toilet but they didn't listen to me. They denied my claim because they said this lab was uneven. So I had to find a plumber to come out and fix the issue that American Home Shield said was the problem. I called them back and told them that that wasn't the problem it was a part that was under the toilet that need to be replaced on it because the water had made it rusty that's... Read More

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Kisha, I would like to reach out to you regarding this issue. I certainly apologize for the inconvenience that you have experienced. If you email your property address and phone number to social@ahslink.com, I will follow up with you regarding this matter. Thanks

Mekaboo R
8/1/2017
Right now I'm giving them 1 star because I have been waiting since July 15 the to get a leak fix they came out saw the problem and haven't got back with me yet this is crazy, what am I paying for monthly someone needs to fix what I pay for

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello, We would like to look into this matter concerning the plumbing issue. Please email us your information to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate" and we will be in touch with you regarding this issue. Thanks

M
mgorilla
7/31/2017
in short . awesome. ac compressor was changed quickly . technicians were on time , clean , professional and personable. no issues or concerns with their workmanship

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
We appreciate the time you took to share your experience with your services. Thanks

Vicki A
7/31/2017
Everyone I spoke with all through the process was very nice and easy to deal with. My new refrigerator was delivered sooner than expected. The men delivering were very nice and professional.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
We greatly appreciate the feedback Vicki!

V
Veena
7/31/2017
I've been extremely disappointed with the service. The wait times if you call the customer service is 40 mins at least. We've had issue with our A/C unit several times in the past year and it's $75 to fix it every time. The latest one says that the unit needs freon and that the condenser is blown. The part is covered but not the labor. So, the part is going to replace itself? It's exhausting dealing with this company. Considering cancelling the contract and moving to a different provider.

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AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Veena, Please send your information to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", we would like to look into this situation. Thanks

Jon R
7/31/2017
I recently had some work done on my pool for a bad pump, I was given the run around told to be at my house two different days and no one showed up either day. I called AHS to complain and after being on hold for an hour and wanted to talk to some one about what could be done. I finally got someone on the phone. Then that person told me they would call the company and look into it and they would need to put me on hold. In that process they hung up on me and cut me off, I called back waited another hour to speak to a person then that person did not have my answer and said they would give me a call back the next day with an answer. They did not call me back, so I called them, was put on... Read More

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Jon, My apologies to you for the wait time and the issues that you are experiencing. If you email your property address and phone number to social@ahslink.com, we will reach out to you regarding this matter. Thanks

C
Carolyn Q
7/31/2017
I have had 6 AC companies come out to check out my heat pump in my condo and no one can figure out what the problem is. Some have not charged me but others have charged me a fee to come and look and say there is nothing wrong when there absolutely is something wrong. I cant get ahold of anyone at the AHS warranty company without waiting long times and then having to hang up because I have other things to do and therefore I dont have a chance to tell anyone that the problem isnt getting fixed. Its the middle of summer and I need my AC fixed.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Carolyn, I can understand your frustration concerning this matter. We have located your information in our system and will be in contact with you regarding this issue. Thanks

D
Dov
7/31/2017
Our evaporative cooler began making horrible noises when we had it serviced and turned on for the year. We called AHS and they promptly scheduled a service visit with a local company. The service tech spent over an hour detailing the issues with the cooler and recommended a full replacement. AHS, as is their policy, scheduled a second opinion visit. The second technician agreed that the unit needed all but the sheetmetal housing replaced. This happened during the start of a heatwave; AHS and the local company went out of their way to make sure our unit was replaced as quickly as possible.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Dov, We are happy to hear that you are pleased with your services and we thank you for making us aware of the great experience that you have had. Thanks

C
Chris P
7/31/2017
The contractors they have used for my A/C repairs were always scheduling 3-4 days out and when replacement was needed, it took over a week to get the replacement parts ordered/installed!!!!!!!

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Chris, Your feedback is important to us and we appreciate the time you took to tell us about your experience. We strive to provide an excellent service experience for our customers and we regret the experience that you have had. If you send your information to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", we will address any issues or concerns that you may have. Thanks.


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