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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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Pamela L
4/14/2021
The entire process was seamless: from assignment of plumber, to scheduling, and job completion. Everyone was friendly and helpful. The repair team came in and was in and out under a half hour. I have had other home warranties and they just don’t compare to AHS. Thank you for a pleasurable experience!


mike.p.smith3850
4/13/2021
This company is a rip off....stay away.I had pool coverage but they said the digital unit that runs the pool pump was not a part of the coverage.Its like saying a spark plug wire isnt under a car warranty because its not the spark plug itself.Very expensive but they are deceptive


Janette M
4/12/2021
Your company is a fraud. I pay my monthly fee, paid for a plumbing service, the plumber came, had to order parts. Stated he would be back on Wednesday, never came or called, I finally got to speak to Plumbing office on Friday afternoon, they stated they would be there the next morning, again no show no call. I have been on the phone with your "agents", who do not speak very good English. They always put me on hold to call plumbing company, they are not successful, then they say they will contact the contract department and I would receive a return phone call in 48 business house. I have not received that phone call yet. I have asked to speak to a supervisor and was informed she... Read More


amyyoungrn
4/9/2021
Always easy to work with. I have only needed to call for preventative things so I hope if I need for repair it’s just as easy


L
Lester D
4/7/2021
American home shield has always been extremely satisfying when I have called for a problem on my house. They have never refused or backed out from repairing the items that are in our coverage. They either repair or replace the appliance that has a problem. I consider them a five star company


L
Larry B
4/4/2021
Happy with all of my claim resolutions over 2 years. Good service companies and quick responses.


Marcus H
3/25/2021
I was with them for over 10 years. The quality of work is excellent. The speed of response for service calls is excellent. The coverage is wide and I never had any problem with them saying an item is not covered in over 10 years. Those are the positives. The negatives are: - They will keep patching up an equipment till the very end to ensure they don't have to pay to replace. - When they do have to replace the ceiling will get you a replacement but usually not a quality replacement. On my AC unit for example that finally failed I ended up paying for a quality system totally out of pocket with no credit. - If you don't pay attention you will sign up for a package that covers a... Read More


Tom L
3/25/2021
Over all they do a good job getting someone to come and fix your issue. My concern is when do they decide to "REPLACE" the item that is broken? I have had two service people come to fix my refrigerator and its still broken. I have been without it for weeks, don't you think its time to just replace it, now that would be great customer service!


K
Keith
3/24/2021
Extremely disappointed with the poor service I received. AHS sent a dishonest and unethical plumbing company (based on extensive Yelp reviews) to diagnose a problem. Initially they claimed they couldn’t honor the claim because the defective part was no longer manufactured. When I advised them that the part was still available under a different number, they changed their claim to deny it, saying I should have “known” about the defect when I had the home inspected. AHS advised me that I could appeal this and they would send a new technician — who also has terrible Yelp reviews about crooked dealings with home warranty companies.


Jeremy K
3/20/2021
Great service and easy to work with. Technician showed and immediately identified the issue with my washer and told me that it would cost more to fix than it wash worth. A week later my new washer that AHS provided had arrived and installed.



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