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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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C
Cheryl J
2/9/2021
Our Realator suggested this company. The wait time for parts and repair is unreasonable Waiting 2 weeks so far for dishwasher repair. Still not fixed Waited week for service to look at the issue Do not recommend


faridjoo
2/8/2021
This review is not about the subcontractors who come to fix an appliance. This is about the company itself and how poorly it is being managed. I have a simple problem with this company and I have been calling them every week since December to resolve. I have 3 properties that I signed up with AHS. When I signed up, they twisted my arm to leave my CC number even after telling them that I will pay the whole year by check. They said it is OK just call to remove the CC from the account. Well, I paid by check for 2 properties in Nov or 2020. I called in early December and they told me the CC has been removed. Well, 2 weeks later, they charged my card for full year for 2 properties. I have been... Read More


Monti T
2/7/2021
I had a policy with these folks, paid preminums for 10 years, when I needed the heat exchanger replaced or repaired they told me it wasnt covered - even know I had a conversation before I started with them that they said the A coil and the heat exchanger were covered - you cant understand the ladies in what ever country they ship you too, they should call this company India home sheild. stay the hell away from this company they just stink


J
John G
2/6/2021
My pool gas heater was rusting away, after 22 years. I’m getting my home ready to sell, so I called them. Within one day, I guy was out looking at my heater. He said it was repairable, but feared the rusted out bottom portion might fall apart after lifting the hood off. I elected to just remove the heater and to leave all hookups, so my buyer would have an option to install one. He said it’s a two man job, so he’d have to sched another time. Within an hr, he found a helper and they removed the heater, and cleaned around the vacant area the same day


lvtosing4hym
2/3/2021
Always respond quickly and send out someone for service! I have always been pleased with the problem solvers.


C
Catherine
1/27/2021
Quick to assign company to fix appliance. Will continue to use the Moorhead future.


R
Randall L
1/25/2021
I have used American Home Shield for numerous years. I really can’t say enough about how great of service they provide and the relief of not having to worry about some large expense just waiting to happen. This service is well worth the money!


richardhamilton543
1/15/2021
Amazing service and amazing customer service relations best home warranty service around


K
Keith H
1/14/2021
First of all we are not complainers and hard working people. With that being said we also expect to be treated fairly and not taken advantage of. Our recent experience was terrible as the representative that was sent to our home our was unprofessional, lied about what was wrong with the unit and lied about not being able to do the work. He also did not return phone calls or emails after the fact. It took me 5 phone calls with AHS to finally visit with an "escalation team" member who agreed to reimburse our $75. The vendor also showed up to our home in an unmarked vehicle and left a huge oil leak in our drive way. If there was a rating lower than terrible they would have received it.


D
Dale H
1/14/2021
I am happy with the service of your company however I was not too pleased to receive a $11.00 increase with no notice. I believe that this was a rather hefty increase after only one year. I am not really happy about that.



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