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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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Lisa F
2/16/2017
The contractor was on time, professional and quick. We had no complaints at all. He diagnosed problem quickly and fixed the issue.


C
CHRISTINE T
2/16/2017
My most recent experience with American Home Shield was two weeks before my renewal time. I was not committed at the time to renew due to past issues but they redeemed themselves and I renewed. I needed a plumber to fix an outside hose bib. AHS was punctual, polite, and efficient. I did have another "handyman" look at the bib previously by was told he couldn't fix it (idr why). American Home Shield were true to their word. Thanks AHS


D
dd w
2/16/2017
i have been with this warranty company for over 5 years and have only had to call a few times for service. I had to call the technician out twice for the same issue and had to pay the service fee for something that they only fixed enough to get pass the warranty on the work. I recently renewed the warranty for another year and when I called to change the date for my draft I was told that I would be billed twice. One for the service the other fee was an administrative fee. I have no problem paying an administrative fee but not a duplicate monthly charge. This company has not been what I have expected service or administratively and I would tell everyone that uses this company make sure you... Read More


Ana A
2/15/2017
I been with AHS over 10 yrs no problems. Great service. Great contractors.


Jeff S
2/15/2017
This company is more expensive than the others on this list, but you will not regret signing up with them. I know because I made the mistake of changing to another and I won't do that again.


R
renae.houghton
2/15/2017
As a customer of American home Shield home warranty, please do your due diligence to make sure that you have everything listed on your contract. Of course, it would be important to any homeowner that their appliances be covered under our home warranty. Just so happens that I call to make a claim for my dishwasher this morning and lo and behold my dishwasher is not covered! All of my other appliances to include a built-in icemaker and wine cabinet are included but for some ungodly reason the dishwasher is not included. I know I specifically asked for the appliances to be included. I did call the retention officer and she stated that she would have to pull the recorded phone call, which... Read More


Rose G
2/14/2017
I've been a customer of home Shield since 2000 and I was just notified because I have used it my premium more than double was raised so I guess American Home Shield hopes that people never use their insurance but pay their premiums every month and never use If you use you get penalized do not recommend this company


C
Carmine
2/14/2017
Horrible. I talked my father into signing up for both of his properties. On 2 service request occasions, the techs came out and claimed the scope of the work was not covered, yet the deductible was still required to be paid even though no work had been preformed. Thanks for taking advantage of my 70 year old father


L
LILLIE W
2/13/2017
The agent I spoke with at AHS was friendly, professional and immediately helpful. I was told who was coming and my deductible. I was called within an hour by the business and giving a date and time for service.


A
ANGELA L
2/13/2017
on time, personable, professional and he provided information regarding getting better coverage with AHS which I think was going above and beyond. also he provided tips on how to mitiigate damage from a potential water heater failure in future.



Our Partner

Limited Time Offer: $150 OFF All Plans*

  • Home Warranty Plans Starting at $29.99 a Mo.
  • Covering 2 Million Plus Members for 50+ Years
  • No Age Limits on Covered Systems & Appliances
  • No Inspections or Records Required