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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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VALERIE G
2/8/2017
I submitted my request on line and had a response from the contractor within 2 hours. They worked around my schedule and arrived at my home on time. The problem was resolved quickly and the issue was explained to me very professionally. I was also told that what the cost and the wait would have been had I not had my AHS coverage. I have been with AHS for over 15 years and now even have my vacation home covered.


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NATHAN M
2/8/2017
I have had the air conditioning contractor perform beyond my expectation and finish his work in a timely matter. When my plumbers look for every excuse not unclog a drain. Usually show up on the last portion of the 2 to 4hr window. But American Home Shield has been a good home warranty on my properties. I have been with them for more than 3 yrs. They work well with the home owners an d their sub-contractors. That makes me feel reassured, for that I am greatful.


D
DONEKA S
2/8/2017
The service technican was on time and very personable. He was very detailed in explaining what work needed to done and how long it should take. After the work was complete, he walked me though everything he did. He also ran the dishwasher to show me that it was working and the job was completed.


A
ANTONIO M
2/8/2017
I have been w/ this AHS co for s couple of yrs already, so w/ my 2 sons who are w/ AHS also; personally I have had a couple of problems w/ my air-con unit & my dryer twice. The contractors involved were very prompt in response , very respectful , very professional & knowledgeable that each occurrence had been very rewarding.


F
Faraz I
2/8/2017
American home shield, where do I start... oh my god an absolutely malicious customer service given by Miss Toy Walker. I called American home shield over and over to cancel my insurance that i barely ever used in the last 3 years. the first time when i called to cancel, i was told to call back and speak with the retention department, however the customer service lady name "Mikasha" did take off my payment method. i confirmed with her if i am under any contract or not and if there will be any termination fee upon cancellation. the answer was NO SIR. until i spoke with the absolute evil Miss Toy Walker who instead of satisfying a customer, made a customer feel horrible and threat a customer... Read More


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Lhunte61
2/7/2017
I don't know how this company ended up #1 , I personally canceled my enrollment due to bad service. I have not seen such a bad company normally most companies take care of customers. In the case of this company they don't. My air conditioning unit was not getting cold back in 2015, I called them up they sent out a company to fix the problem. I was informed that it was out of the liquid that makes it cold and they would pay only $10 per pound. To my surprise the cost was $60 per pound. I ended up paying over $300 for the service call OK not a problem. Last summer I had the same problem I called them up and got an appointment. After 2 weeks I still did not have any one show up to my... Read More


Mike B
2/6/2017
Please stop calling our customers and telling them we called you in to take over with the work,for We would never do that, We don't only provide work for our clients but a life long friendship so calling them from the HA is not cool, Some are referrals to us and they do call us and let us know whats going on with AHSHW when you guys call them.And from personally seeing your contractors work I'm not impressed and have to rework some of it to bring it up to codes with FPL.


Dvora F
2/6/2017
I am having nothing but a run around from the company regarding my tankless water heater. The company that they sent out sent a tech who had no idea how to service a water heater- no message, no paperwork left, no phone call-NOTHING. I had to call in- and was told the service was complete- it wasn't- so AHS called the company-totally confusing conversation because the agent @ AHS didn't read any notes- had to send out another tech- He came out and said I had to have them cleaned before he could diagnose- that would be $500.00. When he left he said there was nothing wrong. Same problem occurring-LOUD noise when it goes on, and intermittent hot water- after taking sometimes 5-8 minutes of... Read More


S
scheston
2/4/2017
I am reading all the rave reviews but both my daughter and myself have had difficulty with this organization. The last 3 times we needed to use this service we were told that we had to wait 2-3 DAYS before someone could come out to fix our problems. Once person was really unprofessional. One company didn't fix the problem. Why are we having these difficulties when others are supposedly raving? We are thinking of going elsewhere.


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Lu
2/4/2017
I was at one point very satisfied with this company up until my last claim. My kitchen faucet (Moen $300.00) broke and was replaced with a cheap plastic one ($88.00 I looked up the brand). I called the next day because I was unsatisfied with the replacement, they said the person above would contact me they never did. I called again nothing again, so I received a post card saying the were closing my file. I called the third time and they said there was nothing they could do. I even offered to buy a new faucet if they could just cover the plumbers fee they said "No". I canceled after that phone call. I am very disappointed! My advice to you just be careful and make sure to check the quality... Read More



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