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American Home Shield Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Excellent)
4,137 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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4137 Customer Comments & Reviews

Loading Reviews ...
Benton R
5/30/2016
AHS is a great insurance policy to have when you have lived in your home beyond the normal warranty period. They are always helpful when I call in. I feel the price could be better for repeat or loyal customers which would keep me around which would keep customers around much longer.


Mike M
5/28/2016
I have had a few things called AHS everything was taken care of with no problem. Great customer service. Every contractor that was sent out was well mannered ( which is not often in this day ). Their work was well done and no mess. Thank you AHS !!!


Tyrone G
5/27/2016
The crew that performed the work was knowledgeable and professional. They understood my problem just from the description and brought all the required parts to fix the problem. Also, they completed the work quickly, cleaned up and offered advice on how to care for my equipment moving forward. All-in-all, a well done job.


Abbie M
5/25/2016
The most recent incident at my home was the problem with the sewer system being slow. I made the call to AHS, spoke with a rep who gave me a confirmation number and the name of the plumber in the area who would be scheduled to do the job. The next day the plumber arrived completed the work. I was very pleased with the concern and professionalism that the rep showed. And the plumber was very polite, and dress professionally and completed the work within minimum time.


Grace S
5/23/2016
The last time I used AHS was last year and I think it was for my toilet. I was notified with in the 24 hours and they came the next day. My toilet was rocking side to side. The guy who came was in work clothes and they were dirty but in no way did he dirty my house and he cleaned up the mess he made.


Jessica T
5/21/2016
My recent experience with American Home Shield was very positive. They were responsive and the contractor was timely and responsive as well. The follow-up from AHS was also very good and the contractor was nice and easy to work with. They resolved our issues and overall my husband and I were very pleased.


Eva B
5/19/2016
The A/C repair crew came at the exact time as forecasted, they were very friendly. The 2 workers were very efficient and told me what they had found was wrong with the system and the steps they will take to get the A/C running the way it should be. The workers cleaned up the areas they had worked in. I'm very satisfied with their work


Mike A
5/18/2016
the contractor was there when he said he would be there. He diagnosed and reosolved the problem one day later when the part arrived. He was very professional and explained in detail the nature of the problem.


Betty S
5/17/2016
The Contractor was very polite checked the problem and installed a new dishwasher no questions asked. That is what I call very good service. Have recomended AHS to all my friends. The price of the Policy is very reasionable.


Jan
5/16/2016
I purchased a home warranty plan from American Home Shield in September of 2015. We had our hot water heater fail in January 2016 on a Friday afternoon. I went online and filed a service request and was given a contractor and was told I would be contacted. I called them before end of business on Friday and they said they would not come out until Monday or Tuesday the following week. I explained that we had an infant in the home so we really needed hot water. Didn't matter to them, they would not come out. We ended up purchasing our hot water heater, installing it ourselves. We purchased the plan which covers everything, including pool equipment. Friday, our pool maintenance guy told us... Read More



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