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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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Paivi M
9/23/2020
I have been with this company for 2 years. A few service calls that I had went fine, except the last one. The service tech moved my washer and upon finishing he didn't check the drain hose. Not knowing this I started a load of laundry. During the first drain cycle the water spewed all over the floor as the drain hose laid on the floor behind my washer. OMG !! Called AHS and no help from them. I requested a refund for the service call for the huge mess (not to mention potential long term damage). The rep said she would create a report and take it to the supervisor and call me back for sure. Well, no call back !!....This upsets me.


C
christianah o
9/22/2020
american home shield of now is not the american home shield of late 90,s it was very good when i had it in CA. since i moved to TX i have had about 4 home warranty insurances of which they are just scammers, Now american home surprised me when i enrolled in the plan that the call fee will be $100 BUT NO CONTRACT PAPERS WERE SENT TO ME FOR 14 MONTHS THAT I WAS ON THE PLAN. they renewed my contract in JUNE WITHOUT NOTICE AND INCREASED THE PREMIUM FROM $47.87 TO$59.99 WITHOUT NOTICE. when my upper right deep freezer broke down i reached out to they scheduled a tecnician to come to fix the feezer. the first technician did not call nor answered the call about the service ,so i called... Read More


J
jennifer S
9/21/2020
'I thought we were going to die,' complaints about home warranties and delayed A/C repairs ABC Story Az With temperatures so high you may have thought, ‘what happens if your air conditioning stops working?’ Would a home warranty be good protection or a waste of money? By: Joe Ducey Posted at 8:00 PM, Sep 20, 2020 and last updated 11:06 PM, Sep 20, 2020 PHOENIX — With temperatures so high you may have thought, ‘what happens if your air conditioning stops working?’ Would a home warranty be good protection or a waste of money? Some Arizonans say their American Home Shield warranties left them sweating during the hottest part of the summer. Jennifer Schrader says when her air... Read More


dianneh16
9/19/2020
Very easy to contact and schedule appointments and to get the days to meet your schedule


jzzyjeff2002
9/18/2020
As of today no complaints!!!! They sent out a company for leaks the guy lied to us and American Homeshield. Customer service asked if I'd like a second opinion..yes of course. The second company was AWESOME! Fixed in less than 10 minutes. Thanks AHS .


Mark D
9/18/2020
Get job done in timely manner. Company notify when techician was on the way.


Toyia G
9/18/2020
Gets the job done in a timely manner and always gave me a heads up when my technician was on the way


77lady20
9/18/2020
Very happy with services and professional people you send out for the repairs


C
Cassandra H
9/16/2020
My experience with this company was horrible. I was without a refrigerator for over a month. I was on hold for hours. Several of their vendors aren't even in business or they don't contact you. They apologized but never offered a solution except just to wait. My Realtor made a call and complained and said they wouldn't use their services anymore. I surprisingly received a phone call from a Supervisor who refunded my deductible. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. Unfortunately I have to deal with them for a year.


J
Jim F
9/16/2020
We had American Home Shield for 12 years in Arizona and had a very good experience. We moved to Southeast Kansas and are very concerned about providers here. Our stove has an electrical problem and after more than 48 hours we still don't have any provider contact us. I have phoned customer service and was on hold twice for an hour or more. Check and recheck providers in the area where you live before engaging this company.



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