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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.
 
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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
https://www.ahs.com/
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

Loading Reviews ...
irajmoin
8/14/2020
I have contract with them for few years, each time which I have a service call the guy comes and every time they find some excuses for not covering that work and giving some quote that I have to pay if I to do the job. It takes 50 min to transfer me to another person. Do not buy policy from please. Dr. Iraj Moin

J
Janie K
8/13/2020
We have been very pleased with AHS. They have either fixed or replaced everything that has broken. There was 1 exception. My husband tried to fix something first and they would not fix it because he had opened it. Think that is crazy because it might have saved them some money if he had been able to fix it.

L
LAWRENCE B
8/13/2020
Ive been with AHS for over 16 years and have secured the services of a great AC/Heating contractor, and a great plumber, so when i need these services i request them. Ive also have a person that handles appliances. For a small amount per month and a small co-pay EVERYTHING is covered and ive had no problems. AHS is great!!!!

Cheryl H
8/13/2020
Having a horrible time getting the assigned contractor to complete an appliance repair and AHS is so difficult to reach and assist with this request. Wait times for customer service representatives take between 1 to 2 hours. Ridiculous. I will be looking for another Home Warranty company soon.

Darryl B
8/12/2020
AHS was very courteous and prompt when I initiated the claim. Vendor chosen was both professional & timely

C
Carla D
8/12/2020
I've been with AHS for 15 years. My initial experience was exceptional. Recently, it seems some of the contractors lack professionalism. Not sure of the vetting process or qualifications requirements, improvement is needed.

Thomas D
8/10/2020
The technician who worked on my refrigerator. I can't compliment him highly enough. He spent 4+ hrs working on the refrigerator. He was courteous and diligent. It works better now than at any time before. Bravo..

R
Reynaldo S
8/10/2020
I submitted a request for repair of a duct on my HVAC unit. I contacted the company which sent a technician on 19 July 2020. The technician came out and looked at the duct. The HVAC tape that had been placed on the duct would not hold and was informed that I needed to replace the duct or the issue would arise again and I had to pay $175 to replace the duct. I paid the required amount and they replaced the duct on 21 July 2020. After the work was completed I reviewed my contract and saw that duct replacement was covered. I contacted American Home Shield and inquired about the reason i had paid out of pocket for the duct replacement. They that they had not received a diagnostic... Read More

Sherry G
8/10/2020
My friend is a realtor. She insisted that I get AHS. I resisted. Then decided I should listen to her. I have never been disappointed with the service people sent to my home, the speed Of getting a repair person here. Replacement when needed was easy. I have recommend AHS to my children. Keep up the good work. I rely on AHS to get me honest and reliable help.

Erik A
8/9/2020
My most recent repair experience was excellent. American Hold Shield has a great system of staying in touch. I felt that from the point of claim submission until after completion they were tracking that our issue was being addressed. In such uncertain times such consistency is valuable!

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  • No Age Limits on Covered Systems & Appliances
  • No Inspections or Records Required
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