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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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Melissa C
7/18/2020
I requested to have someone come out and do a yearly check up on my HVAC unit. The service company that was sent out was fabulous. He told us more about our unit then we knew. He was polite and professional. A+


wenwolfe
7/17/2020
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY This company has the worst customer service. They have no chat or email to communicate you have to wait on the line for over an hour to get someone that can not help you. It is impossible to cancel your service. No refunds then they want you to pay a $62 cancellation fee. You have to follow up on everything they are no proactive at all. I wanted a second opinion, and it has been two weeks and they say they have to get a response from the 1st horrible contractor that is not responding. So, I am going with my issue not being resolved.


Matthew K
7/17/2020
My dishwasher broke on June 15th. I am writing this review on July 17th and my dishwasher is still broken. Twice the appliance contractor has come out and has not been able to repair my dishwasher. I have called AHS at least 7 times, always on hold about an hour. They say every time they will call me back that day with an update and never have. I have told them I have been told I'd get a call back before and no one calls me back. The individual says they are different and will call me back - I've heard that now 7 times. I ask to speak to a supervisor, they put me on a longer hold only to come back saying the supervisor is busy but they will call me back - still no call back. Furthermore,... Read More


R
Robert F
7/16/2020
We've moved into a 20 year old home. Have used American Home Shield on a variety of issues and they not only have saved us money but also have taken the search for finding the best help out of our hands. The craftsmen and repair personnel they have sent have done fantastic work to keep our home in tip top shape!


D
Dolores D
7/15/2020
Our AC stopped cooling on July 5and I contacted American Home Shield for service that day. Temperatures are in the 90s and my husband is a disabled veteran and I am a heart patient. A technician from Cool, Inc. did not come out to diagnose the problem until July 10, saying that it was the compressor and "the office will call you". No other explanations or what to expect next. By July 13 when we had no further contact I called American Home Shield and was told that the technician had not yet submitted a diagnostic report, and this usually takes 24 to 48 hours after the home visit. I was promised a follow-up call, but by July 15 there was no further contact. I am currently on hold (now... Read More


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Greg M
7/14/2020
Your customer service is terrible. Wait times of over an hour to get service are normal. So now you have not fixed my A/C in three trips thats 6 calls to AHS all over one hour in length. Ridiculous. There are just too many choices in the home warranty business to treat customers like this. I will be leaving when my contract expires. Dr Millar


Evan A
7/13/2020
I have been trying to have my refrigerator fixed for 2 months now. AHS sent me GE to fix it. They were the first problem. They took 2 visits and five weeks to accurately diagnose the problem. Once I got through that disaster, I now need a part that is no longer made. This entitles me to a new refrigerator. GE says they have submitted all documentation of this to AHS. AHS says they have not received the documentation from GE. Neither company will provide me with an email address to submit the forms or a phone number to directly put them in touch. Every time I call either company there is a 1 hour wait time. AHS has guaranteed I would receive a call back now 3 separate times with no... Read More


whithitz7
7/13/2020
Awesome and quality service providers! They’ve been my default since 2010! Highly recommended! TX


H
Hector
7/13/2020
I been having a problem with my AC unit almost 2 weeks ago. AHS send A&R and all this tech wanted is to sell a new AC unit. The tech came on Thursday morning, July 2, 2020 by 5pm the AC broke again. A&R was contacted, but they stated AHS should send a request. But the tech and this is what all the AHS have stated that the tech stated that there was no mecanico problem. So since Friday july 3rd we have been calling AHS almost every day. But their call center in Phillipines are all "inept" they all say the same and until TODAY July 13 no other tech has shown up, nor a supervisor has called. I need someone to call me ASAP. I'm current in my Insurance payments I demand service, attention... Read More


Philip R
7/12/2020
Efficient and helpful. Technician was knowledgeable and fixed the problem. Gave us suggestions.



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