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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

Loading Reviews ...
jpiranha1111
10/28/2019
Do not sign up for this! They will send the worst contractor out. I payed the fee to have someone come out, and this contractor was so horrible that he came out twice and still didn't fix the problem! I just cancelled the policy and hired someone myself who fixed it the first time!


Courtney M
10/26/2019
I had my furnace replaced February 2018 and it was the biggest pain in the ass because they were never open on a weekend to speak with anybody when my furnace was going out finally got replaced but I had to pay 1200 bucks out of pocket and here we sit October 2019 at 9:45 on a Friday night and my furnace isn’t working again, there isn’t anyone I can call to get service out on the weekend under the home warranty, it is cold out here in Iowa and it’s 58 inside my home. #nothappy


S
Steve
10/25/2019
The repair timeframes we horrible. On 2 occasions I just called repair and fixed myself (which is what they want). Can’t without air and wash machines for 10plus days


T
Tab H
10/22/2019
Don't bother with them. Called them about my refrigerator going out and it took 1 week for them to get the repairman out. And the repairman took another to fix it and the repairman told us we were a priority. My wife called the repair company and was told there was no such thing as a priority. We lost hundreds of dollars of food because these people couldn't get off their butt and fix my refrigerator.


geboyd48
10/22/2019
34% price increase while competitors offer the same coverage for a lot less. Price increase not explained or justified; they don't deserve the ratings they have received. Shop around and save $$$.


S
Sue M
10/21/2019
We have had a contract with AHS for at least 25 years. Our refrigerator began having cooling issues on 10/27. It is now 10/21/19 and we aren't any closer to a resolution. Every thing we had in our refrigerator and freezer is spoiled. My husband's insulin is no good because it needs to be kept cool. On Saturday we had to go out and purchase a mini refrigerator so he can keep medication safe. Every time we call we get the routine read off from a script company answer. We can never speak to anyone above them they put us on hold for 1/2-3/4 of an hour and come back with a different option. At this time our appointment is set for Thursday. One week later we might get a service call.... Read More


C
Chad p
10/21/2019
Terrible service. We had a hot water tank go bad and was told it would not be covered. This has been going on for over a month! Every time we would call they said someone would call you back within 48 hrs. Not once has anyone called us back.


Michelle R
10/18/2019
Horrible place to do business with. Gave them a CC number next wk sent me an e-mail that I still owed $100.00 gave them another CCard a week later received a bill . Check CC statements nothing showed up so I sent a check they cashed my check and them charged my CCard. I called the BBB. took 3 weeks to get my washer fixed.


Teresa U
10/18/2019
Not sure where you got this rating but not what comments on their fb account reflect and our experiences have been with service. VERY Difficult to get prompt service and they raised their rates over $200 from last year!


niloofarmalaekeh
10/16/2019
They are so badddddddd. DO NOT Have contract with them. They sent me 3 vendors, first vendor told me everything should be changed then he came 4 times to take pictures and measure or ... which I do not know why???they send me another vendor and said the first one can not fix the problem, second vendor told me some screws are missing !!!!!!!!!instead of following up with the first one, they sent me the third one????????? Still calling them everyday to follow up.They are the worst and their representatives are not even in the US!!!!!!???????



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