Our Take on American Home Shield
The MarketWatch Guides team rated American Home Shield 4.6 out of 5 stars based on our methodology. One of the longest-standing home warranty providers in the country with over 50 years of experience, American Home Shield offers higher coverage limits than some other companies. It extends $5,000 in coverage for HVAC systems, and up to $4,000 for appliances. These ceilings are higher than those of other providers, many of which cap annual coverage at $1,000 or less.
AHS policies also have a range of benefits and inclusions not found with some other providers. For example, the ShieldPlatinum plan includes $1,000 in roof leak coverage, a protection most other providers offer as an add-on at an extra cost. AHS also includes rekeying services and an annual tune-up for your HVAC system in its highest coverage tier.
While its policies have some of the highest limits on the market, American Home Shield also charges higher-than-average prices. Our analysis of customer reviews, however, pointed to complaints about response quality and denied claims. Still, we recommend getting a quote to compare coverage and rates against other home warranty companies.
How American Home Shield Scored in Our Methodology
Based on our team’s analysis of American Home Shield, the company earned 4.6 out of 5 stars. Notably, the company scored highly for its customer service and nearly nationwide availability.
American Home Shield Cost and Coverage
In our review, our team of secret shoppers determined that AHS’s quote process is above average. To claim an estimate, you must enter your address, email and phone number. You will get redirected to a plan comparison page, which lists all inclusions found on each plan compared against coverages on other policies. AHS also lays out specific components to better clarify coverage for each system and appliance.
AHS offers three plans in most parts of the U.S. — ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum.
- ShieldSilver ($30-$70): Covers major systems, including air conditioners, heating units, ductwork, built-in exhaust, vent and attic fans, main breaker and the fuse panel box, doorbells, interior electrical lines, ceiling fans, garage door openers, interior plumbing lines, toilets, faucets and valves, whirlpool tub motors and components, water heaters and rekeying services for up to six keyholes
- ShieldGold ($60-$90): Covers all components under the ShieldSilver plan, plus refrigerators, ranges and cooktops, ovens, dishwashers, built-in microwaves, garbage disposals, instant hot and cold water dispensers, and clothes washers and dryers
- ShieldPlatinum ($80-$120): Covers the same appliances and systems as the above plans with higher coverage limits, plus unlimited annual refrigerant, roof leak repairs up to $1,000 and code violations up to $250
The table below summarizes inclusions and pricing on each of American Home Shield’s major plan choices.
Add-On Options
AHS has five optional coverages, fewer than most competitors. You can add coverage for the following items to any of AHS’s three base plans for an extra monthly cost.
Types of Covered Damages and Perils
American Home Shield’s service contracts list the company’s main responsibility as covering damage associated with normal wear and tear on certain appliances and systems. If you can pinpoint a definable event as the cause of the breakdown — such as a fire or burglary — you will not get coverage. A technician will diagnose your broken system or appliance and determine coverage eligibility.
Policies also include coverage for damage resulting from:
- Improper installation or repair (not included for HVAC systems)
- Insufficient maintenance
- Rust, sediment and corrosion
Coverage Exclusions and Limitations
American Home Shield’s contract lines out a number of items excluded under coverage, including the following:
- Parts of your home that you use for commercial purposes
- Breakdowns caused by misuse, abuse, hacking, vandalism or physical damage Breakdowns caused by environmental events
- Breakdowns covered by other third-party warranties or insurance
- Damage caused by people, pests and pets
- Cosmetic defects
- Costs of construction- and carpentry-related to home modifications
- Costs of cranes, scaffolding or non-industry-standard equipment needed for repairs
- Costs related to hazardous materials, waste, mold, mildew or similar conditions
- Damage due to neglect or a lack of annual maintenance
- Features not contributing to a covered item’s primary function
- Flues, chimneys, fireplaces and exhaust lines
- Certain shared systems and appliances in multi-residential buildings
- Known pre-existing breakdowns
- Radon mitigation systems
- Secondary costs or damages resulting from breakdowns
- Smart home systems and features
AHS lists these exclusions, which are generally standard across the industry, in more extensive detail than other home warranty providers we’ve reviewed. Individual appliances and systems also each contain a list of excluded components.
You can review a full sample contract for your state to learn more about American Home Shield’s coverage exclusions and limitations.
How Much Does American Home Shield Cost?
American Home Shield cost ranges from $43-$97 depending on the coverage you select based on sample quotes we obtained from the company’s website. We calculated averages by collecting quotes from 50 U.S. states and then determining the mean price.
- ShieldSilver: $43
- ShieldGold: $67
- ShieldPlatinum: $97
The company also charges a $100 or $125 service fee each time you use your plan. Customers can choose their preferred rate at policy signup. AHS’s monthly premiums, notably for higher coverage tiers, and service fees are slightly more expensive than the industry average.
The graph below compares AHS’s premiums to other top home warranty competitors.
How to Save Money on American Home Shield Policies
One of the perks of being an AHS policyholder is the range of other home service benefits the company offers. Some discounts packaged alongside its home warranty policies include:
- Discounts of up to 50% on HVAC system upgrades
- Discounted HVAC tune-up services (one tune-up included free with ShieldPlatinum plans)
- Discounted professional installation services for faucets and other interior plumbing fixtures
- Discounts on professional installation for smart door locks, thermostats, security cameras and other home safety electronics
American Home Shield Sign-Up Process
Getting started with American Home Shield is simple based on our experience. You can start by visiting its website and entering your home address and contact information to view pricing in your area. You’ll get redirected to a comparison page that lets you see which items and components each policy covers.
The purchase screen makes it easy to see appliances and systems that AHS covers and what components are excluded. This transparency is better than with some other home warranty providers we’ve reviewed that only disclose exclusion information in fine print on contracts.
After selecting your plan, you can choose add-ons. American Home Shield has five optional coverages, less than some other home warranty providers such as Liberty Home Guard. However, the company’s add-on buying process is straightforward, listing coverage inclusions and information directly alongside pricing.
On the downside, AHS does not link a sample contract at any point during the buying process, although you can still find these documents on the company’s website.
How To File a Claim with American Home Shield
To file a claim with AHS, you can follow these steps:
- Contact the company: Reach out to American Home Shield as soon as you notice a problem with an item covered by your policy. You can contact the company 24/7 by calling 800-776-4663. You will have to provide details about the issue and information about the item over the phone, such as brand, model number and location.
- Understand your rights and obligations: Familiarize yourself with your plan agreement to know your rights and obligations, and understand the systems and appliances covered under your policy. This can help in estimating if you will owe any out-of-pocket expenses for a repair.
- Pay your service fee: Before any service starts, you must pay your service fee. You can do so online or by calling the customer service number listed in the first step.
- Schedule a service appointment: After paying the service fee, AHS should contact a contractor within 48 hours to schedule a diagnostic appointment. The appointment may occur via interactive video or on-site during weekday business hours. Additional fees may apply if you request service outside these hours or on holidays. While AHS will typically select and send a technician for you, the company must approve other contractors or repair persons in writing. If you use unauthorized personnel, AHS will not reimburse any costs, even for repairs on a covered breakdown.
- Coverage decision: AHS will review the diagnosis information from the service contractor. If a covered breakdown is confirmed, the company will authorize the service contractor to proceed with repair or replacement. Some repairs may require multiple appointments, which AHS will arrange on your behalf. The company should cover the cost up to your annual limit and take into account any other plan parameters.
Note that customers who posted negative online reviews on Trustpilot expressed frustrations with AHS’s claims process. Some customers claimed AHS accepted a service fee only to wait weeks or months to confirm an appointment for a technician. Others claimed they were improperly denied coverage due to fine print or intentionally obscure language in their contract. Our team reached out to American Home Shield for comment on its claims process but did not receive a response.
We recommend reading your full home service contract before enrolling in coverage to ensure you understand the value of your plan.
American Home Shield Reviews
Reading third-party reviews can help you find reputable home warranty providers in your area. Our team read dozens of reviews on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to identify themes in what customers like and dislike about American Home Shield.
What Customers Like
- Customer service representatives: Reviews of AHS’s customer service and sales team are largely positive, with many customers praising the efficiency and knowledge of the company’s reps.
- Affordable pricing: While AHS’s policies are more expensive than the national average, some customers on the BBB and Trustpilot reported lower rates in their area.
- Skilled contractors: While AHS’s contractor network generated mixed reviews, some customers had positive experiences, reporting that contractors arrived promptly and offered a quick repair.
What Customers Don’t Like
- Denied claims: A common complaint against AHS based on our analysis of its BBB profile was denied claims. Multiple customers said they had more than one repair claim denied by AHS.
- Slow response times: Some customers also expressed frustration with delayed repairs. Some customers claimed they went up to 14 days with no repair scheduled.
- Repair issues: A few reviewers mentioned that after sending a technician to their home, AHS technicians delivered a less-than-satisfactory repair that resulted in subsequent breakdowns.
- Component limitations: Some customers expressed frustration with American Home Shield’s policy terms, which limit some crucial components from coverage.
We reached out to American Home Shield for comment on its negative reviews but did not receive a response.
Compare American Home Shield to Other Home Warranty Companies
American Home Shield is not the only home warranty policy provider on the market. Explore the following top competitors and how each company compares to AHS using the table below.
