American Home Shield
9.0
Overall Score
Average Project Cost: $40 - $60
American Home Shield offers flexible home warranty plans, ranging from $40 to $60 per month, with options to cover major home systems, appliances, or both. With over 50 years of experience, AHS provides reliable protection and a customizable "Build-Your-Own" plan. Customers should note the varying service call fees, starting at $75, and coverage caps that could limit payout amounts on certain repairs.
Author: Kalicia Bateman
Founded in 1971, American Home Shield® pioneered the home warranty industry and is one of the largest providers today, with over 1.7 million customers. The company’s goal is to protect homeowners from unexpected and expensive repair costs for essential home systems and appliances. Affiliated with Frontdoor, a home services company, AHS has built a trusted reputation over the past five decades.
AHS offers flexible plans tailored to various homeowner needs, including a build-your-own plan that allows customers to select the individual systems and appliances they'd like coverage for.
Below, we delve into the pros, cons, plans, and pricing options to give you a comprehensive overview of what American Home Shield offers.
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Pros
Over 50 Years of Experience
American Home Shield has more than 50 years of experience and became the industry founder when it created home warranties back in 1971. American Home Shield now has more than 1.7 million customers and is one of the largest warranty companies in the industry. This long track record assures customers that the company is equipped to handle a wide range of home repair needs.
Discount Programs
In addition to its decades of home warranty experience, American Home Shield offers its customers many money-saving incentives, including:
- Appliance Discount Program: Get access to discounted, Energy Star-certified appliances.
- Air Filter Discounts: Save up to 50% on retail air filters, with the convenience of home delivery.
- Refer a Friend Program: Rewards customers with a $25 Amazon gift card for each friend referred.
Flexible Coverage Options
AHS offers three main coverage plans: ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, and ShieldPlatinum™, designed to cater to different levels of protection. These plans cover major systems, appliances, or a combination of both, giving homeowners the flexibility to choose the coverage that best suits their household.
Build-Your-Own Plan
For homeowners with specific needs, AHS provides a Build-Your-Own Plan, allowing customers to select individual systems and appliances for coverage. This option offers more control over the protection you receive and helps avoid paying for unwanted coverage.
Multiple Service Fee Options
With American Home Shield, customers pay a trade service call fee for a professional to help them with their problem, then fix the system or appliance or replace it. AHS offers three trade service call fee choices—$75, $100, or $125—giving customers the flexibility to balance upfront costs and monthly premiums. Choosing a higher service fee results in lower monthly premiums, while a lower service fee increases your monthly cost.
No Home Inspection Required
Unlike some home warranty providers, AHS does not require a home inspection or maintenance records for enrollment. This simplifies the signup process, especially for homeowners with older systems and appliances, making it easier to secure coverage.
Electronics Coverage
American Home Shield offers an electronics plan, in partnership with Allstate Protection Plans, which covers home electronics like TVs, computers, tablets, smart home devices, and more. This option protects against mechanical and electrical failures, as well as damage from power surges.
Cons
Customer Complaints
Common customer complaints for American Home Shield range from rising warranty prices to bad customer service processes. There have also been complaints regarding the company's network of service technicians handling repairs, with some customers waiting days for a local technician only to have multiple faulty repairs. You can read American Home Shield reviews to find out what else customers have to say about how they think American Home Shield warranty compares to other service providers.
Coverage Caps
Like many home warranty providers, AHS imposes coverage limits on certain systems and appliances. Once these limits are reached, homeowners are responsible for covering any additional repair or replacement costs, which may lead to out-of-pocket expenses.
Lack of Transparent Pricing Information
AHS does not list specific pricing for its plans directly on its website. Potential customers must request a quote to get details on monthly and annual plan costs, which may be inconvenient for those wanting a quick comparison to other home warranty providers.
American Home Shield Plans
American Home Shield offers three flexible plan options - a home systems plan, appliances plan, and a combo plan. These plans are known as the following: ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, and ShieldPlatinum™. A detailed of what each plan covers is as follows:
| Covered Items | ShieldSilver™ Plan | ShieldGold™ Plan | ShieldPlatinum™ Plan |
| Air conditioning | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heating units | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Exhaust, vent, and attic fans | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Breaker and fuse panel box | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Doorbell | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Electrical system | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ceiling fans | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garage door openers | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing system | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Toilets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Faucets and valves | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Whirlpool tubs | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Water heaters | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerators | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Range/cooktops | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Ovens | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dishwashers | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Built-in microwaves | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garbage disposals | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Washers/dryers | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Roof leak coverage | ✔ |
ShieldSilver™ Plan
The ShieldSilver™ Plan is ideal for homeowners looking to protect their home’s major systems from unexpected repairs, but do not necessarily require appliance coverage. The plan covers 14 major home systems:
- Air conditioner
- Heating units
- Ductwork
- Exhaust, vent, and attic fans
- Breaker and fuse panel box
- Doorbell and chimes
- Interior electrical system
- Ceiling fans
- Garage door openers
- Interior plumbing system
- Toilets
- Faucets and valves
- Whirlpool tub motor and components
- Water heaters
ShieldGold™ Plan
The ShieldGold™ Plan is designed for those who need broader coverage, protecting both home systems and appliances. The plan covers all the systems included in the ShieldSilver™ Plan, as well as the following appliances:
- Refrigerators
- Ranges/cooktops
- Ovens
- Dishwashers
- Built-in microwaves
- Garbage disposal
- Instant hot/cold water dispensers
- WashersDryers
ShieldPlatinum™ Plan
The ShieldPlatinum™ plan is ideal for homeowners seeking the highest level of protection, especially for older homes that may have more frequent repair needs. This plans covers all systems included in the ShieldSilver™ and ShieldGold™ plans, as well as the following roof leak coverage:
- Shingles, tiles, and shakes
- Flat, non-metal roofing
- Flashing
- Underlayment
These plans will cover the majority of homeowner needs, but American Home Shield offers add-on coverage for household electronics, as well as pools and spas.
Optional Add-on Coverage
In addition to these three major plans, AHS offers optional add-ons for:
- Pools and spas
- Well pumps
- Septic system pumps
- Guest units under 750 square feet
This allows homeowners to customize their coverage further, depending on their specific needs.
Electronics Plan
A unique coverage option provided by American Home Shield, offered by Allstate Protection Plans, is its electronics coverage plan, protecting any electronics in your home. This offering makes American Home Shield stand out against other home warranty options.
Any new electronic products that you purchase will be automatically covered, if eligible. Some eligible products include the following:
- TVs
- Home theater systems
- Desktop/laptops
- Tablets
- Printers
- Smart Home products
- Headphones
- Video game consoles (including controllers)
Electronics will be covered for mechanical and electrical failures due to normal wear and tear, as well as unprecedented events, such as a power surge.
Real Estate Plans
American Home Shield also provides flexible coverage options for home buyers and sellers, allowing you to shop or sell confidently. The company provides the following plans:
ShieldEssential℠
Covers major home systems:
- Heating and cooling
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Rekey service
ShieldPlus℠
Covers all systems included in the ShieldEssential℠, as well as the following major appliances:
- Kitchen appliances
- Laundry appliances
ShieldComplete℠
Covers all systems included in the ShieldEssential℠ and ShieldPlus℠ plans, as well as some added services:
- Roof leak repair
- One free rekey with no service fee
- Unlimited refrigerant
- Coverage for code violations, permits, and modifications
Each plan is backed by a 30-day workmanship guarantee and each includes special member offers. Real estate agents have the added benefit of the American Home Shield Partner Portal to easily track and manage client home warranty plans.
American Home Shield Pricing
American Home Shield offers competitive pricing, but exact costs are not provided directly on their website. Customers can expect plans to range from $40 to $60 per month, with annual costs between $480 and $720, depending on the selected plan, trade service call fee, and optional add-ons.
Trade Service Call Fee Options
Customers can choose from three trade service call fee options—$75, $100, or $125—allowing flexibility in how much they pay per service visit versus their monthly premium. Opting for a higher service fee lowers the monthly premium, while a lower service fee increases it.
To get exact pricing details, potential customers need to request a quote from AHS based on their location and selected coverage.
American Home Shield Reviews
American Home Shield has garnered over 19,000 customer reviews on BestCompany.com, with 71% of reviews giving AHS 4 or 5 stars. Satisfied customers frequently highlight:
- Timely responses to service requests
- Comprehensive coverage for home systems and appliances
- Helpful and knowledgeable customer service
However, negative reviews mention delays in technician dispatch and dissatisfaction with repairs.
The Bottom Line
American Home Shield is a veteran in the home warranty industry, offering a wide range of flexible coverage options, customizable plans, and a long history of reliable service. Its no home inspection policy and multiple service fee choices give customers flexibility, while its discount programs add value.
That said, potential customers should be aware of reported service delays and review their plan’s coverage caps carefully. For homeowners seeking extensive protection and customization options, AHS remains one of the top choices in the market.
