Choice Home Warranty vs American Home Shield

Kalicia Bateman
Kalicia Bateman | Contributor
Both top providers in the industry, Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield are well-known home warranty companies with robust packages and offerings. The two companies are available almost nationwide and offer flexible home warranty plans. 

Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield, although similar in many ways, differ in areas including service fee, annual cost, contract, coverage, industry experience, customer reviews, and more. Keep reading to learn more about Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield and to decide which company is the better option for you. 
Choice Home Warranty logo
#1 Choice Home Warranty
9.4 Overall Score
3.9
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(46,648)
American Home Shield logo
#2 American Home Shield
8.9 Overall Score
4.0
star star star star star_border
(34,895)

Overview

Choice Home Warranty

Number of Plans

2

Service Fee

$85

Contract Options Available

N/A

Home Inspection Required

No

Time in Business

18 Years

American Home Shield

3

$100

Annual

No

55 Years

Ratings

Choice Home Warranty

Overall Score
9.4 of 10
Review Score
3.9
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Value for Money
3.7
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Quality of Product or Service
3.7
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Company Trustworthiness
3.7
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Likely to Recommend
6.6 of 10

American Home Shield

8.9 of 10
4.0
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3.7
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3.8
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3.8
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7.4 of 10

Pros & Cons

Choice Home Warranty

PROS

  • Customizable plans
  • 30-day repair guarantee
  • Transferrable contracts
  • Plans for homeowners and real estate professionals

CONS

  • 2 plan options
  • 30-day waiting period
  • Service fees charges for cancellation

American Home Shield

PROS

  • Monthly and annual payment options
  • Plans for homeowners, realtors, and sellers
  • Transferrable contracts
  • 30-day workmanship guarantee

CONS

  • 30-day waiting period
  • Fee and service costs with cancellation

Reviews

Choice Home Warranty

Number of Reviews
46,648
Review Breakdown
3.9
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1 star
17%
2 star
7%
3 star
10%
4 star
13%
5 star
53%

American Home Shield

34,895
4.0
star star star star star_border
1 star
14%
2 star
6%
3 star
10%
4 star
12%
5 star
59%

Reviews for Choice Home Warranty

Helpful Favorable Review

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Irene Jensen

January 4th, 2025

DETAILS

Edited January 15th, 2026

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Verified Customer

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Review Source

I was referred by a neighbor. My problem with them is that you have no way of speaking to a live person if you have any questions or problems. So far, I have been happy with the referrals for my claims but my main complaint is that you have no way to speak to a live person.

Helpful Critical Review

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Steven

January 14th, 2026

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Verified Customer

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Review Source

I have had a claim in since November 28 it is now January 14 my heat has still not working . First repair person did not show up second repair person could not find parts still cold in the house last night 23°f . Not shure what they are doing but it's not getting my heat repaired.

Reviews for American Home Shield

Helpful Favorable Review

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Julie

January 8th, 2026

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Verified Customer

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Review Source

It is my home warranty, however every time I have a problem it is difficult to get items repaired between AHS and vendor sent. I also do not like Appliance Inc, who is usually who you send. In my experience with them they do not fix the items they are sent out to fix, they only fix part of the problem or none of the problems. They like to fix 1 part vs 3 when there are other parts needed too. Then I have to call back. Not happy with their services on any service call. I have had this plan for over 6 years and they have not been easy to work with for any of my service requests/repairs.

Helpful Critical Review

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Regina

November 19th, 2025

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Verified Customer

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Review Source

I’m so upset over 2 months ago I put in a ticket for my stove, refrigerator and microwave. It took forever for me to get my stove and refrigerator fixed and I’ve never received anything for my microwave. This is the worst to pay for services and get treated like this.

The Final Word

Service Fee (Winner: Choice Home Warranty)
Choice Home Warranty's repair costs are $60 for every service call. American Home Shield charges $75, $100, or $125 for its service fee. You can select which price you want, but it will make the overall price of your home warranty fluctuate. If you choose the cheaper $75 service fee, your home warranty plan will be $180 more expensive when compared to the $125 service fee option.

Even with the flexible service fee options that AHS has, CHW still has cheaper repair costs.

Home Warranty Cost (Winner: Choice Home Warranty)
Although CHW and AHS have similar price points for their warranty plans, CHW has a cheaper service call fee, which makes its overall service cheaper. However, AHS does have cheaper add-on coverage options, which we'll discuss more below.

Contract (Winner: American Home Shield)
American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty both require a one-year service contract. However, AHS offers month-to-month contracts after the first year of coverage, while CHW requires a one-year service contract each time you renew your plan.

Basic Coverage (Winner: Choice Home Warranty)
  • American Home Shield's Combo Plan: $599.88 (based on a $75 service fee)
  • Choice Home Warranty's Combo Plan: $495 (based on a $60 service fee)
Because American Home Shield's basic warranty coverage is separated into a Systems Plan and an Appliances Plan, you cannot have coverage for both unless you choose the Combo Plan or select the individual items you want a la carte. Choice Home Warranty is the better option if you want a prearranged home warranty plan with both major appliances and systems. 

Choice Home Warranty's Basic Plan includes the following:
  • Heating system
  • Electrical system
  • Plumbing system
  • Plumbing stoppage
  • Water heater
  • Whirlpool bathtub
  • Oven/range/stove
  • Cooktop
  • Dishwasher
  • Built-in microwave
  • Garbage disposal
  • Ductwork
  • Garage door opener
  • Ceiling and exhaust fans
American Home Shield offers two basic plans that separate system and appliance coverage. Both basic plans are the same price. The Appliances Plan includes the following items:
  • Refrigerator
  • Range/oven/cooktop
  • Clothes washer
  • Clothes dryer
  • Dishwasher
  • Built-in microwave oven
  • Trash compactor
  • Freestanding ice maker
  • Garage door opener
  • Built-in food center
American Home Shield's Systems Plan warranty covers these items:
  • Air conditioner and ductwork
  • Heating and ductwork
  • Electrical
  • Doorbells 
  • Smoke detectors
  • Ceiling fans
  • Plumbing (including stoppages)
  • Water heater
  • Garbage disposal
  • Instant hot/cold water dispenser
  • Central vacuum
Combo Coverage (Winner: American Home Shield)
  • American Home Shield's Combo Plan: $719.88 (based on a $75 service fee)
  • Choice Home Warranty's Combo Plan: $600 (based on a $60 service fee)
American Home Shield has better combo coverage because it covers the following systems and appliances in its combo plan that Choice Home Warranty does not: doorbells, smoke detectors, instant hot/cold water dispenser, central vacuum, trash compactor, free-standing ice maker, and built-in food center. Also, when comparing AHS's and CHW's combo plans, CHW only has one item that AHS doesn't and that's coverage for a whirlpool bathtub. Unless this is a deal breaker for you, AHS is the better option for combo coverage.

Add-On Coverage Options (Winner: American Home Shield)
When comparing add-on warranty coverage options, American Home Shield offers the better price on each of these three items:
  • Pool and spa (AHS charges $159.96 per year; CHW charges $180)
  • Septic pump (AHS charges $30 per year; CHW charges $40)
  • Well pump (AHS charges $84.96 per year; CHW charges $100)
Time in Business (Winner: American Home Shield)
American Home Shield is the founder of the home warranty industry and has been in business since 1971. Choice Home Warranty has only been in business for a little over a decade since its founding in 2008. If you prefer the company with the most industry experience, American Home Shield is the best option.
 
Licensed Contractors (Winner: Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield)
Both Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield provide licensed contractors. This means customers won't have to find their own contractors for a repair, which can be a benefit or a drawback depending on how thoroughly a warranty company's contractors are vetted. Both warranty companies seem to take vetting their technicians seriously.
 
24/7 Claims Service (Winner: Choice Home Warrant and American Home Shield)
Choice Home Warranty covers claim requests 24/7 through their phone support. The company's website also allows you to fill out the contact form to reach a representative. American Home Shield also allows 24/7 calls and online claim filing. Not every warranty company has 24/7 customer service, and this is a benefit for customers who need a repair as soon as possible.

Customer Reviews (Winner: Choice Home Warranty)
Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield are similar when it comes to customer feedback. Both warranty companies have average star ratings with many positive thoughts as well as negative. However, Choice Home Warranty does have an overall higher star-rating from consumers when compared to American Home Shield. Choice Home Warranty ranks highest in regards to value for your money and customer service, while American Home Shield ranks highest for value for your money and ranks lowest in customer service and company trustworthiness.

Choice Home Warranty vs American Home Shield: Which is the Better Option?
Both Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield are service providers with robust home warranty plans at affordable price points. When deciding which company is best for you, it depends on what you're looking for. If you want a basic home warranty plan that covers both major systems and appliances at an affordable price, Choice Home Warranty is your better option. In comparison, if you want a home warranty plan for only select systems or only select appliances, American Home Shield is the better choice since it has a basic plan exclusively for both.

If you're looking for a combo plan with the most coverage and you don't mind paying a little more, American Home Shield is better for you. Although AHS's combo plan is pricier than CHW's, AHS offers coverage for a few additional items that Choice Home Warranty does not, making its coverage more extensive.

Overall, Choice Home Warranty wins in these areas: service fee price, warranty cost, basic coverage options, and customer reviews. 

American Home Shield wins in these areas: contract length, combo coverage, add-on coverage, and industry experience.

Top Choice

Choice Home Warranty Logo
Choice Home Warranty

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