TotalProtect vs American Home Shield
American Home Shield and TotalProtect are both home warranty companies with a variety of home warranty plans and coverage options. The companies have decades of experience in the home warranty industry and have much to offer consumers. However, aside from these similarities, American Home Shield and TotalProtect differ in many areas.
American Home Shield is a pioneer of the industry and has been a leader since its founding in 1971. TotalProtect is newer to the industry and has only been in business since 1998. Is time in business a determining factor when you're deciding who you trust to do business with?
Cost is another important factor when comparing the two companies, and although they have similar price points, they still differ in customization. American Home Shield offers a flexible trade service fee and monthly fee, while TotalProtect has set prices you cannot negotiate. AHS also has a flexible month-to-month contract after the first year of service, but TotalProtect's contract remains the same regardless of how many years you have home warranty coverage with the company. Are cost and contract flexibility important to you, or are you okay with set requirements?
When comparing Total Protect vs American Home Shield, also consider if you want the option to build your own coverage. TotalProtect offers select items you can add on to your current plan, but the company does not allow you to completely customize and create your own plan from scratch. American Home Shield, however, does. You can pick and choose any major appliances and systems you want coverage for and only pay for the exact items you want. Is building your own plan important to you, or are you willing to have less customized coverage for a cheaper price point? TotalProtect does have a cheaper Basic Plan, but it may not include everything you want, and you don't have much room to customize.
These are all details to consider when comparing TotalProtect vs. American Home Shield. We've broken each of these points down below in addition to many other noteworthy differences you'll want to take a look at before deciding between the two companies.
American Home Shield is a pioneer of the industry and has been a leader since its founding in 1971. TotalProtect is newer to the industry and has only been in business since 1998. Is time in business a determining factor when you're deciding who you trust to do business with?
Cost is another important factor when comparing the two companies, and although they have similar price points, they still differ in customization. American Home Shield offers a flexible trade service fee and monthly fee, while TotalProtect has set prices you cannot negotiate. AHS also has a flexible month-to-month contract after the first year of service, but TotalProtect's contract remains the same regardless of how many years you have home warranty coverage with the company. Are cost and contract flexibility important to you, or are you okay with set requirements?
When comparing Total Protect vs American Home Shield, also consider if you want the option to build your own coverage. TotalProtect offers select items you can add on to your current plan, but the company does not allow you to completely customize and create your own plan from scratch. American Home Shield, however, does. You can pick and choose any major appliances and systems you want coverage for and only pay for the exact items you want. Is building your own plan important to you, or are you willing to have less customized coverage for a cheaper price point? TotalProtect does have a cheaper Basic Plan, but it may not include everything you want, and you don't have much room to customize.
These are all details to consider when comparing TotalProtect vs. American Home Shield. We've broken each of these points down below in addition to many other noteworthy differences you'll want to take a look at before deciding between the two companies.
Overview
TotalProtect
Number of Plans
N/A
Service Fee
$125
Contract Options Available
N/A
Home Inspection Required
N/A
Time in Business
Undisclosed
American Home Shield
Number of Plans
3
Service Fee
$100
Contract Options Available
Annual
Home Inspection Required
No
Time in Business
53 Years
Ratings
TotalProtect
Overall Score
3.3
of 10
Review Score
1.3
Value for Money
1.5
Quality of Product or Service
1.3
Company Trustworthiness
1.3
Likely to Recommend
0.7
of 10
American Home Shield
Overall Score
9.0
of 10
Review Score
3.3
Value for Money
3.7
Quality of Product or Service
3.8
Company Trustworthiness
3.8
Likely to Recommend
7.4
of 10
Reviews
TotalProtect
Number of Reviews
35
Review Breakdown
1.3
1
star
91%
2
star
0%
3
star
0%
4
star
3%
5
star
6%
Reviews
American Home Shield
Number of Reviews
34,465
Review Breakdown
3.3
1
star
14%
2
star
6%
3
star
10%
4
star
12%
5
star
59%
Reviews for TotalProtect
Helpful Favorable Review
Cassie Banuelos
July 5th, 2022
Clearwater, FL
Review Source
Totalprotect was very responsive to my calls and was always able to answer my questions. The only thing I disliked about them was the business they were contracted with were not very reliable and were hard to get ahold of.
Helpful Critical Review
Oscar Gonzalez
July 20th, 2022
Gainesville, FL
DETAILS
Absolute worst warranty plan!!!!!! if there was a 0 star, then still wont not recieve that. Stay away from these people, cant understand the agent, they must be out sourced over seas. I was on hold twice for 60 minutes, then nothing was resolved. Stay away!!! I have this warranty plan for 10 years, They don't want to cover your appliances unless it fits there criteria. How convenient... insurance scams!!
Reviews for American Home Shield
Helpful Favorable Review
Alex Nasjletti
December 3rd, 2024
DETAILS
Verified Customer
Review Source
After almost 10 years of service, AHS stepped up to cover repairs on my AC condenser and Boiler work that happened to come one season after another and left a perfectly working system in each case. Very happy we had AHS and they had our back to bring our systems back online in a professional manner. No questions asked.
Helpful Critical Review
Marire Murawski
December 9th, 2024
American Home Shield, has truly gone to crap, a real waste of money! We have been without a refrigerator for two months now! They stated they would be out today 12/09/2024 between 8-12pm then it was pushed out until 3pm and now 3:46pm. My husband has missed work for this reason. They should start compensating my husband for missed work. It is ridiculous to leave a family without a refrigerator for two months. WTH another company that has gone to crap!
The Final Word
Service Fee (Winner: American Home Shield)
American Home Shield has a flexible service fee that varies depending on if you prefer a lower monthly fee or a lower service fee. This gives customers a say in how much they want to pay in out-of-pocket expenses, specifically repair fees. You have the choice between a $75, $100, or $125 service fee. If you choose the cheaper service fee, your warranty plan will increase in price, whereas if you select the more expensive service fee, your plan will decrease in price. Having flexibility enables you to either pay more in upfront repair costs when you make a service claim or pay more each month on your monthly bill.
TotalProtect requires a $125 service fee for all of its packages, making its offering less flexible and more expensive than American Home Shield's.
Home Warranty Cost (Winner: American Home Shield )
TotalProtect and American Home Shield have similar price points for most of their home warranty plans. However, American Home Shield offers a flexible service fee, which may be a deal breaker. If you want the choice between a cheaper monthly fee or a cheaper service fee, we suggest going with American Home Shield.
Contract (Winner: American Home Shield)
American Home Shield and TotalProtect require one-year contracts for their warranty services. However, if you renew your AHS warranty after one year, the company will offer you a month-to-month contract option. If you want a more flexible contract and plan to keep your home warranty for more than one year, American Home Shield is your better option.
Basic Coverage (Winner: TotalProtect)
American Home Shield has a flexible service fee that varies depending on if you prefer a lower monthly fee or a lower service fee. This gives customers a say in how much they want to pay in out-of-pocket expenses, specifically repair fees. You have the choice between a $75, $100, or $125 service fee. If you choose the cheaper service fee, your warranty plan will increase in price, whereas if you select the more expensive service fee, your plan will decrease in price. Having flexibility enables you to either pay more in upfront repair costs when you make a service claim or pay more each month on your monthly bill.
TotalProtect requires a $125 service fee for all of its packages, making its offering less flexible and more expensive than American Home Shield's.
Home Warranty Cost (Winner: American Home Shield )
TotalProtect and American Home Shield have similar price points for most of their home warranty plans. However, American Home Shield offers a flexible service fee, which may be a deal breaker. If you want the choice between a cheaper monthly fee or a cheaper service fee, we suggest going with American Home Shield.
Contract (Winner: American Home Shield)
American Home Shield and TotalProtect require one-year contracts for their warranty services. However, if you renew your AHS warranty after one year, the company will offer you a month-to-month contract option. If you want a more flexible contract and plan to keep your home warranty for more than one year, American Home Shield is your better option.
Basic Coverage (Winner: TotalProtect)
- American Home Shield's Basic Plan: $419.88 per year (based on a $125 service fee)
- TotalProtect's Basic Plan: $383.40–$491.40 per year (based on a $125 service fee)
American Home Shield and TotalProtect both separate their basic coverage into two separate plans: a Systems Plan and an Appliances Plan. TotalProtect's Appliances Plan is about $36 cheaper than AHS's. However, American Home Shield's plan includes coverage for a freestanding ice maker, a garage door opener, and a built-in food center, which TotalProtect's plan does not. If you're looking for more extensive coverage, American Home Shield is the better option. If you're looking for the cheaper price point, TotalProtect is the better choice.
TotalProtect's Appliances Plan ($383.40 per year) includes the following:
TotalProtect's Appliances Plan ($383.40 per year) includes the following:
- Unknown pre-existing condition coverage
- Refrigerator with built-in ice and water dispenser
- Cooktop/range
- Built-in wall unit oven
- Range exhaust hood
- Built-in microwave
- Built-in trash compactor
- Built-in dishwasher
- Clothes washer
- Clothes dryer
American Home Shield's Appliances Plan ($419.88 per year) includes the following:
- 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
TotalProtect's Systems Plan ($491.40 per year) warranty covers these items:
- Unknown pre-existing condition coverage
- Garbage disposal
- Air conditioning (two units)
- Heating system (two units)
- Water heater
- Toilets
- Plumbing lines
- Plumbing stoppages
- Sump pump
- Whirlpool bath
- Attic/Whole house fan
- Central vacuum
- Doorbells and chimes
- Garage door opener
- Smoke detectors
- Main breaker/fuse panel box
- Interior electrical lines
- Interior gas line
American Home Shield's Systems Plan ($419.88 per year) 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: $539.88 per year (based on a $125 service fee)
- TotalProtect's Combo Plan: $635.40 per year (based on a $125 service fee)
TotalProtect's Combo Plan includes the following items that American Home Shield's Combo Plan does not: toilets, sump pumps (AHS offers this as add-on coverage for $30 per year), whirlpool baths, and interior gas lines. However, American Home Shield offers coverage for a built-in food center, which TotalProtect does not.
American Home Shield's cost for combo coverage is nearly $100 cheaper than TotalProtect's. If you don't mind the few missing items on the company's combo coverage, American Home Shield is definitely the better home warranty for you, especially if you're looking for the cheaper price point.
Add-On Coverage Options (Winner: American Home Shield)
TotalProtect only lists optional pool and spa coverage as add-on coverage, and there is no price available, so it is unclear what the homeowner will need to pay for this additional coverage. American Home Shield, on the other hand, offers a variety of add-ons, including coverage for pools and spas ($159.96 per year for pool only), well pumps ($84.96 per year), septic pumps ($30 per year), a guest unit ($179.88 per year), and an electronic extended warranty ($216 per year).
Build-Your-Own Coverage (Winner: American Home Shield)
Many homeowners want the option to create their own coverage plan rather than select from premade plans. Build-your-own packages give you the option to only include the select systems and appliances you want coverage for. American Home Shield offers a build-your-own plan that allows you to hand-select any of its offered items, and if you do this on AHS's website, it will show you your monthly total in real-time as you add on more items. This makes pricing transparent and gives you a better idea of whether or not building your own plan is the better option than picking a premade warranty plan.
TotalProtect does not offer a build-your-own package option and only provides its three premade plans.
American Home Shield's cost for combo coverage is nearly $100 cheaper than TotalProtect's. If you don't mind the few missing items on the company's combo coverage, American Home Shield is definitely the better home warranty for you, especially if you're looking for the cheaper price point.
Add-On Coverage Options (Winner: American Home Shield)
TotalProtect only lists optional pool and spa coverage as add-on coverage, and there is no price available, so it is unclear what the homeowner will need to pay for this additional coverage. American Home Shield, on the other hand, offers a variety of add-ons, including coverage for pools and spas ($159.96 per year for pool only), well pumps ($84.96 per year), septic pumps ($30 per year), a guest unit ($179.88 per year), and an electronic extended warranty ($216 per year).
Build-Your-Own Coverage (Winner: American Home Shield)
Many homeowners want the option to create their own coverage plan rather than select from premade plans. Build-your-own packages give you the option to only include the select systems and appliances you want coverage for. American Home Shield offers a build-your-own plan that allows you to hand-select any of its offered items, and if you do this on AHS's website, it will show you your monthly total in real-time as you add on more items. This makes pricing transparent and gives you a better idea of whether or not building your own plan is the better option than picking a premade warranty plan.
TotalProtect does not offer a build-your-own package option and only provides its three premade plans.
Pre-Existing Condition Coverage (Winner: TotalProtect)
Unlike most home warranty companies, TotalProtect offers coverage for pre-existing conditions. This means that the company will repair or replace systems and appliances even if they malfunctioned or failed previous to you purchasing home warranty coverage.
American Home Shield does not offer coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Licensed Contractors (Winner: American Home Shield and TotalProtect)
Both American Home Shield and TotalProtect have licensed and qualified contractors to take care of your appliance repair and replacement claims. You don't have to worry about finding your own service technicians and doing added research. Both companies provide a trusted network of workers.
Customer Benefits (Winner: TotalProtect)
If you purchase DuPontTM or Arm & Hammer® air filters, AHS will give you up to a 50 percent discount. The company also offers a refer-a-friend discount that gives you a $25 Amazon gift card when your referred person signs up for an AHS home warranty.
TotalProtect offers a 180-day Workmanship Guarantee for all of its customers. This guarantees TotalProtect's work for six months. The company also does not charge customers for their first month of service, making the warranty completely free until the second month. All of TotalProtect's warranty plans are eligible for a free month of service.
Time in Business (Winner: American Home Shield)
American Home Shield has been a leader in the home warranty industry since 1971. It is one of the most well-known home warranty providers out there. TotalProtect is a part of the Cross Country Group and has only been in business since 1998. If you're looking for the company with the most experience, American Home Shield is your best option.
Customer Reviews (Winner: American Home Shield)
TotalProtect has a low star rating from consumers on BestCompany.com. Common complaints include poor customer service, expensive prices, hidden fees, and lengthy wait times. American Home Shield has a lower star rating from consumers as well, but customer satisfaction it is better with AHS than with TotalProtect.
TotalProtect vs American Home Shield: Which is the Better Option?
TotalProtect is on par with American Home Shield in that it has licensed contractors, additional customer benefits, extensive warranty coverage, and reasonable prices. However, American Home Shield is the better option overall when considering its other offerings. American Home Shield has a flexible service fee and a contract, a cheaper Systems Plan and Combo Plan, a customizable build-your-own plan, more add-on coverage items, more experience in the industry, and better customer reviews compared to TotalProtect.
