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American Home Shield Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Excellent)
4,124 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 is American Home Shield rated?

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

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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4124 Customer Comments & Reviews

Loading Reviews ...
Bob L
8/9/2017
Did a good job but we do not have local service providers approved by AHS. It then takes time to find a provider and get them "approved" for the service. Time on the phone is long. Maybe a special number?

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Bob, We sincerely apologize for the wait time and the issues that you have experienced with your services. We appreciate the feedback that you have offered and if you have any issues that we can assist you with, please email your property address and phone number to social@ahslink.com, attention, "Consumers Advocate", Thanks

L
leslie
8/8/2017
Prompt service, knowledgeable technicians, easy to submit using web site.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Wonderful feedback. Thanks Leslie!

J
J C
8/8/2017
The process to get anything fixed takes forever and anytime you need to call AHS with an issue that can't be resolved online, the hold time is over 1 hour. When you do get through, the representatives never know any answers and promise to call you back with information but they never do. I've had at least 6 representatives over the past 6 weeks promise to call, I haven't received a single call back. Terrible service, terrible contracted companies for repairs, my AC still isn't fixed after 6 weeks of fighting for service and repairs. DO NOT CHOOSE AHS.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello, We would like to apologize for the inconveniences that you have experienced with your services. I would like to reach out to you to see how we can resolve this matter that you have made us aware of. Please provide your contract number or property address to us by emailing social@ahslink.com, attention, "Consumers Advocate" I will be in contact with you. Thanks

J
jimmy
8/8/2017
I have requested service on my central air condition on 31 Jul 2017 and total air care came out on 02 Aug to service and found that it had a leak. I had to call back for a recall on 04 Aug 2017 and they came out on 08 Aug 2017 to tell me i still have a leak. I have not gotten a resolution/repair to this situation and its been 7 DAYS with NO AIR CONDITION and 2 service call of wasted time. TERRIBLE SERVICE!!!

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Jimmy, If you can provide your contract number or property address and phone number to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", we will follow up with you regarding this matter. Thanks

Michael M
8/8/2017
I'm disappointed that I could not get my water heater replaced for the $75 fee. The plumber/service provider quoted another $475 to replace the water heater for the modifications. The modifications we're not required. I believe AHS should vette their service providers to about such instances. I had another plumber install the water heater for less than half the price.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Michael, I would like to look into this matter. If you email your information to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate", we will be in contact with you regarding this issue.

L
Lacey
8/8/2017
American Home Shield has the WORST customer service and I do not recommend anyone purchase a home warranty from them!!! The compressor in our air conditioning went out over a week ago. We have newborn twins at home and it has been over 100 degrees outside for the past week and we still have no air conditioning!! The multiple times I have called customer service, it has been over an hour wait to speak with a representative. We were told last week it would be Thursday or Friday before they part was delivered to the local contractor for installation. As of yesterday, still no compressor so I attempt to call AHS back one more time. After waiting on hold for an hour, I was hung up on so... Read More

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Lacey, We would like to reach out to you regarding this matter. Please provide your contract number or property address and phone number to us by emailing social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate" and we will be in contact with you. Thanks

Earline W
8/8/2017
I was billed for the third visit by the same plumbing company in two months. AHS customer service was so patient and immediately found the problem to be that a new contract was issued in the midst of these two months. She had it corrected in no time and was so pleasant during the whole call.

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hi Earline, I am happy that we would resolve the matter for you. Thanks for the great feedback.

G
Gloria D
8/8/2017
Doesn't care about anything but your money!!!!!! My refrigerator would still be broken if I hadn't contacted an outside contractor. AHS didn't even contact me concerning my repair that was needed..

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Gloria, We are sorry to hear about this situation. We would like to reach out to you regarding this matter. If you provide your property address and phone number to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate" and we will follow up with you. Thanks

Bev M
8/8/2017
I am very unhappy with Appliance Repair Experts! (Phone 760-6604666). They came out 2 weeks ago to repair my washing machine. The tech determined that it was the electrical board and said the office would be ordering one for my machine. They called on July 31 to say the part was ordered and they would call when it came in. They called on August 4th to say the part was in and a tech would install on August 8th. The tech came out and said it was never ordered and that he had to remove my electrical board and send it in to be repaired. This will probably take 2 more weeks. Ugh!!!! No washer for a month. I called the company and they said that they were sorry for the mixup. You should... Read More

AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Hello Bev, We would like to offer our assistance regarding this matter. Please email your contract number or property address and phone number to social@ahslink.com, attention "Consumers Advocate" and we will be in touch with you regarding this matter. Thanks

L
Lisa W
8/8/2017
American Home Shield provides excellent, quality service. The vendors with whom they work are timely and efficient. I've been an AHS customer for nearly eight years and I anticipate continuing that relationship indefinitely.

A
AHS A  
Official Response

Company Rep of American Home Shield
Thanks for the great feedback Lisa.


Top Rated
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  • Plans & pricing to fit every budget
  • No age limit on systems & appliances
  • No inspection or maintenance records required
  • If a covered item can’t be repaired, they replace it
  • 30-day workmanship guarantee