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American Home Shield Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Excellent)
4,138 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 Do We Rate American Home Shield?

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

Our 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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4138 Customer Comments & Reviews

Loading Reviews ...
J
Jas S
1/2/2017
This is worst company, they simply find reason to deny the coverage.My bath room water pipe broke while cleaning the shower head. reason could be old rusty pipe. they denied the coverage with reason, that we broke it. Terrible....


C
Cynthia C
1/2/2017
Water heater started leaking Christmas Day. Called AHS and had to wait next day which is acceptable coz it's a holiday. It's 30 degrees winter time. Next day the vendor called they said they're very busy they can't come until next day 12/27. That day the vendor came and said they have to order a water heater and will be back tomorrow. Tomorrow came vendor said I have to charge you $625.00 for fees plus $125.00 deductible. WHAT?!?! Fees for construction. What construction? Fees for water damage. What water damage? I have a pan under the water heater. I don't see water damage. I called AHS and report. AHS said it's between myself and the vendor and they said I need to pay the $125.00... Read More


P
P
1/1/2017
In my experience, they are a terrible company with terrible customer service.


K
K
1/1/2017
I think their customer service is terrible. In my experience, you wait on hold almost forever before anyone answers. And, they rejected valid claims. One star is too high.


J
JOHNNIE T
1/1/2017
Contractor arrived in a timely manner; they were clean in appearance. Appeared familiar with appliance which needed repair and proceeded to work on it. The repair was completed quickly. The repair-man was complete in his work and very courteous as he arrived & as he left.


L
LINDA T
1/1/2017
The contractor was very nice and did a great job. He arrived on time and fixed the problem in a timely manner. He cleaned up behind himself. Customer service is always nice and very helpful.


L
LOU A
1/1/2017
He was polite. He explained things so I could understand what the problem was. He was dressed appropriately.


R
Ronald B
1/1/2017
I have always had a great experience with AHS!T The CS has been the best all and the price I pay for repairs is very reasonable. When an item has been repaired multiple times they will ask you if the item needs to be replaced. Contractors are always good, if you have a problem with a contractor let ASH know and they will fix it!


Y
YVETTE G
1/1/2017
My washer problem was very quickly addressed. We only had to pay the deductible. The work was done by professional and skilled people.


R
Robert W
12/29/2016
Hot Water heater blew up! Response was quick; however, repair company while at visit stated one price then when sent to AHS went to $465.00 of additional expense. Due to inflated cost I asked for a cash out; AHS wants me to wait 3-5 days just to provide an amount. Seriously? An answering team uses a matrix to decide what amount they will pay per incident. When I asked the customer supervisor to speak someone in that department; he refused, saying it was against company policy... I simply was requesting an average ballpark figure in order to get a more inexpensive vendor. Is this too much to ask? IT IS WINTER AND HOT WATER IS NOT A LUXURY! The vendors must be held to a higher... Read More



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