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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

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A
Amal
4/29/2020
I don’t advise nobody to purchase this Inssurance you pay for stress


slewis4273
4/28/2020
It was the worst experience of service have have EVER had. I would not recommend this company to my worst enemys . Thank you for not helping me and left without a refrigerator. Thank you I will be glad to tell everyone my experience with you it hopes they dont use you .


mjssalama
4/27/2020
My name is samy I have been trying to get someone to help me my refrigerator has been breaking down and everytime I call I get transferred or hung up on. Need help I have to young kids and we cannot go without a working refrigerator


steveimmelcfcp
4/24/2020
Terrible customer service...hour wait time on phone. Read contract closely as they are not as advertised. Those who rate them highly I am suspect of.


williamwatkins3622
4/22/2020
SAVE YOUR MONEY GUYS. All the technicians in their network are afraid of COVID. My heater repair will just have to wait until after the lockdown. How convenient this really is. I don't event want to complain to a supervisor. It is such a disappointment to hope on the AHS service at these times. I am left to wait....


C
CHARLOTTE D
4/22/2020
After 25 years - maybe a handful of service requests....I needed to replace my dishwasher. Original service order was 2/2-/20. First contractor came out and after 3 weeks (March 20-) and numerous calls later he came out and supposedly put in a new part. He turned on dishwasher for 5 minutes, claimed it was repaired and left. Turned on dishwasher next day (Saturday, March 21) and dishwasher did not work. I called AHS on March 24th and was told he would come out again. I saw the service order in my account but no call from contractor and crickets when I tried to reach the company. AHS tried to tell me that to get a second opinion I would have to pay an additional $75.00 service fee.... Read More


abdul.signs
4/21/2020
My hot water leaked on a weekend in the middle of winter. I had to get it fixed fast. AHS had no live agents and the automated system wanted me to pay the deductible with giving me any idea if I would be dispatch an emergency service etc. I would not pay for something without knowing exactly and approximate time of receiving the service. I went ahead and did the job on my own and AHS (even though they asked me to fax the receipts) never responded not any of the managers when I repeatedly left messages. Wait time for all calls were at least 45 mins plus and 80% of the agents did not understand English very well. They start with apologizing profusely and the lines are generally cut when they... Read More


T
Tricia M
4/20/2020
If I could give this company a ZERO I definitely would. I have been a customer since 2004. I have put in a request for 3 broken items on 3/18/2020. The company contracted with Proficient Appliance Repair came out within 48 hours to fix broken items. Ordered parts for 2 items said 1 item needed another company to come out to fix. Lied to you (AHS) about that. Parts were supposedly ordered on 3/21/20. I have called your representative Proficient Appliance repair 6 times number not working and when it was they would not respond. I have called your company 6 different times and have spoken to 8 different "service agents" 3 of which have been "supervisors" I have held on the phone a... Read More


G
Gail J
4/19/2020
You guys were wonderful. Despite this awful Virus, your service people were as considerate and helpful as anyone could possibly expect. Thank you very much.


S
Sam M
4/19/2020
I have been mostly satisfied with the service I have gotten.. It is easy to file a claim online and they keep you informed on who is doing the work and when to expect them. I have been mostly pleased with the service people they have sent. I have only had 2 bad service people in all the years I have been with them. If they send good service people then you will get good service. Overall pretty pleased.



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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