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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 ...
lachellebell21
2/5/2020
This warranty company is a joke. I have been trying since October of 2019 to get my dryer repaired. The repair man came to my house several times. Each time the dryer worked for maybe a week than quit working. They proceeded to charge me 75.00 for each call. I called again in Dec. to complain about the charge which I was assured it was removed and told if the dryer couldn't be fixed it would be replaced and as many times as they had been out, it should be replaced. The technician came again just before Christmas assuring us he would be back before Christmas to fix it, however after several calls to him and customer service he finally returned and "fixed" the dryer. It is now February 5th... Read More


D
Diane W
2/4/2020
We have been so pleased with AHS. They’ve been awesome to work with, responsive to our needs, and replacing items if not fixable!! We recommend AHS to everyone!!


Odell S
2/4/2020
Be very mindful of the companies AHS sends to provide you service; because, this company contracts subpar companies to do work. Recently I call AHS and requested service for my shower faucet that had malfunctioned and could not be turned off. Unfortunately, the shower does not have its own shut off and I was forced to turn the water off for my entire house. I looked the plumbing company up on the internet they assigned me and it had a review rating of 1 from several customers of AHS. When I call AHS back, I was told their system assigned the company and that it could not be changed. The person I talked basically said, the reviews weren’t right. I insisted they contract another more... Read More


vic.rios.vr
2/4/2020
This is a racket. Call for a claim and you get the Philippines. They may speak English but they don't understand it. No matter what you say they will say its covered, take your $100 deductible and then deny your claim and keep your $100. One example: my garage door spring broke. Contract says everything is covered but the door and tracks. I thought excellent. I called, yes its covered and they even sent a tech and they denied the claim when he was there. According to them the spring is part of the door and hence is not covered. The door and the spring don't even touch, when did they become one? With that reasoning aren't the tracks part of the door? but they were specifically excluded!... Read More


J
Jo T
2/3/2020
recently had A.C replaced. installer without my permission cut a hole in my wall for an air vent. They did not use the existing air ducts. there was nothing wrong with those vents they worked for 35 years and are in 96 units. The installer has given no reason for not using existing vents. the replacement AC was the same capacity as the original. i have been in contact with one of your representatives and they were of no help. As i explained in statement of facts. The inspector told the on site manager the installation failed and it should have. Then the manager received a call that it had passed. There was no explanation nothing changed from the original inspection. . I am very unhappy... Read More


Janene C
1/29/2020
JC Acworth, Georgia January 29, 2020 I've been an American Home Shield Customer for approx. 15 yrs. In the past I've had really good service. Unfortunately, the most recent service call for a Plumber was beyond disgraceful. The "person" comes to my home cuts out huge hole in my garage drywall . Moreover, this Plumber claims he couldn't find where the link was coming from. Therefore he writes out a one line possible leak problem "There is a possible slab leak or pipe leak will need further diagnosis". Thus, Plumber then hands me the "Estimate yellow copy". Then Plumber leaves my home without really saying what the next step for him would be, He does call up another guy... Read More


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Odell S
1/29/2020
This warrant has already paid for itself. I am very pleased with this company. I would definitely recommend this company.


diamentm
1/29/2020
The technician came and didn't fix anything! He says that in order to fix the A/C heating by connecting the cables to the thermostat, he first needed AHS’s approval. The technician left. AHS did’t refund the $75. Nobody was helpful. AHS doesn’t care for its clients. I won’t recommend AHD to anyone.


rmvogel
1/29/2020
i fell for the outstanding ratings this company has received, and purchased a contract from it to provide service for my kitchen appliances.my 5 year samsung refrigerator has been fine until this past november water was collecting in the bottom pantry drawer.i called for service, and paid a $125.00 service fee.an almost non-english speaking technician arrived, pulled out the filter, and indicated it wasn't installed properly.he pushed it back in,and left.i still have the same problem.i have called american home two times since, and was told they would send a "senior" technician out.to date.NOTHING.i discovered that they use local businesses to perform the service.i think the local service... Read More


esailes3
1/26/2020
I've been a customer for years and and have been satisfied with their service providers the whole time. Outstanding customer service.



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