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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 ...
charletterasberry
7/17/2019
American Home Shield is one of the worst Home Warranty (AHS) Company I have ever been with. My refrigeration/freezer stop working July 16, 2019 around 7:30am. I called to inform AHS that my situation was considered an emergency because I'm a disabled Veteran who have medication that must stay in the refrigerator at a certain temperature at all time, if t not my medication will not be good for use anymore. This is medication that I have to use on a daily basis; however, AHS stated that my situation was not considered an emergency and they would see if they could get one of their contractors (Matrix Appliances) to call me to make an appointment. Today is July 17, 2019 and I still have not... Read More


K
Ken. P
7/14/2019
The worst company in the US to deal with. The ONLY time you will ever speak to a person whose first language is English is when you sign up. Their service contractors are a joke and after 4 service calls at $150.00 each visit nothing was repaired. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY OR TIME.


katiejocronin
7/14/2019
don't waste your money, they will keep taking it! Everytime I called in my payment, they would take out more the next day. When I called them about it, they had no clue about these transactions and where my money was going. They did for several months, so I contacted my bank and we decided to open a fraud case and I got my money back.


rkent28037
7/13/2019
I have had AHS for over 12 years. I had a HVAC issue and called in a service call. It took the service company 1 1/2 weeks to show up. Then I was given a 4 hour window for the service call. After they still were not at my home with in the 4 hours I called. The dispatcher said sorry the technician was still at the service call in front of me. I said you could have at least did a curiosity call and tell me they were going to be late. The technician showed up 45 minutes after the 4 hour window, He looked at my AC unit and said I needed 1 lb. of Freon (412) and I was going to have to pay 96.00 up front because AHS does not cover that. (That did in the past). He left with out servicing. I... Read More


bishopcj
7/12/2019
Horrible customer service and workmanship. American Home Shield will do everything in their power to avoid fixing the broke. Item.


Brian P
7/10/2019
Waste of money Dishwasher broke and after 3 service calls and 4 technicians and 2 months still not fixed. Tech recommended a new dishwasher but AHS has me on hold or disconnects me 9 out of 10 times I've called. I m on hold now with them for the last 20 min and still no resolution with the service people from the Philippines. Ridiculous waste of my time.


L
Louise k
7/9/2019
This company really sucks American Home Shield Home Warranty review American home shield can not keep their billing correct! I paid my contract in full but they billed me monthly till I had to cancel my card. Toward the end of my contract they sent me a bill for $45.92 and I called for a explanation they said they didn’t charge me enough originally. 🤬 so I got mad and told them to cancel then they charged me $45 to cancel 10 days early. My daughter just called for service and they are pulling the same crap in her saying they didn’t charge enough originally and she can’t get service till she pays it. Scam!


Carol R
7/6/2019
Horrible experience!! Have had no dryer for a month. They have sent 3 technicians for a dryer without a fix. The best they could do was turn off my fuse box because it was a fire hazard. The service is sub par and you are on hold for hours. My rating is zero stars!!!


M
MA
7/5/2019
The representative is speak to from the U.S.A. are rude, inconsiderate and hostile. They don't follow up, they don't care, they don't value the customer. The reps I speak to from overseas are clueless, understand english at a 5th grade level, cain't transfer you to the U.S.A. and just kick the can down the road. The recommended contractors so bad. Had one come out to fix my AC blower motor and ended up frying the control board, never said anything , had no heat in the winter because of it and AHS didn't cover the damage done by the previous contractor. Just had a plumber come out and it's been a nightmare. I wouldn't mind this as much if the reps were not the worst!


H
Harlin M
7/4/2019
I've been trying to get my a/c condenser repaired for over a month. The temperature has been in the high 90's with a heat index well over 100 degrees. My family and I have been suffering and overwhelmed by the heat. American Home Shield and the service contractors have shown little or no sympathy and compassion when it comes to getting my a/c condenser up running and cooling. Two different service contractors have been out with no success in fixing the problem. Each contractor has replaced parts costing me nearly $1000 in uncovered costs. Yet still, my unit is inoperable. The contractors are not taking the responsibility and are blaming the other. One also tried to contribute the cause... Read More



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