American Home Shield Review – Should You Buy?

I'm Donny. I'm a world traveler, investor, entrepreneur, and online marketing aficionado who has a big appetite to compete and disrupt big markets. I thrive on being able to create things that impact change, difficult challenges, and being able to add value in negative situations.

American Home Shield is among the best home warranty companies in the USA. It provides comprehensive home coverage at affordable plans. The company’s goal is to offer service contracts that protect homeowners from the high repair or replacement costs of appliances.

American Home Shield logo

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AT A GLANCE

  • Coverage for up to 23 home appliances
  • 30-day workmanship guarantee
  • Older items, no matter their age
  • Professional repair service
Overall Rating
5/5

Best home warranty company

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Pros & Cons

Choosing American Home Shield for your warranty comes with some pros and cons.

Pros

  • Flexible pricing plans
  • Extensive coverage for 49 states
  • 24/7 claims department
  • Offers coverage without maintenance records

Cons

  • It doesn’t provide coverage in Alaska
  • Limited add-on coverage compared to competitors

Home systems and appliances like electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and heating units are prone to unexpected damages. Imagine your heating unit or furnace failing in the middle of winter. It can be a frustrating experience, particularly if you’re short on cash.

Do you dread surprise expenses? A home warranty can help alleviate the financial burden of replacing or repairing appliances. Unfortunately, purchasing a home warranty isn’t always straightforward.

There are many companies in this industry, and picking the best is challenging.

When searching for a home warranty company, you don’t have to look further than American Home Shield (AHS). This veteran company stands tall in providing comprehensive home coverage.

Keep reading our American Home Shield Review and discover what this company has to offer.

American Home Shield icon

Quick Summary

Service: Home warranties

Pricing: starts at $39.99 per month

Promotion: 30-day workmanship guarantee

About American Home Shield

Founded in 1971, American Home Shield is the pioneer of the home warranty industry. This Tennessee-based company has grown to become a market leader in the home warranty niche. It currently serves about 2 million customers across the United States.

AHS is owned by Frontdoor, Inc, a company that runs a range of home warranty businesses. American Home Shield has been operating for five decades, an indicator that many homeowners trust its services.

American Home Shield Coverages

This veteran company has a wide range of home warranty offerings. It has three types of coverages, systems warranty coverage, appliance warranty coverage, and add-ons.

Here’s a breakdown of individual items this company covers.

Systems Warranty Coverage

Some of the systems AHS covers include:

  • Water heaters
  • Electricals
  • Ceiling fans
  • Air conditioning and ductworks
  • Heating systems
  • Garage door openers
  • Re-key (only available in Texas, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and California)
  • Doorbells

Appliance Warranty Coverage

AHS will pay for the repair or replacement of the following appliances if they malfunction.

  • Dishwashers
  • Instant water dispensers (hot or cold)
  • Clothes dryers
  • Clothes washers
  • Refrigerators
  • Garbage disposals
  • Built-in microwave ovens
  • Ranges and cooktops

Add-Ons

Are you worried about more than just your appliances? You can also opt for additional coverage at a higher fee.

Some specialty items that AHS covers include:

  • Pools and Spas
  • Roof leak repairs
  • Electronic extended warranty
  • Guest units
  • Septic pumps
  • Well pumps

Exclusions and Coverage Limits

AHS only covers specific components of home appliances and systems. These specifications mean there may be some limitations in your home warranty contract. It’s vital to read the limitations and exclusions sections of the contract.

Below are the coverage caps of essential appliances and systems.

  • Ductwork - $1000
  • Appliances - $3000 and $6000 for ShieldPlatinum members
  • Heating and cooling units - $1500
  • Refrigerant - $10 per pound. Unlimited for ShieldPlatinum members

Pricing & Plans

Currently, American Home Shield offers three different home warranty plans. These plans include ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum.

The pricing varies depending on your location, the plan you pick, and the add-ons you add to the coverage. With that said, the pricing starts from $39.99 per month.

ShieldSilver Plan: Best for Home Systems

The ShieldSilver plan primarily covers home systems. The average monthly cost of this plan is $49.99, but it could be higher or lower depending on where you live, the square footage, and other factors.

Some essential systems this plan protects include:

  • Plumbing systems
  • Heating and cooling systems
  • Electrical systems
  • Ductworks

ShieldGold Plan: Best for Home Appliances

This plan mainly covers kitchen and laundry appliances. It also covers all systems under the ShieldSilver Plan.

Expect to pay about $59.99 a month for this plan. This amount is a rough estimate, according to our American Home Shield review.

Some of the appliances this plan protects include:

  • Ovens
  • Clothes washers
  • Clothes dryers
  • Garbage disposals
  • Water dispensers
  • Built-in microwave ovens
  • Refrigerators
  • Dishwashers

ShieldPlatinum: Best for Comprehensive Coverage

This plan offers comprehensive home coverage.

It covers all the systems and appliances in the other plans plus the following items.

  • One free HVAC tune-up
  • Unlimited A/C refrigerant
  • Roof leak repairs
  • Code and permit violations

The ShieldPlatinum plan costs approximately $74.99 per month.

Optional Add-On Coverage

The price of the add-on coverage varies, depending on the number of add-ons you need and your location. AHS covers the following add-ons.

  • Pools and spas
  • Roof leak repairs
  • Electronics protection
  • Guest units (under 750 square feet)
  • Well pumps
  • Septic pumps

Besides these plans, you’ll need to pick a trade service call fee. You can either opt for the $75, $100, or $125 fee. Additional sales tax might apply.

Cancelation Policy

AHS contracts are non-binding, meaning you can cancel them at any time. You’ll receive a full refund if you cancel your coverage within the 30 day wait period.

FAQ's

Is American Home Shield Legit?

American Home Shield is a legit corporation. It has been providing home warranty services in the USA since 1971.

How Do You Request a Service for Repair?

The easiest way to request a repair service is online via the AHS website.

Navigate to the ‘Request Service Page,’ then input the requested contract details. Afterward, pick the covered items that require service and submit them. Pay the trade service call fee, and you’ll receive confirmation. You can also give them a call.

Who are the Contractors American Home Shield Works With?

AHS works with an independent team of licensed plumbers, HVAC technicians, electricians, appliance specialists, and general home repair contractors.

Alternatively, AHS allows you to pick outside authorizations (your contractors).

Are There Discounts Available for Multiple Properties?

Yes, there are discounts for multiple properties. AHS will give you a $50 coverage discount on every additional home. Each property has to be under 5,000 square feet.

American Home Shield Alternatives

CHOICE HOME WARRANTY

Choice Home Warranty logo
  • Best for Repairs
  • Pricing: starts at $50 per month
  • Promotion: First month Free

FIRST PREMIER HOME WARRANTY

First Premier logo
  • Best for Home Systems
  • Pricing: starts at $43 per month
  • Promotion: No current promotions

Is It Worth It?

This American Home Shield Review considers AHS’s home warranty worth it. The company has flexible pricing plans, doesn’t require maintenance records, and homeowners can request a repair/replacement online.

Request a quote from AHS today and get excellent home warranty services.

American Home Shield

American Home Shield is home warranty company based in Memphis, Tennessee. It administers home service contracts on major home systems and appliances.

American Home Shield icon

I'm Donny. I'm a world traveler, investor, entrepreneur, and online marketing aficionado who has a big appetite to compete and disrupt big markets. I thrive on being able to create things that impact change, difficult challenges, and being able to add value in negative situations.

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