Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best home warranty companies
American Home Shield
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Pros
- Extends up to $4,000 in coverage per appliance
- Includes bonuses such as rekeying services and HVAC tune-ups as standard plan inclusions
- Covers items without requiring past maintenance records
- Includes damage resulting from rust and corrosion
Cons
- Some customers complained about denied claims on Trustpilot
- Higher-than-average pricing compared to other options
- Has a multi-step claims process that requires individual appointments for diagnosis and repair
| Coverage | ShieldSilver™ | ShieldGold™ | ShieldPlatinum™ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Systems | |||
| Heating and AC units | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water heaters | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior plumbing lines | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Exhaust, vent and attic fans; ceiling fans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Main breaker/fuse panel box | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Doorbells and chimes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior electrical lines | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage door openers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Toilets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Faucets and valves | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Whirlpool tub motor and components | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Septic pump | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on |
| Well pump | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on |
| Appliances | |||
| Refrigerator | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Range/cooktop/oven | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dishwashers | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in microwaves | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hot water and cold water dispensers | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes washer and dryer | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Optional add-ons and Misc. coverage | |||
| Roof leak repair | Add-on | Add-on | ✓ |
| Electronics coverage | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on |
| Pool or spa | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on |
| Guest unit | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on |
| Rekeying | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| HVAC tune-up | $100/unit | $100/unit | One included |
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Our Take on American Home Shield
American Home Shield is worth having based on earning higher-than-average marks for its pricing, coverage, and customer experience compared to the average scores from the 27 total providers we’ve rated and ranked. Our team features AHS in several of our best roundups for 2025, including the best home warranty companies and the best home appliance insurance.
We particularly appreciate how American Home Shield offers higher coverage limits than some competitors, such as Liberty Home Guard and Select Home Warranty. AHS offers up to $5,000 in coverage for HVAC systems and up to $4,000 for appliances, while many other companies cap coverage limits for certain items at $1,000 or less. However, these high limits come at an average cost of 47% more than the national monthly price for a home warranty plan.
American Home Shield has been the most popular provider for three years running in our annual home warranty survey of 1,000 homeowners. In our latest 2025 survey, 39% of the total respondents chose the provider to protect their home.
Pros and Cons of American Home Shield
Has higher-than-average coverage limits for systems and appliances
Offers bonus perks such as a free HVAC tuneup
Includes coverage for pre-existing conditions, which could benefit owners of older homes
Has higher-than-average pricing, according to our research
Offers fewer add-on coverages compared to competitors, such as Liberty Home Guard
How American Home Shield Scored in Our Methodology
American Home Shield scored higher than average in our pricing, coverage and customer experience rating subcategories.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Flip Card
Home Warranty Rating
American Home Shield Coverage Details
American Home Shield offers three home warranty coverage options, which is standard within the industry, based on our research. The company’s ShieldSilver plan covers a home’s most essential systems, such as your HVAC and electrical. The ShieldGold plan adds appliance coverage to the mix, protecting all systems listed on the ShieldSilver plan in addition to your refrigerator, clothes washer, dryer and more. The ShieldPlatinum plan is AHS’s most comprehensive option, tacking on perks such as a free HVAC tuneup, roof leak coverage and code violation protection to comprehensive systems and appliance coverage.
AHS offers up to $5,000 for most systems under all three of its plans. For appliances, the ShieldGold plan offers up to $2,000 in protection for each covered item. If you’re looking for more generous coverage for high-end appliances, the ShieldPlatinum plan ups coverage to $4,000 per item.
See the table below to learn more about what each plan specifically covers.
| Service | ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioning | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Electrical lines | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Plumbing lines | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heating | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Main breaker | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fuse panel box | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Water heater | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ductwork | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Exhaust, bathroom, attic and whole house fans | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Toilets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Doorbells | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Faucets and valves | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ceiling fans | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Jetted bathtub | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garage door opener | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rekey services | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refrigerator | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes washer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Range and cooktop | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Oven | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dishwasher | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Built-in microwave | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Instant hot/cold water dispenser | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Roof leak repair | ✔ | ||
| Free HVAC tune-up | ✔ |
American Home Shield offers five add-on coverages, including electronics protection, pool and built-in spa equipment, guest unit, well pump and septic system coverage. While AHS includes roof leak repair coverage as standard with the ShieldPlatinum plan, it’s also available as an add-on with the ShieldSilver and ShieldGold plans.
Our Experience With American Home Shield
To help you better understand what to expect with American Home Shield, we went through the quote process and contacted the company’s customer service department. When getting a quote, you’ll need to provide your name, address, email and phone number — a standard ask from most home warranty companies. We especially appreciate how American Home Shield offers accessible and easy-to-understand policy terms both within the quote portal and through the provided sample service contract.
When we called AHS to learn more about customer service outside of the company’s online experience, we were taken through several menu options before connecting with a representative. The person we spoke with was able to answer our questions thoroughly and had a pleasant demeanor. Overall, it was a positive experience.
Compare American Home Shield With Other Providers
There are dozens of home warranty providers on the market for you to choose from, and American Home Shield may not offer the best fit for your needs. Compare AHS’s costs, average service fee, BBB rating and more to those of other top providers we’ve rated and reviewed.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
| Company | Service Fee | Best For | Monthly Cost | BBB Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$100 or $125
|
Most Experienced
|
$23-$95
|
B
|
||
|
$50 to $125
|
Best for Add-Ons
|
$50-$60
|
NR
|
||
|
$75
|
Best for customer experience
|
$50-$80
|
B
|
|
|
|
$75 to 100
|
Best for Budget Shoppers
|
$44-$48
|
B-
|
||
|
$50 to $125
|
Best for Appliance Coverage
|
$48-$73
|
B+
|
||
|
$100–$150
|
Best for extra benefits
|
$45-$62
|
A+
|
| Company | BBB Rating | Service Fee | Best For | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
B
|
$100 or $125
|
Most Experienced
|
$23-$95
|
||
|
NR
|
$50 to $125
|
Best for Add-Ons
|
$50-$60
|
||
|
B
|
$75
|
Best for customer experience
|
$50-$80
|
|
|
|
B-
|
$75 to 100
|
Best for Budget Shoppers
|
$44-$48
|
||
|
B+
|
$50 to $125
|
Best for Appliance Coverage
|
$48-$73
|
||
|
A+
|
$100–$150
|
Best for extra benefits
|
$45-$62
|
What Customers Said About American Home Shield
Reading third-party reviews can help you find reputable home warranty providers in your area. To help you save time during your home warranty research, our team has read through hundreds of reviews from current and past customers. Learn what reviewers on Trustpilot and the BBB had to say about American Home Shield.
What AHS Customers Like
- Quick repairs: Several customers noted how quickly AHS dispatched a service technician to repair their system or appliance.
- Knowledgeable technicians: Many reviewers noted that their technicians were knowledgeable and efficient, making the repair process hassle-free.
- Easy to request service: Several homeowners mentioned how easy it was to request service for a repair via AHS’s website.
What AHS Customers Dislike
- Denied claims: Several customers said they believed their repair should have been covered under contract terms but it was instead denied.
- Multiple repairs: More than a few homeowners noted their frustration with needing multiple repairs for the same issue.
- Customer service issues: Some customers weren’t pleased with AHS’s customer service representatives, mentioning that they were unhelpful when they had an issue.
We reached out to American Home Shield for a comment about the company’s negative reviews and didn’t receive a response.
Frequently Asked Questions About American Home Shield
AHS policies have a variable service fee of $100 or $125, which you select when you buy coverage. The company’s fees are higher than average compared to those of other home warranty providers we’ve reviewed, with some providers offering fees as low as $75 in some cases.
American Home Shield is not a scam, based on our research. With more than 50 years of experience offering home warranty policies and BBB accreditation, AHS is a legitimate home warranty provider. However, it is still important to read and understand your coverage details and limitations before enrolling in a plan.
To cancel your AHS policy, you can call the company’s support line at 800-858-1922 and a representative will guide you through the process of canceling your coverage. Compared to other home warranty providers, AHS has fewer complaints related to issues canceling coverage, based on our analysis.
