American Home Shield Review: Reviews, Plans And Coverage In 2024

By Brionna Farney
Contributor

Reviewed By

Kristin Salaky Editor
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Our American Home Shield review highlights a provider that ranks highly on our list of the best home warranty companies this year. With coverage plans starting under $30 at the highest service fee level of $125, American Home Shield focuses on offering a solid value for the investment.

We used our research and mystery shopper processes to evaluate the company and determine its standing among competitors. Based on our experience, we awarded American Home Shield 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Pros

  • Reasonably priced plans available
  • Can use own contractor with prior approval
  • High coverage limits available

Cons

  • Limited additional coverages available
  • Doesn’t offer an appliances-only plan
American Home Shield
Get A Free Quote
On American Home Shield's Website
4.5
Our star ratings are based on a range of criteria and are determined solely by our editorial team.
Plans Available
3
Choice of Technician
Yes
States Covered
48

Table of Contents

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About American Home Shield

American Home Shield is no stranger to the home warranty business. The company began operations in 1971 and retains high average review rating scores from its customers across numerous platforms.

Available in the 48 contiguous states, American Home Shield prefers to use its choice of technicians for repairs and replacements and places a 30-day guarantee on its work. However, customers can often use their own contractors with prior approval from the company.

The company offers three coverage plans, a handful of additional options, and plan options for rental property owners. Its lowest-priced plan starts at $29.99 monthly and covers 14 HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems.

Its other plans cover a mix of appliances and systems, and each plan includes additional perks and benefits. All plans come with the customer’s choice of a $100 or $125 service fee, and choosing one or the other will change the monthly plan cost by $10.

American Home Shield Pricing

American Home Shield offers three plan options with prices ranging from $29.99 to $89.99 per month, depending on your choice of two service fee levels of $100 and $125.

  SHIELD SILVER SHIELD GOLD SHIELD PLATINUM
Cost Per Month
$29.99 – $39.99
$49.99 – $59.99
$79.99 – $89.99
Service Fees
$100 – $125
$100 – $125
$100 – $125

Compare American Home Shield Plans

Three plan choices are available through American Home Shield, including a systems-only plan and two systems-and-appliances plans that feature added benefits. All plans are available at two price points, depending on the chosen service fee level, and increase based on chosen add-on coverage options.

  • Shield Silver: Covers 14 major home systems, including heating, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing systems, and includes a $5,000 coverage cap plus discounts on home maintenance services.
  • Shield Gold: Provides the same coverages as the Shield Silver plan and adds protections for kitchen and laundry machines with a $2,000 per appliance repair or replacement coverage cap.
  • Shield Platinum: Includes all of the coverages in the two other plans and raises the appliance cap to $4,000 per item. Shield Platinum also adds up to $1,000 in roof leak coverage, $250 to fix code compliance issues, unlimited AC refrigerant coverage and free HVAC tune-ups.
FEATURE SHIELD SILVER SHIELD GOLD SHIELD PLATINUM
Heating and air conditioning systems
Yes
Yes
Yes
Air exchanger
Yes
Yes
Yes
Ductwork
Yes
Yes
Yes
Plumbing
Yes
Yes
Yes
Electrical
Yes
Yes
Yes
Water heater
Yes
Yes
Yes
Sump pump
Yes
Yes
Yes
Garage door opener
Yes
Yes
Yes
Refrigerator
No
Yes
Yes
Built-in microwave
No
Yes
Yes
Dishwasher
No
Yes
Yes
Garbage disposer
No
Yes
Yes
Range/oven/cooktop
No
Yes
Yes
Washing machine
No
Yes
Yes
Dryer
No
Yes
Yes
Water dispenser
No
Yes
Yes
Roof leak
No
No
Yes

Optional Add-Ons

American Home Shield offers a handful of add-on coverage options. While the company doesn’t offer a long list of them, the few it does provide can be useful in making a home warranty worth its cost. The company’s list of additional coverage includes the following list.F

  • A home electronics plan for around $14 extra per month that covers TVs, computers, tablets, printers, home theaters, smart home products, headphones and video game components.
  • Roof leak repair coverage is available as an add-on for around $10 monthly for plans that don’t include it.
  • Pool and built-in spa equipment for around $21 to $254 monthly
  • Guest units up to 750 square feet can be covered for around $16 per month.
  • Septic pump coverage is available for around $5 per month.
  • Well pump coverage is available for around $8 per month.
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Securing a Home Warranty Plan: We Put American Home Shield to the Test

Purchasing our home warranty plan through American Home Shield’s website proved straightforward with just a small hitch to contend with. We tested purchasing two plans on the site, a Shield Silver plan and a Shield Platinum, using our sample property in Austin, Texas, consisting of a 1,500-square-foot single-family home.

Choosing our plan and inputting our property information was as easy as expected. The website made it easy to compare pricing based on service fee level with a simple toggle option, and the final quoted price was identical to the advertised costs. In fact, our options listed an unexpected discount for the Shield Gold plan.

However, after making our plan selection, the online form only allowed us to choose from two additional coverage options, omitting the ability to purchase coverage for a guest house, roof protection and septic or well pumps. A phone number was displayed on the page in case we required assistance.

Editor’s note: After this result we tested a variety of other sample properties and saw the entire range of add-ons every other time, so it’s possible you may see some varied options. Be sure to contact the company directly to speak about your unique home, especially if you’re not getting all of your answers online.

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American Home Shield provided the above options at the $100 service fee level.

The above options were provided when we chose the $125 service fee level.

What We Like About American Home Shield 

Overall, American Home Shield’s generous coverage amounts of $5,000 per item for home systems, even in its lowest-priced plan, stood out from the crowd in our detailed research process. The company also scored points in our evaluation when we discovered that the advertised price was consistent with our final price quote, regardless of our chosen plan.

What We Didn’t Like About American Home Shield 

While the coverages listed in American Home Shield plans are substantial, we would have liked to find more customization options in the form of add-on protection availability. We also think the online ordering form could be a little more user-friendly when choosing add-on options, though again, availability can vary.

Payout Limitations and Other Considerations From American Home Shield 

American Home Shield’s policy agreements vary somewhat by state. However, general payout limitations vary mostly by plan choice as advertised, including up to $5,000 HVAC system limits and up to $4,000 for appliances.

Other limitations generally include a $1,000 maximum to access covered items located in an inaccessible area, such as behind a wall. Refrigerant replacement in the Shield Silver and Shield Gold plans is limited to $10 per pound. Glycol replacement in radiant heat systems is limited to $1,500.

American Home Shield Availability

American Home Shield is available in every contiguous state and Washington, D.C. Coverage isn’t available in Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Mexico or Puerto Rico.

How American Home Shield Stacks Up

CompanyMonthly Cost Service Fee Nationwide Availability Coverage InclusionsLearn More
American Home Shield$29.99 – $89.99 $100 – $12548 statesA systems-only plan and two plans combining systems and appliancesGet A Free QuoteOn American Home Shield's Website
Liberty Home Guard$49.99 – $59.99 $65 – $12550 statesAppliance, systems and combined plans Get A Free QuoteOn Liberty Home Guard's Website
AFC Home Warranty$39.99 – $129.99 $55 50 statesThree plans that combine appliances and systems plus an all-in-one plan that includes electronic coverageLearn MoreRead Forbes' Review

American Home Shield vs. Liberty Home Guard

Liberty Home Guard is another company that rates well on our list of the best home warranty companies. While we scored Liberty Home Guard slightly higher than American Home Shield, both companies offer a good value. 

Where Liberty Home Guard keeps things simple by offering three relatively basic plans, American Home Shield combines more appliances and systems throughout its coverage options.

However, Liberty Home Guard makes its coverage choices highly customizable by offering a long list of add-on items. American Home Shield relies more on plan inclusions than add-ons to meet its customers’ needs.

Learn More: Liberty Home Guard review

American Home Shield vs. American Residential Warranty

Also on our list of the best home warranty companies is American Residential Warranty. Compared to American Home Shield, the two companies operate quite differently. Where American Home Shield offers two service fee levels, ARW offers a single price level of $55—well below American Home Shield’s $100 minimum.

ARW offers three primary coverage plans split between appliances, systems and a combined plan. American Home Shield offers a systems-only plan and two plans that combine systems and appliances. American Home Shield’s lowest-price plan costs significantly less than ARW’s, although it also carries a higher service fee for claims.

Learn More: American Residential Warranty review

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American Home Shield Reviews and Experience 

American Home Shield reviews are generally positive. The company receives high average ratings on multiple platforms from its existing customers. However, it also experiences some mid to low-range review ratings, such as earning just 2.12 out of 5 stars at the Better Business Bureau, where it carries a B grade as of this writing. While this is not uncommon for a home warranty company, sifting through reviews can be helpful.

Many positive reviews report excellent service, competence and speedy repairs.

However, negative reviews cite slow response times, inadequate repair work or miscommunication on item coverages.

Bottom Line: Is American Home Shield Right for You?

Customers looking to get the most value from the cost of a home warranty without having to create their own coverage plan may find a good match through American Home Shield. The company doesn’t specialize in highly customizable plans. However, its plans will appeal to consumers who don’t feel the need for customization or a long list of additional coverage options.

American Home Shield offers a low-cost plan option for general home systems coverage. The plan could work well for those looking to save money on monthly premiums for basic protections or for those with new appliances still under manufacturer’s warranties.

Methodology: How We Rated Home Warranty Companies

To determine the home warranty companies ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 52 companies, with each company’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics and subcategories, including years of experience, signup and restrictions, plan pricing, fees and discounts, coverage features, property coverage, customer reviews and support and nationwide availability.

You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates home warranty companies on our detailed methodology page.

All figures and facts were accurate at the time of first publication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Does American Home Shield not cover?

American Home Shield provides home warranty protections different from coverages offered by home insurance. The company doesn’t provide structural damage coverage or repair protections for damages caused by weather or natural disasters. Additionally, American Home Shield doesn’t cover repairs or replacements performed by contractors that don’t have prior approval from the company.

Does American Home Shield cover roof leaks?

American Home Shield offers up to $1,000 in roof leak protections as part of its Shield Platinum plan. The same coverage is available as an add-on for the company’s other two plans. Roof leak coverage includes patching or sealing, flashing sealing, nail pop fixes, flat roof repairs, underlayment repairs and some shingle or tile replacements.

Does American Home Shield cover preexisting conditions?

American Home Shield covers preexisting conditions in systems and appliances that are undetectable prior to plan coverage. Covered preexisting condition situations may include maintenance neglect or rust and corrosion. The company states that no maintenance records are necessary for these coverages.

Does American Home Shield require a home inspection?

American Home Shield doesn’t require a home inspection or maintenance documentation to be eligible for coverage. However, a 30-day waiting period is mandatory after signing the contract until customers can make a claim against their policy.

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Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.

Forbes Home adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.

Brionna Farney
Brionna Farney Contributor

Brionna is a writer specializing in home improvement, construction, and real estate topics. She leverages her background as a civil engineer and interior decorator as well as her love for all-things-home to help readers better understand their home. In addition to writing for Forbes, Brionna creates content for start-ups and service-based businesses.

Kristin Salaky
Kristin Salaky Editor

Kristin is a Lead Editor at Forbes Home and has nearly a decade of professional experience as a writer and editor. She's previously worked at sites like Talking Points Memo, Insider, Delish, Angi and HomeAdvisor. She has a passion for lifestyle topics and has extensive experience researching and reporting on topics that will help make your house a home.

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