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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 ...
Keisha S
3/2/2018
I was pleased with my service until I recieved two bills and only recieved 1 service..The 2nd servive I never even recieved, I called and was assured I wouldn't be charged and still got charged😔😔


R
Rick
3/2/2018
Our furnace went out but not the A/C. However, the A/C would not work with the new furnace due to the Freon difference. AHS would NOT cover the A/C and it costs me $1,200. I don't think this can be called a fair practice. I could call it something else but I can't on this web page. What the hell do I have this coverage for?


Barry J
3/2/2018
I've been trying for 2 months to get ahold of anybody at American Home Shield and have held maybe 6 or 7 hours total on the phone and have yet to reach anybody. The customer service and the amount that they care about the customer is the worst that I have seen in any company ever I'm just hoping and praying that they somehow call me because I have been trying and trying and can I get anyone


Ivana P
3/2/2018
I'm so glad with choosing ahs n recommend them to all my family n friends.they are professional n outstanding n get the job very well.


Renee S
3/1/2018
Always professional and courteous. Willing to work with you when in a pinch.


J
Josephine G
3/1/2018
Wait time for customer service is 45+ minutes, minimum. Social experts provide canned responses immediately, then maybe contact you after 2 days. They will endlessly send back the same people to make repairs they couldn't make correctly, but won't replace a system. I went without heat for almost 3 months, with 10+ visits from 2 different service companies, and it still goes out periodically. If I didn't need them to keep this system going, I would cancel. You'd be better off saving for major repairs.


L
lori a
3/1/2018
I am keeping AHS only because my warranty does not run out until next year. The are impossible to get a hold of and when online they ask you if you want to pay after they take the money right away. This business has gone from excellent to simply mediocre. I am looking into other plans. They keep you on the phone waiting for over an hour and act like THEY are doing me a favor. NO thank you unless you change . The people they use are useless, the companies do not seem to care. This has changed dramatically in the last several years so here is your chance to do better! Believe me you are doing me no favors.


L
Lynn d
3/1/2018
Sent out a horrible vendor to repair our heat pump. Vendor said it was a power surge and AHS denied our repair claim. I called Florida power and light to determine if we had whole home surge protection. We do. They came out and determined there was NO surge. After 10 days with no heat, AMS upon my insistence sent out NICE air. They quickly debunked a power surge and found a faulty blower fan. It was a nightmare getting AHS to listen to me and take care of the problem. I received a denial voicemail within 14 hours, and at took them a week to send out a reliable new vendor to our home. I’m still getting emails about a past due $75 deductible fee that was paid the moment they send out the... Read More


B
Bruce
3/1/2018
Have always had outstanding customer service and no difficulty in receiving services


K
Kaeisma
3/1/2018
I have called several times for service and I receive quick service and regular updates about the scheduled service. When I had a problem the employees of American Home Shield were helpful and worked to resolve the issue.



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