When you move into a home with hand-me-down appliances, things can go wrong quickly. If moving has drained your savings, it may be a good idea to sign up with a home warranty company like American Home Shield (AHS). It's like insurance for appliance and system repairs around your home. Here's what you need to know about American Home Shield before you sign up.
American Home Shield Review 2024
For over 8 years Move.org experts have examined pricing, credentials, and real customer reviews to give you (human) recommendations you can trust. See how we review.
With 20+ years in home services and tech, Alina shares insights from her 15+ moves. She writes for CBSNews, MSN, and more while renovating her country house.
Here's how much American Home Shield costs
American Home Shield doesn’t post plan prices on its website, but we grabbed some quotes to give you an idea. Depending on your options, monthly rates can range from $30 to $90.
First, you’ll pick a service fee ($100 or $125), which impacts your monthly cost—higher service fees mean lower monthly payments. After that, you select your plan.
Here’s a breakdown of what each plan covers:
ShieldSilver plan
- Air conditioners
- Heating systems
- Ductwork
- Built-in exhaust fans
- Main breaker and fuse panel box
- Doorbells
- Interior electrical lines and components
- Ceiling fans
- Garage door openers
- Water heaters
- Interior plumbing lines
- Toilets
- Faucets and valves
- Built-in jetted tub motors, pumps, and air switch assemblies
SheildGold
- Refrigerators
- Ranges/cooktops
- Ovens
- Dishwashers
- Built-in microwaves
- Garbage disposals
- Installed instant hot/cold water dispensers
- Dryers
- Washers
- Air conditioners
- Heating systems
- Ductwork, built-in exhaust fans
- Main breaker and fuse panel box
- Doorbells
- Interior electrical lines and components
- Ceiling fans
- Garage door openers
- Water heaters
- Interior plumbing lines
- Toilets
- Faucets and valves
- Built-in jetted tub motors, pumps, and air switch assemblies
SheildPlatinum
- Refrigerators
- Ranges/cooktops
- Ovens
- Dishwashers
- Built-in microwaves
- Garbage disposals
- Installed instant hot/cold water dispensers
- Dryers
- Washers
- Air conditioners
- Heating systems
- Ductwork, built-in exhaust fans
- Main breaker and fuse panel box
- Doorbells
- Interior electrical lines & components
- Ceiling fans
- Garage door openers
- Water heaters
- Interior plumbing lines
- Toilets
- Faucets and valves
- Built-in jetted tub motors, pumps, and air switch assemblies
- Roof leak repair
Compare American Home Shield plan prices
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Prices are determined by quotes obtained by Mov.org.
American Home Shield add-on costs
After selecting a plan with American Home Shield, you can add extra coverage to customize your policy. Here’s what each add-on will cost per month:
- Pool & built-in spa equipment: $20.99
- Guest houses and rental units (up to 750 sq ft): $20.99
- Septic pump: $4.99
- Well pump: $9.99
- Home electronics protection plan: $14
- Roof coverage: $9.99 (if you're not on the ShieldPlatinum plan)
Your plan also includes free perks like rekey service, HVAC tune-ups, and discounts on air filters with free shipping.
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Prices are based on quotes obtained by Mov.org.
American Home Shield stands out among competitors by offering the lowest monthly costs on the list, and it provides something extra that others don’t—electronics coverage in addition to its appliance and systems coverage. This gives homeowners more comprehensive protection for their home’s essentials and tech devices, making it a unique and affordable choice.
American Home Shield contracts and warranties
American Home Shield stands out from other competitors not only by offering some of the lowest monthly costs but also by providing an additional benefit: electronics coverage. Along with its standard appliance and system protection, AHS allows homeowners to cover their tech devices as well. This added coverage makes it a great option for those looking for more comprehensive home protection at an affordable rate.
Image: AS Photography, Pexels
One of the main complaints customers have with American Home Shield is discovering that a repair isn’t covered under their plan. Some key contract details to watch for include:
- Only homes under 10,000 sq ft are covered
- Many items have coverage caps (e.g., roof repairs at $1,000, appliances at $2,000 with ShieldGold and $4,000 with ShieldPlatinum)
- Commercial-use appliances and systems aren’t covered
- If the technician can't access the item, it won't be repaired or replaced
- Only specific components of systems or appliances are covered
It's crucial to read the contract thoroughly to understand what's included. Here's a sample American Home Shield contract to give you and idea of what is covered, and what isn't.
Canceling American Home Shield
What you need to know before you buy an American Home Shield plan
AHS’s warranty plans cover most home systems, and there's no need for a home inspection or maintenance records. Uniquely, AHS also covers preexisting conditions.
When choosing the right AHS plan for your home and budget, consider the specific systems or appliances you want covered, the potential cost of repairs or replacements, and any additional services like electronics or roof coverage. Balancing these factors will help ensure you get the most value and protection from your plan.
Remember, there's a waiting period
When you sign your American Home Shield contract, there’s a 30-day waiting period before your warranty becomes active. Your first payment will be processed at the end of this period.
For new homeowners, this short waiting time isn’t too much of a hassle, especially since small issues are likely to pop up as you settle in. Having coverage kick in after a month can provide peace of mind for those early homeownership challenges.
The main difference between homeowners insurance and a home warranty lies in what they cover. Homeowners insurance handles accidental damage to the structure of your home, like fire, flooding, or wind damage. On the other hand, a home warranty covers unexpected breakdowns of home systems and appliances due to normal wear and tear, such as plumbing or your air conditioner.
Also, while insurance is typically mandatory, home warranties are optional service contracts.
How American Home Shield works
Once your American Home Shield (AHS) plan is active, you can request service online or by phone. Within 24 hours, AHS will contact an approved local contractor, who will then reach out to you to schedule an appointment for the repair. When you file a claim, you'll pay your service fee.
After inspecting the issue, the contractor will report their findings to American Home Shield (AHS). AHS will then decide whether your warranty covers the repair or replacement. If it’s covered, the contractor will complete the repair at no additional cost to you, aside from your service fee. This streamlined process ensures that issues are addressed efficiently and you aren’t surprised by extra costs.
Final word: Is American Home Shield right for you?
American Home Shield home warranty is a good choice if you want to be ready for unpredictable repair costs. It's important to review the details of your home warranty policy and understand the fine print, though. This helps you avoid surprises, like an unexpected bill for something not covered by the warranty or paying a monthly premium that you can't recover.
American Home Shield FAQ
If you move into a home with many old appliances that may break down soon, AHS plans may be worth it. A top-tier American Home Shield (AHS) home warranty costs around $1,080 annually (excluding service fees). Considering that a refrigerator repair alone can easily exceed $1,000, investing in a home warranty might be a cost-effective choice. A home warranty covers unexpected breakdowns, helping you avoid hefty repair bills for major home systems and appliances.
AHS allows you to cancel your plan anytime if you decide it's not for you. If you cancel within 30 days of your coverage start date, you’ll receive a refund of your contract fees minus any service claims. After 30 days, you’ll be charged an administrative fee (up to one month's payment), but you'll still receive a refund of prorated contract fees.
American Home Sheild has a 3-star rating on Trustpilot, which is pretty good. Like with most home warranty companies, customer complaints typically center around claim denials and repair technician problems.
30 days after you sign up for American Home Shield, you can file a claim. This is typical with home warranty companies.
How we reviewed American Home Shield
Image: Taryn Elliott, Pexels
For our American Shield Security review, we researched the company, competitors, and customer reviews. We also got real quotes to bring you the best information possible. Overall, our research took dozens of hours.