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American Home Shield Review
American Home Shield Review
September 27, 2024 / www.besthomewarrantyonline.com staff
American Home Shield Review
September 27, 2024 / www.besthomewarrantyonline.com staff
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American Home Shield
Editorial Score 9.2
Coverage options
Extensive coverage that includes virtually all home systems and appliances, even luxury items and unique systems.
10
Cost
Costs are competitive; customers can choose a higher service fee for a lower monthly premium or vice versa
8.0
Contractor network
Over 17,000 contractors and service technicians across the United States
10
Claims process
Claims can be filed by phone or online at any time, and payouts are typically made within 1-2 weeks
9.0
Customer support
24/7 customer support via phone, email, and an online portal
9.0

In a Nutshell

American Home Shield is a popular home warranty* service because it offers flexible plans to fit all your needs, has competitive pricing on those plans, and offers free quotes over the phone. Plus, this service has a reliable claims department working around the clock. And with 17000 contractors on staff, you can have a technician at your house in no time. Are there any downsides to using American Home Shield home warranty? Let's find out.

Pros

  • No inspection or maintenance records required
  • Works in 49 states
  • Smart, flexible service fee pricing

Cons

  • Will work to fix an item multiple times before replacing

American Home Shield at a Glance

Feature Status
Annual Premium Varies based on customer
Plan Types Systems, Appliances, Combo
States Active in 49 states
HVAC Yes
Contractors In-Network & Out-of-Network, 17000
Home Inspection Required No
Claims Service Fee $75-$125
24/7 Claims Department Yes
Workmanship Guarantee 30 days

Coverage

American Home Shield has excellent coverage range. In fact, it'll cover a lot of items that other home warranty brands will not. The official coverage policy is that as long as the appliance or system is in good working condition, American Home Shield will cover it regardless of age, model, or brand. That's a great claim.

You can get coverage for 9 major appliances and 14 whole house systems plus more, with one of these plans. Again, this is above average considering most home warranty services will only cover a handful of systems.

Coverage applies to normal wear and tear of the item and not deliberate damage or negligent usage of the appliance. Yet again, American Home Shield pulls ahead of the competition offering higher limits on the coverage as well. While coverage for systems does not have a dollar limit, appliances coverage is limited to $3,000. This can be boosted with their Platinum Plan to $6,000. Finally, American Home Shield generously includes certain appliances like a second fridge into your plan without forcing you to buy expensive add-ons.

Your contract will begin 30 days after you've signed.

What Appliances and Systems Does American Home Shield Cover?

As mentioned, American Home Shield covers a wide spectrum of appliances and systems within 3 separate plans. Here's a look at what each one covers:

ShieldSilver

ShieldGold

ShieldPlatinum

Roof Leak Repair

Add-on

Add-on

Air Conditioners

Heating Units

Ductwork

Built-in Exhaust, Vent & Attic Fans

Main Breaker & Fuse Panel Box

Doorbells & Chimes

Interior Electrical Lines

Ceiling Fans

Garage Door Openers

Water Heaters

Interior Plumbing Lines

Toilets

Faucets & Valves

Whirlpool Tub Motor & Components

Refrigirators

Ranges/Cooktops

Ovens

Dishwashers

Built-in Microwaves

Garbage Disposals

Instant Hot/Cold Water Dispensers

Washers

Dryers

American Home Shield also offers added coverage for more expensive systems or equipment including electronic extended warranty, pools and spas, well pumps, septic pumps, and guest units.

Pricing and Onboarding Deals

And finally, we come to the downside of working with American Home Shield. It's not really a downside in working with the company, rather a downside in researching it. That's because American Home Shield doesn't publish any pricing information for the annual premiums you'll pay. Each customer is given a customized pricing quote based on the plan, appliances, systems, and home they want covered. Again, not really a downside. It just means you have to call up and get a quote before you can do comparison shopping.

American Home Shield offers 3 plans; a systems plan - ShieldSilver, a combo plan that covers both systems and appliances - ShieldGold, and a plan that covers all this plus roof leaks and more - ShieldPlatinum. If you know that one or the other is more important for you to have covered, then opt for the individual package. But if you're the type that wants to cover all your bases, then go with the Combo Plan. It'll give you the most peace of mind.

Plan ShieldSilver ShieldGold ShieldPlatinum
Per Month Varies Varies Varies
Per Year Varies Varies Varies
Coverage 14 critical home systems ShieldSilver plus 9 everyday home appliances Covers everything plus more

Contractors and Service

You can submit a claim online at any time of day or night with the 24/7 claims department. American Home Shield has 17000+ contractors on staff, so their response times are generally very fast. While times will vary based on time of call, type of repair needed, location, and other factors, American Home Shield guarantees to dispatch a contractor to your home within 24 hours of the request being made. In reality, response time is much faster, but that's the worst-case scenario.

All contractors are qualified and local. This ensures that not only do you get fast service, but you get professional service as well. Plus, all American Home Shield contractors are routinely reviewed by real customers, so they're constantly being evaluated for quality of service. If they can't fix the problem, American Home Shield will cover your replacement costs. And if you have a recurring issue, a contractor will return to fix the problem free of charge.

Something unusual about American Home Shield is that in addition to offering in-network contractors, members can use out of network contractors as well. Terms and conditions may apply, so be sure to check with your policy beforehand. But generally, if you have a contractor you already use regularly who is certified, you can have the repairs made, and American Home Shield will reimburse you the costs.

Another benefit of using American Home Shield is the service call fee structure. Most home warranty services have a flat rate fee that you pay each time a contractor comes to your home for a repair, and the rate doesn't change. American Home Shield lets you choose the rate you want to pay from 3 different pricing options. Why? Because the more you pay on your deductibles, the less you'll have to pay on your monthly premiums. So, you can choose:

  • $75 deductible for a higher monthly premium
  • $100 deductible for a mid-range monthly premium
  • $125 deductible for a lower monthly premium

This is a refreshingly flexible pricing option that you won't find elsewhere.

What Do People Say About American Home Shield?

“On time and professional. Would hire them anytime I need their service” - Beth J. July 2022

“Used them 3 times no hassle easy and I've had service within a week all three times and the contractors have all been excellent” - Robert H. July 2022

“My vacation home is located in a remote area but American Homeshield always provides me with highly qualified professionals who do an excellent job! Extremely pleased!” - Sharon G. July 2022

“I signed up with AHS two months ago and I've had 3 things go wrong at my house, after I paid my deductible they fixed all 3 things in a timely manner.” - Michael P. June 2022

Bottom Line

American Home Shield is a fast, efficient, and easy to work with home warranty service. With flexible service charges that let you choose your monthly premium levels, 17000+ contractors on call, and a 24/7 claims department, American Home Shield is a veteran in the industry and earns a place at the top of the home warranty services list.

About American Home Shield

American Home Shield is one of the oldest standing home warranty services. Serving homeowners across the US for over 50 years, American Home Shield currently boasts an impressive 2 million happy customers. Working with thousands of contractors, AHS provides fast and professional service. That's why it's earned a B rating with the BBB.

Disclaimer

*New Jersey Residents: The product being offered is a service contract and is separate and distinct from any product or service warranty which may be provided by the home builder or manufacturer.

Get started now, visit American Home Shield
By www.besthomewarrantyonline.com staff
www.besthomewarrantyonline.com staff is comprised of freelance writers who write for the site
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