How much does American Home Shield cost?
Ashburn, VA

How much does American Home Shield cost?

Ashburn, VA

How much does American Home Shield cost?

$40 – $90average monthly cost
$480 – $1,100average annual cost
$75 – $125average service visit fee

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$40 – $90 average monthly cost

$480 – $1,100 average annual cost

$75 – $125 average service visit fee


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Tara Farmer
Written by
Tara Farmer
Edited by
Tamatha Hazen
Fact-checked by
Kristen Cramer

American Home Shield plans cost

American Home Shield costs $480 to $1,100 per year for a home warranty, depending on your home size, type, location, and coverage level. American Home Shield prices range from $40 to $90 per month, depending on the plan and whether you choose a $75, $100, or $125 service call fee.

American Home Shield plan prices
American Home Shield plan prices
American Home Shield plan prices
Plan level Average annual cost* Coverage details
ShieldSilver $480 – $600 Covers 14 major systems that fall under heating & cooling, electrical, & plumbing systems
ShieldGold $660 – $840 Covers everything in the ShieldSilver plan, plus kitchen and laundry appliances
ShieldPlatinum $960 – $1,100 Covers everything from the above plans, plus roof leaks, coverage for code violations, higher appliance coverage, and a free AC tune-up

*Not including service call fees.

  • American Home Shield (AHS) offers warranty coverage for single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhomes, condos, and mobile homes.

  • AHS does not offer warranty services in Alaska, New York City, or Hawaii.

American Home Shield service fee

American Home Shield's service fee options are $75, $100, or $125, plus sales tax where applicable. You select the service fee amount when purchasing your plan. As with most home warranty plans, the service fee doesn't cover repairs, it covers the contractor's visit to your home.

This service fee is similar to the $70 to $130 call-out fee for repair services which repair companies typically charge on top of the average $100 to $400 out-of-pocket cost for appliance repairs. Replacing an appliance is even pricier, with the cost of new appliances ranging from $250 to $1,300 or more.

Available discounts

American Home Shield offers several possible discounts. We signed up for their email list and immediately received an email offering $75 off any plan. They also offer special pricing for AARP members and military service members, which can be combined with any other valid sitewide promotional offer.

Other discounts include:

  • Air filter discounts

  • Appliance discounts

  • Amazon gift cards for referrals ($25 for you, and $25 for your referred friend)

  • $50 off when purchasing plans for multiple properties

Get free estimates from home improvement contractors near you.

What does American Home Shield cover?

American Home Shield offers three plans and a handful of add-ons to customize the warranty based on your specific needs.

American Home Shield coverage and monthly cost
Plan level Average monthly cost* Coverage details
ShieldSilver $40 – $50
  • Heating & air conditioning systems
  • Ductwork
  • Electrical system
  • Plumbing system
  • Garage door opener
  • Discounted air filters and AC tune-ups
ShieldGold $55 – $70

Includes everything in the ShieldSilver plan, plus:

  • Built-in microwave
  • Built-in kitchen exhaust fan
  • Clothes washer & dryer
  • Dishwasher
  • Garbage disposal, installed instant hot/cold water dispenser
  • Ranges, oven, & cooktop
  • Refrigerator
ShieldPlatinum $80 – $90

Includes everything in the ShieldSilver & ShieldGold plans, plus:

  • Roof leak repair
  • One free AC tune-up
  • Unlimited AC refrigerant
Optional add-ons $5 – $25 each
  • Roof leak repair (ShieldSilver & ShieldGold)
  • Well pump
  • Septic system ejector pump & pumping
  • Pool & built-in spa equipment
  • Guest unit up to 750 square feet

*Not including service call fees.

Coverage limits

AHS does not limit the number of covered repairs, but they cap the coverage allowances for each item or system. The table below shows the coverage limits for several covered items and systems.

American Home Shield coverage limits
Covered item or system* Coverage limit*
Heating & air conditioning systems $1,500 – $5,000 (depending on the system)
Kitchen & laundry appliances $2,000 per appliance (ShieldGold)
$4,000 per appliance (ShieldPlatinum)
Roof leaks $1,000 (ShieldPlatinum)
Permits & code violations $250
Well pump add-on $1,500
Pool & built-in spa equipment add-on $3,000 total

*For items or systems included in the plan or purchased as optional add-ons.

Exclusions

American Home Shield's warranty exclusions vary depending on your location and specific contract terms. Be aware that in every home warranty contract, each covered appliance or system typically has some components or circumstances that are not covered.

Here are some common exclusions for AHS warranties:

  • Construction costs related to a covered repair

  • Costs to access a covered item in an inaccessible location

  • Non-standard equipment costs, such as cranes or scaffolding

  • Secondary damage costs resulting from a covered breakdown

  • Cosmetic damage on covered items

  • Any feature that is not a primary function of the covered item

  • Known pre-existing conditions of covered items

  • Flues, chimneys, fireplaces, and exhaust lines

  • Smoke, gas, or leak detection systems

Cape-style house with professional landscaping
Cape-style house with professional landscaping

American Home Shield pros & cons

As with any home warranty company, American Home Shield warranties have both benefits and drawbacks. AHS requires you to use a contractor from their network if available, but they offer a 30-day workmanship guarantee. Consider these additional pros and cons to help you decide if AHS is right for you:

American Home Shield pros & cons
Pros Cons
  • Covers undetectable pre-existing conditions, breakdowns from lack of maintenance, and improper installations
  • No age limit on covered appliances or systems
  • Better than average roof-leak coverage
  • Flexible service fees
  • Not available in Alaska, Hawaii, or NYC
  • Must use AHS contractor if available
  • Limited add-on options

American Home Shield reviews

American Home Shield Warranty reviews are a mix of positive and negative. Positive reviews note quick response time and service, while negative reviews report technician service delays and many denied claims.

Get free estimates from home improvement contractors near you.
  • About 5,200 customers reviewed American Home Shield on Trustpilot, with an average rating of 2.2 out of 5 stars. While this is considered a "poor" rating, AHS replied to nearly all negative reviews within 24 hours, which shows they are paying attention.

  • AHS currently has a "B" rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, with over 25,000 complaints closed in the last 3 years.

American Home Shield vs. other companies

Home warranty prices range from $35 to $90 per month, depending on the company, plan, and coverage level. American Home Shield's pricing spans this range as they offer several plans with varying amounts of coverage. The table below shows the average prices for several popular home warranty companies.

American Home Shield vs. other home warranty companies
Company Average monthly cost Average service fee per visit
American Home Shield cost $40 – $90 $75 – $125
America's 1st Choice Home Club (AFC) $45 – $65 $75 – $125
Choice Home Warranty cost $45 – $55 $65 – $100
Cinch Home Services $35 – $65 $100 – $150
First American Home Warranty cost $45 – $65 $75 – $125
Home Warranty of America (HWA) $45 – $60 $75 – $100
Liberty Home Guard $50 – $85 $75 – $125
Select Home Warranty $40 – $65 $75 – $100

FAQs about American Home Shield

Do I need a home warranty if I have homeowner's insurance?

You don't need a home warranty as long as you can pay out of pocket if an appliance or system in your home malfunctions. Homeowners insurance policies typically cover damage resulting from hazards, such as severe storms, fire, theft, or vandalism, but they don't cover damage from wear over time.

How does American Home Shield warranty work?

Once your American Home Shield coverage begins, you can request service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online or over the phone. You then pay the service fee agreed upon in your contract, after which AHS contacts a service contractor within 48 hours to schedule and diagnose the issue.

  • Service technicians may diagnose issues via video call or an in-person appointment.

  • AHS reviews the information the service contractor provides and authorizes them to proceed with the repair if they determine it's covered.

How long does an American Home Shield warranty last?

The standard service contract for an American Home Shield warranty is one year.

How do I cancel my American Home Shield warranty policy?

Get free estimates from home improvement contractors near you.

You can cancel your American Home Shield warranty at any time by calling their customer service line.

  • If you cancel within 30 days of purchase, AHS refunds your contract fees minus any service or claims.

  • After 30 days, they prorate your refund based on the days remaining, minus any service or claims and an administrative fee of up to one month's payment (where the law permits).

Getting estimates from American Home Shield

Before signing on the dotted line for an American Home Shield warranty, read the contract terms carefully, and take note of these important details:

  • The service visit fee amount, and when it applies

  • The monthly premium cost

  • Annual coverage caps and exclusions for each item or category

  • Any other conditions or exclusions specific to the state you live in

  • How easy or difficult the claims process is

  • Which appliances and/or systems the plan covers

  • Conditions that can void the warranty

Questions to ask

Ask the following questions to help you select the best home warranty company and coverage for your needs:

  • What exactly does the plan cover?

  • What is not covered in this American Home Shield plan?

  • What is the service call fee, and when is it applicable?

  • What are the annual coverage caps for each covered item?

  • Is there a limit to how many claims I submit per year?

  • Do you offer discounts for multiple-year plans?

  • What other discounts or perks do you offer?

  • What makes your home warranty better than other companies?