How much does American Home Shield cost?
How much does American Home Shield cost?
$40 – $90 average monthly cost
$480 – $1,100 average annual cost
$75 – $125 average service visit fee
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.
| 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
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.
| Plan level | Average monthly cost* | Coverage details |
|---|---|---|
| ShieldSilver | $40 – $50 |
|
| ShieldGold | $55 – $70 |
Includes everything in the ShieldSilver plan, plus:
|
| ShieldPlatinum | $80 – $90 |
Includes everything in the ShieldSilver & ShieldGold plans, plus:
|
| Optional add-ons | $5 – $25 each |
|
*Not including service call fees.
Coverage options, limits, exclusions, and service fees vary depending on your location and if you're purchasing a warranty as part of a real estate transaction. Review a sample contract for your state to confirm your available options and contract terms.
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.
| 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
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:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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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.
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.
| 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?
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?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.