You can obtain a free, instant quote from the American Home Shield website by giving your address and confirming the plan you’d like to purchase, as well as the service fee you’d prefer.
American Home Shield Plans
American Home Shield offers 3 main plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum. In addition, you can include any of the add-on options to enhance your coverage.
ShieldSilver (best for basic systems cover) | ShieldGold (best for systems and appliances) | ShieldPlatinum (best for added extras and high price caps) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Heating and cooling systems | x | x | x |
Electrical systems | x | x | x |
Plumbing systems | x | x | x |
Kitchen appliances | x | x | |
Laundry appliances | x | x | |
Roof leak repairs | x | ||
Free heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) tune up | x | ||
Unlimited air conditioner refrigerant | x | ||
Coverage for code violations and permits | x |
American Home Shield offers 6 additional coverage options which can be bolted onto your base plan to provide extra cover where needed:

Unusual for a home warranty service, American Home Shield will cover older items and those that have been neglected or have an undetectable pre-existing condition. However, there are some coverage limitations. American Home Shield will only cover residential properties, not those used for business or commercial purposes. It also won’t cover any damage or malfunction caused by a third party such as a manufacturer, distributor, or builder. There are also additional limitations for particular appliances or systems.
You can request service through American Home Shield 24/7, either online or by phone. There’s no limit to the number of service requests you can make, but there is a cap on the amount you can claim for some repairs. For example, American Home Shield will pay up to $1,500 per contract term to access, inspect, and repair or replace heating and air conditioning units. The ShieldGold package has a $3,000 cap for appliances. And the ShieldPlatinum plan raises this to a $6,000 cap for covered appliances, plus $1,000 for correcting code violations, $1,500 for roof leak repair (the highest limit of any home warranty company), and unlimited air conditioner refrigerant cover.
Reviews for American Home Shield are mixed. On Trustpilot, 95% of reviews are ‘Bad’. Customer complaints include the quality of contractors and the slow speed of repairs. However, the 3% of excellent reviews note the quick and efficient service. On ConsumerAffairs, the average rating is 4.4/5. Again, it’s a mixed bag when it comes to response times.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) rates American Home Shield with a ‘B,’ with an average rating of 2.52/5 based on 8,876 customer reviews.
American Home Shield offers a number of benefits, including:
American Home Shield does not currently offer a mobile app.
American Home Shield has a useful blog covering home maintenance advice and a thorough FAQs section on its site. As a customer, you can reach American Home Shield 24/7 through your online account or by phone. You can also make queries by email.
American Home Shield lists its average annual premium as $500–$700 per year, with the exact cost dependent on your home and the package selected. We obtained quotes for properties in California to compare to the company’s quoted averages:
| ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum | |
|---|---|---|---|
Annual premium, Texas | Lowest: $299.88 Middle: $419.88 Highest: $659.88 Actual average: $437 | Lowest: $419.88 Middle: $539.88 Highest: $779.88 Actual average: $568 | Lowest: $779.88 Middle: $899.88 Highest: $1,139.88 Actual average: $979 |
Annual premium, California | Lowest: $299.88 Middle: $299.88 Highest: $539.88 Actual average: $365 | Lowest: $419.88 Middle: $419.88 Highest: $659.88 Actual average: $507 | Lowest: $779.88 Middle: $779.88 Highest: $1,019.88 Actual average: $910 |
As our quotes show, the premium can be significantly higher in some areas than in others.
Additionally, you can choose your service fee; either $100 or $125. Choosing a higher service fee can mean a lower monthly premium. Including add-on coverage options will add $50–$258 to your annual cost, depending on what you choose.
American Home Shield Alternatives
American Home Shield is similar to its competitors in terms of the pricing for its plans, although its service fee can be more expensive if you opt for the lower premium option. Its network of contractors is decently sized. While 24/7 service is fairly standard in the home warranty industry, the add-on coverage options make it easy to customize your basic package, and American Home Shield offers more discounts and deals than some companies. This flexibility and range of options make it stand out among the top home warranty companies.
| Select Home Warranty | Choice Home Warranty | Complete Care Home Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|
Average annual premium | $599.88-$839.88 | $476-$660 | $450-$570 |
Contractors | 6,800 in-network | 15,000 in-network | In-network (number not specified) |
Service call fee | $100-$125 | $75-$85 | $60 |
Service requests | Service requests can be submitted online or by phone, 24/7 | Service requests can be made online or by phone, 24/7 | Service is available by phone, 24/7 |
Select Home Warranty’s premiums can be a little more expensive than American Home Shield, although in some cases the service fee can be lower. Where American Home Shield has an advantage is its larger confirmed network of contractors, which may make you more confident in its ability to find local service for you. American Home Shield also offers a stronger range of deals and discounts.
Choice Home Warranty is slightly cheaper than American Home Shield in terms of premiums and service fee. Its $3,000 cap on items is matched by American Home Shield if you’re on the ShieldGold plan, but if you invest in the ShieldPlatinum plan, you can raise this to $6,000. Therefore, if you are keen to cover more expensive repairs, American Home Shield could be worth the extra money.
Complete Care Home Warranty is somewhat cheaper than American Home Shield, both in terms of premium and service fee, so could be a better choice if you’re on a budget. However, we noted Complete Care Warranty’s low service caps on a range of items (only $500), which might feel restrictive. Additionally, American Home Shield’s add-on plans might suit you if you’re looking for a simpler way to customize your cover.
American Home Shield offers solid coverage for the appliances and systems in your home and can ultimately save you money when things go wrong. What sets its service apart from competitors is its inclusive terms, covering items that are rusted or corroded or with undetected pre-existing conditions. Additionally, it offers add-on coverage options rather than a long list of single products, making it quicker and easier to customize your cover to suit your needs. Although it’s important to be aware of some negative customer feedback, American Home Shield also has satisfied members and offers some attractive incentives like friend referrals. If you’re looking for a customizable home warranty, American Home Shield could be the choice for you.
* 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.
Catherine Miller is a lead member of personal finance and pension innovator Maji, where’s she’s responsible for content creation and running Maji’s personal finance masterclass. Miller also holds degrees in English and education, and worked as a teacher before moving into writing about finance. Today, she combines aspects of education and personal finance to help readers make better decisions in finance and beyond.