American Home Shield

Founded in 1971, American Home Shield® pioneered the home warranty industry and is one of the largest providers today, with over 1.7 million customers. The company’s goal is to protect homeowners from unexpected and expensive repair costs for essential home systems and appliances. Affiliated with Frontdoor, a home services company, AHS has built a trusted reputation over the past five decades.

AHS offers flexible plans tailored to various homeowner needs, including a build-your-own plan that allows customers to select the individual systems and appliances they'd like coverage for. 

Below, we delve into the pros, cons, plans, and pricing options to give you a comprehensive overview of what American Home Shield offers.

Over 50 Years of Experience

American Home Shield has more than 50 years of experience and became the industry founder when it created home warranties back in 1971. American Home Shield now has more than 1.7 million customers and is one of the largest warranty companies in the industry. This long track record assures customers that the company is equipped to handle a wide range of home repair needs.

Discount Programs

In addition to its decades of home warranty experience, American Home Shield offers its customers many money-saving incentives, including:

• Appliance Discount Program: Get access to discounted, Energy Star-certified appliances.


• Air Filter Discounts: Save up to 50% on retail air filters, with the convenience of home delivery.


• Refer a Friend Program: Rewards customers with a $25 Amazon gift card for each friend referred.

Flexible Coverage Options

AHS offers three main coverage plans: ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, and ShieldPlatinum™, designed to cater to different levels of protection. These plans cover major systems, appliances, or a combination of both, giving homeowners the flexibility to choose the coverage that best suits their household.

Build-Your-Own Plan

For homeowners with specific needs, AHS provides a Build-Your-Own Plan, allowing customers to select individual systems and appliances for coverage. This option offers more control over the protection you receive and helps avoid paying for unwanted coverage.

Multiple Service Fee Options

With American Home Shield, customers pay a trade service call fee for a professional to help them with their problem, then fix the system or appliance or replace it. AHS offers three trade service call fee choices—$75, $100, or $125—giving customers the flexibility to balance upfront costs and monthly premiums. Choosing a higher service fee results in lower monthly premiums, while a lower service fee increases your monthly cost.

No Home Inspection Required

Unlike some home warranty providers, AHS does not require a home inspection or maintenance records for enrollment. This simplifies the signup process, especially for homeowners with older systems and appliances, making it easier to secure coverage.

Electronics Coverage

American Home Shield offers an electronics plan, in partnership with Allstate Protection Plans, which covers home electronics like TVs, computers, tablets, smart home devices, and more. This option protects against mechanical and electrical failures, as well as damage from power surges.

Customer Complaints

Common customer complaints for American Home Shield range from rising warranty prices to bad customer service processes. There have also been complaints regarding the company's network of service technicians handling repairs, with some customers waiting days for a local technician only to have multiple faulty repairs. You can read American Home Shield reviews to find out what else customers have to say about how they think American Home Shield warranty compares to other service providers. 

Coverage Caps

Like many home warranty providers, AHS imposes coverage limits on certain systems and appliances. Once these limits are reached, homeowners are responsible for covering any additional repair or replacement costs, which may lead to out-of-pocket expenses.

Lack of Transparent Pricing Information

AHS does not list specific pricing for its plans directly on its website. Potential customers must request a quote to get details on monthly and annual plan costs, which may be inconvenient for those wanting a quick comparison to other home warranty providers.

American Home Shield is a veteran in the home warranty industry, offering a wide range of flexible coverage options, customizable plans, and a long history of reliable service. Its no home inspection policy and multiple service fee choices give customers flexibility, while its discount programs add value.

That said, potential customers should be aware of reported service delays and review their plan’s coverage caps carefully. For homeowners seeking extensive protection and customization options, AHS remains one of the top choices in the market.