Looking for comprehensive home warranty coverage? American Home Shield is a leading home warranty provider. High coverage limits, inclusive service plans and unknown preexisting condition coverage make this company a good choice for many homeowners. But is it right for you?
USA TODAY’s American Home Shield review dives into cost, coverage, exclusions and more so that you can decide if this home warranty company is the one for your home.
Bottom line: Is American Home Shield worth it?
If you want comprehensive coverage and high coverage limits, AHS is the home warranty company for you. No other provider can match the high $50,000 coverage cap, nearly guaranteeing you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket if your home system or appliance breaks down because of normal wear and tear.
The downside is that the monthly premiums are expensive, as are the service fees. So if you buy a home warranty from American Home Shield and don’t’ use it, it will cost you. But if you do end up making an approved claim or two, it will easily pay for itself.
About American Home Shield
American Home Shield (AHS) is a well-known name in the home warranty industry, offering coverage in every state except Alaska. Known for its high coverage limits and inclusion of unknown preexisting conditions, AHS is ideal for homeowners who want maximum protection for their home. Plans start at $49.99 per month for systems-only coverage and go up to $99.99 per month for the comprehensive ShieldPlatinum plan, which includes extras like roof leak protection and HVAC tune-ups.
Though AHS offers excellent coverage, it comes at a price. Monthly costs are higher than most competitors, and the standard $125 service fee is about $50 more per claim than the average $75. Although the cost may be higher, the comprehensive coverage is hard to beat.
What we like about American Home Shield
American Home Shield has been supplying home warranty plans for decades, and has proven to be a reliable provider. It has three tiers of plans that cover appliances, systems or both, and a few add-ons for further coverage.
We like the high coverage limits for systems and appliances, plus the $50,000 annual coverage cap for all claims. Many home warranty companies cap this amount at $10,000 or less, so they can’t even compare to AHS.
The added perks also make American Home Shield a top home warranty company. Free HVAC tune-ups, rekey service, dryer vent cleaning and more add more value to your plan.
What we don’t like about American Home Shield
The downside to American Home Shield is the price. Plans cost up to $100 or more per month, and if you want the additional benefits, you have to buy the most expensive ShieldPlatinum plan.
American Home Shield pros and cons
Pros:
- Covers unknown preexisting conditions
- High $50,000 aggregate coverage limit
- Up to $4,000 per appliance coverage and $5,000 per HVAC system
Cons:
- Higher monthly cost than competitors
- High $125 service fee
- No appliance-only plan
American Home Shield plans and pricing
American Home Shield offers three plans: One systems-only plan and two combo plans. Home warranty plans with American Home Shield start at $49.99 per month for the most basic systems-only coverage and go up to $99.99 per month for the comprehensive ShieldPlatinum systems and appliance plan. All plans include a high $50,000 annual aggregate (total) coverage limit.
The prices in the table below reflect a $125 service call fee, a cost that is about $50 more per claim than competitors. You have the option to lower your service fee to $100, but each plan increases by $10 per month.
- ShieldSilver (starting at $49.99/month): 19 home systems (heating and cooling systems, electrical systems and plumbing systems); Coverage cap of $5,000 per HVAC system.
- ShieldGold (starting at $69.99/month): 28 home systems and appliances (ShieldSilver plus kitchen and laundry appliances); Coverage cap of $5,000 per HVAC system, $2,000 per appliance.
- ShieldPlatinum (starting at $99.99/month): 28 home systems and appliances plus roof leak repairs, free HVAC tune-ups, code violations and permits, and other member benefits; Coverage cap of $5,000 per HVAC system, $4,000 per appliance.
Cost data were gathered for a 2,500-square-foot home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Data are accurate as of August 2026.
American Home Shield discounts
American Home Shield offers discounts for active-duty military and veterans, AARP members and those looking to get coverage for multiple properties. AHS also has a referral program offering a $25 Amazon gift card per referral.
American Home Shield add-on coverage
American Home Shield’s plans are robust, but they don’t cover everything. AHS offers six add-ons that range from $5 to an extra $24 per month. These add-on prices are more expensive than what is offered by competitors (often less than $10 per add-on), so only add them if you need to.
| Add-on item | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Roof leak repair* | $10/month |
| Electronics protection plan | $14/month |
| Pool and built-in spa equipment | $24/month |
| Guest unit | $20/month |
| Septic pump | $5/month |
| Well pump | $8/month |
*ShieldPlatinum includes roof leak protection, but you are able to add to either of the other plans for $10 per month.
Cost data were gathered for a 2,500-square-foot home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Data are accurate as of August 2026.
What does American Home Shield cover?
ShieldSilver is AHS’s most basic coverage option that includes only your home’s core systems, such as plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems. ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum include ShieldSilver’s systems, and both cover the same 28 systems and appliances; the main difference is that ShieldPlatinum comes with extra benefits, like roof leak protection, HVAC tune-ups and coverage for code violations and permits (a benefit we don’t see covered with other providers).
- HVAC (heating and cooling systems): Air conditioners, ductwork, heat pumps, furnaces, mini-splits and geothermal systems.
- Electrical systems: Outlets, built-in exhaust fans, light switches, doorbells, wiring, breaker box, ceiling fans and garage door openers.
- Plumbing systems: Water heater, water lines, permanently installed sump pump, gas lines, drain lines, toilets, shower heads, ejector pump, plumbing stoppages and more.
- Kitchen appliances: Refrigerators, ranges, ovens, cooktops, dishwashers, built-in kitchen exhaust fans, built-in microwave, garbage disposal and instant hot/cold water dispenser.
- Laundry appliances: Laundry washer and dryer.
If you opt for ShieldPlatinum, everything above is covered plus:
- Unlimited AC refrigerant
- $1,000 of roof leak repair coverage
- Higher $4,000 per appliances coverage cap
- Code violation, permit and modification coverage up to $250 per term
What American Home Shield doesn’t cover
American Home Shield has a standard list of exclusions, but unlike most home warranty providers, it does cover preexisting conditions as long as they were unknown. You can expect the following exclusions in an AHS contract:
- Cosmetic damage and damage that doesn’t affect the primary function of a covered item
- Issues caused by misuse, vandalism, pests or pets
- Known preexisting conditions
- Breakdowns due to the system or appliance being the wrong size for your home
- Outdoor kitchens
- Smart-home systems
- Chimneys and fireplaces
For more details on American Home Shield’s exclusions, read through their online sample contract.
American Home Shield availability
Home warranty plans with American Home Shield are currently available in all U.S. states except Alaska. Coverage options may vary depending on your area. Enter your ZIP code into the map below to see what types of coverage are available for your home.
American Home Shield customer reviews
Home warranty companies are notorious for poor reviews, but American Home Shield is not one of them. With 3.6 stars from Trustpilot, AHS shows that it’s a warranty provider you can trust.
AHS customers appreciate the quick service, professionalism of technicians and polite customer service. They also like that AHS representatives seem to truly care about the service they offer.
Home warranty companies aren’t perfect, and AHS is no different. Although many customers report “top-notch” service, others experienced delays, slow approvals and dissatisfaction with the replacement appliance or parts.
To avoid unexpected claim denials, read through your entire contract. Pay particular attention to exclusions, as that will explain why claims get denied.
Alternatives to American Home Shield
American Home Shield is a great option for homeowners who want the most comprehensive coverage available. Because it covers unknown preexisting conditions, AHS is also the ideal choice for new homeowners buying an older home with an unknown history. However, this provider is expensive if you want the most comprehensive coverage.
If you need a more affordable option, Liberty Home Guard or Select Home Warranty may be better options.
How to file a claim with American Home Shield
American Home Shield has a standard 30-day waiting period where you are not eligible to make home warranty claims. Once this time frame is up, you can begin the claim process for systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. The easiest way to do this is to go online to your AHS MyAccount Portal or use the mobile app:
- Log in to your MyAccount and select the option to request service.
- Choose the item that needs repair and select the issue or symptoms.
- Pay your service fee ($100 or $125).
- American Home Shield will begin to process your service request.
Once your request is in the system, it takes up to 48 hours for American Home Shield to schedule the diagnosis appointment. Your repair will either happen at the appointment or will be scheduled for a later date if parts or a replacement are necessary.
How USA TODAY rates American Home Shield
Our editorial team at USA TODAY applies a rigorous, in-house methodology to evaluate and rank home warranty providers, including well-known names like American Home Shield. To create our list of the top 10 home warranty companies, we reviewed 20 of the nation’s leading providers. Factors such as plan options, coverage details, pricing, service quality, customer satisfaction and overall reliability were used to generate our list.
About the author
Alora Bopray is an editor and writer who has covered the home services industry for nearly a decade. She is an avid DIYer who uses her own successes (and mistakes) to educate homeowners on how to take better care of their homes. Categories covered by this author include home warranty, gutter guards, pest control, mattresses, roofing, car warranty, home insurance, car insurance, weight loss and hair loss.
Frequently asked questions
Is American Home Shield better than HomeServe?
It depends on your needs. HomeServe may bet the right option if you want a cheaper monthly rate and a low-to-no service fee when you file a claim, but American Home Shield has more robust coverage options.
What does American Home Shield not cover?
American Home Shield does not cover cosmetic damage, damage due to pests or vandalism or known preexisting conditions.
Will American Home Shield replace my AC?
If your air conditioning system breaks down due to normal wear and tear, American Home Shield will pay to repair or replace your AC system.