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Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield: 2025 Comparison
American Home Shield offers better coverage, but Choice Home Warranty tends to be more affordable for premiums.
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NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.
Whitney Vandiver writes for NerdWallet, currently focusing on home services, and has been published in The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Seattle Times and The Independent. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading with a hot latte and spending time with her family. She is based in Houston.
Julie Myhre-Nunes leads the Home Services team, covering home improvement, home warranties, home security, solar and moving. She also leads Auto Loans and Student Loans. Julie has over a decade of experience in personal finance. Before joining NerdWallet, she led editorial teams at Red Ventures and several startups. Her personal finance insights have been featured in Forbes, The Boston Globe and CNBC, while her writing has appeared in USA Today, Business Insider, Wired Insights and more.
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American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty are two home warranty companies with wide coverage, offering repairs for major home systems and appliances. While American Home Shield will pay more toward approved repairs, Choice Home Warranty tends to be more affordable for premiums and service fees.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
Unlike most plans, the ShieldPlatinum plan includes roof leak coverage. Usually, this coverage is only available as an add-on.
Pros
Will pay for wall damage when accessing plumbing or electrical items.
High coverage limits on electrical and plumbing.
Can choose your own contractor.
Coverage in most states.
Cons
Only 30-day workmanship guarantee.
Average customer satisfaction ratings.
Monthly premiums
$20 and up
Based on quotes collected in August 2025.
Service fees
Based on quotes gathered in March 2025
$100 or $125
per claim
States available
48
states, and Washington, D.C.
IS THIS COMPANY AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?
IS THIS COMPANY AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?
Key facts
Unlike most plans, the ShieldPlatinum plan includes roof leak coverage. Usually, this coverage is only available as an add-on.
Pros
Will pay for wall damage when accessing plumbing or electrical items.
High coverage limits on electrical and plumbing.
Can choose your own contractor.
Coverage in most states.
Cons
Only 30-day workmanship guarantee.
Average customer satisfaction ratings.
Our take on Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield
Choice Home Warranty
American Home Shield
NerdWallet rating
3.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
4.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Price
4.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Service fees
3.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Customer satisfaction
2.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
2.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Breadth of coverage
4.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Coverage limits
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
This snapshot shows some factors that we consider when rating a home warranty company and is not representative of the full evaluation process.
Key differences between Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield
Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield offer similar services, have comparable plans and offer coverage in most states. However, there are a few key differences that customers should consider when choosing a home warranty, including:
American Home Shield offers more plans and higher coverage limits than Choice Home Warranty.
Choice Home Warranty’s pricing is the same no matter where you live, so you don’t have to worry about a steep monthly premium like with American Home Shield.
American Home Shield has two service fee options; Choice Home Warranty only has one service fee that all customers pay, but it’s cheaper than American Home Shield’s highest service fee.
Choice Home Warranty covers more items in its top plan than American Home Shield and offers more add-on items for optional coverage.
Both companies have customer reviews that say wait time for repairs can be long and some technicians aren’t knowledgeable about repairs; however, consumers’ reviews seem to lean toward American Home Shield having better customer service.
The winner: It's a tie — American Home Shield has cheaper premiums in some locations, but Choice Home Warranty has consistent and predictable pricing.
Monthly premium
Choice Home Warranty’s plans cost between $49.16 and $57.50 per month, depending on the plan you choose. The company has consistent pricing, so you’re likely to get the same or a similar rate as other homeowners regardless of your location. Choice Home Warranty is available in 49 states, including Washington, D.C. It is not available in Washington state.
Plan
Lowest quote
Highest quote
Service fee
Basic Plan
$49.16.
$49.16.
$100.
Total Plan
$57.50.
$57.50.
$100.
American Home Shield, however, bases its pricing on customers’ locations. For example, the cheapest quote we’ve found with American Home Shield is $19.99, which was for a home in Anaheim, California. That same plan and service fee combo was $59.99 per month in an area of Dallas, Texas. The most expensive quote we found for American Home Shield was $119.99 per month. American Home Shield is available in 48 states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Although it does offer coverage in New York, the company doesn’t cover properties in New York City.
Plan
Lowest quote
Highest quote
Service fee
ShieldSilver
$19.99.
$69.99.
$100 or $125.
ShieldGold
$39.99.
$89.99.
$100 or $125.
ShieldPlatinum
$69.99.
$119.99.
$100 or $125.
Service fee
Home warranty companies usually require customers to pay a service fee every time a technician responds to a claim. Choice Home Warranty charges customers $100 per service call, but advertises that some customers might qualify for a discount that lowers the service fee.
American Home Shield lets customers choose between $100 or $125 service fees when they sign up for their contracts. Customers who choose the higher service fee will pay a lower monthly premium. However, both options are on the higher end of service fees among home warranty companies.
"Plan your budget to include your monthly premium, which should be the same every month, plus the service fees you’ll pay every time a technician comes to your home. Depending on your home, you might want to plan on filing between one and four claims a year."
Whitney Vandiver
Writer on Home Warranties
The winner: Choice Home Warranty
Plans
Choice Home Warranty has two comprehensive plans that cover major systems and appliances. Its Basic Plan covers heating, electrical and plumbing systems, as well as major kitchen appliances. The Total Plan includes the same items and adds coverage for air conditioning systems, refrigerators, washers and dryers. Because both plans have comprehensive coverage, you can’t get a plan that covers only appliances or only systems.
American Home Shield offers three plans. The lowest plan, ShieldSilver, covers HVAC systems, electrical and plumbing systems and a few items that are often categorized as appliances, such as garage door openers and exhaust fans. The next plan, ShieldGold, adds to that coverage with most major kitchen appliances, including washer and dryers. The top plan, ShieldPlatinum, has the same coverage as ShieldGold but adds limited roof leak repairs and increases the amount the company will pay toward appliance repairs.
Compare plan coverage
Choice Home Warranty (Total Plan coverage)
American Home Shield (ShieldPlatinum coverage)
Air conditioning system
✔
✔
Heating system
✔
✔
Ductwork
✔
✔
Electrical system
✔
✔
Plumbing system
✔
✔
Plumbing stoppage
✔
X
Water heater
✔
✔
Refrigerator
✔
✔
Dishwasher
✔
✔
Oven/range/stove
✔
✔
Cooktop
✔
✔
Built-in microwave
✔
✔
Garbage disposal
✔
✔
Garage door opener
✔
✔
Clothes washer
✔
✔
Clothes dryer
✔
✔
Ceiling fans
✔
✔
Exhaust fans
✔
✔
Optional coverage
American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty offer add-on coverage for specific items that are not included in their plans. Their optional coverage is similar to what most home warranty companies offer.
Compare optional coverage items
Choice Home Warranty
American Home Shield
Pool/spa
✔
✔
Limited roof leak
✔
✔
Septic systems
✔
✔
Septic tank pumping
✔
✔
Well pump
✔
✔
Additional refrigerator
✔
X
Stand alone freezer
✔
Covered in a plan
Central vacuum
✔
X
Exclusions and limits
The winner: American Home Shield
Coverage limits
Most home warranty companies limit how much they’ll pay toward a repair or to replace a covered item. Choice Home Warranty caps its coverage at $3,000 per item for both plans. This includes paying or reimbursing you up to:
$3,000 total for heating and air conditioning combined.
$3,000 for plumbing systems.
$3,000 for electrical systems.
$3,000 for each appliance.
It also pays up to $500 for qualifying roof leak repairs if you opt for the extra coverage.
On the other hand, American Home Warranty has different limits for each category of repairs. It’ll pay to up to:
$5,000 for heating systems and $5,000 for air conditioning systems.
$3,000 for plumbing systems.
$3,000 for electrical systems.
$2,000 or $4,000 for appliances, depending on the plan.
It also pays up to $1,000 for qualifying roof leak repairs with its most expensive plan.
Notable exclusions
Most home warranties only cover repairs for normal wear and tear of covered items. So it’s not surprising that Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield won’t cover:
Regular maintenance of systems and appliances.
Physical damage to a covered item.
Cosmetic repairs that don’t affect a covered item’s functionality.
Damage resulting from natural disasters, including floods and fires.
Items that are currently covered by a manufacturer or third-party warranty.
Items that have a manufacturer or government recall.
Choice Home Warranty also excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions, which means it won’t pay to repair issues that existed before your contract coverage started. American Home Shield has the same exclusion, but it will cover issues caused by mismatched HVAC systems, even if you knew the systems were mismatched before your contract started.
Both companies also state in their contracts that they won’t guarantee that you’ll get an identical item if they replace your system or appliance. American Home Shield says it might replace your item with a different make, model, color or finish, and Choice Home Warranty says it’s not responsible for upgrading or modifying your covered item if a replacement isn’t compatible with your existing equipment.
An area where American Home Shield comes out ahead is with disposal of an old system or appliance. If the company repairs or replaces a covered item, it agrees to remove it and dispose of it, whenever reasonably possible; American Home Shield includes this service in your coverage. On the other hand, Choice Home Warranty says that a technician can charge you an extra fee to dispose of your old item.
Most home warranty companies guarantee repairs that they’ve paid for, which keeps you from paying another service fee if a repair fails and has to be performed again. The length of these repair guarantees vary across home warranty companies.
Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield have the same 30-day repair guarantee. So customers with both companies have the same length of coverage before they have to pay another service fee for a failed repair.
🤓Nerdy Tip
If you’re worried about repair guarantees, consider Cinch Home Services or 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty — both offer exceptional repair guarantees compared to other home warranty companies.
Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield: Which would we choose?
Although Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield offer similar services and have some of the same exclusions, there are a few reasons we would choose one company over the other.
Choice Home Warranty might be the better option for homeowners who prefer:
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of home warranty being reviewed and the warranty's cost, coverage levels, customer reviews and other features.
Our Home Services team reviews home warranty companies with our readers in mind. We provide unbiased reviews that consider several factors, including cost, covered items, coverage limits, customer ratings, ability to choose your own technician and warranty on work completed. When rating home warranties, we researched 13 companies, compared terms and conditions in their service agreements and read customer reviews from three consumer review websites. While NerdWallet does have partnerships with some home warranty companies, our editorial team is uninvolved in that process to ensure unbiased reviews and recommendations. Read more about how NerdWallet rates home warranties.
