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American Home Shield Warranty Review: 2025 Plans and Prices
With relatively high coverage caps and flexible service fees, American Home Shield is a top home warranty pick.
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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.
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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.
This cost is based on quotes gathered in February 2024.
$20 and up
Based on quotes gathered in August 2025.
Service fees
$100 or $125
per claim
States available
Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
48
states, and Washington, D.C.
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.
Monthly premiums
This cost is based on quotes gathered in February 2024.
$20 and up
Based on quotes gathered in August 2025.
Service fees
$100 or $125
per claim
States available
Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
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.
Why trust NerdWallet
Our Home Services Team has reviewed over 1,000 home warranty quotes in the past year.
We've read hundreds of pages of service agreements to compare coverage, exclusions and policies.
We've researched more than just the biggest national home warranty companies.
American Home Shield home warranties start at $19.99 a month. The company offers broader coverage, higher coverage limits and a longer track record than most competitors, but it has mixed customer satisfaction ratings and only offers a 30-day repair guarantee.
Our take on American Home Shield
Overall
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
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
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
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.
Breadth of coverage
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.
This snapshot shows some factors that we consider when rating a home warranty company and is not representative of the full evaluation process.
What we like about American Home Shield
We like American Home Shield for its broad coverage and relatively high limits. Among home warranty companies that cap their coverage, the company is on the higher end for heating and air conditioning units at $5,000 per system. This coverage cap applies to all of its plans. The company also covers up to $4,000 in repairs or replacements per appliance with its ShieldPlatinum plan, which is a higher cap than many of its competitors offer.
Most home warranty companies only cover items that malfunction due to wear and tear, but American Home Shield covers additional causes. The company also pays for repairs related to insufficient maintenance; improper installation or repair on most items if you were unaware of the issue before your home warranty started; and corrosion, rust or sediment.
What we wish was better about American Home Shield
The company prices its plans based on your location; some customers will benefit with a cheaper monthly payment, but some customers will pay a lot more for the same coverage. We don’t like that American Home Shield guarantees its repairs for only 30 days, which is less than some of its competitors’ guarantees. The company also has inconsistent reviews online — depending on the source, customers either say they think the company is helpful or that buying a plan was a waste of money.
The ShieldSilver plan covers systems that include heating and air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems.
The ShieldGold plan covers the same systems as the ShieldSilver plan plus kitchen appliances, and washers and dryers.
The ShieldPlatinum plan includes everything from the other two plans and adds in roof leak repairs and increases the appliance coverage cap.
Like its competitors, American Home Shield doesn’t cover the cost of regular maintenance (such as replacing filters), cosmetic repairs or physical damage due to misuse.
American Home Shield add-on coverage
American Home Shield offers optional coverage, which comes with an additional fee. You can buy coverage for:
Pools.
Built-in spa equipment.
Well pumps.
Septic system ejector pumps.
Roof leak repair for plans below ShieldPlatinum.
Guest units outside the main house.
Electronics, such as computers, televisions and gaming systems.
Like other home warranty companies, American Home Shield limits the amount it will pay to repair or replace a covered item. Compared to many competitors, AHS offers competitive coverage limits in every category. The company will pay or reimburse you for approved repairs costing up to:
$5,000 per covered system on heating and air conditioning systems.
$3,000 on plumbing.
$3,000 on electrical.
$2,000-$4,000 per covered item on appliances, depending on the plan.
$1,000 on roof leak repair.
Whether the company’s coverage caps will pay for most of your repairs depends on the specific issue your appliance or system has and the cost to repair it.
American Home Shield cost
Like most home warranty companies, American Home Shield charges a customer two fees. The monthly fee stays the same during the contract and is charged even if you don’t need a repair. You also pay a service fee every time a technician comes to your house to look at a problem.
American Home Shield monthly cost
American Home Shield plans range from $19.99 to $119.99, depending on the plan and the customer’s location. Despite a competitively low starting price in some locations, American Home Shield’s pricing isn’t always a good deal for homeowners. Our research shows that monthly premiums for AHS plans vary widely by ZIP code.
To compare American Home Shield’s pricing, we requested quotes for all three of the company’s warranty plans in three cities that have different costs of living. The table below compares the cheapest quote for monthly fees for each plan in each city.
City
ShieldSilver
ShieldGold
ShieldPlatinum
Anaheim, California
$19.99.
$39.99.
$69.99.
Dallas, Texas
$59.99.
$79.99.
$109.99.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
$29.99.
$49.99.
$79.99.
This table shows the cheapest quotes we collected for each city with the most expensive service fee option.
A service fee is a fee you pay to have a technician come to your house when you need a repair. American Home Shield lets customers choose between two service fees: $100 or $125. You choose your service fee when you sign up for a plan. Customers who choose $125 get a lower monthly premium, and customers who choose $100 have a higher monthly premium.
American Home Shield guarantees that repairs it pays for won’t fail for 30 days. If an approved repair does fail within 30 days of being completed, the company will send out another technician to repair it without charging you another service fee. Although this is a standard repair guarantee among home warranty companies, some other companies provide better repair guarantees.
M-F 9:30am-9:30pm ET, Sa 10am-7pm ET, Su 10am-6pm ET
Call Liberty Home Guard
Limited-Time Deal: $200 off plus 2 free months of coverage
when the payment is annual
on Liberty Home Guard's website
Monthly fees
$50 and up
Based on quotes gathered in October 2024.
Service fees
$70–$125
per claim
States available
50
states, and Washington, D.C.
How to cancel American Home Shield
Customers can cancel their American Home Shield plan at any time. If you cancel your plan before your plan ends, your refund is based on when you cancel:
If you cancel before your coverage begins (within the 30 days after you make your first payment), the company will refund the full amount you’ve paid so far if you haven’t made any claims yet. If you have filed a service claim during that time, the refund will be for the amount you’ve paid up to that point minus any service fees.
If you cancel after your coverage has started, the amount depends on how you paid. If you’ve paid for a full year’s coverage, the amount will be prorated, meaning you’ll get back money for months that haven’t passed yet. The company will deduct the cost of any service fees that are owed and a cancellation fee equal to your monthly fee or what your state allows if that amount is less.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Some states limit cancellation fees. Check American Home Shield’s service agreement for state-specific limits for cancellation charges.
Themes in customer reviews
NerdWallet evaluated customer reviews from three review websites — Trustpilot, ConsumerAffairs and the Better Business Bureau — to get a wider perspective. Here are the types of experiences we found most common, keeping in mind that online reviews tend to lean toward negative experiences. NerdWallet hasn't independently verified these reviews.
Negative reviews of American Home Shield mentioned the company’s technicians being unable to repair covered items or misleading customers about repairs. Other reviews highlight technicians being difficult to schedule, long wait times for repairs and poor customer service.
However, positive reviews of the company say that AHS approves necessary repairs or replacements, the company assigns technicians quickly and technicians are knowledgeable and helpful.
What to know before buying a home warranty
Reading the coverage and exclusions information in your contract is one of the most impactful things you can do to avoid costly misunderstandings in the future. You have a right to read your contract before purchasing a plan, and it’s important to understand that home warranties:
Always have exclusions to coverage, no matter what their sales pitches say. Read your contract carefully before purchasing a plan — especially anything listed as an exclusion or limit of liability. For example, a company might cover air conditioning systems but exclude certain parts or components, such as coils. Other companies cover plumbing repairs but won’t pay to clear all plumbing stoppages or repair certain types of leaks.
Are not a type of insurance. Even though some companies call their service fees deductibles, home warranties do not work the same way as insurance policies. They differ in what they cover and how they pay for repairs or replacements. A home warranty is not a supplement for homeowners insurance.
Limit how much they pay. If the cost of a repair or replacement goes beyond a limit stated in your contract, you’ll have to pay the difference. For example, if the bill for a repair is $2,000 and the limit is $1,500, you’re required to cover $500. This is in addition to your monthly premium and service fee.
Can deny your claim for several reasons. Examples include if you had work performed on a covered item without approval or you modified the system or appliance.
May not pay enough to cover the full cost of replacing a covered item. Home warranties often depreciate the value of items as they age, so you’ll likely have to pay at least some money to replace an item, even if it’s covered by the contract.
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.
The Appliance Guard plan starts at $49.99 per month, the company confirms. If you pay for an annual plan, the effective rate is $35.71 per month.
$50 and up
Based on quotes gathered in October 2024.
Service fees
$70–$125
per claim
States available
50
states, and Washington, D.C.
Key facts
Compared to competitors, Liberty earns more positive customer reviews. On the Better Business Bureau, consumer ratings average about 4.5 stars out of 5, much higher than other top home warranty companies.
Pros
Can choose your own contractor.
Coverage in all states.
High customer satisfaction ratings.
Cons
Won't pay for wall damage when accessing plumbing or electrical items.
Low coverage limits on electrical and plumbing.
Monthly premiums
The Appliance Guard plan starts at $49.99 per month, the company confirms. If you pay for an annual plan, the effective rate is $35.71 per month.
$50 and up
Based on quotes gathered in October 2024.
Service fees
$70–$125
per claim
States available
50
states, and Washington, D.C.
IS THIS COMPANY AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?
IS THIS COMPANY AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?
Key facts
Compared to competitors, Liberty earns more positive customer reviews. On the Better Business Bureau, consumer ratings average about 4.5 stars out of 5, much higher than other top home warranty companies.
Pros
Can choose your own contractor.
Coverage in all states.
High customer satisfaction ratings.
Cons
Won't pay for wall damage when accessing plumbing or electrical items.
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.
We'll match you with home warranty companies based on details like your state, the appliances you want covered, and your budget. No personal information required.
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.
We'll match you with home warranty companies based on details like your state, the appliances you want covered, and your budget. No personal information required.
Monthly premiums
The Starter plan starts at $42 per month, the company confirms.
$45 and up
Based on quotes gathered in September 2024.
Service fees
$100 to $125
per claim
States available
Excludes Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.
25
states, and Washington, D.C.
Key facts
Old Republic Home Protection's coverage limits are on the high end compared with competitors, especially for HVAC and appliances.
Pros
High coverage limits on HVAC, electrical and appliances.
May be able to choose your own contractor.
Decent customer satisfaction ratings compared to competitors.
Cons
If they have to put a hole in the wall, wall repair is only for a rough finish, no texture or paint.
Monthly premiums
The Starter plan starts at $42 per month, the company confirms.
$45 and up
Based on quotes gathered in September 2024.
Service fees
$100 to $125
per claim
States available
Excludes Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.
25
states, and Washington, D.C.
IS THIS COMPANY AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?
IS THIS COMPANY AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?
Key facts
Old Republic Home Protection's coverage limits are on the high end compared with competitors, especially for HVAC and appliances.
Pros
High coverage limits on HVAC, electrical and appliances.
May be able to choose your own contractor.
Decent customer satisfaction ratings compared to competitors.
Cons
If they have to put a hole in the wall, wall repair is only for a rough finish, no texture or paint.
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.
The cost is based on quotes gathered in April 2025.
$61.08 and up
Based on quotes gathered in April 2025.
Service fees
$75, $100 and $125
per claim
States available
Excludes California and Hawaii.
48
states and Washington, D.C.
Key facts
AFC Home Warranty guarantees its repairs for the life of a membership, which means you won't pay a service fee if a repair technician has to repair the same issue again at any point as long as you renew your membership.
Pros
No coverage limit for HVAC repairs.
Repair guarantee is for the life of membership and carries over into renewals.
Customers can choose their own technicians if they request approval first.
Pays up to $250 to repair walls if a technician has to cut into them for a plumbing repair.
Available in 48 states.
Cons
Coverage limits for electrical and plumbing repairs is $500.
Low customer satisfaction ratings.
Monthly premiums
The cost is based on quotes gathered in April 2025.
$61.08 and up
Based on quotes gathered in April 2025.
Service fees
$75, $100 and $125
per claim
States available
Excludes California and Hawaii.
48
states and Washington, D.C.
IS THIS COMPANY AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?
IS THIS COMPANY AVAILABLE IN MY STATE?
Key facts
AFC Home Warranty guarantees its repairs for the life of a membership, which means you won't pay a service fee if a repair technician has to repair the same issue again at any point as long as you renew your membership.
Pros
No coverage limit for HVAC repairs.
Repair guarantee is for the life of membership and carries over into renewals.
Customers can choose their own technicians if they request approval first.
Pays up to $250 to repair walls if a technician has to cut into them for a plumbing repair.
Available in 48 states.
Cons
Coverage limits for electrical and plumbing repairs is $500.
American Home Shield has plans that cover home systems, such as HVAC systems and plumbing, as well as a combination of systems and appliances, such as refrigerators and dishwashers. Specific coverage for each item is outlined in each customer’s user agreement.
How long do you have to have American Home Shield before you can use it?
You will have to wait 30 days after your payment processes to submit a claim for repairs. This is a standard wait time with home warranties. Customers who are buying a home and receive a home warranty from the seller may be able to use the warranty immediately.
Does American Home Shield cover pre-existing conditions?
No, American Home Shield doesn’t cover repairs for pre-existing conditions.
Can I transfer my American Home Shield home warranty to a new homeowner?
Yes, you can transfer your service contract if you sell your house. You must call American Home Shield to request the transfer within 30 days of closing on the sale.
Does American Home Shield cover items in mobile homes?
Yes, American Home Shield offers service contracts for single-family houses, buildings with multiple units such as a duplex, townhomes, condos and mobile homes. Each type of home comes with size restrictions, so be sure to choose the right type of home when getting a quote for coverage.
What items are covered by American Home Shield?
American Home Shield has plans that cover home systems, such as HVAC systems and plumbing, as well as a combination of systems and appliances, such as refrigerators and dishwashers. Specific coverage for each item is outlined in each customer’s user agreement.
How long do you have to have American Home Shield before you can use it?
You will have to wait 30 days after your payment processes to submit a claim for repairs. This is a standard wait time with home warranties. Customers who are buying a home and receive a home warranty from the seller may be able to use the warranty immediately.
Does American Home Shield cover pre-existing conditions?
No, American Home Shield doesn’t cover repairs for pre-existing conditions.
Can I transfer my American Home Shield home warranty to a new homeowner?
Yes, you can transfer your service contract if you sell your house. You must call American Home Shield to request the transfer within 30 days of closing on the sale.
Does American Home Shield cover items in mobile homes?
Yes, American Home Shield offers service contracts for single-family houses, buildings with multiple units such as a duplex, townhomes, condos and mobile homes. Each type of home comes with size restrictions, so be sure to choose the right type of home when getting a quote for coverage.
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.
