American Home Shield vs Choice Home Warranty
Two simple, lower-cost plans vs the industry's oldest name and highest caps
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The verdict
9.6/10 vs 9.4/10
Choice Home Warranty is the stronger pick for most people - Two easy-to-compare plans. Full reasoning, pricing and the cases where American Home Shield wins are below.
| At a glance | Choice Home Warranty | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | ~$46-$58/mo (reported) | ~$30-$90/mo by tier (reported) |
| Service fee | ~$100 per visit | $100 or $125 (you choose) |
| Plans | Basic, Total | ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum |
| Coverage caps | $3,000 per covered item | $2,000-$4,000 per appliance; $5,000 HVAC |
Prices are the providers’ published rates at our last verification - confirm the final figure at checkout, as offers change. How we verify prices
Two simple plans covering home systems and appliances, with a $3,000 per-item cap and coverage in 49 states
- Basic & Total plans
- $3,000 per covered item
- Online claims, 24/7
The industry's oldest home warranty company - three plan tiers, a choice of service fee and some of the highest coverage caps
- ShieldSilver, Gold & Platinum
- Up to $5,000 HVAC coverage
- Choose a $100 or $125 fee
The full breakdown
Choice Home Warranty vs American Home Shield: a closer look at each
Both are credible providers in this category, and the right pick comes down to fit. So instead of crowning a “winner,” here’s the real rundown on each - what you get, what it actually costs, and what real customers are saying - so you can pick the one that fits you.
What is Choice Home Warranty?
Choice Home Warranty has sold home warranties since 2008 and is one of the most heavily advertised brands in the industry. Its lineup is deliberately simple: a Basic Plan for core systems and kitchen appliances, and a Total Plan that adds air conditioning, the refrigerator and laundry machines.
Read the full Choice Home Warranty breakdown▾
Optional add-ons cover items such as pools, spas, well pumps and septic systems. This review covers what Choice includes, what it costs, the limits in its contract and who it suits best.
What you get with Choice Home Warranty
- Two plans: Basic and Total
- $3,000 cap per covered item per term
- Online and phone claims
- Add-ons for pool/spa, well pump, sump pump, septic and roof leak
- 30-day workmanship guarantee on repairs
- Sold in every state except Washington
Who Choice Home Warranty is best for
- Homeowners who want simple, affordable systems-and-appliance coverage
- Buyers who want a solid per-item cap without paying premium-tier prices
- Anyone comfortable reading the contract's exclusions before signing
How much does Choice Home Warranty cost?
Approximate only - prices depend on your address and promotions.
Full pricing details▾
Third-party quotes from 2025 put Choice's Basic Plan at roughly $46-$49 a month and the Total Plan at roughly $55-$58 a month. The service call fee is typically about $100 per claim (lower in some markets), and it is generally owed when a technician visits even if the claim is denied.
Choice frequently advertises first-month-free and dollar-off promotions. Get a quote for your address before buying.
Basic Plan
Heating, plumbing, electrical, water heater, ductwork + kitchen appliances
Reported
- Systems + kitchen appliances
- $3,000 per covered item
Total Plan
Everything in Basic + AC, refrigerator, clothes washer and dryer
Reported
- Adds AC and laundry
- Most popular for full coverage
What we like about Choice Home Warranty
- Simple, easy-to-compare plans
- $3,000 per-item cap is solid for the price
- Available in 49 states
- Large customer review base on Trustpilot
Worth keeping in mind
- $11.8 million consent judgment with the Arizona Attorney General in 2026 over claim-handling allegations (no admission of wrongdoing)
- Service fee generally owed even if a claim is denied
- Not sold in Washington
- Low BBB customer review average, typical of the industry
What is American Home Shield?
American Home Shield (AHS) has been selling home warranties since 1971 and is owned by Frontdoor, Inc., a publicly traded company that also owns 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty. AHS offers three main tiers - ShieldSilver for systems, ShieldGold to add appliances, and ShieldPlatinum for the broadest coverage - plus a menu of add-ons.
Read the full American Home Shield breakdown▾
This review covers what each tier includes, what it costs, the caps that matter and who AHS suits best.
What you get with American Home Shield
- Three tiers: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum
- Appliance caps of $2,000 (Gold) to $4,000 (Platinum) per item
- $5,000 HVAC limit
- ShieldPlatinum adds roof leak repair, an HVAC tune-up and permits/code coverage
- Choose a $100 or $125 service fee
- Online, app and phone claims
Who American Home Shield is best for
- Homeowners who want the highest limits and broadest coverage
- Older homes where code upgrades and permits could come up
- Anyone who values a long track record over the lowest price
How much does American Home Shield cost?
Approximate only - AHS prices vary by address and promotion.
Full pricing details▾
Reported ranges are roughly $30-$40 a month for ShieldSilver, $50-$60 for ShieldGold and $80-$90 for ShieldPlatinum. You choose a $100 or $125 service fee per request (a higher fee lowers the premium).
Add-ons such as pool/spa, well pump and septic are reported at roughly $5-$18 a month each. AHS runs rotating promotions, so check the current offer.
ShieldSilver
14 home systems - heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, water heater and more
Reported
- Systems only
ShieldGold
ShieldSilver + 9 kitchen and laundry appliances
Reported
- Systems + appliances
- $2,000 per appliance
ShieldPlatinum
ShieldGold + roof leak, HVAC tune-up, permits & code violations
Reported
- $4,000 per appliance
- Roof leak up to $1,000
What we like about American Home Shield
- Some of the highest coverage caps in the industry
- Top tier covers permits and code upgrades - a common source of denials elsewhere
- 50+ years in business under a publicly traded parent
- Choice of service fee to balance premium and per-visit cost
Worth keeping in mind
- ShieldPlatinum is among the more expensive plans we track
- Using your own contractor requires prior approval
- Not available in Alaska or Hawaii
- Low BBB customer review average despite accreditation
Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield: What’s the Difference?
The key differences to consider when comparing the two providers.
| Choice Home Warranty | American Home Shield | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | ~$46-$58/mo (reported) | ~$30-$90/mo by tier (reported) |
| Service call fee | ~$100 per visit | $100 or $125 (you choose) |
| Plans | Basic, Total | ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum |
| Coverage caps | $3,000 per covered item | $2,000-$4,000 per appliance; $5,000 HVAC |
| Waiting period | 30 days | 30 days |
| Not available in | Washington | Alaska, Hawaii |
| In business since | 2008 | 1971 |
So which one should you pick?
Find the line that sounds like you - that’s your answer.
Here’s the short version
American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty are two of the most searched home warranty brands. Choice keeps things simple with two plans, a single service fee level in most markets and a $3,000 per-item cap.
American Home Shield, founded in 1971 and owned by Frontdoor, offers three tiers, a choice of service fee and higher limits on its top plan. Here's how they compare.
The quick answer
Go with Choice Home Warranty if you want
- Two easy-to-compare plans
- $3,000 per covered item
- Typically lower monthly price than comparable AHS tiers
American Home Shield makes more sense if you want
- Higher appliance limits on ShieldPlatinum ($4,000 each)
- Permits, code upgrades and roof leak on top tier
- 50+ years in business; publicly traded parent
Had to pick one for most people? Choice Home Warranty. The numbers and customer feedback below are why - and where American Home Shield wins instead.
American Home Shield vs Choice Home Warranty: FAQs
Which is better, American Home Shield vs Choice Home Warranty?
Choice is our pick for most buyers who want straightforward, budget-friendly coverage with a solid $3,000 per-item cap. American Home Shield is the better choice if you want the highest limits and extras such as roof leak and code-upgrade coverage, and you're willing to pay more for ShieldPlatinum. Note Choice's 2026 Arizona settlement and read either company's sample contract before buying.
Is Choice Home Warranty cheaper than American Home Shield?
Choice's reported prices for its full Total plan sit in the mid-$50s per month, while AHS's comparable all-in tiers generally cost more, especially ShieldPlatinum.
Which has better coverage, Choice Home Warranty or American Home Shield?
AHS's ShieldPlatinum allows up to $4,000 per appliance and $5,000 for HVAC; Choice caps covered items at $3,000.
Which has simpler plans, Choice Home Warranty or American Home Shield?
Choice's two plans are easy to understand: Basic for systems and kitchen appliances, Total to add AC, refrigerator and laundry.
Which has the better reputation, Choice Home Warranty or American Home Shield?
AHS has operated since 1971 under a publicly traded parent. Choice has a larger Trustpilot review base but agreed to an $11.8 million consent judgment with the Arizona Attorney General in 2026.
Which is available in more states, Choice Home Warranty or American Home Shield?
Both sell in nearly every state: Choice is not sold in Washington; AHS is not available in Alaska or Hawaii.
Related Comparisons
Sources & methodology
We built this comparison of Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield from each provider's own published pricing, plans and sample contracts, cross-checked against regulator and public-record sources, and read alongside real customer feedback. Prices and plan details were verified against the provider's published information; we do not take providers' word for their own claims without checking.
Provider information
Pricing, plans, caps and contract terms, checked against each provider's own site.
- Choice Home Warranty - full pricing & plan breakdown
- American Home Shield - full pricing & plan breakdown
Provider data checked October 2026
Customer & community feedback
Third-party signals shown on this page and in our full reviews: Trustpilot ratings and Better Business Bureau records, as captured on the dates we note. We report what these sources say - we never fold their ratings into our own scores.
Regulatory & public-record references
- 1.Attorney General Mayes Announces $11.8 Million Settlement with Choice Home Warranty - Arizona Attorney General - February 2026
- 2.Frontdoor, Inc. Completes Acquisition of 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty - Frontdoor, Inc. via Business Wire - December 2024
- 3.Frontdoor, Inc. Quarterly Report (Form 10-Q), Q2 2026 - U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR)
- 4.American Home Shield plans - American Home Shield
- 5.Choice Home Warranty user agreement - Choice Home Warranty
- 6.Select Home Warranty terms and conditions - Select Home Warranty
- 7.The Home Service Club pricing and plans - The Home Service Club
Last reviewed October 2026. We revisit comparisons when providers change their pricing or policies. This page is information only and is not legal, insurance or financial advice - always read the full contract before buying a plan.