American Home Shield vs First American Home Warranty
Nationwide reach vs a real-estate favorite with high limits
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The verdict
9.4/10 vs 8.9/10
American Home Shield is the stronger pick for most people - Available in 48 states. Full reasoning, pricing and the cases where First American Home Warranty wins are below.
| At a glance | American Home Shield | First American Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | ~$30-$90/mo by tier (reported) | ~$40-$140/mo by plan & state |
| Service fee | $100 or $125 (you choose) | $75, $100 or $125 |
| Plans | ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum | Starter, Essential, Premium |
| Coverage caps | $2,000-$4,000 per appliance; $5,000 HVAC | $3,500-$7,000 appliances; high HVAC limits |
Prices are the providers’ published rates at our last verification - confirm the final figure at checkout, as offers change. How we verify prices
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
A real-estate favorite backed by First American Financial, with high appliance limits and generous HVAC terms
- Up to $7,000 appliance limit
- Choose a $75-$125 service fee
- Popular with buyers & sellers
The full breakdown
American Home Shield vs First American Home Warranty: 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 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
What is First American Home Warranty?
First American Home Warranty is part of First American Financial, the title and settlement company, and is one of the most common warranties offered at real estate closings. It also sells directly to homeowners.
Read the full First American Home Warranty breakdown▾
2026 sources describe three tiers - Starter, Essential and Premium - with Premium raising appliance limits and its contracts noting generous HVAC terms. This review covers what First American offers, what it costs and who it suits.
What you get with First American Home Warranty
- Tiered plans (Starter, Essential, Premium per 2026 sources)
- Appliance limits of $3,500 (lower tiers) to $7,000 (Premium), reported
- Contracts note no dollar limit on AC refrigerant
- Choose a $75, $100 or $125 service fee
- Real estate plans for buyers and sellers
- 4.0 on Trustpilot across roughly 19,000 reviews
Who First American Home Warranty is best for
- Home buyers and sellers whose agent offers it
- Homeowners in served states who want high limits
- Anyone prioritizing HVAC coverage
How much does First American Home Warranty cost?
Approximate only. Reported prices range from about $37 to $142 a month depending on plan and state, with typical averages in the $50-$90 range. You choose a $75, $100 or $125 service fee - a higher fee lowers the premium. Real estate plans are priced separately. Get a quote for your address to confirm.
What we like about First American Home Warranty
- High appliance limits on the top plan
- Generous HVAC terms
- Strong Trustpilot record
- Flexible service fee choice
Worth keeping in mind
- Available in only about 35-37 states plus D.C.
- Plan names and details vary by state and over time
- Low BBB customer review average
- Repair delays while waiting for parts are a common complaint
American Home Shield vs. First American Home Warranty: What’s the Difference?
The key differences to consider when comparing the two providers.
| American Home Shield | First American Home Warranty | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | ~$30-$90/mo by tier (reported) | ~$40-$140/mo by plan & state |
| Service call fee | $100 or $125 (you choose) | $75, $100 or $125 |
| Plans | ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum | Starter, Essential, Premium |
| Coverage caps | $2,000-$4,000 per appliance; $5,000 HVAC | $3,500-$7,000 appliances; high HVAC limits |
| Waiting period | 30 days | 30 days |
| Not available in | Alaska, Hawaii | AK, CT, DE, HI, LA and others |
| In business since | 1971 | 1984 |
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 First American are two of the most established home warranty brands, and both are widely sold through real estate transactions. AHS serves 48 states; First American serves fewer states but is known for generous HVAC terms and high appliance limits on its Premium plan.
Here's how they compare.
The quick answer
Go with American Home Shield if you want
- Available in 48 states
- Three clear tiers
- Permits & code coverage on ShieldPlatinum
First American Home Warranty makes more sense if you want
- Up to $7,000 appliance limit on Premium
- No dollar limit on AC refrigerant (per contracts)
- 4.0 on Trustpilot across 19,000+ reviews
Had to pick one for most people? American Home Shield. The numbers and customer feedback below are why - and where First American Home Warranty wins instead.
American Home Shield vs First American: FAQs
Which is better, American Home Shield vs First American?
American Home Shield wins for most homeowners because it is available almost everywhere and offers three clear tiers with optional extras. First American is an excellent choice if you live in a state it serves and want high limits, particularly on HVAC, and a large base of positive Trustpilot reviews.
Which is available in more states, American Home Shield or First American Home Warranty?
AHS is unavailable only in Alaska and Hawaii; First American serves roughly 35-37 states plus D.C.
Which has better coverage, American Home Shield or First American Home Warranty?
First American's Premium plan reportedly raises appliance limits to $7,000 and its contracts note no dollar limit on AC refrigerant.
Which has better customer reviews, American Home Shield or First American Home Warranty?
First American shows 4.0 on Trustpilot across roughly 19,000 reviews; AHS sits in the mid-3s.
Plan options: American Home Shield or First American Home Warranty?
AHS's three tiers plus add-ons (pool/spa, well pump, septic, guest unit, electronics) offer more ways to build a plan.
Related Comparisons
Sources & methodology
We built this comparison of American Home Shield and First American Home Warranty 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.
- American Home Shield - full pricing & plan breakdown
- First American Home Warranty - 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.