American Home Shield Reviews
The industry's oldest home warranty company - three plan tiers, a choice of service fee and some of the highest coverage caps
Last updated: Oct 12, 2026
We may earn a commission from links on this page - it never affects our rankings (how we stay objective).
The bottom line
American Home Shield is the benchmark the rest of the industry is measured against: three clear tiers, high caps - up to $4,000 per appliance and $5,000 for HVAC - and top-tier extras such as permits, code upgrades and roof leak repair that reduce common reasons for denial. It ranks second because its best plan costs noticeably more than our top pick, and like every home warranty company it draws complaints about denials.
Read the sample contract for your state and confirm current pricing before buying.
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.
This review covers what each tier includes, what it costs, the caps that matter and who AHS suits best.
Is American Home Shield legit?
Yes - American Home Shield is the oldest and largest name in the industry. Founded in 1971, it is owned by Frontdoor, Inc., a publicly traded company, and offers three published plan tiers with sample contracts available before you buy. Like every home warranty company it gets complaints about denials, so check the caps and exclusions for your plan.
- Founded 1971 - 50+ years in business
- Owned by publicly traded Frontdoor, Inc.
- Published sample contracts by state
- Rated 3.5/5 across 15,450 Trustpilot reviews
“Legitimate” here means a real, operating home warranty company - not a guarantee that any claim will be approved. Coverage depends on your contract. Always confirm current terms and availability with the company.
Key Features
- 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
Plans & Coverage
- ShieldSilver - 14 home systems
- ShieldGold - systems plus kitchen and laundry appliances
- ShieldPlatinum - adds roof leak repair, HVAC tune-up, permits and code violations
- Add-ons - pool/spa, well pump, septic pump, guest unit, electronics and more
Pricing
ShieldSilver
Reported14 home systems - heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, water heater and more
- Systems only
ShieldGold
ReportedShieldSilver + 9 kitchen and laundry appliances
- Systems + appliances
- $2,000 per appliance
ShieldPlatinum
ReportedShieldGold + roof leak, HVAC tune-up, permits & code violations
- $4,000 per appliance
- Roof leak up to $1,000
Approximate only - AHS prices vary by address and promotion. 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.
How American Home Shield Works
- 1Step 1
Pick a tier and service fee
Choose ShieldSilver, Gold or Platinum, add any extras, and select a $100 or $125 fee.
- 2Step 2
Coverage begins
New direct plans have a 30-day waiting period; real-estate plans and renewals generally don't.
- 3Step 3
Request service
File online, in the app or by phone; AHS assigns a pro from its network and you pay the service fee per request.
Pros
- 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
Cons
- 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
Interested in American Home Shield?
Visit their site to see plans and pricing for your address.
Visit American Home ShieldWho It's 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
Final Verdict
American Home Shield is the benchmark the rest of the industry is measured against: three clear tiers, high caps - up to $4,000 per appliance and $5,000 for HVAC - and top-tier extras such as permits, code upgrades and roof leak repair that reduce common reasons for denial. It ranks second because its best plan costs noticeably more than our top pick, and like every home warranty company it draws complaints about denials.
Read the sample contract for your state and confirm current pricing before buying.
American Home Shield Review: FAQs
Is American Home Shield legit?
Yes - American Home Shield is the oldest and largest name in the industry. Founded in 1971, it is owned by Frontdoor, Inc., a publicly traded company, and offers three published plan tiers with sample contracts available before you buy. Like every home warranty company it gets complaints about denials, so check the caps and exclusions for your plan.
How much does American Home Shield cost?
Approximate only - AHS prices vary by address and promotion. 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.
What plans does American Home Shield offer?
American Home Shield offers ShieldSilver - 14 home systems, ShieldGold - systems plus kitchen and laundry appliances, ShieldPlatinum - adds roof leak repair, HVAC tune-up, permits and code violations, Add-ons - pool/spa, well pump, septic pump, guest unit, electronics and more.
Who is American Home Shield best for?
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.
Is American Home Shield worth it?
American Home Shield is the benchmark the rest of the industry is measured against: three clear tiers, high caps - up to $4,000 per appliance and $5,000 for HVAC - and top-tier extras such as permits, code upgrades and roof leak repair that reduce common reasons for denial. It ranks second because its best plan costs noticeably more than our top pick, and like every home warranty company it draws complaints about denials. Read the sample contract for your state and confirm current pricing before buying.
What's the difference between ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum?
ShieldSilver covers home systems only (heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, water heater and more). ShieldGold adds major kitchen and laundry appliances. ShieldPlatinum adds extras such as roof leak repair, an HVAC tune-up, and permits and code-violation coverage, with higher appliance limits.
Can I choose my own contractor with American Home Shield?
Normally no - AHS assigns a technician from its network. Using your own contractor is an exception that requires approval from AHS before the work is done.
Is American Home Shield available everywhere?
AHS is not available in Alaska or Hawaii, according to third-party sources. Enter your address on AHS's site to confirm availability.
Related
More on American Home Shield
The questions people ask before signing up - answered in depth.
Sources & methodology
We built this review of American Home Shield from the 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 - pricing, plans & policies as published on its own site
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.