American Home Shield covers repairs or replacements for major home systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear. They offer three primary plans:
Our entry level plan, Shield Silver covers the parts and components of your heating and AC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Our ShieldGold plan covers your systems and hardworking kitchen and laundry appliances like your dishwasher, refrigerator, washer and dryer, and more.
American Home Shield home warranties range from $29.99 to $119.99 a month, depending on your location and the plan you pick. The company offers higher coverage limits and covers more issues than many of its competitors, but it has mixed customer satisfaction ratings and only offers a 30-day repair guarantee.
Yes, First American Home Warranty is a legitimate business that has been operating since 1984. However, like most home warranty companies, it receives highly mixed reviews. While they are highly rated for their high appliance coverage limits, many customers complain about denied claims and slow service.
Watch out for unsolicited "FINAL NOTICE" letters or aggressive sales tactics using scare language. Key indicators of a predatory plan or poor provider include vague contract terms, unverified company reviews, and arbitrary maintenance clauses used to deny claims.
Best Home Warranty Companies of May 2026
Home Warranty: Skip and Build Your Emergency Fund
Dave Ramsey recommends skipping any home warranty for a couple of reasons. First, the typical home warranty costs $450 annually, and only 25% of premiums are paid to homeowners.
American Home Shield is a strong choice for homeowners with older systems or appliances, as it covers preexisting damage and wear. First American Home Warranty, on the other hand, is ideal for those with high-end appliances, offering up to $7,000 in annual repair coverage.
Some of the common plumbing troubles covered by AHS include: Leaks and breaks in the water, gas, drain, or vent lines. Faucets, shower heads, and shower valves. Built-in bathtub whirlpool motors, pumps, and air switches.
Typically, a home warranty will only cover repairs for leaks caused by normal wear and tear, and it will not pay for a full roof replacement. The coverage is usually capped at a specific dollar amount, often between $400 and $1,500. This might be enough for a minor patch job, but it won't cover significant damage.
With American Home Shield, all parts and components of your refrigerator are covered. AHS will cover up to $2,000 per covered appliance with our ShieldGold plan and up to $4,000 per covered appliance with the ShieldPlatinum plan. And, if you have multiple refrigerators, we'll cover them all.
A 100,000-mile extended car warranty typically costs between $2,000 and $4,500 in total, or about $75 to $250 per month. The exact price varies wildly based on your car's make, age, current mileage, and the comprehensiveness of the coverage you choose.
Your 30-Day Waiting Period
* Otherwise, you sign up, wait 30 days, and then you are charged and can begin using your home warranty plan. During this time, familiarize yourself with your coverage details by reviewing your plan agreement in MyAccount — so you know what's covered and what's not.
Yes, all 3 of our home warranty plans, ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum, include coverage for the parts and components of faucets & valves.
The compressor is the single most expensive part of an AC unit to replace. Often called the "heart" of the system, it pumps and circulates refrigerant.
Home warranties often cover common plumbing issues like leaks, clogs, and pipe breaks caused by normal wear and tear—but coverage depends on your specific plan. Exclusions are common, including problems from poor installation, code violations, frozen pipes, or plumbing outside the home's foundation.
Yes, American Home Shield (AHS) covers clogged drains and plumbing stoppages, including toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and showers, as long as they are caused by normal wear and tear.
In plumbing, the "135-degree rule" is a code standard that dictates how much a horizontal drain pipe can bend or change direction. It limits the total cumulative angle of pipe fittings before a system requires an access point (cleanout) or must be vented, ensuring proper flow and preventing chronic clogs.
A leaky faucet is one of the more common plumbing issues. While it may seem like a minor nuisance, homeowners shouldn't turn a blind eye to it. Left unchecked, it can not only lead to massive water waste but also cause tremendous structural damage.
American Home Shield (AHS) and HomeServe offer two distinct approaches to home protection.
The NerdWallet editorial team's list of the best options include Old Republic Home Protection, First American Home Warranty and more. Your best option depends on your anticipated home repair needs and which coverage features are most important to you.
American Home Shield (AHS) holds a solid reputation among major home warranty companies, but customer reviews highlight a stark divide between satisfied policyholders and frustrated claimants. It is widely recognized for high coverage caps, though plan prices and service fees are typically higher than the national average.
Avoid any admissions of fault or liability when talking to your adjuster. Such statements can be used to shift blame, potentially decreasing the amount you might be compensated. Instead, focus on describing the damage and the events as they happened, without inserting personal opinions about who might be at fault.
DON'T. Purchase short term disability plans or other types of specific illness programs like Cancer, Emergency Accident or Critical Illness Plans. They offer limited protection and slow the process of getting out of debt.
Foundation repair is generally the most expensive home repair, potentially costing over $30,000 for major lifting and stabilization. Other top-tier, high-cost repairs include complete roof replacements, major water damage remediation, and replacing underground sewer lines, often running into tens of thousands of dollars.