Home warranties can provide peace of mind, but they're only helpful if they cover the items you need protected. We compare two home warranty companies, American Home Shield and ARW Home, side by side to help you make sure your home warranty fits your needs and budget. We look at costs, service call fees, coverages and more to make your choice easier.
American Home Shield vs. ARW Home cost
When comparing costs, ARW Home has a lower potential service fee, the amount paid when a technician visits. However, American Home Shield's monthly premiums start at a lower price point for its basic plans. For customers seeking the most comprehensive coverage, American Home Shield offers a more affordable top-tier plan.
American Home Shield plans and pricing
American Home Shield lets you choose a service fee of $100 or $125, which is what you pay when you file a claim. Choosing a higher service fee reduces the monthly cost of your plan.
| Service fee | ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $39.99 | $59.99 | $89.99 |
| $125 | $29.99 | $49.99 | $79.99 |
ARW Home plans and pricing
ARW Home’s three plans all come with a $125 service fee. The monthly cost of each plan is shown below.
| Service fee | Kitchen Plus | Platinum | Platinum Premier |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $39.99 | $64.99 | $84.99 |
*Cost information is accurate as of the time of publishing. Price quotes used a Texas ZIP code; pricing may vary in other locations.
American Home Shield vs. ARW Home coverage
Your choice between these two companies may depend on the type of coverage you need upfront. ARW Home provides specialized entry-level options that cover only appliances or only systems. American Home Shield, on the other hand, starts with plans that cover only systems, giving ARW Home more flexibility at the basic level.
 |  | |
| Coverage |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Plan | ||
| Air conditioner | | |
| Heating | | |
| Plumbing | | |
| Electrical | | |
| Ductwork | | |
| Sump pump | | |
| Water heater | | |
| Interior plumbing lines | | |
| Interior electrical lines | | |
| Exterior plumbing lines | | |
| Exterior water lines | | |
| Refrigerator | | |
| Dishwasher | | |
| Oven | | |
| Range | | |
| Cooktop | | |
| Microwave | | |
| Food center | | |
| Garbage disposal | | |
| Trash compactor | | |
| Ice maker | | |
| Hot/cold water dispenser | | |
| Range exhaust hood | | |
| Kitchen exhaust fan | | |
| Clothes washer | | |
| Clothes dryer | | |
| Toilets | | |
| Bathtub/shower | | |
| Faucets | | |
| Ceiling fans | | |
| Attic fans | | |
| Central vacuum | | |
| Doorbells | | |
| Garage door openers | | |
| Roof leak repairs | | |
| Main breaker | | |
| Plumbing stoppages | | |
| Home electronics | | |
| Smoke detectors | | |
| Jetted tub components | | |
American Home Shield vs. ARW Home add-ons
American Home Shield and ARW Home offer a very similar list of optional add-ons. Both companies provide coverage for a pool and spa, guest unit and electronics protection. ARW Home has a few more unique options like coverage for a stand-alone freezer.
American Home Shield add-ons
American Home Shield offers six add-ons. See pricing for the most popular additional coverage items below.
| Optional coverage | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Septic pump | $4.99 |
| Roof leak repair | $9.99 |
| Well pump | $9.99 |
| Guest unit | $12.99 |
| Electronics protection | $14 |
| Pool and spa | $20.99 |
ARW Home add-ons
ARW Home lets you choose from five add-ons. Here’s the monthly cost of coverage for each item:
| Optional coverage | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Water line | $10.99 |
| Pool and spa | $12.50 |
| Sewer line | $12.99 |
| In-ground pool | $13.99 |
| Electronics protection | $24.99 |
What American Home Shield customers say
Happy American Home Shield customers frequently mention the ease of the website and the claims submission process. They say their issues are fixed quickly and contractors are helpful and explain things well, with a few customers noting that technicians go the extra mile to help. Some customers who leave negative reviews mention the time it takes to resolve problems and that customer service isn’t always available when needed.
"I'd rather have American Home Shield than other big companies. I'm in real estate and a lot of people will get home warranties and the ones they get are not AHS. When they call to have something covered, it's not covered most of the time. Also, with AHS, the claims process is easy. I file online and the next thing I know, I get a phone call.”
What ARW Home customers say
ARW Home customers frequently leave positive feedback about their experiences, and the brand has more positive reviews than negative reviews with ConsumerAffairs.
"The caller was polite, courteous and knowledgeable. We resolved the issue on the first try and the call did not take an excessive amount of time. It was important to the agent that everything was done right. I felt like a valued customer and I will continue to use this service.”
Bottom line: American Home Shield or ARW Home?
American Home Shield offers a straightforward home warranty process through three comprehensive plans (one systems-only and two combo plans) and a selection of add-ons. Its plans cover most things homeowners want, so you aren’t likely to pay more for additional coverage.
On the other hand, ARW Home offers a semi-customizable home warranty, with six base plans to choose from, each with its own selection of add-ons. It also works with partners to provide electronic and home security options. But despite having similar pricing to competitors, ARW charges add-on costs to cover items like clothes washers and dryers and plumbing fixtures — commonly included as standard items with other companies — and provides no coverage for doorbells and bathtubs.
- American Home Shield is best for customers searching for comprehensive home warranty plans where few add-ons are needed.
- ARW Home is best for homeowners wanting to build their own home warranty plan.
