American Home Shield vs. Fidelity National Home Warranty cost
American Home Shield's monthly premiums start lower for basic plans but rise with comprehensive coverage, while Fidelity National Home Warranty is often the more economical choice for comprehensive, high-tier plans due to its flat annual pricing.
Another key cost to consider is the service fee, the amount you pay for a technician's visit. AHS lets you select a service fee of $100 or $125 per claim — choosing a higher fee reduces your monthly costs — in contrast to Fidelity's flat $85 fee across all plans, which provides a lower entry point than AHS’s options.
American Home Shield plans and pricing
AHS allows you to choose a service fee of either $100 or $125. By selecting the higher $125 fee, you can significantly reduce your monthly plan premium. This model lets you customize your fixed monthly expenses versus your out-of-pocket costs at the time of repair.
| Service fee | ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $39.99 | $59.99 | $89.99 |
| $125 | $29.99 | $49.99 | $79.99 |
Fidelity National Home Warranty plans and pricing
Unlike AHS, Fidelity National Home Warranty only offers one non-negotiable service fee of $85. You can only pay for a Fidelity plan annually; there are no monthly payment options.
| Service fee | Standard | Comprehensive | Enhanced | Enhanced Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $85 | $510 | $620 | $715 | $855 |
*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. Fidelity National Home Warranty coverage
The main difference in coverage between these companies is the structure of their entry-level plans. American Home Shield's basic plans focus exclusively on home systems like HVAC and plumbing. In contrast, Fidelity provides more comprehensive combination plans from the outset.
As you compare the higher-tier plans, both companies provide similar, robust coverage for most high-ticket home items. AHS stands out for explicitly covering malfunctions caused by lack of maintenance, rust and corrosion. Those protections are often excluded or more strictly scrutinized by other providers, including Fidelity.
Also, note that AHS has a massive national footprint across 49 states, whereas Fidelity National Home Warranty is only available to residents in 13 states.
 |  | |
| 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. Fidelity National Home Warranty add-ons
While both companies offer common add-ons like pool and spa coverage, their specialty options differ significantly. Fidelity National Home Warranty offers a more extensive list of 24 options, including unique coverage for items such as guest units and ornamental fountains.
American Home Shield's selection is smaller and more focused, though its robust home electronics protection plan stands out for covering an unlimited number of smart-home devices.
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 |
Fidelity National Home Warranty add-ons
Fidelity allows you to customize your base plan with up to 24 add-on options, ranging from second refrigerators to septic tank pumping. Monthly pricing for some of the most common add-on items is listed below.
| Optional coverage | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Second refrigerator | $5 |
| Septic tank pumping | $6.25 |
| Roof leak repair | $8.33 |
| Well pump | $8.33 |
| Electronics protection | $18 |
| Pool and spa | $18.75 |
What American Home Shield customers say
Most reviewers on ConsumerAffairs give American Home Shield high marks, often praising the company for its timely service and the professionalism of its repair technicians. Recurring themes in negative feedback, though, often involve delays in shipping parts for older air conditioning units during peak summer months.
When the AC turned off completely, we called the member number and the contractor was out the next day. ... American Home Shield gives us service right away. They have come through every time we needed them.”
– Antonio of San Antonio, TX
What Fidelity National Home Warranty customers say
Fidelity Home Warranty receives more negative feedback on ConsumerAffairs than AHS. Customers report long hold times, being disconnected by customer service reps and claims being regularly rejected or unresolved. Reviewers also mention confusing information, an unhelpful website and rude customer service. Despite these issues, some customers have reported smooth experiences, especially with plumbing repairs.
They were quick to respond when my water heater went out and got a plumber out to my home [to] replace the heater pretty quickly. They also covered most of the cost of replacement. I'd recommend them to friends and family if asked.”
– Kenneth of Wylie, TX
Bottom line: American Home Shield or Fidelity National Home Warranty?
Overall, American Home Shield is best for homeowners who want the security of a national leader with higher coverage limits and a "no maintenance records required" policy. It’s particularly valuable for those with aging systems or a large number of smart-home electronics.
Fidelity National Home Warranty is suited for owners on a budget who prefer a low, flat service fee and are comfortable with an annual payment structure. It’s a strong choice for comprehensive coverage that includes both appliances and systems in the base plan. It may be the right fit if you are a homebuyer on a tight budget living within its 13-state service area.
