What is the difference between American Home Shield and HomeServe?
Home repairs can be very expensive, and your bank account can take a blow if you’re not prepared. If you have a home warranty, repair costs are covered if a system or appliance breaks down. It’s important to note that home warranties and homeowners insurance are two different things. When choosing a home warranty provider, you should consider costs, service call fees, coverage and any guarantees. We take a detailed look at two home warranty companies to help make your choice easier.
Cost
Monthly premium cost
$29.99 to $69.99
$7.99 to $58.33
Average cost for combo plan
$60
$58.33 (TotalHome WarrantyCombo)
Annual premium cost
$359.88 to $839.88
$95.88 to $699.96
Service call fee
$75, $100 or $125
$100 on TotalHome Warranty Combo and TotalHome Warranty Appliances
Discounts available
Not specified
20% off your first year on Total Home plans
$29.99 to $69.99
$60
$359.88 to $839.88
$75, $100 or $125
Not specified
$7.99 to $58.33
$58.33 (TotalHome Warranty Combo)
$95.88 to $699.96
$100 on TotalHome Warranty Combo and TotalHome Warranty Appliance
20% off your first year on TotalHome plans
Plans
Plans available
ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum
TotalHome Warranty Appliance Plan, TotalHome Warranty Combo Plan, Premium Home Protection Plan and more
Covered systems
9
8
Covered appliances
9
8
Combo plan covered items
18
16
Service recall period
30 days
Typically one year; surge plans have a 90-day guarantee
Availability
47 states
50 states and parts of Canada
ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum
9
9
18
30 days
47 states
TotalHome Warranty Appliance Plan, TotalHome Warranty Combo Plan, Premium Home Protection Plan and more
8
8
16
Typically 1 year; surge plans have a 90-day guarantee
American Home Shield works with homeowners, real estate agents and contractors to provide home warranties. The company offers three types of plans with several add-on coverage options. The plans, ShieldGold, ShieldSilver and ShieldPlatinum, cover systems, appliances and a combination of both. One unique thing about American Home Shield is that it offers electronics coverage (not available in California).
ShieldPlatinum: ShieldPlatinum is the most comprehensive home warranty plan with American Home Shield. Pricing starts at $64.99 per month. Coverage includes air conditioning, heating, electrical systems, plumbing systems, kitchen appliances, laundry appliances and roof leaks. Additionally, it includes HVAC tuneup and unlimited air conditioning refrigerant.
ShieldGold: ShieldGold is a midlevel option. Pricing starts at $49.99 per month. Coverage includes plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems, kitchen appliances and laundry appliances.
ShieldSilver: ShieldSilver is the cheapest option from American Home Shield. It starts at $29.99 per month, and coverage includes heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems.
What American Home Shield customers say
American Home Shield customers comment on the easy claim submission process and say the service helps them cut down cost on repairs and saves them money. Positive reviews say the company does what it promises and indicate customers are happy with the quality of work provided by technicians. Those who have had issues with the company comment on the timeline of resolutions and communication issues.
I started out online in filing the claim and it asked for a brief description. I liked the way it was broken down so that I could break it down into categories and then fill in more detail. The young man came within a couple of days and was considerate about wearing a mask and putting booties on. He was able to take care of my faucets and wasn't there very long. I was very happy with it.”
HomeServe is an independent provider that offers home warranties at various levels. Some plans start as low as $7.99 per month, which is unique to home warranty companies. Additionally, it offers several varieties of options to customize a plan based on your specific needs.
Total Home Warranty Appliance: This plan focuses on only appliances and parts. It covers built-in microwaves, trash compactors, washers, dryers, refrigerators, garage door openers, stovetops, ovens and dishwashers.
Total Home Warranty Combo: The Total Home Warranty Combo plan combines coverage for home systems and appliances. This includes electrical systems, plumbing, air conditioning, central vacuum system, ductwork, water heater, ceiling fans and other appliances.
Premium Home Protection: This is the most comprehensive plan available with HomeServe. It offers coverage for plumbing, electrical, exterior water service, sewer/septic lines, gas lines, interior plumbing, water heater replacement, heating and cooling systems and more.
You can also purchase more narrow plans, including plans for exterior water service line, exterior sewer/septic line, interior plumbing and drainage system, interior electrical line, exterior electrical line, gas line heating system, water heater repair and replacement or electrical surge.
What HomeServe customers say
HomeServe customers with positive experiences mention prompt and professional service at affordable prices. While most feedback for HomeServe is positive on ConsumerAffairs, not everyone detailed a perfect experience. Some noted issues with customer service and multiple service calls, with some saying they felt they didn’t get the help they needed.
HomeServe is great. They fixed my furnace and my air conditioner, and I didn't have a giant bill I had to cough up. I just pay the little fee every month. I've submitted claims three or four times for different things. When I call them up, they say somebody will contact me within two hours. Usually within 15 or 20 minutes, somebody calls. They come and they're very professional.”
American Home Shield and HomeServe both offer great options for home warranty coverage. HomeServe offers several more choices, which makes the experience more customizable. American Home Shield offers three different home warranty plans, which gives customers the chance to find something within their budget.
American Home Shield is best for those who want the extra benefit of electronics coverage (not available in California). It is also a great option for those looking for plans that offer a combination of systems and appliances coverage.
HomeServe is best for budget-conscious homeowners because it offers plans as low as $7.99 per month. HomeServe’s plans can be more customizable for specific needs.
