American Home Shield (AHS) and HomeServe both help homeowners manage the cost of covered home repairs, but they take different approaches to coverage. AHS offers traditional tiered home warranty plans that combine systems and appliance protection, while HomeServe focuses on customizable plans for individual home systems and bundled coverage options.
So, which option is best for you? It depends on your priorities. We found that HomeServe beats American Home Shield on cost, but AHS offers broader coverage. If flexibility is your priority, HomeServe comes out on top, but AHS offers perks that its competitor doesn’t have, like live video chat with home repair experts and add-ons such as roof leaks, pools and electronics.
Below, you can dip into customer reviews and get the details on costs, coverage and claims to help you decide which provider is the better fit for your home and budget.
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Key insights
HomeServe lets you combine individual system plans, while American Home Shield offers three tiers with broader coverage at higher levels.
Jump to insightAmerican Home Shield lets you lower your monthly premium by choosing a $125 service fee instead of $100.
Jump to insightAmerican Home Shield offers optional coverage for pools, spas and well pumps, while HomeServe customizes coverage through separate plans.
Jump to insightAmerican Home Shield vs. HomeServe cost
HomeServe stands out for offering a no-service-fee option, which is the charge you pay per service call with most home warranty companies, including AHS. HomeServe also charges more affordable monthly rates for its introductory and top-tier plans. This makes HomeServe the more budget-friendly option across the board compared to American Home Shield.
To estimate your total annual cost, use this equation: Annual premium + (service fee × expected claims per year) + uncovered overages from caps or exclusions.
Fees, caps and exclusions may differ by plan and location. To understand your potential total cost, review the complete contract terms carefully before enrolling in either American Home Shield or HomeServe.
HomeServe plans and pricing
HomeServe's pricing model differs from traditional home warranty providers. It has options for $0 service fees and offers no add-ons. Instead, it has about 17 plans — far more than the standard one to four that most companies offer — though not all plans are available in all areas.
With the company’s a la carte style of coverage, you can combine plans that best suit your needs. Monthly pricing for three of its plans is shown below.
| Service fee | Electrical Surge | Home Plumbing & Drainage | Premium Home Protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | $4.99 | $23.99 | $72.98 |
*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 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 |
American Home Shield vs. HomeServe coverage
American Home Shield offers three tiered plans that combine systems and appliance protection, while HomeServe lets you build coverage by selecting individual systems or bundled combo plans.
American Home Shield’s plans cover major systems, with higher-level options adding appliance coverage, roof leak repairs, HVAC tuneups and other benefits, along with increasing appliance coverage limits.
HomeServe lets customers choose coverage for specific systems, including plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical. It also offers combo plans that cover appliances, multiple home systems or both.
 |  | |
| Coverage |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Plan | ||
| Air conditioner | | |
| Heating | | |
| Plumbing | | |
| Electrical | | |
| Ductwork | | |
| Sump pump | | |
| Water heater | | |
| Interior plumbing lines | | |
| Interior electrical 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. HomeServe add-ons
The difference in add-on coverage between these companies is stark, as HomeServe does not offer any optional add-ons. American Home Shield provides a list of extra coverage options for items like pools, spas and well pumps. HomeServe's focus remains solely on its core plans.
HomeServe add-ons
HomeServe does not offer add-ons, unlike most other home warranty companies. Instead, it offers a multitude of plans (typically 16 to 18, depending on where you live) that you can combine to get the coverage you want. It's a unique system that allows you to pay for what you need without requiring single-item add-ons.
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 |
American Home Shield vs. HomeServe claims process
Both HomeServe and American Home Shield allow you to easily file a claim online, but the process and timing vary slightly between the two companies.
How to file a claim with HomeServe
File your claim online or over the phone. Before you file, make sure to have your HomeServe ID, a description of the problem you’re having and your scheduling availability ready.
If it’s an urgent repair, you can call the emergency repair line, and a service provider should be in touch within four hours. Less urgent repairs take a little longer; you may not hear back until the next business day.
How to file a claim with American Home Shield
File your claim online, over the phone or through the AHS app. After the claim is processed, you’ll pay your service call fee and American Home Shield will connect you with a local service contractor, usually within 24 to 48 hours. The contractor diagnoses the problem and sends a description to AHS. If the problem is covered, the company will approve the repair or replacement.
American Home Shield vs. HomeServe availability
American Home Shield serves homeowners in 48 U.S. states. It’s not available in Alaska, Hawaii or New York City.
HomeServe is widely available across the U.S. and Canada. It partners with local utility companies to offer its services under three names: HomeServe, Service Line Warranties of America and Service Line Warranties of Canada. It also offers plans to homeowners who are not customers of one of its utility partners.
To find out if HomeServe plans are available in your area, you’ll need to enter your location in the ZIP code lookup tool located on the company’s home page.
What HomeServe customers say
HomeServe customers with positive experiences mention prompt and professional service at affordable prices. While some feedback for HomeServe is positive on ConsumerAffairs, not everyone detailed a perfect experience. Many 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. ... Usually within 15 or 20 minutes, somebody calls.”
– Shirl, Clarks Green, PA
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 costs 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.
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.”
– Toni of Louisville, KY
FAQ
Do American Home Shield and HomeServe have waiting periods?
Yes, American Home Shield and HomeServe both have a 30-day waiting period until warranty coverage starts.
Can you choose your own contractor with American Home Shield and HomeServe?
No, both American Home Shield and HomeServe require you to use a licensed, in-network technician. In rare cases, American Home Shield may give you the ability to choose your own technician. Review your contract for more information.
Do American Home Shield and HomeServe require a home inspection?
No, neither American Home Shield nor HomeServe requires a home inspection.
Does HomeServe cover appliances?
Yes, HomeServe offers combo plans that cover appliances.
Where are American Home Shield and HomeServe available?
American Home Shield is available in 48 U.S. states. It does not serve customers in Alaska, Hawaii or New York City. HomeServe operates across the U.S. and Canada, but you’ll need to use the lookup tool on the company’s website to confirm coverage in your area.
Do American Home Shield and HomeServe offer a guarantee?
Yes, American Home Shield offers a 30-day workmanship guarantee, and HomeServe generally guarantees repairs for one year.
How do you cancel American Home Shield or HomeServe?
To cancel American Home Shield or HomeServe, contact the company online or over the phone. If you cancel within 30 days, you’ll receive a full refund. If you cancel after 30 days, you’ll receive a prorated refund, and fees may apply.
HomeServe vs. American Home Shield: Which home warranty is right for you?
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.
Best for overall cost: HomeServe has a better overall cost thanks to its low starting monthly prices as low as $4.99 a month and its $0 service fee option.
Best for coverage: American Home Shield is the better choice because its higher-tier plans combine systems, appliances and roof leak coverage in a single plan.
Best for plan flexibility: HomeServe stands out by letting homeowners mix and match individual system plans or choose bundled options based on their needs.
Best for claims experience: American Home Shield has the best claims experience with its video chat feature on select plans, giving customers real-time access to an industry expert.
