American Home Shield vs. Liberty Home Guard
What is the difference between American Home Shield and Liberty Home Guard?
Home warranties can help homeowners repair or replace home systems and appliances when they break down. To find the best home warranty for you, we looked at key comparable features for American Home Shield and Liberty Home Guard, including premiums, fees and the number of items covered. This guide compares the companies side by side to help make your choice an easy one.
Cost
 |  | |
| Monthly premium cost | $29.99 to $89.99 | $49.99 to $59.99 |
| Average cost for combo plan | $60 a month | $69.99 (Total Home Guard) |
| Annual premium cost | $359.88 to $839.88 | $499.99 to $599.99 |
| Service call fee | $100 or $125 | $50 to $125 |
| Discounts available | Varies | One month free for each year of contract if paid upfront (up to 5 months free for 5-year contract) |
| $29.99 to $89.99 | $60 a month | $359.88 to $839.88 | $100 or $125 | Varies |
| $49.99 to $59.99 | $69.99 per month | $499.99 to $599.99 | $50 to $125 | One month free for each year of contract if paid upfront (up to 5 months free for 5-year contract) |
Plans
| | |
| Plans available | ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum | Appliance Guard, Systems Guard and Total Home Guard |
| Covered systems | 14 | 6 |
| Covered appliances | 9 | 9 |
| Combo plan covered items | 18 | 15 |
| Service recall period | 30 days | 60-day workmanship warranty |
| Availability | 48 states (not Alaska, Hawaii or New York City) | 50 states |
| ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum | 14 | 9 | 18 | 30 days | 48 states (not Alaska, Hawaii or New York City) |
| Appliance Guard, Systems Guard and Total Home Guard | 6 | 9 | 15 | 60-day workmanship warranty | 50 states |
Appliances coverage
| | |
| Built-in food centers | — | — |
| Built-in microwaves | ||
| Clothes dryers | ||
| Clothes washers | ||
| Dishwashers | ||
| Ice maker | — | Yes |
| Instant hot/cold water dispensers | Yes | |
| Ranges, ovens and cooktops | ||
| Refrigerators | ||
| Trash compactors | — | Yes |
| Water sensors | — | — |
| Whirlpool bathtub | — |
| — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| — | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | — |
Systems coverage
| | |
| Air conditioning | ||
| Ceiling fans | ||
| Central vacuums | — | Yes |
| Doorbells | — | |
| Ductwork | ||
| Electrical | ||
| Garbage disposals | ||
| Garage door openers | ||
| Heating | ||
| Plumbing | ||
| Smoke detectors | — | — |
| Water heaters |
| — | — | ||||||||||
| Yes | — | — |
Other coverage
| | |
| Guest unit | Add-on | — |
| Pools | Add-on | Add-on |
| Roof leak repairs | Add-on | Add-on |
| Second refrigerator | — | Add-on |
| Septic pump | Add-on | Add-on |
| Spas | Add-on | Add-on |
| Stand-alone freezer | — | Add-on |
| Well pump | Add-on | Add-on |
| Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | — | Add-on | Add-on | — | Add-on |
| — | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on |
Reputation on ConsumerAffairs
| | |
| Overall star rating | 4.0 | 2.8 |
| Verified customer reviews | Read reviews | Read reviews |
| 4.0 | Read reviews |
| 2.8 | Read reviews |
All information accurate as of publishing date.
American Home Shield
American Home Shield (AHS) is an established home warranty company. The company states that it has paid $2 billion in the last five years in claims to homeowners, and it has a network of 17,000 local, licensed contractors throughout the U.S.
American Home Shield plans
AHS’s home warranty plans cover an extensive list of items and protect both new and used appliances. Homeowners with duplicate systems and appliances, such as second air-conditioning units or refrigerators, are also covered under base plans. There are a variety of plan add-ons available for electronics and certain maintenance services.
Its three plan choices are:
- ShieldSilver ($29.99/month) includes coverage for 14 major systems, including:
- Heating and cooling systems, including air conditioners, heating units and ductwork
- Electrical systems and accessories, including built-in exhaust, vent and attic fans, main breaker and fuse panel boxes, doorbells and chimes, interior electrical lines, ceiling fans and garage door openers
- Plumbing systems and accessories, including interior plumbing lines, toilets, faucets, valves, whirlpool tub motor and components and water heaters
- ShieldGold ($39.99/month) includes all coverage under ShieldSilver, plus nine appliances (up to $3,000 per appliance per contract term):
- Refrigerators
- Ranges/Cooktops
- Ovens
- Dishwashers
- Built-in microwaves
- Garbage disposals
- Instant hot/cold water dispensers
- ShieldPlatinum ($54.99/month) includes all coverage under ShieldGold, a $6,000 appliance limit per contract term and:
- Roof leak repairs (up to $1,500 per year)
- Free HVAC tuneup
- Unlimited air conditioner refrigerant
- Coverage for code violations and permits (up to $1,000)
These monthly rates are based on a quote for a 77009 (Houston) ZIP code with a $125 service call fee.
What American Home Shield customers say
American Home Shield receives mostly positive reviews on ConsumerAffairs, though some customers have expressed frustration with the quality of communication. Satisfied reviewers frequently mention the helpful contractors and easy claims process, and many say they are happy with the work. Customers say they like that the service helps cut down on the cost of repairs and saves them money.
We were having trouble with our dishwasher, so we submitted a claim with AHS and it was a very simple process. The contractor they sent was prompt and called right before he came here … It worked, and it was a delightful transaction. AHS was quick, accurate and very timely - there was no argument or discussion. We have recommended them to friends and family members.”
– Tom of Plano, TX
Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard is a home warranty company that helps repair and maintain home appliances and systems. Service technicians within its network are vetted and must be considered “Liberty Home Guard-certified,” and you can keep track of your home warranty through the company’s online customer portal.
Liberty Home Guard plans
The company has three warranty packages, depending on if you want to protect appliances, home systems or both. Many items under a Liberty Home Guard plan have dollar limits of $1,600 per covered item per contract term for access, diagnosis, repair and replacement costs. Below are the available options under each plan.
- Systems Guard ($44.99/month) includes systems coverage for:
- Air conditioning, including central air conditioning and wall air conditioners
- Heating, including mechanical components and parts necessary for operation, circulating pumps and reversing valves
- Ductwork, including leaks or breaks in ducts, registers and grills
- Plumbing, including mechanical components and parts necessary for operation, circulating pumps and reversing valves
- Electrical, including mechanical components and parts and built-in bathroom exhaust fans
- Water heaters, including mechanical components and parts and circulating pumps up to 75 gallons
- Appliance Guard ($39.99/month) covers mechanical components and parts for eight home appliances:
- Clothes washer and dryer
- Kitchen refrigerator
- Built-in microwave
- Dishwasher
- Garbage disposal
- Garage door openers
- Ranges, ovens and cooktops
- Motors, switches, controls and bearings for ceiling and exhaust fans
- Total Home Guard ($49.99/month) combines all coverage available under the Systems Guard and Appliance Guard plans.
These rates are based on quotes for a 77009 (Houston) ZIP code. Liberty Home Guard’s plans include fewer items than some other home warranty providers, but the company lets you create a more tailored policy than most — it has an extensive list of add-ons so you can add only the items you want protected.
What Liberty Home Guard customers say
Happy Liberty Home Guard customers mention quick service and say the Liberty Home Guard team is nice to deal with. Negative reviews have expressed frustration with the warranty not covering the full cost of needed repairs.
My claims experience - The technician diagnosed the problem, ordered the correct part, and installed it as soon as it came in which was around 5 days after he was by us. He was polite and very nice and so were the folks on the phone who scheduled him. Scheduling the appointment was fine, not much hassle. My fridge works now and that's all I care about.”
– Mason of White Plains, NY
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Bottom line: American Home Shield or Liberty Home Guard?
It’s crucial to compare the differences between American Home Shield and Liberty Home Guard before making a decision between the two. AHS includes more items in its plans, and its three packages offer varying levels of protection.
Although Liberty Home Guard also offers three packages, one is an appliance-only option, while one is for systems only and the last combines the other two. The company helps keep prices low by letting you customize your warranty, which prevents you from paying for coverage you don’t need.
- American Home Shield is best for homeowners wanting all-inclusive plans and who need only a few add-ons.
- Liberty Home Guard is best for homeowners looking for basic home warranty packages they can build to suit their needs.
