American Home Shield vs. Select Home Warranty
Compare coverage, cost and reviews
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Home system and appliance breakdowns are typically unexpected and can be expensive to repair. Home warranties pay for the cost of repairs. It’s important to know that home warranties are different from home insurance, and there are several things to consider when choosing a warranty company. These include premiums, service call fees and what's covered. We’re breaking down two home warranty companies to make your choice easier.
American Home Shield vs. Select Home Warranty cost
While American Home Shield's monthly premiums are lower for basic coverage, American Home Shield is also the more economical choice for comprehensive, high-tier plans. Another key cost to consider is the service fee, which is the amount you pay for a technician's visit; Select Home Warranty has a lower entry point for this one-time cost.
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 | SheldPlatinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $39.99 | $59.99 | $89.99 |
| $125 | $29.99 | $49.99 | $79.99 |
Select Home Warranty plans and pricing
Select Home Warranty’s service fees range from $75 to $100 and are dependent on location. Your service fee has no effect on the cost of a plan. However, plans come at a discounted rate if you pay annually instead of monthly.
- Bronze Care plan: $629.99 per year
- Gold Care plan: $629.99 per year
- Platinum Care plan: $674.99 per year
| Service fee | Bronze Care | Gold Care | Platinum Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60 or $75 | $60.42 | $60.42 | $63.75 |
*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. Select Home Warranty coverage
The main coverage difference between these companies is how they structure their basic plans. American Home Shield's plans start by focusing only on home systems. Select Home Warranty, in contrast, provides comprehensive combo plans from the outset. As you look at their more expensive plans, both companies offer similar, robust coverage.
 |  | |
| 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. Select Home Warranty add-ons
American Home Shield offers a wider variety of specialty add-ons including electronics protection, guest units and roof leak repairs. Select Home Warranty covers the basics like pool and spa protection but has fewer unique options. Your choice may depend on whether you need coverage for specific uncommon home items.
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 |
Select Home Warranty add-ons
You can customize your Select Home Warranty plan with up to nine add-ons. Monthly pricing for the most common add-ons is below:
| Optional coverage | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Sump pump | $3.33 |
| Well pump | $3.33 |
| Stand-alone freezer | $3.33 |
| Central vacuum | $3.33 |
| Septic system | $5.83 |
| Sprinkler system | $5.83 |
What American Home Shield customers say
Reviewers on ConsumerAffairs leave mostly positive feedback on their experience with American Home Shield, though there are exceptions. Happy customers comment on contractors, saying the technicians they work with explain things well and the claims process is quick and easy. Customers say that American Home Shield does what it says it will and that their issues are fixed. Some customers appear to have issues with the claim timeline and call center.
I've had American Home Shield since I bought this home in 2018 and I used them for a number of different things. For the most part, they were responsive and helped me figure out what I needed to have figured out.”
– Purterson of Albany, GA
What Select Home Warranty customers say
Select Home Warranty receives mainly positive reviews on ConsumerAffairs. Themes found in positive reviews include satisfaction with both the price and customer service. Customers say Select Home Warranty is efficient and gets the job done, with multiple reviewers saying they’d used other warranties in the past but weren’t satisfied until they switched to Select Home Warranty. However, some unhappy customers outline issues with specific coverage and contractors not being provided in a timely manner.
All plans are simple and very easy to understand and the customer service Representative explained it nicely with nice price. Being a new homeowner it's really worth it to buy a home warranty. I would recommend Select.”
– Rishi of Hurst, TX
Bottom line: American Home Shield or Select Home Warranty?
American Home Shield and Select Home Warranty are pretty close in pricing and offer similar coverage options. There are a couple of differences. Select Home Warranty offers an appliances-only plan, which may be appealing to those who only want coverage on their appliances. On the other hand, American Home Shield has more add-on coverage options available, like guest unit coverage and electronics coverage (not available in California).
- American Home Shield is best for those who are more budget-conscious and want more add-on coverage options.
- Select Home Warranty is best for those who are interested in an appliance-only plan or a systems-only plan.
