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  4. American Home Shield vs. Select Home Warranty

American Home Shield vs. Select Home Warranty

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American Home Shield and Select Home Warranty

What is the difference between American Home Shield and Select Home Warranty?

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.

Cost

american home shield logoselect home warranty logo
Monthly premium cost$29.99 to $69.99$57 to $63
Average cost for combo plan$60$63
Annual premium cost$359.88 to $839.88$588 to $660
Service call fee$75, $100 or $125$60 to $75
Discounts availableNot specifiedTwo months free if paid annually
american home shield logo$29.99 to $69.99$60$359.88 to $839.88$75, $100 or $125Not specified
select home warranty logo$57 to $63$63$588 to $660$60 to $75Two months free if paid annually

Plans

american home shield logoselect home warranty logo
Plans availableShieldSilver, ShieldGold, Shield PlatinumBronze Care, Gold Care, Platinum Care
Covered systems98
Covered appliances97
Combo plan covered items1815
Service recall period30 daysNot specified
Availability47 states44 states
american home shield logoShieldSilver, ShieldGold, Shield Platinum991830 days47 states
select home warranty logoBronze Care, Gold Care, Platinum Care8715Not specified44 states

Appliances coverage

american home shield logoselect home warranty logo
Built-in food centers
Built-in microwaves
Clothes dryers
Clothes washers
Dishwashers
Ice maker
Instant hot/cold water dispensers
Ranges, ovens and cooktops
Refrigerators
Trash compactors
Water sensors
Whirlpool bathtub
american home shield logo
select home warranty logo

Systems coverage

american home shield logoselect home warranty logo
Air conditioning
Ceiling fans
Central vacuumsAdd-on
Doorbells
Ductwork
Electrical
Garage door openers
Garbage disposals
Heating
Plumbing
Smoke detectors
Water heaters
american home shield logo
select home warranty logoAdd-on

Other coverage

american home shield logoselect home warranty logo
Guest unitAdd-on
PoolsAdd-onAdd-on
Roof leak repairsAdd-on
Second refrigerator
Septic pumpAdd-on
SpasAdd-onAdd-on
Standalone freezerAdd-on
Well pumpAdd-onAdd-on
american home shield logoAdd-onAdd-onAdd-onAdd-onAdd-on
select home warranty logoAdd-onAdd-onAdd-onAdd-onAdd-on

Reputation on ConsumerAffairs

american home shield logoselect home warranty logo
Overall star rating4.44.4
Verified customer reviewsAmerican Home Shield reviewsSelect Home Warranty reviews
american home shield logo4.4American Home Shield reviews
select home warranty logo4.4Select Home Warranty reviews

All information accurate as of publishing date.

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    American Home Shield

    American Home Shield offers three levels of home warranties. Additionally, there are add-on packages available for guest unit protection, electronics (not available in California), septic pumps, wells and spas.

    • ShieldPlatinum: ShieldPlatinum is American Home Shield’s most comprehensive plan. It averages around $64.99 per month. Coverage includes heating and cooling systems, electrical systems, plumbing systems, kitchen appliances, laundry appliances, roof leak repairs, a free HVAC tuneup, unlimited air conditioning refrigerant and coverage for code violations and permits.
    • ShieldGold: ShieldGold is $49.99 per month. It is the midlevel plan, with coverage for heating and cooling systems, electrical systems, plumbing systems, kitchen appliances and laundry appliances.
    • ShieldSilver: ShieldSilver is the cheapest plan. It costs $29.99 per month, and it covers heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems.

    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. I only had one claim that I had to figure out on my own. When I have claims, I just go to the American Home Shield website. Usually within 24 hours, I get a phone call.”

    Purterson of Albany, GA

    Select Home Warranty

    Select Home Warranty also offers three home warranty plans: Gold Care, Platinum Care and Bronze Care. It's available in most states and works with local, trusted contractors in the event of a claim. It also offers several add-on coverage plans for things like pools, spas, roof leaks, second refrigerators and well pumps.

    • Gold Care: Gold Care is Select Home Warranty’s basic package that covers systems. These include air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical, water heater and ductwork. It averages about $57 per month.
    • Bronze Care: Bronze Care is an appliance package. It costs $57 per month and covers washers and dryers, dishwasher, built-in microwaves, stove/oven, refrigerator and garbage disposals.
    • Platinum Care: Platinum Care is Select Home Warranty’s most comprehensive package. It costs around $63 per month. Coverage includes everything in Gold and Bronze Care, plus plumbing stoppage, garage door openers and ceiling fans.

    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.

    I was looking for home warranty and came cross with Select. 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 for homeowners warranty.”

    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.
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