Need answers? We've rounded up the questions homeowners ask most, from home warranty plans and coverage to service requests, payments, member benefits, and more. Take a look through our FAQs and find the information you're looking for. Because homeownership comes with enough surprises already, let AHS be a helping hand!
American Home Shield® is the industry-leading home warranty provider, serving nearly 2 million members. Since 1971, we've been helping homeowners protect their budgets from the cost and hassle of unexpected breakdowns, and in the process, we founded the home warranty industry. Today, with more than 55 years of experience, we're proud to be the #1 home warranty provider. We've paid more than $6 billion in home warranty claims over the last seven years, helping homeowners get back to what matters most. Our plans cover the major home systems and appliances you rely on every day, like your HVAC, oven or fridge, helping keep your home running smoothly. With AHS, you have one place to turn when a covered item breaks down. And if AHS can't repair a covered item, we'll replace it, regardless of its age. Our goal is simple: to help homeowners feel confident, prepared, and in control of their homes.
American Home Shield has a nationwide network of thousands of independent, qualified repair Pros ready to help when you have an unexpected breakdown on a major home system or applaince. With coverage for up to 29 covered items, if AHS cannot repair your covered item, they’ll replace it — no matter its age. With a 30 Day Workmanship guarantee on repairs, and our Shield Assurances, we offer coverage for items other competitors may not. We also offer special discounts on home maintenance services and other member beenfits. AHS is a great way to get peace of mind and protect your wallet from costly repairs.
Our plans start at less than $1 a day. Your monthly home warranty cost depends on a few factors though:
For more information, see our Cost Explained page.
An American Home Shield home warranty covers parts of 27 home systems and appliances, including rook leak repair and exterior lines coverage. AHS home warranty plans cover repairs on items like your HVAC unit, water heater, refrigerator, dishwasher, and more. When a covered item breaks down due to normal wear and tear, we'll send a qualified independent Pro to repair it. If AHS cannot repair your coverd item, they'll replace it--no matter its age.
Here’s a little bit more about our coverage details:
See the plan agreement for coverage details, including service fees, limitations and exclusions. Coverage limits and charges for non-covered items may apply.
You can contact American Home Shield online, by phone or in the AHS App. As an AHS member, you can visit MyAccount or the AHS App to place a service request 24/7, review your plan agreement, and access special member benefits on a variety of home maintenance services.
For AHS Sales: 877.704.1883
For Service: 800.858.1922
AHS Members can video call with vetted, repair Technicians in the AHS app who can help troubleshoot breakdowns in real time at no extra cost in the AHS app. Our Technicians have over an average of 20 years of experience. It's a great and completely optional way to troubleshoot and potentially fix your issue before placing a service request.
Video call is available to members and the hours are from 8AM-9PM CST 7 days/week. Subject to change.
The standard initial home warranty plan agreement is 13-months, and begins the day after you sign-up. After the initial agreement, your plan will renew for 12-month terms.
Once your AHS coverage begins (30 days after sign-up), you can file a service request 24/7 online via MyAccount, in the AHS App, or by phone at 833.474.0187.
No, we do not place a limit on the number of covered repairs, although some coverage limitations and exclusions, such as covered item limits, may apply.
Please review the Sample Plan Agreement for a specific list of coverage limitations and exclusions. If you are a current member, you can view your specific plan agreement in MyAccount.
For a service request to be approved it must be for a covered item that has experienced a covered breakdown, and for which there are no other limitations or exclusions that apply. See the plan agreement for coverage details, including service fees, limitations and exclusions. Charges for non-covered items may apply.
Yes. We offer a 30-day workmanship guarantee, which means if you have an issue regarding your completed repair or replacement within 30-days of completion, we'll send a Pro back out for free. Either request service online via MyAccount or call 833.706.2864. Please see the sample plan agreement for more details.
If we determine that your covered home system or appliance cannot be repaired, we will replace it for you and remove the broken item at no additional charge. You can also opt for a cash payment in lieu of a similar or equal value replacement. You can also take advantage of our New HVAC Program and upgrade your system or appliance. Our New HVAC Program provides members with exclusive discounts on top appliance brands and current models to help your dollars go further.
There are several factors that will impact how long it will take to fix your covered item such as the nature of your issue(s) and availability of parts. Our goal is to assign you a Pro as quickly as possible so we can diagnose the issue, order any parts needed to make the repair, and fix your covered appliance or system so your home is running smoothly again.
Yes! AHS will cover your home systems and applainces of any age. AHS coverage comes with the Shield Assurances that cover for things more than just old age of an applaince or home system.
With our Shield Assurances, we take care of things other home warranty companies might not, like:
Normal wear-and-tear, no matter the age of a covered item
Unknown, pre-existing breakdowns
Items without maintenance records
Duplicates of the same item, like that extra AC unit
Removal of defective equipment
Refrigerant recapture, reclaim and disposal
Breakdowns caused by improper installations or repairs, insufficient maintenance; rust, corrosion and sediment; and mismatched HVAC systems
Visit MyAccount to register. In MyAccount, you can easily place service requests, view your plan agreement, and access member discounts on a variety of home maintenance services.
Of course you can make changes to your coverage. To change your plan, call 833.706.2868.
If you have set up automatic payments with us, we will send your next year's agreement at least 30 days before your current plan agreement expires. If you do not have automatic payments set up, you can contact us to continue coverage by logging into MyAccount or calling 833.706.2869.
Yes, you can cancel at any time. If you cancel your plan agreement within the first 30 days of your coverage, we'll refund your agreement fees minus any service and claims incurred by American Home Shield.
If you cancel your plan agreement after 30 days, you'll receive a prorated refund of any agreement fees you paid for the rest of the agreement term, minus an administrative fee of up to one month's payment (where permitted by law) and any service or claims costs incurred by American Home Shield. Terms may vary by state. Please see the sample plan agreement for more details.
To cancel your plan agreement, please call 833.706.2865 and a customer representative will assist you.
Please note, if you are moving, you can transfer the remainder of your plan to the new buyer and set up coverage for your new home. Call 833.706.2866 to transfer your warranty.
Homeowners insurance typically protects your home from things that might happen, like fires, theft or natural disasters. A home warranty helps protect your budget when covered components of home systems and appliances break down due to normal wear and tear. If you want to learn more, check out this page on the difference between homeowners insurance and home warranties.
Yes, you can easily purchase an American Home Shield home warranty for your rental property online at ahs.com. You must be the owner of the rental property to purchase the home warranty plan.
Yes, but keep in mind that the coverage options and coverage provided may vary from state to state. View your state's sample plan agreement. For questions regarding the coverage available in your state, please contact 833.706.2867
American Home Shield will assign a Pro from our network who specializes in the type of item and issue you are experiencing. The assigned Pro will then reach out to you. In some limited situations, American Home Shield may offer you the ability to choose your own Pro, also known as Outside Authorization. Unless American Home Shield offers you the Outside Authorization, you may not use your own Pro. Please see the plan agreement for more information.
No. You can purchase a home warranty from American Home Shield without an inspection or maintenance records as part of our coverage. All of our AHS home warranty plans come with our Shield Assurances, like:
Normal wear-and-tear, no matter the age of a covered item
Unknown, pre-existing breakdowns
Items without maintenance records
Duplicates of the same item, like that extra AC unit
Removal of defective equipment
Refrigerant recapture, reclaim and disposal
Breakdowns caused by improper installations or repairs, insufficient maintenance; rust, corrosion and sediment; and mismatched HVAC systems
Yes, you can pay monthly (for no additional finance fee) or annually. If there’s a specific day you want to start your billing cycle each month, call 833.706.2870. You can also pay by checking account, credit or debit card.
You'll pay a non-refundable service fee each time you place a service request for a covered item. You'll choose your service fee amount when you purchase your plan. See the plan agreement for coverage details, including service fees, limitations and exclusions. Charges for non-covered items may apply.
Yes, you'll get a $50 discount on coverage for each additional home (under 5,000 square feet).
When you request service, you’ll pay your set service fee. In addition, you may be responsible for any repair or service costs that aren’t covered by your home warranty plan agreement, such as covered item limits. See the plan agreement for coverage details, including service fees, limitations and exclusions. Charges for non-covered items may apply.
A real estate home warranty plan is an agreement that provides for the repair or replacement of covered parts of components of home systems and appliances when they break down from covered caused, like normal wear and tear.
The real estate home warranty plans are available to buyers and sellers involved in a real estate transaction. Buyers have three plans to choose from, and sellers can add seller coverage for protection while the home is listed. There is no waiting period, seller coverage starts the day it is ordered, and buyer coverage begins the day of closing and continues for one year.
Including an American Home Shield® home warranty in your real estate transaction can help protect your biggest investment — and your budget. Our RE plans offer additional coverage benefits, see our real estate home warranty plans to learn more.
Yes. To transfer your agreement, please call 833.706.2866.
Yes, you can add real estate home warranty coverage and take advantage of special real estate pricing – which is available exclusively to recent homebuyers.
American Home Shield offers three different real estate plans for homebuyers: ShieldEssential℠, ShieldPlus℠, and ShieldComplete℠. We also offer complimentary seller’s coverage (where available by state), that can then be transferred over to the buyer once the home is sold. This seller’s coverage is equivalent to ShieldEssential. Here is a closer look at each real estate plan:
*Tune-ups are available seasonally (spring: A/C; fall: heating) and both Rekey and HVAC Tune-up Services are offered by Frontdoor Pro. As a ShieldComplete member, your choice of one free Rekey or HVAC Tune-up Service of one unit is included per plan agreement term, including: rekey service, HVAC Tune-up service of one unit, light fixture installation, or ceiling fan installation. Service dates are limited and may vary based upon location. For buyer use only.
**Roof leak repair coverage not available for condos/townhomes/mobile homes. For buyer use only. Not available in Hawaii or Connecticut.
See the plan agreement for coverage details, including service fees, limitations and exclusions. Coverage limits and charges for non-covered items may apply.
Yes. As a seller, you can opt into seller coverage* for yourself at no cost when a buyer home warranty is added to your transaction. AHS helps fix parts of your major home systems, like HVAC, electrical and plumbing, up to 6 months while your home is on the market.
*Renewable upon review at the discretion of American Home Shield after 6- month period, up to 12 months. Subject to a $1,500 aggregate limit for all services during the entire term.
Yes, we offer two years of coverage for the buyer when purchased at closing. Pricing varies by state but is 2x the price of the one-year pricing. Learn more about our real estate plans from AHS.
Yes. Our New Construction home warranty can be purchased anytime within the first year after closing, and provides coverage for 4 years, protecting the home from years 2-5.
Your coverage starts the day of closing, however, if payment for the home warranty funds have not been received from the home closing process, the number of service requests you may file may be limited.
If you sell your home before the end of your plan agreement, you can transfer the remainder of your plan agreement term to the new buyer by calling 833.706.2866.
Yes, you can change or upgrade your coverage plan and options. You can do so by calling 800.776.4663.
Our standard agreement lasts for 12 months after closing. If you choose the 2-year warranty, your agreement term will last for 24 months and if you purchase a New Construction home warranty, your agreement term will last for four years - beginning after the builder's one-year warranty expires.
When you're selling your home, you can purchase an American Home Shield real estate home warranty plan for your buyer and add coverage for yourself while your home is on the market, at no extra cost.* When you sell your home, the warranty is then transferred to the buyer. Seller's coverage protects your home's covered systems during the listing period, helping you avoid unexpected repair bills and keeping your home show-ready for buyers.
*Complimentary seller coverage provided for active listings where allowed by law.
See the plan agreement for coverage details, including service fees, limitations and exclusions. Coverage limits and charges for non-covered items may apply.
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