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Home Warranty

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Home Warranty
  2. What is a Home Warranty?
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What is a Home Warranty?

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A home warranty is a service plan for your home’s systems and appliances. Over time, the systems and appliances we rely on most will inevitably break down—like your heating and AC system, refrigerator, water heater, and washer/dryer. But when you warranty, you can look on the bright side because your covered items are protected.

See the plan agreement for coverage details, including service fees, limitations and exclusions. Coverage limits and charges for non-covered items may apply.

How a home warranty plan works:

Request service 24/7 via MyAccount or by phone at 1.800.776.4663 and pay your Service Fee.

We’ll assign a Pro from a network, and they’ll contact you to schedule their visit.

Your assigned Pro will diagnose your issue and identify a solution/next steps.

We’ll repair or replace the covered item. See a sample plan agreement for more details.

Thinking about coverage?

Sounds like a plan. Find the warranty that fits you best.

WHAT DOES AN AHS HOME WARRANTY COVER?

 

Home Systems and Appliance Coverage

pipes

From pipes to ceiling fans, a home warranty covers parts of up to 23 home systems and appliances in your home. Plus, we offer additional coverage including roof leak repair, electronics, pool/spa, and more.

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Member Benefits

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We offer additional services like seasonal HVAC tune-ups and rekeys, as well as partner discounts on lawn care, appliances, and new HVAC systems to help you keep your home in tip-top shape.

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Home Warranties vs. Homeowners Insurance

 

Home warranty plans cover what WILL happen:

  •  
    Broken A/C
  •  
    Clogged pipes
  •  
    Leaky water heater
  •  
    Overflowing toilet

Homeowners insurance covers what MIGHT happen:

  •  
    Theft
  •  
    Fire damage
  •  
    Storm damage
  •  
    Floods

You’re 28 times more likely to use home warranty services than your homeowner's insurance. Why? Because, unlike insurance, we cover the things you use every day that you can't do without. To learn more, visit our Home Warranty vs Homeowners Insurance blog post.

AHS

Frequently Asked Questions

Each of our 2 million members gets access to a nationwide network of thousands of local, qualified repair Pros; coverage for key parts of home systems and appliances; additional coverage options and special discounts on home maintenance services; plus, peace of mind and budget protection. We pay more claims than the other guys — we paid $4 billion in home warranty claims in the last seven years, to be exact.

American Home Shield also covers older items, no matter their age and provides a 30-day workmanship guarantee.

Our plans start at less than $1 a day. Your monthly home warranty cost depends on a few factors though:

  • Home details - The size, type and location of your home
  • Plan type - We offer plans for existing homeowners and people who are buying or selling a home, as well as different coverage levels based on your specific needs
  • Additional coverage - From electronics to pool & built-in spa equipment coverage, we offer additional coverage options that you can add to your base home warranty plan
  • Service Fee - When you request service, you’ll pay a small service fee to have a Pro diagnose the problem. You will select your Service Fee amount when you purchase your home warranty plan

 

For more information, see our Cost Explained page.

You'll pay a service fee each time you place a service request for a Pro to come to your home and provide service. The amount, plus sales tax (where applicable), is determined based on the service fee amount you select (either $100 or $125) when you purchase your plan.

A real estate home warranty is a one-year service agreement that covers the repair or replacement of many major home system components and appliances. It is available to sellers (limited listing coverage) and buyers typically via their real estate agent during their real estate transaction only.

 

We also offer home warranty plans for customers who are not in a real estate transaction. See our Plans & Coverage page for more information.

You can start requesting service 30 days after you sign up for your plan. If you purchased or were given a home warranty during a real estate transaction, your coverage starts the day of closing.

In some situations, a seller will purchase a real estate home warranty plan for the buyer of their home or in some cases, real estate professionals will gift a year of home warranty plan coverage to their clients. However, most homeowners typically purchase their own home warranty plan in order to ensure the systems and appliances they use every day are covered and their budgets are protected from expensive repair costs. 

There are several things to consider when renewing your home warranty: the age of your house, appliances, electrical wiring, and HVAC unit, and much more, such as your budget for unexpected breakdowns and repairs. Once your annual contract term is up for renewal, you can easily renew your home service plan and continue to receive the budget protection and peace of mind that an American Home Shield® home warranty provides. 

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