Amazon – American Home Shield vs. Amazon Home Warranty

In this article:

• American Home Shield vs. Amazon Home Warranty comparison

• American Home Shield coverage

• Amazon Home Warranty coverage

• Coverage comparison

• Cost comparison

• American Home Shield and Amazon Home Warranty reviews

• Our conclusion

• Frequently asked questions

American Home Shield vs. Amazon Home Warranty comparison

American Home Shield coverage

American Home Shield provides some of the most extensive coverage in the home warranty industry, offering homeowners the choice of three plans: an Appliances Plan, a Systems Plan and a Combo Plan. American Home Shield customers can also add on coverage for five different items.

Here’s an overview of American Home Shield’s home warranty plans:

• Appliances Plan: The Appliances Plan covers 10 major appliances within the home, including the refrigerator, clothes washer and oven.

• Systems Plan: The Systems Plan protects 11 home systems, including the electrical system, heating system and garbage disposal.

• Combo Plan: The Combo Plan covers all 21 appliances and systems that are protected under the Appliances and Systems Plans.

American Home Shield allows homeowners to add on optional coverage for the following five items:

• Electronics extended warranty

• Guest unit under 750 square feet

• Pool and inground spa

• Septic pump

• Well pump

To get a personalized quote from American Home Shield, call 844-529-9298 or fill out this quick online form. American Home Shield is currently offering MarketWatch readers $50 off when they sign up for a policy.

Amazon Home Warranty coverage

Amazon Home Warranty, which is not affiliated with the online retail giant, has been in business for over a decade and is known for its wide range of add-on coverage options. Similar to American Home Shield, AHW helps customers protect their appliances and systems through three plans: the Appliances Plan, Systems Plan and Combo Plan. In addition to its standard coverage, Amazon Home Warranty offers customers the choice of supplementing their coverage with optional add-ons.

Here’s a look at Amazon Home Warranty’s coverage options:

• Appliances Plan: The Appliances Plan protects eight essential home appliances, including the dishwasher, refrigerator and oven.

• Systems Plan: The Systems Plan covers eight major systems like the electrical system, ductwork and water heater.

• Combo Plan: The Combo Plan covers all items under the Appliances and Systems Plans while providing coverage for an additional seven items, including the doorbell, garbage disposal and bathroom exhaust fan.

Amazon Home Warranty also lets customers select optional coverage from an extensive list of 21 items, including:

• Pool and spa

• Additional central heating

• Lawn sprinkler system

• Septic system

• Whole-house humidifier

• Stand-alone freeze

• Sump pump

• Limited roof leak

• Ice maker

• Additional washer and dryer

• Additional microwave

• Additional central AC unit

• Central vacuum

• Well pump

• Wine refrigerator

• Septic tank pumping

• Additional refrigerator

• Water softener

• Additional water heater

• Extra oven

• Additional dishwasher

To receive a quote from Amazon Home Warranty, call 866-605-8194 or fill out this form. MarketWatch readers can receive $75 off and one month free on an Amazon Home Warranty plan.

American Home Shield vs. Amazon Home Warranty coverage comparison

While American Home Shield and Amazon Home Warranty both offer protection plans that cover appliances, systems or a combination of the two, these industry leaders don’t cover all of the same items in their respective plans. Take a look at the appliances and systems covered under each provider’s most comprehensive plan.

American Home Shield and Amazon Home Warranty plan comparison

American Home Shield vs. Amazon Home Warranty cost comparison

American Home Shield and Amazon Home Warranty offer coverage plans within a similar price range, with Amazon Home Warranty offering its most basic plan at a slightly lower monthly rate. American Home Shield’s most affordable plan starts at $50 per month, compared to Amazon Home Warranty’s comparable plan that starts at $42 per month. On average, American Home Shield plans run between $50 and $60 per month, while Amazon Home Warranty plans run between $42 and $52 per month.

One cost-impacting factor that differs between American Home Shield and Amazon Home Warranty is their respective trade service fee, or the deductible paid when a technician comes to repair or replace a broken item. American Home Shield allows customers to choose between a $75, $100 or $125 service fee, with a lower deductible increasing the monthly premium and a higher deductible lowering it. Amazon Home Warranty doesn’t allow customers to select their service fee, but it has a low deductible of $75.

Note: The cost of your home warranty is affected by factors like your location, the type of plan you choose and your service fee amount. We recommend getting quotes from both providers to compare pricing in your area.

American Home Shield and Amazon Home Warranty reviews

American Home Shield is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds a B rating from the organization. Amazon Home Warranty, which currently is not rated, used to hold accreditation with the Better Business Bureau, but the organization revoked the home warranty company’s accreditation in November 2020 for failing to meet some of the BBB’s required standards. The standards that AHW allegedly failed to meet included fulfilling all contracts, commitments and representations, approaching all business dealings, marketplace transactions and commitments with integrity and more. Additional information is available on the BBB’s website.

Home Media contacted AHW for a comment and received the following statement: “Our suspension is unrelated to complaints, customer service or coverage…We were forced to involve our attorneys in this case because we feel we have been treated unfairly by the BBB.”

The AHW representative also commented that the roughly 350 complaints on the company’s BBB profile represent less than 1% of its customer base and that it has significantly fewer BBB complaints than other major competitors. American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty — both of which serve more customers than Amazon Home Warranty — have both had over 7,000 BBB complaints over the last three years.

Here’s a sampling of Amazon Home Warranty and American Home Shield customer reviews:

Amazon Home Warranty reviews

“Best home warranty company I dealt with within the last 20 years. Arthur signed me up and was able to answer all the questions I had. He promised great service and that’s what I received. Filed a claim and it was fulfilled very quickly. Thank you, AHW!” — Daniel F.

“The service was quick and efficient. [AHW] customer service was great and the company they sent to my house was professional.” — August B.

American Home Shield reviews

“Excellent service. Time savings and financial savings are great. The only thing I would like to see in [the] policy is the timing that their contractors have to reply. [Twenty-four] business hours can be detrimental for several applications. Otherwise, I’m very happy being a consumer. I have used them numerous times and they even had to replace a [two-year] old stove.” — Gail Y.

“So glad I have this warranty. They are fast, efficient, affordable, and cover everything. I will always stay with [AHS].” — Christen K.

Our conclusion: American Home Shield vs. Amazon Home Warranty

American Home Shield and Amazon Home Warranty both provide comprehensive coverage for major home appliances and systems and offer optional add-on protection. We recommend American Home Shield to homeowners who want multiple plan options from a veteran provider. However, if you’re more concerned with including add-ons with your plan, Amazon Home Warranty may be a better company for you, as it offers a wider range of extra coverage options.

To get a free quote from American Home Shield, call 844-529-9298 or fill out this form. For a free quote from Amazon Home Warranty, call 866-605-8194 or fill out this form.

Frequently asked questions about home warranties

How long do home warranties last?

Home warranties usually last for a year, but some companies allow customers to enroll in three- or five-year plans at a reduced rate.

Can I cancel my home warranty plan?

Yes. Many home warranty providers allow you to cancel your coverage within the first 30 days for a full refund. After the first 30 days, some providers may allow you to cancel, but they’ll likely refund you a prorated amount. Both American Home Shield and Amazon Home Warranty allow customers to cancel within the first 30 days for a full contract fee refund.

Is a home warranty necessary?

Home warranties aren’t mandatory for homeowners, but we recommend getting coverage to protect your major systems and appliances. Home warranties cover these items if they break down due to normal wear and tear, saving you from paying expensive, out-of-pocket costs for repairs or replacements.

Not to mention, anytime you submit a service request, your home warranty company will send a trusted contractor to your house without you having to look for a technician on your own.