Choice Home Warranty vs American Home Shield | 2021

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Looking for a comparison of Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield? Our review team examined these two providers' plans, cost, and customer reviews to help you determine which company is best for you and your home protection needs. Keep reading to learn more.

For information on other reputable home warranty providers, read our article on the best home warranty companies in the industry.

Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Comparison

Choice Home Warranty

• Get a free quote: Call 929-400-6165 or complete this form

• Our verdict: Best Basic Plan

• Number of plans: 2

• Monthly cost: $36–$44

• Service fee: $60–$85

• State availability: All but CA and WA

• BBB rating: B-

• Years in Business: 12

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American Home Shield

• Get a free quote: Call 844-529-9298 or complete this form

• Our verdict: Best Overall

• Number of plans: 3

• Monthly cost: $40–$65

• Service fee: $75–$125

• State availability: All but Alaska

• BBB rating: B

• Years in Business: 49

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Choice Home Warranty Coverage Plans

Choice Home Warranty offers two comprehensive plan options: a Basic plan and a Total plan. The company's Basic plan covers 14 different appliances and systems, while the company's Total plan covers everything in the Basic plan, plus coverage for a dryer, washer, refrigerator, and air conditioning system.

Choice Home Warranty also offers nine optional add-ons:

• Well pump

• Septic system

• Sump pump

• Stand-alone freezer

• Second refrigerator

• Central vacuum

• Pool and spa

• Septic tank pumping

• Limited roof leaks

Below we break down the specific items covered by the company's two coverage plans.

The Basic Plan covers the following:

• Heating System

• Electrical System

• Plumbing System

• Plumbing Stoppages

• Water Heater

• Whirlpool Bathtub

• Oven, Range, and Stove

• Cooktop

• Dishwasher

• Built-in Microwave

• Garbage Disposal

• Ductwork

• Garage Door Opener

• Ceiling and Exhaust Fans

The Total Plan covers everything in the Basic Plan, plus:

• Clothes Dryer

• Clothes Washer

• Air Conditioner

• Refrigerator

Get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty by calling 929-400-6165 or by completing this easy form.

American Home Shield Coverage Plans

American Home Shield offers three coverage plans to homeowners called ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, and ShieldPlatinum™. The ShieldSilver Plan is for coverage on just major systems. Whereas the ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans cover a combination of systems and appliances, totaling 23 items.

American Home Shield also offers five optional add-ons:

• Septic pump

• Well pump

• Pool and spa

• Electronics extended warranty

• Guest units up to 750 square feet

Below we outline the items covered under each American Home Shield plan.

The ShieldSilver Plan covers the following major systems:

• Toilets

• Faucets and valves

• Whirlpool tub motor and components

• Water heaters

• Electrical

• Air conditioning

• Heating

• Ductwork

• Breakers and fuze boxes

• Plumbing

• Ceiling fans

• Built-in exhaust, vent, and attic fans

• Doorbells

• Garage door openers

The ShieldGold Plan includes everything in the ShieldSilver plan, adding:

• Hot or cold water dispensers

• Refrigerators

• Ovens

• Ranges/cooktops

• Clothes washers & dryers

• Dishwashers

• Built-in microwave ovens

• Garbage disposals

The ShieldPlatinum Plan covers everything in the other two plans, plus:

• One free HVAC tune-up

• Roof leak repairs

• Unlimited AC refrigerant limits

• $1,000 coverage for code violations

• $3,000 increase to appliance coverage limit

Get a free quote from American Home Shield by calling 844-529-9298 or by filling out this simple form.

Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Cost

American Home Shield monthly premiums and service fees are slightly more expensive than what Choice Home Warranty offers. View the tables below for the monthly premium and service fee costs for both of these companies.

Choice Home Warranty Cost

• Monthly Premium Cost: $42–$50

• Service Fee / Deductible: $85

American Home Shield Cost

• Monthly Premium Cost: $39.99–$64.99

• Service Fee / Deductible: $75–$125

Note: Optional add-on pricing for these two providers depends on the covered item you add to your plan. Homeowners can expect to add about $40 to $180 to their annual home warranty cost for each optional add-on they include with their coverage.

Customer Reviews

Both Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield received positive ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but only American Home Shield is accredited by the organization.

Choice Home Warranty Reputation

• BBB accreditation: No

• BBB rating: B-

• Average BBB customer review rating (out of 5 stars): 1 star

American Home Shield Reputation

• BBB accreditation: Yes

• BBB rating: B

• Average BBB customer review rating (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

Note: Choice Home Warranty was involved with a lawsuit with the Arizona Attorney General's Office that alleges that the company used false advertising and misled customers in 2019. Choice resolved a similar lawsuit in 2015 with the New Jersey Attorney General and agreed to pay a fine and hire an independent compliance monitoring company to supervise its advertising practices.

To avoid claims being denied, we recommend carefully reading through the terms and conditions of your sample contract before signing up for a home warranty and reaching out to your provider's customer service department if you have any questions.

Conclusion

Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield are two of the top home warranty companies in the industry because of their comprehensive coverage plans and affordable pricing. Our review team named Choice Home Warranty as best for a basic plan because it covers appliances and systems regardless of their age with comprehensive coverage in its Basic Plan with 14 items covered. We named American Home Shield as the best overall home warranty provider because of its variety of coverage plan offerings and breadth of covered items within each plan.

We recommend Choice Home Warranty for homeowners who are on a budget or want basic home warranty coverage, and we recommend American Home Shield for homeowners seeking a wider variety of coverage options and are willing to pay for the most comprehensive coverage.

To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, call 929-400-6165 or fill out this form. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, call 844-529-9298 or fill out this form.

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Alternative Home Warranty Provider: Select Home Warranty

If you're not sure if Choice Home Warranty or American Home Shield is right for you, we named Select Home Warranty as the best home warranty company for budget shoppers because it offers three coverage plans for under $40 per month and a low $75 service fee.

To get a free quote from Select Home Warranty, call 888-370-3956 or complete this form.

Home Warranty Rating Methodology

The Home Service Research Team at Better Homes & Gardens strives to provide unbiased and objective reviews to readers by compiling relevant information on home warranty companies and rating the providers on a variety of factors.

Here's what our review process looks like:

• We examine each provider's website to determine plan details, coverage, customer service offerings, and other benefits. We also speak with company representatives to get more insight on plan details.

• We read sample contracts from each home warranty company to analyze and compare coverage details, limits, and exclusions.

• We read at least 100 third-party customer reviews for each home warranty company to determine the real-life benefits and drawbacks of each provider.

• We gather cost information for a variety of home warranty plans in different states by completing online quote forms and speaking with sales representatives to simulate the quote process.

• We revisit each company's offerings on a seasonal basis, ensuring that we include the most up-to-date information in our reviews.

We also created a 100-point rating system to score companies based on objective factors, such as plan options, coverage, and customer service:

Overall, the Home Service Research Team has reviewed over 70 home warranty companies to select the top-rated providers in the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, American Home Shield or Choice Home Warranty?

American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty are two of the best home warranty companies in the industry for their comprehensive plans and relatively affordable pricing. Our review team recommends Choice Home Warranty as the best for older homes because it covers appliances and systems of all ages. We recommend American Home Shield as the best home warranty company overall because of its stellar coverage plans and customizable coverage options.

What are the benefits of a home warranty plan?

A home warranty plan protects homeowners from having to pay for unexpected, expensive repairs or replacements on major home systems and appliances. Instead of paying hundreds to thousands of dollars out-of-pocket, homeowners with a home warranty plan pay a relatively small monthly premium and a service call fee every time a repair or replacement is needed.

Additionally, having a home warranty plan can prevent you from spending time looking for a trusted contractor in your area, as most companies have a network of thousands of licensed technicians to complete repairs and replacements.

What is the waiting period for Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield?

The waiting period for Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield is 30 days, which means that your coverage won't start until 30 days after you sign your service contract with your chosen home warranty company.

What are the customer service hours for Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield?

American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty both provide 24/7 customer service.

Do Choice Home Warranty and American Home Shield plans include coverage for a washer and dryer?

American Home Shield's ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans both cover a washer and dryer, and Choice Home Warranty's Total plan covers a washer and dryer.

What are the top five home warranty companies?

Our review team named the following providers as the top home warranty companies in the industry:

1. American Home Shield: Best Overall

2. Choice Home Warranty: Best Basic Plan

3. Select Home Warranty: Best Discounts

4. First American Home Warranty: Best Coverage Upgrade

5. America's 1st Choice Home Club: Best Plan Variety