Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield: Which Home Warranty Company Should You Choose?
Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield are two of the biggest names in the home warranty industry, offering coverage for a wide variety of home systems and appliances in the event they break down due to normal wear and tear. Deciding between the two can be tricky at times because both companies provide a lot of value in their own right, and discerning their differences requires an in-depth review of their services and coverage terms.
Comparing Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield can sometimes come down to the finest of details in terms of availability, price, coverage, and extra perks. After reviewing what each company has to offer, homeowners may be in a better position to determine which one is a better fit for their home and their circumstances.
How We Compared Home Warranty Companies
Photo: istockphoto.com
Home warranty companies may seem very similar at first glance—virtually interchangeable in some instances—but upon taking a closer look at what each provider has to offer, it becomes clear that some are better suited for certain homeowners than others. With that in mind, it can be a good idea to review the various nuances of a home warranty provider’s offerings to understand exactly what the customer is getting.
Reputation and customer reviews: Past customer experiences can offer insight into various aspects of owning a home warranty—filing a claim, scheduling repairs, etc.—so homeowners can get a sense of what they can expect if they purchase a policy.
Service area: Home warranty companies frequently offer policies to large swaths of the country, but they can have coverage gaps that limit availability for homeowners living in certain areas.
Coverage amount: Home warranties often set different coverage limits depending on the type of repair and the kind of appliance or home system being worked on. Policy tiers may also affect coverage limits on a home warranty. These coverage limits and policy tiers can vary from one home warranty company to another.
Policies and plans: Home warranty providers frequently have multiple policy tiers for customers to consider, covering a different combination of home systems and appliances. In some cases, plans may exclusively cover home systems or appliances, making it important to select the right policy for a homeowner’s needs.
Average monthly rate: Home warranty costs can vary quite a bit depending on the policy tier selected and any extra service add-ons that are purchased. Looking at the average monthly rate across all plans can give homeowners a good way to compare prices with different providers at a quick glance.
Discounts: Getting a discount on a home warranty could significantly affect the total cost of a policy, but not all companies offer many opportunities to lower the price of coverage.
Service fee: Every home warranty company requires customers to pay a service fee before scheduling approved repair work. Service fees often vary from one company to another, and customers may have a range of options to consider, as a lower service fee will raise their monthly rates and vice versa.
Quote process: Online quotes are pretty common with home warranty companies, but providers may offer other ways to get an estimate on a policy. In addition, the actual experience of getting a quote online may vary, with some companies providing a more streamlined and customer-friendly process.
Claims process: Customers may have different options when filing a home warranty claim, such as going online or speaking with a representative over the phone, and response times can vary quite a bit depending on the company’s guidelines and when a repair request is submitted.
Workmanship guarantee: Home warranty providers often guarantee the quality of work on covered repairs for a set period of time. During that window, customers can request follow-up work to address any issues without paying an additional service fee, so having a longer workmanship guarantee can be quite useful.
1. Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield: Reputation and Customer Reviews
Customer reviews can skew toward the negative as unhappy customers may be more likely to voice their concerns. However, Liberty Home Guard’s feedback across different customer review sites has been fairly positive overall. The company holds a 4.6 out of 5 satisfaction rating from Trustpilot users, with several Liberty Home Guard reviews lauding the company for its speedy response to repair requests. Customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website are similarly positive, as customers noted how quickly their claims were processed as well as how helpful representatives were during the quote and claims processes. Although Liberty Home Guard is not accredited by the BBB, it does have an A+ grade with the organization. BBB grades are based on multiple factors, including the number of complaints filed by customers, how quickly the company responds to complaints, and whether those complaints are addressed in a satisfactory manner. Consumer Affairs reviews were a bit more mixed but still fairly positive overall. Negative comments often focused on contractual terms that excluded certain types of repairs or required customers to pay some amount out of pocket in addition to their agreed-upon service fee.
American Home Shield feedback was more mixed across customer review sites. Trustpilot reviews leaned toward the negative side, giving the company a 2.1 out of 5 customer satisfaction rating. Customers submitting negative reviews reported having their claims denied and experiencing long wait times to schedule repairs. Several American Home Shield reviews posted on the Better Business Bureau website expressed similar complaints, particularly regarding claims being denied. These experiences reinforce the importance of reading contract terms included with a home warranty so customers understand exactly what’s covered and when a service request may be denied. American Home Shield is accredited by the BBB and currently holds a B grade with the organization. Customers who submitted reviews to Consumer Affairs expressed much more positive experiences overall, with customers praising the quick and easy claims process as well as the quality of the workmanship provided by technicians.
Verdict: Customer reviews for Liberty Home Guard are generally positive, which is not always the case with online customer reviews since they tend to focus on negative experiences. American Home Shield, on the other hand, has received more mixed feedback from online customer reviews. Although American Home Shield is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, Liberty Home Guard’s largely positive customer feedback nudges it ahead in this category.
Winner: Liberty Home Guard
2. Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield: Service Area
American Home Shield has an impressive service footprint, providing home warranties to customers in 49 states as well as Washington, D.C. Alaska residents will not be able to purchase a home warranty through American Home Shield, but aside from that coverage gap, American Home Shield maintains a large presence throughout the country.
Even so, Liberty Home Guard’s service area is a bit larger than American Home Shield’s coverage map; the company offers home warranties in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. Few home warranty providers can claim that they offer nationwide coverage, which makes Liberty Home Guard’s coast-to-coast service area all the more impressive. While American Home Shield’s footprint is very large in its own right, the lack of support for Alaska properties is noteworthy in this particular case.
Verdict: Liberty Home Guard has a true nationwide footprint, with policies available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. American Home Shield’s service area is slightly smaller, although it’s still quite impressive. Homeowners in 49 states and Washington, D.C., can purchase a policy, with Alaska being the only state where home warranties are unavailable through American Home Shield. That lone exception makes the difference here, giving Liberty Home Guard a slight edge.
Winner: Liberty Home Guard
3. Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield: Coverage Amount
As to be expected with any home warranty company, American Home Shield and Liberty Home Guard’s coverage limits can vary depending on the type of repair or service covered by the customer’s policy. For instance, refrigerator repairs can be expected to have higher coverage limits compared with coverage limits for roof-leak repairs. Determining American Home Shield’s coverage amounts gets even more complicated because coverage limits can vary across the company’s different policy tiers. Even so, American Home Shield’s coverage limits for major repairs tend to be on the higher end for home warranties:
HVAC systems: $5,000 (all policies)
Appliances: $4,000 (ShieldPlatinum policies), $2,000 (ShieldGold policies)
American Home Shield’s high coverage limits on HVAC systems could be very appealing to many homeowners, making it one of the best home warranties for HVAC coverage. Although notably lower in comparison, Liberty Home Guard’s coverage limits across major home systems and appliances are more consistent:
HVAC systems: $2,000
Appliances: $2,000
While Liberty Home Guard’s maximum coverage amounts are a bit on the low end for home warranty coverage, it's worth noting that those limits are per item, not in aggregate. This means that a customer could submit requests on multiple home systems or appliances in the same home warranty term and have up to $2,000 worth of coverage for each item.
Verdict: American Home Shield’s coverage limits can vary, but they are relatively high in many cases. HVAC repairs are covered for up to $5,000 for all plans, while appliances can be covered for $2,000 to $4,000. Liberty Home Guard’s coverage limits are more straightforward, with a maximum coverage amount of $2,000 per item. With its higher coverage limits on HVAC repairs and, in some cases, appliance repairs, American Home Shield is the clear winner here.
Winner: American Home Shield
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4. Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield: Policies and Plans
Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield give customers the option to choose from three policy tiers, each one covering a different combination of repairs and services. Both have a dedicated policy option that strictly covers home system repairs, while Liberty Home Guard also has a separate plan that solely covers certain appliances. The way Liberty Home Guard’s policies are set up could be appealing to homeowners who only want coverage for their appliances rather than paying for home systems coverage they don’t feel is necessary:
Appliance Guard: Liberty Home Guard’s most affordable policy tier, Appliance Guard covers select appliances around the house, including laundry machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, microwaves, and even garage door openers.
Systems Guard: This plan exclusively covers major home systems such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Systems Guard policies also include ductwork as part of their coverage.
Total Home Guard: Combining the coverage offered by Appliance Guard and Systems Guard, Total Home Guard is the highest policy tier available from Liberty Home Guard. It offers the most extensive coverage among the company’s standard home warranties.
As noted in our American Home Shield review, American Home Shield takes a similar approach by offering a dedicated home systems plan. It does not have an appliance-only policy option, though, instead including HVAC coverage in every home warranty:
ShieldSilver: The American Home Shield plan with the most basic coverage, ShieldSilver covers plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, along with ductwork.
ShieldGold: This plan covers the same home systems as a ShieldSilver policy but adds appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and laundry machines.
ShieldPlatinum: The most comprehensive plan available from American Home Shield, ShieldPlatinum policies offer home system and appliance coverage, along with increased coverage limits for appliances, limited roof-leak coverage, a free HVAC tune-up, and unlimited AC refrigerant refills, among other perks.
Homeowners may also want to keep in mind that all American Home Shield plans cover malfunctions resulting from rust, sediment, and corrosion, which is not the case with a Liberty Home Guard home warranty. As such, American Home Shield could be a good option for homeowners considering their options regarding the best home warranty for plumbing. In addition, American Home Shield policies will cover pre-existing conditions if they cannot be detected by visual inspection or mechanical testing, while Liberty Home Guard policies never cover such issues.
On the other hand, Liberty Home Guard does have an impressive array of service add-ons for customers to purchase. There are 42 extra add-ons to consider, including extended coverage for professional-grade appliances, giving customers many options to customize their home warranty. There’s some overlap in service add-on availability between the two companies—both home warranty providers offer guest-unit coverage as an add-on, for instance, which could make them good options for homeowners looking for the best home warranties for rental property. However, Liberty Home Guard has far more service options to consider in total.
Another feature to consider is American Home Shield’s partnership with Frontdoor Pro, which gives customers the option to schedule certain home services that aren’t covered by a home warranty, such as carpet cleaning or dryer vent cleaning. This service option replaces the now-defunct American Home Shield ProConnect, offering similar services. It’s worth noting that these services are only available in select metropolitan areas, though, and may not be available to all customers.
Verdict: Both companies offer three different policy tiers for customers to consider, including a dedicated plan for homeowners who only want coverage for home systems. Liberty Home Guard also has a plan that solely covers appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers. Meanwhile, every American Home Shield policy includes coverage for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Although there is a good deal of overlap between the companies’ policies, American Home Shield comes out slightly ahead due to that consistency.
Winner: American Home Shield
5. Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield: Average Monthly Rate
Sizing up monthly rates between the two companies nationwide doesn’t always result in an apples-to-apples comparison because American Home Shield tends to set different rates for each state. In some cases, American Home Shield’s rates could be very competitive, while in other areas of the country, the company’s home warranties may be on the expensive side. For instance, the company’s monthly rates in West Virginia run fairly high for that state’s market:
ShieldSilver: $59.99
ShieldGold: $79.99
ShieldPlatinum: $109.99
Ohio residents, on the other hand, may get a much better deal on their home warranty with American Home Shield:
ShieldSilver: $29.99
ShieldGold: $49.99
ShieldPlatinum: $79.99
Meanwhile, Liberty Home Guard’s monthly rates are the same in every state and metropolitan area across the country, and they are generally in line with industry standards:
Appliance Guard: $49.99
Systems Guard: $54.99
Total Home Guard: $59.99
Although there may be scenarios where an AHS home warranty is the more affordable option—an Ohio homeowner who only needs home systems coverage may get a better deal on an American Home Shield ShieldSilver plan than a Liberty Home Guard Systems Guard policy—the significant variance in price could be a concern for homeowners in certain parts of the country.
Verdict: American Home Shield’s rates can vary considerably from one state to another. In some cases, the company’s prices may be very competitive, but in others, an American Home Shield home warranty could be fairly expensive. On the other hand, Liberty Home Guard’s monthly rates are the same in every market. While some customers may find that American Home Shield’s prices are lower in their area, Liberty Home Guard offers a more reliable price point across the country.
Winner: Liberty Home Guard
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6. Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield: Discounts
Customers seeking lower rates on their home warranty may find that neither company offers a wide variety of discounts, but there are still some ways to save money on a policy when working with Liberty Home Guard or American Home Shield. American Home Shield periodically runs promotions—often tied to holidays—that can offer major savings on a home warranty plan. Their seasonal nature means that they aren’t always available, though. Beyond those promos, discounts are fairly limited, as the only year-round discount available is given to customers who buy home warranties on multiple properties. American Home Shield has an appliance discount program that’s exclusive to its customers, and it can help them save money when buying new appliances from name-brand manufacturers.
Liberty Home Guard’s discounts are limited in number as well, but they may offer more savings to customers. Right away, new customers can take advantage of a generous discount that will lower the cost of a 1-year plan by $200. Other perks for signing up for a new home warranty plan with Liberty Home Guard include 2 months of additional coverage and free limited roof-leak coverage. That perk, in particular, may make Liberty Home Guard a good option for homeowners looking for the best home warranties for roof coverage. Customers who pay up front for a year or more of coverage will receive additional months of coverage as well, providing more ways to save money in the long run on a home warranty.
Verdict: Discount opportunities are somewhat scarce when buying a home warranty from either company, but Liberty Home Guard’s may be slightly more generous with a $200 discount on the first year of coverage along with other perks for new customers. Although American Home Shield runs promotions at times, home warranty discounts can be limited to customers who purchase coverage for multiple properties. As such, Liberty Home Guard can often offer a larger discount to new customers.
Winner: Liberty Home Guard
7. Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield: Service Fee
Homeowners looking for the lowest possible service fee on their home warranty may find Liberty Home Guard to be an appealing choice. Customers can work with representatives on selecting a service fee that may run anywhere from $60 to $125. A $60 service fee would be quite low for a home warranty and could reduce the amount customers pay out of pocket when they file a claim and submit a repair request.
American Home Shield’s service fees are relatively high compared to Liberty Home Guard’s and those of the home warranty industry in general, with options starting at $100. As such, homeowners who choose American Home Shield for their home warranty needs may wind up paying more when the time comes to request service. Customers are also only able to choose between two options—$100 or $150—which may limit opportunities to change their monthly rate by adjusting their service fee.
Verdict: Customers who choose Liberty Home Guard for their home warranty needs will be able to select from a relatively wide range of service fees, with options that could be as low as $60. On the other hand, American Home Shield gives customers the choice between either a $100 or $150 service fee, and that $150 option may be a bit high for a home warranty.
Winner: Liberty Home Guard
8. Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield: Quote Process
Getting a home warranty quote from either Liberty Home Guard or American Home Shield is a relatively easy process. In both cases, customers can request a quote online or over the phone with a representative. Online quotes may be the quicker and more convenient option, and both companies excel in this area, offering easy-to-use platforms that deliver estimates on home warranty policies in short order. Both online platforms break down the coverage options available through the companies’ different policy tiers and allow customers to add extra service add-ons to their home warranty before finalizing their quote.
American Home Shield’s online quote is slightly more detailed, though, breaking down coverage limits for different types of repairs and services. Customers can also select a service fee during the quote process to see how it will impact the final price of their home warranty, which is not the case with Liberty Home Guard.
Verdict: Regardless of which company homeowners go with, they will be able to enjoy a streamlined and easy-to-use online quote platform. In addition, prospective customers can build out a policy over the phone with representatives from either home warranty provider. However, American Home Shield’s online quote process is a bit more comprehensive and transparent, laying out the service fee options, coverage limits, and additional coverage terms in more detail.
Winner: American Home Shield
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9. Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield: Claims Process
Customers of both Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield may find that the process to file a claim and request a repair or replacement is relatively straightforward and easy to complete. Regardless of which home warranty provider a homeowner opts for, they will be able to file a claim through a dedicated online portal or over the phone with a company representative. Having both options could be ideal since it gives customers the flexibility to file a claim online at any time or speak directly to a representative and describe their claim in more detail.
Once a repair request has been submitted, experiences could vary somewhat between the two companies. American Home Shield customer service teams have a 48-hour window to respond to claims, which is fairly typical for a home warranty company, although not particularly quick either. Liberty Home Guard, on the other hand, could respond to a service request in as little as 24 hours or up to 48 hours. That slight distinction could make the difference for homeowners who want to schedule an appointment with a technician as soon as possible.
Verdict: Customers have the option to file a claim online or over the phone with both companies. Response times may vary slightly, though. Liberty Home Guard needs 24 to 48 hours to assign a technician to a claim, whereas American Home Shield will contact a service provider within 48 hours of receiving a claim. As such, Liberty Home Guard comes out just a bit ahead when it comes to claims processes.
Winner: Liberty Home Guard
10. Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield: Workmanship Guarantee
Having a long workmanship guarantee may offer greater peace of mind to customers as they will have more time to spot any issues with covered repairs and flag them with their home warranty company. However, American Home Shield only gives customers about a month to identify poor workmanship and request additional work. The company’s 30-day workmanship guarantee could limit opportunities for homeowners to schedule follow-up appointments on poor workmanship without paying an additional service fee.
Liberty Home Guard’s workmanship guarantee is twice as long, giving customers 60 days to note any problems they have with a covered repair or replacement item. That additional time could be very appealing to homeowners who worry about underlying problems persisting even after having certified technicians make necessary repairs.
Verdict: American Home Shield’s workmanship guarantee is on the short side, giving customers only 30 days to notify the company of any issues they may have with a covered repair job. Liberty Home Guard is a bit more generous in this regard, providing a 60-day window for customers to flag any workmanship quality issues they spot.
Winner: Liberty Home Guard
Verdict: American Home Shield comes out on top as a result of the company’s robust standard coverage terms and high coverage limits on home systems and appliances. Liberty Home Guard also has plenty of benefits for homeowners to consider, though, with its nationwide availability, consistent pricing across all markets, and excellent claims process, among other factors.
American Home Shield may be a terrific option for homeowners who prioritize generous coverage options with their home warranty policy. The company’s coverage limits are quite high for a home warranty, especially the $5,000 coverage amount on HVAC repairs that’s included with every policy. American Home Shield policies also include coverage for rust, corrosion, sediment, and unknown pre-existing conditions, which isn’t always available with home warranties. Depending on their location, customers may find that policies through American Home Shield are actually quite affordable too. While Liberty Home Guard may have won more categories in our analysis, American Home Shield came out ahead in the areas that matter most in terms of coverage.
Liberty Home Guard could still be a fantastic choice for many homeowners all over the country; the company offers home warranties in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., giving it a complete nationwide footprint. Prices are also consistent across all markets and should be relatively competitive no matter where a homeowner lives. New customers can also lower the cost of their home warranty by taking advantage of Liberty Home Guard’s generous discounts on new policies.
Determining which of these two companies is the best fit for a given scenario comes down to the customer’s specific needs. Those who want an affordable option with consistent pricing and significant discounts, along with a somewhat longer workmanship guarantee may find that Liberty Home Guard suits them better. However, American Home Shield’s stellar standard coverage—both in terms of coverage limits and the types of repairs that are supported—could make it more appealing to a wider range of homeowners.
FAQs
Finding the right home warranty company isn’t always easy, especially when homeowners are unsure of how home warranties work or what exactly they cover. By addressing some of the most frequent points of confusion, homeowners can put themselves in a better position to decide what they need in a home warranty provider, whether they’re interested in the best home warranties for condos or for single-family houses.
Q. Is a home warranty required by the law?
No, homeowners are not required by law to obtain a home warranty under any circumstances. However, home warranties can help shoulder the financial burden of paying to repair or replace home systems and appliances that break down due to wear and tear. As such, it may still be a good idea to purchase a policy from one of the best home warranty companies.
Q. What does a standard home warranty cover?
A typical home warranty covers the repair or replacement of various home systems and appliances due to normal wear and tear. Some policies may only cover certain home systems or appliances, while others may offer more extensive coverage.
Q. Can I buy multiple add-ons for my home warranty?
Many home warranty companies allow customers to purchase multiple add-ons, but the availability of extra service options can vary from one provider to another. For instance, as noted in our Liberty Home Guard review, the company offers 42 different service options that can be added to a standard policy.
Q. What are some of the basic services that every home warranty covers?
Every home warranty will cover malfunctions resulting from normal wear and tear in aging home systems or appliances, although some policies could exclusively cover home systems and others could solely cover appliances. In some cases, home warranties may cover pre-existing conditions, but this tends to be the exception rather than the rule.
Q. How long does a home warranty stay valid for?
Home warranties typically run for 1 year, but some companies may allow customers to buy multiyear policies—and possibly at discounted rates, too. It’s rare to find home warranty companies that offer month-to-month contracts or terms that run for less than 12 months.
Q. Are there multiple options with a home warranty?
Home warranty companies frequently offer multiple policy tiers for customers to consider, but the exact number will vary depending on the provider. In addition, customers typically have the option to build out their home warranty coverage through optional service add-ons.
