Select Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield

If you’re in the market for a home warranty, you’ve likely come across Select Home Warranty and American Home Shield (AHS). Both are top-rated home warranty providers that offer affordable coverage, comprehensive plans and 24/7 customer service.

In this article, we’ll compare each company’s plans, coverage, cost and state availability, and we’ll provide information on how to get a free quote from each provider. Keep reading to determine if Select Home Warranty or American Home Shield is the best home warranty company for your home.

Today’s Homeowner works with an independent reviews team to create evidence-based research that helps our readers make informed decisions. The reviews are always independent. For transparency, we may be compensated if you purchase through a link.

Select Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Plans

Select Home Warranty offers a Bronze Care, Gold Care and Platinum Care plan. The Bronze Care plan covers appliances, such as your dishwasher, refrigerator and garbage disposal, while the Gold Care plan covers home systems, such as your air conditioning and plumbing. The Platinum Care plan combines the coverage found in the Bronze and Gold Care plans and adds coverage for garage-door openers and plumbing stoppages.

Here’s what’s covered under each Select Home Warranty plan:

Select Home Warranty Coverage Comparison

Additionally, Select Home Warranty offers free roof leak coverage with each plan and eight optional add-ons for an extra cost each month:

• Central vacuum
• Lawn sprinkler system
• Pool
• Septic system
• Spa
• Stand-alone freezer
• Sump pump
• Well pump

American Home Shield also offers three plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum. The ShieldSilver plan covers major home systems like your air conditioner and water heater, while the ShieldGold plan covers a variety of systems and appliances, including your heating system and dishwasher. The ShieldPlatinum plan is American Home Shield’s most comprehensive plan, covering 23 items plus a free HVAC tune-up and roof leak repairs.

Here’s what’s covered under each plan:

American Home Shield Coverage Comparison

In addition to these plans, American Home Shield offers five add-ons:

• Pool or spa
• Guest unit under 750 square feet
• Septic pump
• Well pump
• Electronics Protection Plan provided by Allstate Protection Plans (not available in California)

Select Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Cost

American Home Shield provides more coverage for your appliances and systems, but you’ll pay a slightly higher monthly rate for the added protection. Select Home Warranty’s plans are cheaper and come standard with a $75 service call fee, which is inexpensive compared to its competitors.

American Home Shield’s pricing advantage is its three service call fee options—customers can choose between $75, $100 and $125. If you choose a higher service call fee, you’ll pay less per month for your coverage and vice versa.

All prices listed below are reflective of sample quotes our team received for a single-family home under 5,000 square feet. Because pricing may vary based on where you live and the plan you select, we recommend getting a free quote from each company for the most accurate pricing.

Select Home Warranty Cost

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

American Home Shield Cost

To get a free quote from American Home Shield, call 844-529-9298 or fill out this simple online form.

Ultimately, American Home Shield offers competitive rates with its service fee flexibility, but Select Home Warranty’s most comprehensive plan is more affordable than American Home Shield’s ShieldPlatinum plan.

States Served by Select Home Warranty and American Home Shield

Select Home Warranty is available in 46 states, excluding Nevada, New York, Washington and Wisconsin. American Home Shield is available in 49 states, excluding Alaska.

Select Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Service

Both home warranty companies offer 24/7 customer service, have a network of trusted technicians to perform repairs and allow you to use an online portal to file claims.

Select Home Warranty Service

After purchasing your home warranty, there’s a 30-day waiting period before your policy kicks in and service begins. Service requests can be made 24/7 by using the online portal on Select’s website, emailing Select at claims@selecthomewarranty.com or by calling the customer service telephone number at 1-855-267-3532.

Unlike American Home Shield, Select Home Warranty does not let you choose your own contractor for repairs. If a third-party contractor performs repairs on your broken system or appliance, Select will not reimburse you for the unauthorized repairs.

American Home Shield Service

American Home Shield has a 30-day waiting period before you can file a claim—this prevents customers from using their home warranty on a system or appliance that was already broken when the warranty term started. You can file a claim on your American Home Shield portal 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

When you file a claim, American Home Shield promises to initiate service within 48 hours of receiving the claim. If you’d like to use your own service contractor for repairs instead of letting AHS appoint one for you, you can get your technician approved in advance and receive reimbursement for the repairs. To be approved by American Home Shield, your technician must be licensed and insured in your state.

Our Verdict

Select Home Warranty and American Home Shield are widely available across the country, and both offer comprehensive coverage at affordable prices. Both companies also offer around-the-clock customer service and have extensive networks of licensed contractors who can perform necessary repairs or replacements on systems and appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear.

Select Home Warranty customers will find more affordable plans and more options for add-on coverage, while American Home Shield customers will enjoy more comprehensive coverage and flexible service fee options.

We ultimately recommend getting a free quote from both companies to compare plan pricing and coverage in your area.

For a free quote from Select Home Warranty, call 888-370-3956 or fill out this simple online form. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, call 844-529-9298 or fill out this online form.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a home warranty?

A home warranty is a policy that protects you from paying for repairs or replacements on your home’s most important items when they break down due to normal wear and tear. You pay a monthly rate to your home warranty provider and receive coverage when covered items unexpectedly fail. When you file a claim with the company, you’ll pay a service call fee that usually ranges from $65–$125 to an approved technician at the time of repairs.

Which home warranty company is the best?

Select Home Warranty and American Home Shield are two of the best home warranty providers in the industry. While Select has affordable plan prices and is a great choice for shoppers on a budget, American Home Shield provides more coverage across its core plans. Get a free quote from both companies to compare coverage plans and pricing in your area.

Does a home warranty include pool coverage?

In general, yes. Most home warranty companies provide a coverage add-on for your pool. Select Home Warranty’s pool add-on covers the pool’s pumping system, filtration system and heating system. It doesn’t cover portable pools, spas or hot tubs, computerized control boards, heat pumps or leaks.

American Home Shield’s pool add-on covers above-ground components and parts of the heating, pumping and filtration system, including the pool sweep motor and pump, pump motor, blower motor and timer, plumbing pipes and wiring.

Will my home warranty company repair or replace my broken items?

If a repair can be made on your broken system or appliance, your company will opt for repairing the item over replacing it. If it’s not cost-effective to repair the item, your company will opt for a suitable replacement. In some cases, your home warranty provider may cover the cost of the replacement instead of replacing the item itself. Check your contract for more details.