American Home Shield vs Select Home Warranty
Last updated July 2026
American Home Shield
The largest home warranty provider with the strongest claims reputation
Advantages
- Three plans across a wide coverage spectrum
- $1,500 per-item on Gold, $5,000+ on Platinum
- Choose service call fee ($100, $125, or $150)
- Coverage regardless of item age, brand, or maintenance history
- Above-average claims reputation
Drawbacks
- Monthly cost significantly higher than Select
- Waiting period of 30 days after signup
- Service network varies by ZIP
Select Home Warranty
Low-priced home warranty with basic coverage tiers
Advantages
- One of the cheapest monthly premiums in the industry ($42-$52/mo)
- $75 flat service call fee
- Three plans: Bronze, Gold, Platinum
- Free roof leak coverage on annual plans
- Nationwide coverage in most states
Drawbacks
- Coverage caps materially lower than AHS ($500-$3,000 per item)
- Claim denial rate reported higher than AHS in third-party reviews
- Waiting period of 30 days
- Customer service reviews mixed
American Home Shield (AHS) and Select Home Warranty (SHW) both cover major systems and appliances against breakdown, but at very different price points. AHS is the category leader with the best claims reputation and highest coverage tiers. Select undercuts on price with basic coverage and lower per-item caps. Cheapest option versus most reliable coverage decides it.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | American Home Shield | Select Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Lineup | ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum | Bronze, Gold, Platinum |
| Starting Price | $50-$85/mo typical | $42-$52/mo typical |
| Service Call Fee | $100, $125, or $150 (customer choice) | $75 flat |
| Coverage Limits | $1,500 per item (Gold); $5,000+ (Platinum) | $500-$3,000 per item depending on plan |
| Waiting Period | 30 days | 30 days |
| Appliances Covered | Refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, washer/dryer, more | Refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, washer/dryer (Gold/Platinum) |
| Systems Covered | HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heater | HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heater |
| Claims Rating | Above average, established reputation | Below average, higher reported denial rate |
American Home Shield Wins
AHS wins for anyone who actually plans to file claims. Select wins only for buyers who want the cheapest possible coverage on a rental or low-risk property.
Select's $10-$30/mo cheaper premium adds up to $120-$360/yr in savings. AHS's higher per-item caps ($1,500+ vs Select's $500-$3,000) plus stronger claim approval can easily recover that savings on a single major failure. For a primary residence with aging systems, AHS is the smarter default; Select is fine for rental properties where downside is bounded.
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