If you're shopping for a home warranty, you may come across some terminology that you need more clarification on. We're here to help with our complete list of home warranty terms, which are explained in detail, so you know exactly what to expect from American Home Shield®.
Here are some common home warranty phrases listed alphabetically.
Add-on or additional coverage:
You can customize your American Home Shield® home warranty plan by purchasing additional coverage for specific items. You can add coverage for any of the following to all three of our plans:
Appliance home warranty coverage:
Appliance coverage is included in our ShieldGold™ and ShieldPlatinum™ home warranty plans and covers the following kitchen and laundry appliances:
Code violations
Making sure your house is up to code can be a rigorous and often expensive process—and sometimes you don’t know something is in violation unless you get a system or appliance repaired. Under the ShieldPlatinum™ plan, if a Pro sent to your house realizes certain covered equipment needs to be relocated or modified to bring them up to code, you’ll get up to $250 per plan agreement term for code violations, permits and modifications.
This benefit does not apply to our ShieldSilver™ or ShieldGold™ plans.
Pros
American Home Shield has a nationwide network of qualified, independent Pros who will come to your home and diagnose your issue. All you have to do is place a service request online, pay your service fee, and we'll assign a Pro to you within 24-48 hours. If the item is covered, they will repair it and get you back up and running.
Coverage limits
Coverage limits refer to the max dollar amount each plan will pay out for covered repairs or replacements during your 12--month plan agreement term. It's important to understand and review the coverage limits in your specific plan agreement once you become a member.
If you're thinking about becoming a member, you can view our Plans & Coverage page to see what each plan covers and find the best fit for your household.
Duplicate coverage
Do you have an extra fridge in your garage or two AC units? As long as they are under the same roof, our ShieldGold™ or ShieldPlatinum™ plans will cover both items.
Home warranty
A home warranty is a 12-month service plan that helps cover the cost to repair or replace covered parts of home systems and appliances that malfunction due to normal, everyday use.
What is a home warranty from American Home Shield? We offer coverage for parts of up to 23 home systems and appliances, seasonal HVAC tune-ups and maintenance services that you can easily book online. Over time, the systems and appliances we rely on most will inevitably break down—like your heating and AC system, refrigerator, water heater, and washer/dryer. But when you warranty, you can look on the bright side because your covered items are protected.
Home systems coverage
Systems coverage is included in all three American Home Shield® home warranty plans and covers the following items:
Learn how a protection plan can help keep your doorbell in working order.
Home warranty plans
Home warranty plans offer different types of coverage because we know that no two homes are the same and have different coverage needs. Our three plan options are:
Members
We use the term “members” because we think of our customers as a community. When you have a home warranty from American Home Shield, you are part of the AHS family. We’ve provided stellar service to our members for more than 50 years.
Modifications
Sometimes, modifications must be made to repair or replace a home system or appliance properly. For ShieldPlatinum™ members, modifications (like gas or plumbing line extensions) will be covered up to $250 per plan agreement term. Non-ShieldPlatinum™ members will be responsible for the cost of any required modifications.
Permits
If modifications or upgrades to meet codes are needed when repairing or replacing a covered system or appliance, American Home Shield will cover the cost of the permits for ShieldPlatinum™ members up to $250 per plan agreement term. For ShieldGold™ or ShieldSilver™ members, the cost of permits will rely on your pocketbooks.
Real estate plans
If you are in the homebuying process, ask your real estate agent about including an American Home Shield® home warranty. They may be able to help negotiate a home warranty plan when you purchase the house. That means the seller would pay for a one-year real estate home warranty plan, which can help your household budget as you get settled into your new home. Consult your real estate agent to learn more.
Service request
When a covered item breaks down in your home, you’ll submit a service request online through MyAccount, pay your Service Fee, and we’ll assign a Pro to come to your home and diagnose the issue.
Shield Assurances
Rest easy. With our Shield Assurances, we take care of things other home warranty companies might not, like:
See the plan agreement for coverage details, including service fees, limitations and exclusions. Coverage limits and charges for non-covered items may apply.
Service Fee
The Service Fee is a preset amount you pay when you submit a service request for a Pro to come to your home and diagnose your issue. This type of fee is standard with most home warranty plans in the industry. You will only pay the service fee once per service request, even if the Pro has to come out multiple times to diagnose and repair the issue.
At American Home Shield we let you choose the amount of your Service Fee when you purchase your plan. You can choose a higher fee to lower your monthly payment or a lower one so you pay less when you request service.
Waiting period
When you purchase your plan, there is a 30-day waiting period before you can submit a service request. Once the waiting period is complete, there is no limit to the number of service requests you can place during your plan agreement term.
Wear and tear
Unlike traditional homeowners insurance, a home warranty is designed to help cover the cost of the inevitable—when your home systems and appliances succumb to normal wear and tear. Your home warranty plan won’t cover issues caused by storm damage, fire damage, or floods—that’s what homeowners insurance is for. Instead, we cover malfunctions that occur due to everyday wear and tear. You use your home systems and appliances daily, so it only makes sense to have home warranty coverage to help protect your budget.
Learn more about a home warranty vs. home insurance.
Workmanship guarantee
With our workmanship guarantee, you have 30 days to contact us regarding an issue with a completed repair. We’ll send a Pro back out at no cost to you.
With a full understanding of home warranty terms, you are now armed with all the information you need to understand how American Home Shield® home warranty plans work. Learn more about why home warranties are worth it, and check out our pricing and plans today.
AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.
Have a plan for your home when things don't go according to plan
Shop Home Warranties
