A home warranty is a year-long, renewable home service plan that keeps your home and budget protected should a covered breakdown occur.

<a>A </a><a href="https://www.ahs.com/home-warranty/">home warranty</a> is a year-long, renewable home service plan that keeps you protected should a covered breakdown occur. A home warranty helps cut the cost to repair or replace many of the systems and appliances in your home and complements your homeowners insurance by protecting things that your insurance doesn&rsquo;t.
<h2>What is a home warranty plan?</h2>
A home warranty plan is the specific coverage you select for your household and budget needs. American Home Shield&rsquo;s home warranty service plans cover things like home appliances, electrical, plumbing, heating, and A/C systems. <a href="https://www.ahs.com/home-warranty/whats-covered/">Need more coverage?</a> No problem. Our home warranty services can also include add-ons like pool and spa coverage, roof leak coverage, electronics protection, septic pump coverage, and more.
If you&rsquo;re still wondering, &ldquo;What is a home warranty policy, and do I really need it?&rdquo;&mdash;well, we think it&rsquo;s one of the best things you can do as a homeowner to protect your home. <a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/">Shop our plans</a> and find the coverage that best fits your budget and household.
&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/compare-plans/" class="btn btn-larger orange-bg z-depth-5 no-underline">Shop Plans</a>
<h2>What is included in a home warranty service plan?</h2>
We believe that the items that keep your house running smoothly should be covered. We also realize that no two homes are alike, which is why we offer three plans with various coverage as part of our home warranty services.
American Home Shield base plans include coverage for most kitchen and laundry appliances, parts of plumbing and electrical systems, and heating and cooling systems&mdash;regardless of their ages. Our <a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/shieldplatinum/">ShieldPlatinum&trade; base plan</a> is the most comprehensive plan, covering roof leak repairs, a free HVAC tune-up, unlimited A/C refrigerant, and coverage for code violations and permits. Once you purchase a plan, you can select add-ons to cover items unique to your home.
Here&rsquo;s what else our home warranty service plans include:
<ul>
<li>A trusted, qualified service technician to diagnose the issue. Depending on their diagnosis, we&rsquo;ll repair or replace the covered item (with one of equal value).</li>
<li>5-star customer service and communication. Our professional, friendly customer service team responds to your questions and resolves issues quickly. Reach out to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.</li>
<li>A <a href="https://www.ahs.com/home-warranty/#fees_explained">Trade Service Call Fee</a> that you pick. You&rsquo;ll need to pay a fee each time you request service, but you decide the price! The great thing is, if your issue is covered, that&rsquo;s the only price you&rsquo;ll pay.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How does a home warranty work?</h2>
When one of your covered appliances or systems stops working properly (like a broken A/C, a roof leak, or a doorbell that doesn&rsquo;t work), start a service request through your member account or by phone at 866.545.0139. (This is when you&rsquo;ll pay your Trade Service Call Fee.) Then, we send out a service technician to your home to diagnose the issue. If it&rsquo;s covered under your home warranty service plan, great! We&rsquo;ll have the contractor repair or replace the item quickly so your home can get back up and running again.
<h2>Step-by-step guide to how repairs work</h2>
Once you&rsquo;re covered with an American Home Shield warranty, you don&rsquo;t have to worry should you need us. The repair process is straightforward and hassle-free. Here&rsquo;s how it works:
1. Start a request online or by phone
When a covered item in your house warranty breaks or malfunctions, you can request service online or by calling us. Day or night, we&rsquo;re here for you. Pay your set Trade Service Call Fee when you request service, and you&rsquo;re all set. Log into MyAccount to easily check the status of your request.
2. We assign a professional contractor
We assign a qualified local contractor from our network to diagnose your covered item and offer a solution. Our network of 17,000 qualified contractors in 49 states covers every appliance and system we service.
<a href="https://www.ahs.com/home-warranty/states/" class="button button-medium button-rounded button-filled button-filled-primary bg-ahs-med-blue rounded-full" style="text-decoration: none;" data-cta-id="home_warranty_find_your_state" id="homeWarranty.FindYourStateButton" tabindex="0">Find Your State Here</a>
3. We cover the repair
Based on the contractor's diagnosis, we'll determine whether your problem is covered by your home warranty. If it is covered, the contractor will repair or replace your covered item (subject to limitations and exclusions).
4. We make sure your issue is resolved
You'll get a follow-up email to make sure your problem was resolved to your satisfaction. With our 30-day workmanship guarantee, if you have an issue with your completed repair within 30 days of service, we&rsquo;ll send a contractor out at no additional cost.
<h2>So, how do I get started</h2>
Once you&rsquo;re covered with an American Home Shield warranty, you don&rsquo;t have to worry should you need us. The repair process is straightforward and hassle-free. Here&rsquo;s how it works:
1. Choose your coverage. Our home warranty plans are designed with your household and budget in mind. Here are the basics:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/shieldplatinum/">ShieldPlatinum Plan&trade;</a> : Our most comprehensive plan covers parts of your home&rsquo;s 23 essential systems and appliances, plus roof leak repairs and a free HVAC tune-up* before the seasonal rush. It also includes higher limits on your covered items. *The HVAC tune-up service is not available in Hawaii.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/shieldgold/">ShieldGold Plan&trade;</a> : Our most popular plan provides comprehensive coverage for parts of your home&rsquo;s 23 essential systems and appliances.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/shieldsilver/">ShieldSilver Plan&trade;</a> : Our most basic plan offers coverage for parts of the 14 major systems that keep your home running smoothly.</li>
</ul>
2. Set your Trade Service Call fee. Choose your price&mdash;it&rsquo;s as easy as that. This is the fee you&rsquo;ll pay, by trade type (electrical, plumbing, appliance, etc.), each time you request service. If the issue is covered by your plan, it&rsquo;s the only price you&rsquo;ll pay to complete the repair or replacement.
3. Request a service. Appliances don&rsquo;t have business hours, so we don&rsquo;t either. Call us or go online 24/7 to request service.
4. We assign a pro. We&rsquo;ll send a qualified contractor to your door to assess the issue and propose a solution. If the problem is covered, the contractor will repair or replace the covered item.
<h2>Fees Explained</h2>
We believe transparency is key, so we make sure every penny you pay is fully explained. Here are some of the fees that will be included in your&nbsp;American Home Shield warranty:
Trade Service Call Fee:&nbsp;You'll pay a Trade Service Call Fee for each trade professional (plumber, electrician, etc.) who comes to your home to provide service. You get to choose the amount (either $75, $100, or $125, plus sales tax where applicable) when you purchase your&nbsp;home warranty service plan.
Depending on your plan, some coverage limits or exclusions may apply. For full coverage details, view our <a href="https://www.ahs.com/sample-contract/">sample contract</a>.
Plan Payments:&nbsp;American Home Shield offers several&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/">home warranty&nbsp;plans</a>, which vary in cost and coverage.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/compare-plans/">Compare home warranty plans</a>&nbsp;to determine which plan is best for your household and your wallet.
<h2>How to get a home warranty</h2>
Managing a household can be challenging, but getting an American Home Shield&reg; home warranty is easy. Take a look at our <a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/">home warranty service plans</a> and choose the coverage that best suits your home. Once you&rsquo;ve decided on the best plan for your household, you&rsquo;ll need to enter your address and zip code to make sure you get the most accurate pricing for where you live. We&rsquo;ll contact you with prices and other important info, and you can set up your member account in minutes!
<h2>How soon can you use a home warranty after purchase?</h2>
Once you purchase a plan, you can start using your home warranty after the 30-day waiting period. After that time frame, you can start requesting home warranty services through your member account or by giving us a call. Learn more about <a href="https://www.ahs.com/home-matters/quick-tips/what-is-the-waiting-period-for-an-american-home-shield--home-warranty/">why AHS has a waiting period</a> for new members.

What is a Home Warranty | American Home Shield

As a homeowner, you want to be prepared when the unexpected happens. Your systems and appliances will eventually succumb to normal wear and tear.

As a homeowner, you want to be prepared when the unexpected happens. Your systems and appliances will eventually succumb to normal wear and tear. The problem is you never know when. A home warranty is a budget-friendly way to plan ahead.
Home warranties are also beneficial because you know exactly who to call when vital appliances fail. With an American Home Shield&reg; <a href="https://www.ahs.com/">Home Warranty</a>, you know you&rsquo;ll be getting an experienced contractor sent to your home promptly.&nbsp;
American Home Shield has three plans with varying levels of coverage for homeowners. You&rsquo;ll get access to home warranty benefits no matter which plan you choose, but our most comprehensive plan is ShieldPlatinum&trade;.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc;" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/shieldsilver/">ShieldSilver Plan&trade;:</a> This plan covers 14 major systems that are vital to your household, like plumbing, electrical, and heating and cooling systems.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc;" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/shieldgold/">ShieldGold Plan&trade;:</a> This plan protects all of the major systems in ShieldSilver&trade;, with an added nine appliances that are instrumental to your home, including items like kitchen and laundry appliances.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc;" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/shieldplatinum/">ShieldPlatinum Plan&trade;:</a> This plan is protection with a capital P, covering 23 essential systems and appliances. Plus, it has lifesavers like roof leak repair, unlimited A/C refrigerant, coverage for code violations and permits, and even a free HVAC tune-up.&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
It&rsquo;s a good idea to weigh home warranty benefits against the potential disadvantages (though we don&rsquo;t think there are many). Here are some pros and cons of a home warranty.
<h2 dir="ltr">Buying a Home Warranty: Pros and Cons</h2>
Though we highly recommend getting a home warranty, there are some things to consider when deciding to purchase a plan.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc;" aria-level="1">
You may end up paying for something you don&rsquo;t have to use. Throughout your year-long contract, there is a chance that you may not need to submit a service request. But think of an American Home Shield warranty like a warranty for your car or other expensive items&mdash;it&rsquo;s your protection when one of your appliances decides to break down. Our maintenance programs (like seasonal HVAC tune-ups) and service plans are great ways to ensure everything is running smoothly.&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc;" aria-level="1">
You have no control over who the warranty company sends. This is typically true of most <a href="https://www.ahs.com/">home warranty companies</a>. But what sets American Home Shield apart is that we have a network of 17,000 locally licensed contractors to service and diagnose any issue you may have. Our members routinely review them to make sure they&rsquo;re qualified for the job, so you know your home item is in good hands. We also have a 30-day workmanship guarantee&mdash;if you have an issue with your completed repair within 30 days of service, we&rsquo;ll send a contractor back out at no extra cost to you.&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Here&rsquo;s what you get to look forward to with the benefits of an American Home Shield&reg; home warranty:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc;" aria-level="1">
You get to choose your service call fee. When purchasing your one-year plan, you get to select the amount of the service call fee&mdash;$75, $100, or $125, plus applicable sales tax&mdash;giving you the freedom to decide whether you&rsquo;d rather pay less monthly for the plan or less for service requests.&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc;" aria-level="1">
Experience shorter wait times for service calls. Being an American Home Shield&reg; member saves you the hassle of finding someone to repair your home system or appliance. Simply submit a service request online&mdash;24 hours a day, seven days a week&mdash;or pick up the phone and give us a call. We make sure to address your issue as soon as possible.&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc;" aria-level="1">
No maintenance inspection or record of maintenance is required. If you have an appliance or system breakdown that's covered, we repair or replace it. The age or physical appearance doesn&rsquo;t matter. Since American Home Shield covers items with undetectable pre-existing conditions, things that are improperly installed, and breakdowns caused by lack of maintenance, you can purchase or sell a home knowing we have your back.
</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr">Extended Home Warranty Benefits</h2>
Every home is unique, which is why we offer add-ons for extending your home warranty benefits to protect the extra items your house may have: pools and in-ground spas, guest units, electronics, and septic and well pumps. You know your home best, so we make sure you can customize your coverage to suit your needs.&nbsp;
 An American Home Shield&reg; home warranty is more than just a backup plan. It&rsquo;s a coverage plan that works just as hard as you do to protect your home. <a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/">Shop plans</a> and see how easily our home service plans can fit in your budget.&nbsp;

Home Warranty Benefits | American Home Shield

Is it worth it to renew a home warranty? Learn about how long home warranties last and how you can benefit from renewing.

You&rsquo;ve been settled into your new home for months now, and everything has been running properly so far. All of your appliances seem to be in perfect working order. So, is it worth it to renew the home warranty? Let&rsquo;s go over the hows and whys and the pros and cons of renewing your home warranty.
<h2 dir="ltr">How Long Does a Home Warranty Last?</h2>
Let&rsquo;s start with the basics. A standard contract is a one-year home warranty. It typically starts either when you close on your house or, if you already live in your home, when you purchase a plan.&nbsp;
Each American Home Shield home warranty contract offers one-year coverage on up to 23 essential home systems and household appliances, giving you the freedom to pick your level of coverage. When your service plan begins, you&rsquo;ll have up to 60 days to change it&mdash;because we prioritize flexibility.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What Should I Consider When Deciding To Renew My Warranty?</h2>
A good first step when deciding whether to renew your warranty is to consider the age of the house. If your house is older, the appliances and systems are more likely to kick the bucket in the near future, no matter how well they were maintained.
<h2 dir="ltr">Here are some more items to check when deciding if you should renew a warranty:</h2>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Household appliances. Take a look at those appliances that seem to be running smoothly. If the previous owner gave you any paperwork on the appliances, check the dates and see just how old they are. Then, go through the house and scope out the big-ticket items that could cost a pretty penny if they need to be replaced.</li>
<li dir="ltr">HVAC. Is your HVAC making any weird sounds, leaking, or emitting strange smells? Is your thermostat consistent? Is it still doing a good job regulating the humidity? If it seems to be acting up, renewing your home warranty is probably a good idea.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Water heater. If you&rsquo;ve noticed water pressure issues, leaking, or faulty temperatures, it could be your water heater signaling for help. If you&rsquo;re a handy DIYer, it might be a good idea to drain the tank and clean it of sediment. If there&rsquo;s a lot of buildup, and there are parts that are corroded, this could be a sign that you need a <a href="https://www.ahs.com/home-warranty/what-is-a-home-warranty/">home warranty coverage</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr">Electrical wiring. Telltale signs of bad wiring are overly warm outlets, fuses blowing frequently, and frays or damage to any of the wiring.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Then, sit down and tally estimated totals of how much it would cost to replace these and any other items in your home. It may also be helpful to research what local repair shops charge to repair or replace these appliances (hint: it can really add up). Compare those totals to your home warranty cost per year. Don&rsquo;t forget to consider any service fees or dollar amount caps.&nbsp;
Weigh the pros and cons of adding a little more to your monthly budget. If something were to break down, you can save a lot with a home warranty.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Can I Renew a Home Warranty?</h2>
With American Home Shield, you can absolutely renew when your coverage contract expires. If you have automatic payments set up, we&rsquo;ll send the next year&rsquo;s agreement before your current contract is up to avoid any lapse in coverage.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.ahs.com/home-warranty/">Renew your warranty</a> to protect your budget and give you peace of mind. If your appliances or systems wear out, American Home Shield helps to ensure your household continues to run smoothly.
<h2 dir="ltr">How Much is a Home Warranty Per Year?</h2>
The needs of your house fluctuate, so your home warranty should too. Our home service plans offer varying coverage and all at different price points to fit your budget. <a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/">Shop plans</a> to choose the best home warranty coverage for your home.

How to Renew Your Home Warranty Plan Online | American Home Shield

As a homeowner, your budget can go quick if any systems or appliances need to be fixed. A home warranty protects your budget and home from the unexpected.

As a homeowner, you always make sure you dot your i&rsquo;s and cross your t&rsquo;s when it comes to protecting your household. You have homeowner&rsquo;s insurance. Your carbon monoxide and fire alarms always have fresh batteries. Your inspector went over everything with a fine-tooth comb before you bought your house.&nbsp;
But do you need home warranty protection, too? We think you do. When you have a home warranty, you can spend less on repairing and replacing appliances and more on things like fun garden gnomes or a DIY bathroom reno. What&rsquo;s more, home warranties are worth it because they take worry out of the homeowner equation. Let&rsquo;s take a closer look at why you need a home warranty.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Do I need a home warranty?&nbsp;</h2>
If you&rsquo;ve just purchased your home, an excellent place to start if you&rsquo;re asking yourself &ldquo;Should I get a home warranty?&rdquo; is to review the inspector report and see if there are any red flags. If your inspector noted that some appliances or home systems might have future issues or that they&rsquo;re older models, you might want to look into exactly how much buying new ones would cost (hint: replacing you&rsquo;re A/C can cost upwards of <a href="https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/heating-and-cooling/install-an-ac-unit/">$5,000</a>).&nbsp;&nbsp;
If you weren&rsquo;t able to get an inspection or if you&rsquo;ve lived in your home for a few years, a home warranty is the right choice. You&rsquo;ll need a home warranty to cover things like normal wear and tear and to protect your budget in the event of a breakdown&mdash;because no one wants to pay for A/C repair in the heat of summer.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Next, find out if there are existing warranties on your appliances, and if there are, exactly what they cover. If you&rsquo;ve been in your home for a while and have already had to replace appliances or home systems, check the paperwork to see the warranty details. Sometimes appliance warranties only cover defects, which means you would be responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing your items when they break down. This is where a home warranty can help.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Do home warranties work?&nbsp;</h2>
So you&rsquo;ve done your research, and your &ldquo;Should I get a home warranty?&rdquo; has turned into &ldquo;It can cost thousands of dollars to replace a heater, and the one I have is the same model that was in my grandma&rsquo;s house when I was a kid. Bring on the coverage!&rdquo; You now know you need it for your household, but do home warranties work?&nbsp;&nbsp;
This is where the importance of the company you choose is essential. American Home Shield believes in being transparent when it comes to our <a href="https://www.ahs.com/">home warranty</a> coverage. Our plans cover up to 23 key home systems and appliances, and we offer optional add-on coverage to meet the needs of your individual household. We&rsquo;re here to protect your budget and your sanity when items in your home break down. <a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/">Shop our plans.</a>&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Should I extend my home warranty?&nbsp;</h2>
One of the most important things to do when asking yourself, &ldquo;Should I renew my home warranty?&rdquo; is to do the math. Review your home warranty policy and add up the any deductibles, service fees, and the monthly plan costs. Take note of any caps in coverage amounts and what they do and do not cover. Then, figure out roughly how much it would cost to replace some of the items in your home and on your property. Often, the price of a home warranty will be much less than repairing or replacing appliances or systems in your household, so an extended home warranty makes financial sense.&nbsp;
Renewing your home warranty after the one-year contract is up is also just plain convenient. As an American Home Shield member, if something in your well-maintained household decides to throw a wrench in your day-to-day operations, submit a service request, and we&rsquo;ll send a qualified contractor to your door. And with our 30-day workmanship guarantee, renewing your home warranty is almost a no-brainer. If you have a problem with the repair within 30 days of the service, it will be fixed at no extra cost to you.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
So, are home warranties worth it? The short answer: Yes. Your household and your budget will benefit from purchasing a home warranty.

<div>See the <a class="underline" href="https://www.ahs.com/contracts/">plan&nbsp;contract</a>&nbsp;for coverage details, including service fees,&nbsp;limitations and exclusions. Charges for non-covered items may&nbsp;apply.</div>

Are Home Warranties Worth It? | American Home Shield

Landmark and American Home Shield have partnered to bring you the best home warranty coverage in the market.

<img src="https://4bbdwp2p.media.zestyio.com/AHS---Landmark-Logo.png" data-id="3-f2f908f-s7zslm" title="AHS---Landmark-Logo.png" alt="AHS---Landmark-Logo.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Landmark &amp; American Home Shield Partnership</h2>
Landmark and American Home Shield have partnered to bring you the best home warranty coverage.
All new home warranties for both homeowners and real&nbsp;estate agents will be provided through Landmark's sister brand, American Home Shield.&nbsp; Learn more about American&nbsp;Home Shield and view our <a href="https://www.ahs.com/plans/">home owner</a> and <a href="https://www.ahs.com/plans/real-estate/">real estate plan</a> options here.&nbsp;
 
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<td style="width: 49.8145%; height: 392px; padding-left: 40px;"><a href="https://www.ahs.com/plans/real-estate/" title="Real Estate Home Warranty Plans"><img src="https://4bbdwp2p.media.zestyio.com/Real-Estate-CTA.png" data-id="3-f2f908f-7qwz8p" title="Real-Estate-CTA.png" alt="Real-Estate-CTA.png" style="float: right;" /></a></td>
<td style="width: 49.8145%; height: 392px;"><a href="https://www.ahs.com/plans/" title="Home Warranty Plans "><img src="https://4bbdwp2p.media.zestyio.com/DTC-CTA.png" data-id="3-f2f908f-pfcvkk" title="DTC-CTA.png" alt="DTC-CTA.png" style="float: left;" /></a></td>
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Landmark & American Home Shield Partnership

OneGuard and American Home Shield have partnered to bring you the best home warranty coverage in the market.
All new home warranties for both homeowners and rea

<img src="https://4bbdwp2p.media.zestyio.com/AHS---OneGuard-Logo.png" data-id="3-f2f908f-8n25kz" title="AHS---OneGuard-Logo.png" alt="AHS---OneGuard-Logo.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">OneGuard &amp; American Home Shield Partnership</h2>
OneGuard and American Home Shield have partnered to bring you the best home warranty coverage.
All new home warranties for both homeowners and real&nbsp;estate agents will be provided by OneGuard's sister brand, American Home Shield. Learn more about American&nbsp;Home Shield and view our <a href="https://www.ahs.com/plans/">home owner</a> and <a href="https://www.ahs.com/plans/real-estate/">real estate plan</a> options here.&nbsp;
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<td style="width: 49.6102%; padding-left: 40px;"><a href="https://www.ahs.com/plans/real-estate/" title="Home Warranty Real Estate Plans"><img src="https://4bbdwp2p.media.zestyio.com/Real-Estate-CTA.png" data-id="3-f2f908f-7qwz8p" title="Real-Estate-CTA.png" alt="Real-Estate-CTA.png" style="float: right;" /></a></td>
<td style="width: 49.6102%;"><a href="https://www.ahs.com/plans/" title="Home Owner Plans"><img src="https://4bbdwp2p.media.zestyio.com/DTC-CTA.png" data-id="3-f2f908f-pfcvkk" title="DTC-CTA.png" alt="DTC-CTA.png" style="float: left;" /></a></td>
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OneGuard & American Home Shield Partnership

Home Warranties aren't required when purchasing a house in most states, but they can be beneficial for all parties involved.

Home warranties are an asset when it comes to the purchase or sale of a home. In most states, a<a href="https://www.ahs.com/"> home warranty</a> isn&rsquo;t a requirement when you buy or sell a house, but it can go a long way in settling issues before they start. But who pays for a home warranty, and is a home warranty required at closing? Home warranties are typically purchased by either the seller or the buyer through their real estate agents. A home warranty is not required at closing, but there are a few reasons why having one may benefit all parties involved.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Does the seller have to pay for the home warranty?&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
It&rsquo;s not a requirement, but if you&rsquo;re the seller, buying a home warranty for the buyer may be beneficial in several ways.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ol>
<li dir="ltr">It will make your house more attractive for a buyer. For people looking to purchase a home, one of the big worries is whether or not they&rsquo;ll accidently buy a money pit. If you offer a home warranty as part of the sale, a potential buyer can feel confident in the fact their investment and budget are protected from potential breakdowns of appliances or home systems. That means your house may sell more quickly and maybe for a higher price.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr">It could save you money if something breaks down while your house is on the market. You know what doesn&rsquo;t impress a buyer when taking a tour of a home? Broken stuff. It may be hard to imagine during a hot seller&rsquo;s market, but sometimes your house might take a while to sell. While you&rsquo;re waiting for someone to make an offer, appliances can start to act up. If the home warranty is purchased by the seller, the warranty will cover the home while it&rsquo;s on the market and then transfers to the buyer upon closing.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr">It may allow you to sell your home more easily without an inspection. Inspections are important for buyers, but you may want to try to sell your home without one as a seller. With a home warranty included in the sale, buyers may be more inclined and feel more confident to buy your house without an inspection.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<h2 dir="ltr">Are there advantages of purchasing a home warranty if you&rsquo;re the buyer?&nbsp;</h2>
If you're the buyer, you may think asking the seller for a home warranty is the way to go. Throwing the <a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/">home warranty cost</a> to the seller means more money saved, right? This may be the optimal choice, but remember that whoever buys the warranty is in charge of the level of protection.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Unless the seller has a heart of gold, they may be more likely to purchase whichever <a href="https://www.ahs.com/">home warranty plan</a> is cheaper, which may leave gaps in your coverage. If you opt to buy the home warranty through your real estate agent, you may be able to negotiate the seller down a little in price and get your preferred home warranty included in closing costs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Luckily, American Home Shield has competitive <a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/">pricing and plans</a> with both sellers and buyers in mind. Our plans offer comprehensive coverage for up to 23 essential appliances and home systems. We&rsquo;re here to make sure your household runs properly, and your budget stays on track.&nbsp;

Who Pays for a Home Warranty? Buyer vs. Seller | American Home Shield

Finding the best home warranty coverage can feel overwhelming, but as a confident homeowner, you know your humble abode better than anyone.

Finding the best home warranty coverage can feel overwhelming, but as a confident homeowner, you know your humble abode better than anyone. You want the best home warranty service out there to fulfill your house&rsquo;s unique needs and protect your hard-earned investment. How do you determine which home warranty is best?
Here are some tips on how to find the right <a href="https://ahs.com">home warranty company</a> for you.
<h2 dir="ltr">Make a List</h2>
When shopping for the <a href="https://ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/">best home warranty plans</a>, a wise first step is to figure out exactly what coverage your appliances and systems need. Take some time to walk through your house and check on the status of your systems and appliances. Take note of any strange noises, smells, or leaks. It&rsquo;s also a good idea to note the age of each appliance. Here are some home systems and appliances you should inspect:
●&nbsp; HVAC system
●&nbsp; Water heater
●&nbsp; Toilets, sinks, and bathtubs
●&nbsp; Kitchen appliances
●&nbsp; Electrical systems like your built-in fans, circuit breakers, doorbells, and garage door openers
●&nbsp; Washer and dryer
●&nbsp; Your roof
●&nbsp; Well pumps (signs of a bad well pump can include clicking noises, spitting faucets, and water temperature fluctuations)
●&nbsp; Septic pumps (signs of a bad septic pump include unpleasant odor, slow drains, puddles of water around the septic tank, and sewage backup)
There&rsquo;s nothing more frustrating than having an appliance or system break down without a home warranty. Inspecting the items in your home is essential to determining the best home warranty coverage.
<h3 dir="ltr">Research Home Warranty Companies (and the Fine Print)</h3>
&nbsp;So what is the best home warranty company? After inspecting your home, it&rsquo;s time to dig in and find the best warranty company in your state. Some home warranty companies like Liberty Home Guard and Choice Home Warranty may have plans with good coverage, but these companies are not available in populous states like California. If you&rsquo;re looking for the best warranty in California or another state like Hawaii or Alaska, make sure the company can service your home before digging too deep into research.
It also pays to read the fine print. Most home warranty companies offer plans with varying coverage and costs, but make sure they cover what you need. Some companies provide one plan for appliances and a separate plan for systems, forcing you to purchase the higher-priced plan to cover a mix of both.
Watch those coverage caps. Make sure you know the dollar amount cap of every type of coverage. For example, if your roof was on the red flag list during your home walk-through and your home warranty company only covers up to $500, that amount may not stretch as far as you need it to. Make sure you comb over the contract and understand the price of service call fees. Some companies like to bury it deep in the technical jargon and hope you don&rsquo;t notice.
American Home Shield is transparent about coverage caps and offers some of the best home warranty service plans. Our ShieldPlatinum&trade; plan covers 23 essential systems and appliances, roof leak repair, and a free HVAC tune-up. Our other plans offer a mix of coverage for both appliances and home systems. You also can add coverage to any of the plans for things like your pool, guest unit, and well and septic pumps.
American Home Shield is available in a whopping 49 states, and we have more than 17,000 qualified contractors in our network. We&rsquo;ve been in business for 50 years, making us one of the most experienced and best home warranty companies on the market. Here are a few of our awards, if we may humble brag for a moment:[KC1]&nbsp;
1. Top Rated company at the Home Warranty Awards
2. America's most recommended home warranty company by Women's Choice Awards
3. Best overall home warranty provider by Consumer Affairs
4. Best Home Warranty Company by This Old House
5. Best Home Warranty Coverage Options by Investopedia
6. Best Home Warranty Plan Selection by The balance
7. Best Home Warranty Customization by Rocket Mortgage
8. Best Customizable Home Warranty Plans by Reviews.com
Our biggest accomplishment to date is knowing that our 1.8 million members know we have their back with both home warranty coverage and maintenance services. We don&rsquo;t believe in checking maintenance records or doing inspections. Our job is to cover your household and protect your budget, and that&rsquo;s what we do.
<a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/">Shop plans</a> to find the best home warranty coverage for your home.

What is the Best Home Warranty Company? | American Home Shield

Today we're the undisputed leader in home warranties, helping to provide peace of mind to millions of homeowners, regardless of the age/condition of their home

<h4>Our &ldquo;Why&rdquo;</h4>
Back in 1971, there was no protection for homeowners from the inconvenience or cost of household breakdowns. We decided to do something about it &ndash; and founded the home warranty industry by creating American Home Shield&reg;.&nbsp;
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<h4>Coverage You Can Count On</h4>
Today, with 50 years of experience, we&rsquo;re the leader in home warranties. We pay more claims than the other guys. More than $2 billion in the last five years if we&rsquo;re going to be exact, which we should. When it comes to protecting your budget and home, details matter.&nbsp;
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<h4>We&rsquo;re On Your Side.</h4>
Our goal is to empower homeowners to feel confident and in control of their home. We want to help you keep your home running smoothly, all the time. We aren&rsquo;t insurance. We provide plans for people with home systems and appliances they&rsquo;d like to keep in working order, regardless of their age or condition. Whether you've lived in your home for years, or are buying or selling a home, we&rsquo;ve got a plan that will meet your specific needs.&nbsp;
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<h4>Our Members Get More.</h4>
Each of our more than 2M members gets peace of mind and budget protection, access to a nationwide network of thousands of local, qualified contractors, comprehensive coverage for key home systems and appliances &ndash; plus additional protection available for electronics and select maintenance services.&nbsp;

About Us | American Home Shield

Protect your home from the dangers of mold by learning how home warranties cover mold. Learn to spot the signs and what to do if you suspect mold in your house.

You know your home warranty is designed to be there if your fridge conks out or your electrical goes haywire. But does a home warranty cover mold? Unfortunately, mold is one of the issues most home warranties do not cover.&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s find out why it is usually not covered and what to do if your home has a potentially dangerous mold problem.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What is Mold, and Why is it Dangerous?</h2>
Mold is a fungus that helps assist in the decomposition and breakdown of organic materials, like leaves, vegetation, and&mdash;unfortunately for your home&mdash;wood. Some types of mold can be beneficial (we&rsquo;re looking at you, penicillin), but if you see mold blooming in any area of your home, chances are you&rsquo;re in for a headache&mdash;figuratively and literally. Heavy exposure to black mold can cause some serious symptoms, like migraines, respiratory issues, disorientation, and even tremors and seizures, just to name a few.&nbsp;
Mold likes to hang out in damp, dark places, which makes it hard to spot. If it starts to form outside of your walls, that probably means there&rsquo;s a whole family reunion of the fuzzy stuff growing on the inside. So, what to do if you suspect black mold? It&rsquo;s vital to get the <a href="https://www.ahs.com/home-matters/quick-tips/definitive-guide-to-black-mold-removal/">black mold removal</a> process started immediately.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Why Doesn&rsquo;t a Home Warranty Cover Mold?&nbsp;</h2>
<a href="https://www.ahs.com/home-warranty/">Home warranties</a> are designed to be your safety net if a pricey home system or appliance&nbsp; fails due to normal wear and tear. An American Home Shield&reg; home warranty will cover the things your home insurance won&rsquo;t, like breakdowns of the items that keep your home running properly.&nbsp;
For instance, if your water heater springs a leak and causes water damage to your floor, your <a href="https://www.ahs.com/home-warranty/what-is-a-home-warranty/">home warranty may cover</a> the repair of the water heater itself, and your home insurance could potentially cover the structural damage to the floor that the leak caused.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;re probably asking yourself &ldquo;Is black mold covered by insurance?&rdquo; This is where it gets tricky. Since mold is usually the result of negligence somewhere down the line&mdash;either by the builder, poor ventilation, or failure to make repairs&mdash;home insurance will quite frequently deny coverage. So, your home warranty may fix or replace the water heater, but it&rsquo;s not designed to cover any resulting issues like mold. This makes the formation of black mold a serious threat to both your health and your wallet.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">How to Prevent Black Mold From Forming</h2>
Here are a few tips from the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mold/control_mold.htm">CDC</a> to prevent black mold:
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Ventilate. Keeping fresh air flowing and the humidity level down can go a long way toward mold prevention. It&rsquo;s also a good practice to run the exhaust fan in your bathroom both during and after showers or baths.&nbsp;
</li>
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Keep an eagle eye out for leaks. This is not only good for mold detection but also for general house maintenance. Whenever something leaks, try to find the source as quickly as possible.
</li>
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Clean your bathrooms thoroughly to minimize mold breeding grounds. Make sure to really dig into those crevices with a cleanser that will kill mold. If your bathroom isn&rsquo;t well ventilated, it may be a good idea to ditch those fluffy rugs unless they&rsquo;re antimicrobial. Instead opt for something that dries quickly, like a bamboo mat.&nbsp;&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Keeping your home protected is our priority. Even though our home warranties do not cover mold, American Home Shield does cover the essential appliances and systems that keep your home running smoothly. <a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/">Shop plans</a> to choose the best home warranty coverage for your household.

Does a Home Warranty Cover Mold | American Home Shield

A trade service call fee is what you pay out of pocket for each different kind of trade professional (plumber, electrician, etc.) that comes to your home.

A trade service call fee is what you pay out of pocket for each different kind of trade professional (plumber, electrician, etc.) that comes to your home to provide service. You'll choose the amount (either $75, $100 or $125, plus sales tax where applicable) when you purchase your plan.&nbsp;

Your Trade Service Call Fee doesn't pay for any repairs, it is the fee you pay for the contractor's visit to your home.&nbsp;

What is a trade service call fee? | American Home Shield

Safeguarding your home and budget is essential on the homeownership journey. Learn the differences between a home warranty and homeowners insurance. 

<img src="https://4bbdwp2p.media.zestyio.com/HOMEWARRANTY2.jpg" data-id="3-bcbc300-dbll1l" title="HOMEWARRANTY2.jpg" alt="HOMEWARRANTY2.jpg" />
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Owning a home is one of the greatest investments you'll make in your life. Protecting your assets is not just smart&mdash;it's integral. The best way to do this is to buy a homeowners insurance policy and <a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/">buy a home warranty</a><a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/">&nbsp;plan</a>. Purchasing both will cover your home, belongings, appliances and system components in case they need replacement or repair. But understanding the differences&nbsp;between&nbsp;the two products and why you need them can be tricky.&nbsp;
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<h2 paraid="888064901" paraeid="{eaed3b2c-41ef-4e89-8717-1758ddad5e82}{80}">How Is a Home Warranty Different from Homeowners Insurance?&nbsp;</h2>
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The main difference between a home warranty&nbsp;plan&nbsp;or home service plan&nbsp;and&nbsp;homeowners&nbsp;insurance is quite simple:&nbsp;homeowners insurance typically protects your home from events like fire, smoke, theft, fallen trees, or damage caused by weather, while a home warranty plan covers the cost to repair or replace parts of home appliances and systems that break down over time.&nbsp;It&nbsp;essentially protects&nbsp;your budget when covered appliances and home systems components break down due to normal&nbsp;wear and tear. The protection of a home warranty plan can potentially save you hundreds or even thousands of out-of-pocket dollars, not to mention the headache of finding a trusted service contractor to make the repairs.&nbsp;For American Home Shield members, a home warranty &mdash; or as we like to call it, a home service plan &mdash; includes member-exclusive pricing on home maintenance services, new appliances, and a variety of home services from tech installation and setup to pre-season HVAC tune-ups, and more. We provide plans for people who have systems and appliances they'd like to keep in working order while also protecting their budget.&nbsp; &nbsp;
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<td style="width: 50.5881%; text-align: center; height: 39px;">Home Warranty covers things that&nbsp; will happen</td>
<td style="width: 49.0347%; text-align: center; height: 39px;">Homeowners Insurance covers things that might happen &nbsp;</td>
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<td style="width: 50.5881%; text-align: center; height: 17px;">HVAC Stops Working&nbsp;</td>
<td style="width: 49.0347%; text-align: center; height: 17px;">Theft</td>
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<td style="width: 50.5881%; text-align: center; height: 19px;">Water Leaks&nbsp;</td>
<td style="width: 49.0347%; text-align: center; height: 19px;">Fire Damage&nbsp;</td>
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<td style="width: 50.5881%; text-align: center; height: 19px;">Dishwasher Stops Working</td>
<td style="width: 49.0347%; text-align: center; height: 19px;">Storm Damage</td>
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<td style="width: 50.5881%; text-align: center; height: 19px;">Toilet Overflows</td>
<td style="width: 49.0347%; text-align: center; height: 19px;">Floods&nbsp;</td>
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<h2 paraid="1927474263" paraeid="{eaed3b2c-41ef-4e89-8717-1758ddad5e82}{136}"></h2>
<h2 paraid="1927474263" paraeid="{eaed3b2c-41ef-4e89-8717-1758ddad5e82}{136}">What Is Homeowners Insurance?&nbsp; </h2>
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As mentioned, a home insurance policy covers any accidental damage to your home and belongings due to theft, storms, fires, and some natural disasters. There are four primary areas covered under the policy: the interior and exterior of your home, personal property in case of theft, loss or damage, and general liability that can arise when a person is injured while on your property.&nbsp; &nbsp; A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahs.com/home-matters/repair-maintenance/why-you-need-a-home-warranty-and-homeowners-insurance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">home insurance policy is usually mandatory</a>, and a bank will generally require you to obtain one before issuing a mortgage on a home. A policy is renewed yearly, and its&nbsp;<a href="https://homeguides.sfgate.com/average-cost-homeowners-insurance-3020.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">average annual cost</a>&nbsp;is between $300 and $1000. All home insurance policies offer a deductible, which is what you'll pay when a claim is made. The policy will then take care of any additional costs.&nbsp; &nbsp; So&nbsp;for instance, say a pipe breaks and floods your kitchen. An insurance adjuster will come to your home and fill out a claim for repair and replacement of any damaged items in your home. Once the claim is approved, the insurance company will deduct the amount of your deductible and issue you a payment for the rest of balance to repair your home. This deductible can also assist in lowering your yearly policy premium. The higher your deductible, the lower your yearly home insurance policy will cost.&nbsp;For more information on&nbsp;homeowners&nbsp;insurance, the&nbsp;<a href="https://content.naic.org/cipr_topics/topic_homeowners_insurance.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Association of Insurance Commissioners</a>&nbsp;is a terrific&nbsp;resource.&nbsp;
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<h2 paraid="1930470186" paraeid="{fd5d8ccc-a7cb-475a-a43c-828aa05320c9}{36}">What Is a Home Warranty?&nbsp;</h2>
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A&nbsp;home&nbsp;service plan&nbsp;is a service contract that provides for repair or replacement&nbsp;of&nbsp;major&nbsp;components of&nbsp;your&nbsp;systems and&nbsp;appliances that fail due to age and standard wear and&nbsp;tear.&nbsp;For instance, components of your HVAC, electrical, and plumbing, kitchen appliances and washer/dryer are all typically covered under this&nbsp;home service plan. You can also cover larger systems like your pool and spa.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Home&nbsp;service plans&nbsp;typically have 12-month contract terms&nbsp;and are not mandatory to obtain a mortgage. A home service plan&nbsp;is purely elective, but it&rsquo;s a smart purchase.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahs.com/pricing-and-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Home&nbsp;service&nbsp;plans</a>&nbsp;can be purchased for around&nbsp;$50-$75&nbsp;per month, with add-on coverage for items like&nbsp;roof leak repair&nbsp;or pools and spas&nbsp;available for an additional cost.&nbsp;
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Let's say your HVAC system stops working. In that case,&nbsp;a&nbsp;qualified, independent&nbsp;service contractor&nbsp;will&nbsp;be assigned to&nbsp;assess the problem. If it's determined that the system is no longer working because of age or wear and tear,&nbsp;and the breakdown is covered under the terms of your service contract, the&nbsp;repair professional will make the repair,&nbsp;or if necessary, replace the appliance or system&nbsp;component&nbsp;for just the cost of your service call. A one-time service call&nbsp;costs either $75, $100, or $125 based on the amount you choose in advance&nbsp;when you become a member,&nbsp;and&nbsp;American Home&nbsp;Shield pays&nbsp;the&nbsp;remaining amount for the repair or replacement based on the plan that you have selected. The protection of a home&nbsp;service&nbsp;plan&nbsp;can save you hundreds or even thousands of out-of-pocket dollars, as well as&nbsp;the headache of finding a trusted service contractor to make the repairs.&nbsp;
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Let&rsquo;s face it: life&nbsp;happens&nbsp;and things breakdown. When they do, a home&nbsp;service plan&nbsp;from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahs.com/home-warranty/appliances/built-in-microwave/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Home Shield&reg;</a>&nbsp;can make it easier to get a qualified&nbsp;contractor&nbsp;on the case while keeping your budget protected.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Ready to get your own home&nbsp;service plan?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ahs.com/home-warranty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more about how you can rest easier</a>, watch the video below, and&nbsp;<a href="https://shopping.ahs.com/plans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">find</a> your ideal home service plan&nbsp;today.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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<div><iframe width="560px" height="315px" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3_AXGQ0sK5s?modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe></div>

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