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ShieldEssentialSM Real Estate Plan

Coverage for Home Systems and Additional Home Items

The ShieldEssential plan protects parts of many major home systems and additional home items, including heating and air conditioning, electrical and plumbing — plus special offers and benefits for home buyers and sellers.

  • Discounted pre-season HVAC tune-ups
  • Discounted smart home tech installation and setup services
  • Coverage for code violations and permits (first year only)

See the plan agreement for coverage details, including service fees, limitations and exclusions. Coverage limits and charges for non-covered items may apply.

Not buying or selling a home?

View Plans for Homeowners

ShieldEssentialReal Estate Coverage Details

What's Included? What's Included? We help you pay to repair or replace the items listed below and connect you with experienced Pros. It’s a win-win for your home and budget.

Systems

Systems

  • Heating
  • Air Conditioning
  • Plumbing
  • Ductwork
  • Electrical
  • Water Heaters
Other Home Items

Other home items

  • Ceiling Fans
  • Doorbells
  • Garage Door Openers
  • Built-in Exhaust/Attic/Whole House Fans
Coverage Limits

Coverage limits

  • Refrigerant ($10/lb covered)
  • $250 Limit for Correction of Code Violations
  • $250 Limit for Permits
Special Member Offers

Special member offers

  • Smart Home Tech Installation and Setup Services
  • Pre-season HVAC Tune-ups
  • Rekey Service

See the plan agreement for coverage details, including service fees, limitations and exclusions. Coverage limits and charges for non-covered items may apply.

Our plans can help you control out-of-pocket expenses

Without a home service plan, it can cost a lot to repair or replace the systems you rely on. 

Heating Icon
Heating
can cost to you
up to $3,625
Cooling Icon
Cooling
can cost to you
up to $3,800
Plumbing Icon
Plumbing
can cost to you
up to $1,200

Repair/replacement costs are in the eightieth percentile of U.S. costs according to a nationwide survey of homeowners conducted in 2019 by ClearVantage for American Home Shield.

ADDITIONAL COVERAGE OPTIONS
Your home extends beyond four walls — shouldn't your coverage? When you add additional protections to your plan, you simplify the service process by making us your go-to for just about everything.

Add these coverage options to any of our home warranty plans:

Roof Leak Repairs Image
Roof Leak Repairs
We cover roof leaks caused by a variety of issues, including standard weather cycles, normal wear-and-tear, and damaged shingles.
Info
Electronics Protection Plan Image
Electronics Protection Plan
We cover an unlimited number of new and used devices, like TVs, laptops, game systems and more. It’s the ultimate screen saver.
Info

Additional coverage availability varies by location and property type. See the plan agreement for coverage details, including service fees, limitations and exclusions. Coverage limits and charges for non-covered items may apply. 

Seller Coverage Option

For up to six months, while the home is on the market, sellers can get coverage for the same home systems and items (excluding rekey) included in ShieldEssential. No payment is due until the home closes.



Note: The Seller Coverage Option can be a great negotiating tool in real estate transactions when submitting offers or negotiating home inspection issues.*

Talk to your agent to learn more and get a quote.

*Coverage includes undetectable, pre-existing conditions.

Subject to a $1,500 cap during the listing period. Renewable upon review at the discretion of American Home Shield after 6-month period, up to 12 months.

Why choose American Home shield?

More than 2 million members trust us to protect their home and budget.

Real members. Real testimonials.

People across the country love the protection an American Home Shield® home warranty provides, and our testimonials prove it.

Our plans get top marks from industry pros.

As seen on

Designing Spaces (Airing on Lifetime)

Curious about what our coverage is really like? Watch home improvement/renovation expert, and AHS® spokesperson, Matt Blashaw, interview Tara, a long-time American Home Shield member.

Matt Blashaw interviewing Tara, an American Home Shield member

Why choose AHS? (5:01)

Designing Spaces with Matt Blashaw

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Since 1971 we have provided comprehensive home warranty plans for American consumers, being the first of the many home warranty companies that have imitated us ever since. Our promise is simple: the peace of mind and convenience that homeowners expect the market leader. A fixed service fee, a single number to call when things go wrong, expert customer service representatives, a comprehensive yearly service contract, and a reasonable home warranty cost.

Both ends of a real estate transaction can benefit from being home warranty customers: for the seller, a home warranty can increase the confidence of prospective buyers and increase the price of the property or make the sale easier. For the buyer, it ensures that the repair or replacement of appliances and potentially expensive repairs of home systems are covered by a service provider.

We use licensed, independent, trusted Pros from our nationwide network, and they're regularly evaluated by customers like you to make sure they're meeting our standards and providing excellent service.

No. You can purchase a home warranty from American Home Shield without an inspection or maintenance records.

Yes, click on the following link to review our home warranty contract. AHS Sample Contracts.

Yes. We don't care how old your home, systems, or appliances are - our home warranty protection will cover them.

To find the best home warranty company for you and your home, compare companies and plans and choose the coverage that fits your needs. American Home Shield offers three different plans. The ShieldSilver™ plan is for homeowners who want to cover the must-haves like heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, and electrical systems. The ShieldGold™ plan is perfect for anyone who wants to live life with less interruptions, especially in the laundry room and kitchen, with coverage for the main systems and appliances you use every day. And with the ShieldPlatinum™ plan, you get coverage for just about everything: key components of 23 major home systems and appliances, plus premium features like Roof Leak Repair Coverage, double the coverage amount for appliances, and a free HVAC Tune-up. No two homes are the same, and that’s why we have options – so you can find the plan that works for you.  

 

For home buyers and existing homeowners, coverage begins 30 days after you purchase your new home warranty plan. There is no waiting period for seller coverage. 

You can request service 24/7, either online or by calling 1-888-691-2854.

LOOKING FOR A HIGHER LEVEL OF REAL ESTATE COVERAGE?

ShieldPlusSM

protects parts of crucial systems, plus many major appliances and additional home items.

ShieldCompleteSM

is our most comprehensive coverage for parts of systems, appliances, roof leaks, and more.
New homeowners celebrating in their new home

Not buying or selling a Home?

Whether you've been in your home 60 years or just closed 90 days ago, we have three different plans for properties not involved in a current real estate transaction.
Need help?
Talk to our Shield Agents 24/7.