Table of Content
If an AHS technician isn’t able to service a covered item due to extenuating circumstances, AHS may provide cash in lieu of service, which will be based on the best price for services in your area. In these cases, you will pay for the repair service or replacement cost out-of-pocket and then submit an itemized list of costs before AHS will provide reimbursement. Yes, AHS covers the repair and replacement of refrigerators in its ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum plans. To receive service on a broken fridge, you should contact the claims department through the online portal or over the phone as soon as you notice the first signs of trouble. After receiving your claim, AHS will initiate service with a local service contractor within 48 hours. Homeowners who only want a home warranty to cover their home systems like HVAC systems and ductwork may find that the ShieldSilver is the best option available from American Home Shield.
To see real estate home warranty options for a home you're buying, review our availablereal estate plans. Then, ask your real estate agent to arrange the warranty to be purchased from American Home Shield. Homeowners insurance typically protects your home from things that might happen, like fires, theft or natural disasters. A home warranty helps protect your budget when covered components of home systems and appliances break down due to normal wear and tear. Every time you need help for a claim, you have to schedule a visit with American Home Shield and they charge you a hidden service call fee for every visit. The contractor will come to your property at a cost of $75, $100, or $125, depending on how quickly you want them to show up.
Our Conclusion: The Home Service Club vs. American Home Shield
For instance, customers who have guest houses or rental units on their property can purchase separate coverage for guest units. This add-on only protects rental units under 750 square feet, so customers will want to be cognizant of these size limitations when purchasing extra coverage. Policyholders can also purchase additional coverage for septic pumps, well pumps, and both inground and above-ground pools. If one of your home's appliances or systems breaks down, it can mean more than your air conditioning or dryer notworking — it it can also mean having to cover an unexpected expense. Instead of paying the full retail cost to repair or replace a covered item, a real estate home warranty can help you manage the costs of unexpected, covered breakdowns. American Home Shield is one of the best plans for this inevitability.
Industry reputation, plan availability, and additional features were rated equally. Therefore, we determined that price range, while worth considering, should not be the primary basis for choosing a home warranty provider for your home’s needs. American Home Shield is an excellent choice for customers looking for an established, veteran provider. The company has built a network of more than 17,000 contractors nationwide to provide reliable service. American Home Shield does not place a preset coverage cap on major systems.
SHOP OUR PLANS.
American Home Shield’s plans will typically run between $40 and $58, depending on which service fee and plan you choose. Because the company maintains such a large network of approved contractors, American Home Shield can match homeowners with a local technician or handyman in short order. According to the company, a contractor could arrive at a customer’s home in as little as an hour.
Our home warranty plans are tailored so you can cover the home systems and appliances that match your needs. All standard plans cover normal wear and tear, major repairs, and replacements of covered appliances and systems. For that extra level of protection, our ShieldPlatinum plan covers additional systems and appliances while also allowing you to save money on your trade service call fee. American Home Shield’s service area, average rates, technician fees, and claims process all align with industry standards. One area where the company may stand out, however, is its coverage limits. American Home Shield offers three comprehensive plan options with varying degrees of coverage and generous limits.
COVERAGE FOR THE REAL WORLD
As such, if American Home Shield comes to do the repair and it turns out that the total cost for parts and labor is beyond your limit, you will see an unexpected hidden fee in your next American Home Shield bill. All AHS’ plans have a flexible service call fee model, which operates similarly to a deductible. You will be required to pay this fee every time you place a service request, but you get to select your fee when signing up for your plan. Any home repairs completed by an AHS technician are protected by a 30-day workmanship guarantee. American Home Shield also offers a Build Your Own Plan where consumers can select just the systems and/or appliances for which they need warranty repair coverage. Coverage riders are also available for pools or spas, well pumps, septic pumps, and additional guest units up to 750 square feet in size, like a mother-in law’s suite.
Because there is no search function built into the site itself, users may need to hunt around to find specific pages or resort to using Google. Despite those drawbacks, American Home Shield’s site is relatively easy to navigate, and pertinent information is clearly displayed so as to catch the eye of visitors. See more of the best home warranty companies, best home warranties for condos, best home warranties for rental properties, and the best home services.
To expedite service on your request, American Home Shield will assign a contractor to reach out to you as quickly as possible. In some cases, American Home Shield may offer you the ability to choose your own contractors, also known as Outside Authorizations. The chosen contractor must provide a diagnosis and itemized bid to American Home Shield before any work is performed. American Home Shield will not reimburse you for services performed without prior authorization.
In addition, we simulate the process of reaching out to each company’s customer service team to evaluate their level of helpfulness and ability to solve problems. All home warranty policies have exclusions in coverage, no matter what company you choose. For example, while plumbing is covered, there is no coverage for stoppages caused by roots or foreign objects in the pipes. Also, some coverages have limits to repair or replacement cost, as mentioned in our Best Home Warranties buyer’s guide. For example, if a plumber has to cut through a wall to access a pipe, the warranty would only cover the wall repair to a rough finish and limits the dollar value of those repairs.
While both companies have a network of independent contractors, both companies also have provisions that allow you to choose your own. If you’d like to hire your own contractor, you must get them preapproved, or your repair will not be covered. Customer reviews for American Home Shield tend to vary pretty significantly.
Some homeowners may prefer to go through this process over the phone with a representative since it could be easier to explain any issue that requires repair. ShieldPlatinum offers roof-leak protection, which would otherwise need to be purchased as an add-on, a free annual HVAC tune-up, and unlimited AC refrigerant refills. ShieldPlatinum policies will also provide up to $1,000 per year to bring home systems up to code. We also review sample contracts to better understand what each plan covers and to identify limitations.
No comments:
Post a Comment