American Home Shield (AHS)
Home Warranty Plan Details and Reviews for American Home Shield (AHS)
Premium: $360
Deductible: $60
Effective: Immediately after payment
Web: ahswarranty.com
Deductible: $60
Effective: Immediately after payment
Web: ahswarranty.com
Customer Service 
Service Timeliness
Repair/Replacement Service
Overall Rating
Total Reviews: 906 Rate this Company!
Service Timeliness
Repair/Replacement Service
Overall Rating
Total Reviews: 906 Rate this Company!
Coverage Area: USA - All States
Offers plans to cover pre-existing conditions and lack of maintenance repairs, for an additional fee.
|
Home warranty is a complex insurance product. Unlike home insurance, it does not provide blanket coverage for all appliances. Pre-existing conditions and problems resulting from lack of maintenance of appliance are are generally not covered by home warranty companies. Home warranty sellers may not state these factors clearly, and this will create dissatisfaction among customers. Due to these factors, you will see many negative reviews here. Don't be intimidated by some negative reviews here. If you have maintained your appliances in good condition and go with a reputed home warranty provider, your coverage will be fine. |
We do not endorse any company in particular, however you should ignore the reviews that are overly negative or positive. Such reviews are not likely to offer a balanced view and some of them could be fake reviews posted to promote or demote a company. It is always a good idea to check BBB ratings and make sure the company is licensed to do business in your State by contacting State Insurance Commission. Try to avoid paying annual premium and keep your cancellation rights
Reviews
Pages: « 38 … 24 23 22 21 20 [19] 18 17 16 15 14 … 1 » Show All
Pages: « 38 … 24 23 22 21 20 [19] 18 17 16 15 14 … 1 » Show All
Loading ...
Up until this year, we had always received quality repair service for AHS. This is no longer the case. Our “high-end” refrigerator stopped working in March of this year and it has yet to be repaired….it is now August. The repair person that was sent to our house was the only technician that was vendored to repair our brand in the city. The technician arrived and diagnosed the problem in a timely manner but after that things went downhill. We had work done on it before to replace the seal around the door so we knew that getting the parts would take a while. However, after a month and a half of not hearing from anyone, we decided to call and check on the delay. We called the tech for a week and a half with no response. Finally we called the AHS and they placed a call on our behalf. It was discovered that the technician had ordered two computer boards from the company, two weeks after the initial call, but only one had arrived. At this point, we were puzzled. Why had it taken so long to place the order for the parts and why hadn’t he checked on the delay? He knew that the refrig needed two computers to run! Finally, three weeks later, the other part arrives. YEAH, right? No! To our disgust, only one part was the correct part. The other had been misboxed from where ever they ordered it from. In the meantime, it has been almost three months that we have gone without a refrigerator. When we called to complain, at first the representative from customer relations was very nice and understanding. This soon changed. We were told that we could purchase a dorm sized refrigerator to use until our was repaired. Are you kidding me? A dorm sized refrigerator to hold items to feed a family of four???!!! A month later, the second computer arrived. Finally, we would be able to use our appliance. Wrong again!!! For the second time, the wrong part had been sent. With the owner’s manual in hand, he attempted to figure out the problem. Had he looked at the picture of the different models, he would have been able to tell that the part he installed didn’t fit our model. But we guessed that by this time, he was as disgusted as we were and he high tailed it out as fast as he could, stating that he would contact AHS as soon as he got to his truck to tell them about the part. Not 10 minutes after he left our home, we realized what the problem and called him. After, explaining that he installed the wrong part, it was agreed that we would fax him the picture from the manual so that he could see for himself that the part he installed was not the correct one for our model. We immediately called AHS. The customer relations representative unempathetically stated “we ordered the part according to the serial number”. We told her of the previous conversation with the tech and was told that there was nothing that could be done until he called the parts department. We again asked what we were suppose to do for a refrigerator seeing how it had now been four months since we made the first call. “You can purchase a dorm size refrigerator and we will reimburse you $75″. Again a dorm size refrig to feed a family of four? “It’s better than nothing”. Infuriated, we hung up. Now here it is a month later, and we are finally told that because our refrigerator is considered “high-end”, we would have to find someone to repair it and then we would be reimbursed by the company. If this is case, why are we paying AHS?!? We have reservations about going this route, but what else is there for us to do? After reading many of the reviews, we are sure this ordeal is far from over. Needless to say, we will not be renewing our contract!!!!!
I’ve been with AHS for 2 years and the one and only time I used them I was way less than satisfied. The contractor they sent to my home to repair my washing machine arrived hours late and the temporary repair that was conducted so I could supposedly use the machine while a part was being ordered did not work. I had to contact the contractor on my own to determine if the part had arrived, and the repairman was late once again on the second and final visit. I attempted to lodge a complaint with AHS and left a CBR TN, but they left a voice mail msg on my home phone while I was at work. When I attempted to call them back, they were not available and never returned my call. Their warranty service is too expensive to WARRANT this type of customer service. I am currently searching other warranty companies due to the unacceptable service I have received from AHS. AHS should pay the customer for the grief they put us through!
I have been with this company for five years ,during this five years I had a few claims which all of them were minor repairs .Out of all my claims most of them were AC related and what AHS did every summer when I called and made a claim ,they sent a company and the technician just charged the AC .after a couple of weeks I had the same problem with the AC and again somebody came and charge the AC again .When I was trying to convince them that my AC my have a leak they didn’t want to accept it .Within the last five years about 10 times or more they charge my AC and every single time I paid the deductible .Until few days ago that as usual my AC broke again and they sent a company .the technecian said I need a new compressor .after a few hours we got a call from AHS saying that our claim has been denied and they pay nothing .Now after a few days that my family is living in the house with 95 digree tempreture I have to pay $4000 to fix my AC .By the way until now I havn’t be able to cancel my agreement with them.Please don’t throw your money away and find a better company .
AHS willfully failed to fulfil its contractual obligations to provide a 13 SEER upgrade to my AC when parts were no longer available for my old (probably 7 SEER) AC system. Talking to customer service was like a “Who’s On First?” routine as I read them my contract word for word and they ignored what I said.
I filed a complaint with the NC Atty General’s office. The staff there told me on the phone “people shouldn’t expect to keep their ACs running with a $470 warranty contract.” But they did tell me how to file my complaint. AHS responded to the Atty General’s office with lies about what repairs they had previously authorized, and quoted non-existant clauses they only claimed existed within my warranty contract that limited their liability.
Writing flames on the Internet won’t help you get what you need.
I took AHS to small claims court in Wake County NC and WON. You can in your state too!
I had AC problem in whole summer. My house temperture could not be cooled down below 80. The contractor they sent out keep telling me that my AC is OK and tried all excuse but fix it. Very bad service. First they said my AC is old and 80F is normal. I do not think 80F is norm. And they said you need clean your duct by paying $100 which is not covered. I told them I just did the duct clean last year. Usually duct cleaning only need to be done very 3 years.
They do not want to work for you and just talk for whole summer.
An update to comment 449; today is 17 August 2009 and I have yet to get my central AC repaired by this company. I called today and was once again told that the FAX was having problems…this will number three on the fax. Bottom line to all that read this comment; if there are better companies out there try them. Do not, I repeat, do not get a contract with American Home Shield. Better know as http://www.ahsservice.com. This is a buyers beware warning.
And customer service will speak kindly to you. Why not – their homes are probably well cooled and they are getting paid. Basic contract running at about $460.00 plus yearly put quite a bit of change in their pockets (at least thats what I’m paying).
On Thursday, Aug. 13th, we placed a call to AHS about our A/C not working at all. We were told by the customer service rep. that someone would be out to service our call on the morning of Friday, Aug 14th. We waited patiently all day and no one called nor came. I called the rep. again and was given the direct number to the service provider. We were told by the service provider that it would be Saturday, Aug. 15th before he could come out. Saturday came and no call no show again. Again, we called AHS and explained that we still have not been serviced since the initial call on Thursday. We also explained that we had a one year old child with Asthma and the heat was almost unbearable. We ask if there were any other accomodations they could make for us. The customer service rep was very rude and said all she could do is refer a different company out to us. AHS only offered to reimburse us $100 for an air conditioning unit and fans. To make a long story short, after many many calls and two different service providers we finally got air on Monday, Aug. 17th. We dropped this coverage immediately, and would not refer them to anyone!!! The home warranty service is a great service to have, but there are many out there that are more accomadating and treat their customers with respect. The service from the company and the customer service reps was HORRIBLE!!! If you have them DROP them immediately before you have an encounter similar or worse than ours.
We have had AHS for our home and a rental property and they have NEVER been prompt, repaired the appliance without having to return to repair the same appliance. And when the refrigerator needed to be replaced because of their inabiity to repair it (GE Profile) they turned on us saying that “we cut wires” for whatever reason. After calling a Sears repairman (Sears make the profile brand) Sears told us that the circuit board was worked on due to a recirc. fan failure, having nothing to do with us. I would not recommend them, we have never had any savings.
I am a Realtor and have recommended AHS to clients. They WERE my home warranty company…we have cancelled recently. They have just gotten horrible. They don’t call you back, they wanted me to wait 4 days to send someone out when BOTH of my A/C’s quit!!! Four days is a long time in AZ in the summer. NEVER will I recommend them again!!!!
I have had AHS since 2001, every year they get worse in the Customer Service Dept. I just put in a request for service to my hot water storage tank (faulty Thermostat. I requested the Exact same company that replaced the last one. AHS informs me that they do not srvice my zip code. WTFO? I called the plumber and he said yes he still does. AHS informs me that they will decide who they send based on the contract. I infromed them that I have the right to refuse all of them until they get to the company I want. For crying out loud the company I want is the one AHS sent last time YGTBSM!…Bottom line I told them that I will be dropping AHS…Good luck to them in this economy! Dumb Sh..s!
As I read other peoples comments about American Home Shield (AHS) I’m under the solid impression that this is a very bad company to do business with. I call out my AC here in Lawton, Oklahoma on August, 2009. They sent out a repairman from L-TEC who said the circuit breaker was bad. Next and electrician came out and proved it was not the circuit breaker. Next the AC repairman came back out and found out the compressor was breaking the circuit. Now I’m being told they faxed for the repair to their parts department and they haven’t received it. I was told this twice during the process of going through the 100 degree plus weather. As of this date (14 August 2009)….I’m still waiting. I might as well have the repairs done myself. It will cost but at least I’ll have a piece of mind. Bottom line, will I renew with AHS —- HECK NO.FIgure out the rest…
I have had a policy for AHS for 5 years, up until this year, I had no complaints. I called on 2 items this year:
1) clogged plumbing – the service guy came out very timely and says the item isn’t covered because the original plumbing in our 30 year old house isn’t up to code- having no choice as it was clogged for days- we paid the vendor for the service. I wasn’t pleased but felt I had no options. Now I feel like I was ripped off.
2)AC not working – on 8/3/09- the service company comes out on 8/4/09 in the evening and says we need a part that needs to be ordered, it will be a few days. 2 days later I call the service company and they haven’t gotten the part from the distributor AHS requires them to use. 8/10- still not fixed and the part delivered to service company was incorrect. A call to AHS gets us a little sympathy, I want a cool house in 95 degree weather not sympathy – they blame the service company – they hired the service company not me. 8/11 another call to AHS – they will call us back -no such call. 8/13 call to the service company – part still not in. 8/13 call to AHS – they can’t do anything, they’ll send us a check for a fan. 8/14- we called another service company out knowing we’ll have to pay it out on our own, our house has been hot for 11 days – saying I am disappointed with the AHS is an understatement.
We switched to AHS last year in October. We had to use them on Jan. 1st this year to replace our water heater. It took a day before someone could get to our house, but finally ARS plumbing (a huge joke)came to us. AHS would replace to hot water heater, but it couldn’t be installed until we “fixed the code violations” according to ARS, which was going to cost us almost $1000. We told them that our hot water heater was up to code, but AHS would only take the word of the ARS tech. We did not commit to anything that day. We called 3 other companies on our own and they agreed that our water heater was up to code. We were even quoted a price of $750 for the hot water heater plus installation. We called AHS back and told them that and they told us we could get the cash out price for the hot water heater if we used someone else. That sounded great to us, but no one at AHS could give us that cash-out price. After a few more days without hot water, we called and they told us the price would be competitive. We priced out the water heaters and they cost 450 – 500. We finally used the company for $750.00. Another 8 days went by before we finally got the cash out price and that was after calling everyday talking to supervisors and customer service reps. For some reason, the department that gives those prices out is “elusive” and no one can call them- not even the supervisors. Our payback was $220!!! Can you imagine our surprise? Needless to say, we are not renewing our contract with them. They are horrible and customer service isn’t empowered to do anything to help with customer issues. I got the run around for almost 2 weeks, which is completely unacceptable.
I gave customer service a 2 rating b/c a few of them seemed empathetic. One told me that the company sent to us – ARS- had so many complaints he couldn’t believe AHS was still using them. He re-imbursed our service call fee, which was nice.
I have had AHS for two years when I bought my first ever home. I wished I had read all these reviews before I purchased their policy. I have had to call AHS twice and both were for air conditioning services. Both times it took 2-3 days to get someone out to my house. The companies were cheap and unreliable. AHS would not cover the services and I could never get in touch with the company to provide service. I finally went on my own and found someone to do the work but I had to suffer one week in 95 degrees in Ga. It was awful and AHS refused to help in any way shape or form. Thank goodness it was time to renew my policy. It will not be with AHS!!!!!
I am and has always been very dissatified with ahs bandage affect when responding to service calls. I am also surprise to the see an annual warrenty price of $360 for a contract when we just receive our renewal price for $500. And they have the nerve to deduct 12.50 from that price for settlement credit for a class action lawsuit filed against them, which brought the renewal price to $487.50! I wont be renewing with ahs – THEY TRUELY DO SUCK!
AHS SUCKS!
AHS couldn’t get a single “selected” contractor in the Orlando area to service my request. They authorized me an “outside service authorization” number where I find a contractor on my own, pay them and get reimbursed by AHS eventually. They specified to send them the diagnosis and estimate before having any work done. I complied with this request. I called the AHS # to query where to send the estimate & diagnosis claim to and was told by the contractor department that this wouldn’t be covered because the diagnosing tech should have called the diagnosis in immediately while in my home. Great info had I been initially informed about this by AHS rep on first contact. All they stipulated is that they must be provided with an estimate/diagnosis before any service or work is done. Thats exactly what I did.
Bottom line, it was resolved after only after MANY phone calls and lots of my time and energy wasted because the person denying my claim in contractor department want things done a different way than I had been previously instructed on the initial call a few weeks earlier.
The Customer Service Reps were empathetic/helpful in this matter and the Supervisor (Melissa) fixed the problem for me. They were great I and have nothing but high regards for their professionalism.
All things considered, I’m not happy with AHS. I’ve always paid my annual fee’s, never filed a claim and it was if it would take an act of Congress to get their contractor department to treat me with fairness, rationality and like a valued customer in order to “authorize” me to be reimbursed the $89 I would have to pay upfront (out of pocket, first) to an outside contractor because none of their “listed” contractors are available to do the job. Ask yourself this. Why could they not find a single contractor on their “in house” list to perform the work? Do they pay their outside vendors late and expect them to “float” AHS? Don’t know the answer to this, but common sense would dictate such, just as many Medical Physicians refusal to accept certain health insurance provider coverage because they pay late and the Doctor has to fight tooth & nail to recoup their cost from some of these health care providers.
I haven’t decided if I will renew yet, but my advice would be to shop around a little more and read more reviews before signing a contract with AHS. I plan to do this as well at my renewal time. I say this because most of these companies are mediocre at best. If an exceptional one were out there, then AHS wouldn’t be in business. Good luck!
I had 2 items needing replacement. First the water heater went out and it required replacement. It took a couple days for them to get out and then another for them to replace the heater. He had to borrow my tools because he didn’t have his own and it started leaking a few weeks later.
Second time, the heater needed replacement. The guy shines a light on the filter and says that it’s 90% impacted so it won’t be covered under warrenty. He then looks at the fan itself and it has some dust on it, less than most people have on their ceiling fans, then says that it wouldn’t be covered because the system hadn’t been maintained. Had to harass them for a second opinion and he said everything was great. Replaced the heater with a much cheaper model. didn’t realize how much cheaper until later on.
Overall, don’t use, there’s better out there.
Had mixed experience early on with AHS, but then had water heater replacement that resulted in leak that night and initial service company said work was completed. AHS initially said would require second service fee. Also refused to cover pool filter although contract specifically listed it as covered.
Poor service and even USAA military insurance company no longer maintains a relationship with them.
this company is awful. they contract with shoddy vendors that do shoddy repairs. you are on hold forever it seems trying to get to a real person. they flat out lie to you about reimbursement abouts due to their fault in not being able to complete timely repairs. Stay away at all cost!!!!!!!!
I was a customer with AHS for many years, I don’t know why I stayed. When I needed them the most, they left me high and dry. 2 times my A/C went out over a few year period at night, and each time they were unable to find someone to fix it untill over 12 hours later. It was over 100 degrees in Las Vegas and I have young children. They were unsimpathetic and although I was able to find 5 companies that would fix it within an hour they would not budge and told me I had to wait. I ended up paying for it on my own and they would not even reimburse me a portion of the expense denying my claim altogether. Stay away from this company!!!!
We have used AHS three times, once on a house we were selling, and twice on our new house.
Of the three times, AHS refused to provide service twice, but still expected us to pay the “copay.” We managed to get our copay refunded the first time, because we were misled as to what was covered.
The second service call was a complete joke. Our dishwasher developed a hole and was leaking into our kitchen. The technician said it appeared that some piece of flatware conducted heat onto the fiberglass and burned through it. He recommended replacing it. I expressed my disbelief, but he reported this to AHS and they would not cover any repairs.
The final service was on our garbage disposal. I requested service online, and was called by the service rep within 15 minutes. The company came out that afternoon and told us the disposal was burned out and would need to be replaced. They bought and installed the new disposal, but would not hook up the electrical or fix a loose discharge pipe without an extra $129 fee (we opted to do this ourselves). The tech also took the box, instructions, and warranty information with him when he left, so we have no proof of purchase or instructions if something goes wrong.
My advice–read your warranty carefully, and check with AHS when you make the call to see what could be covered.
I would not recommend the service, nor will I renew. The last tech out told us that the company is a scam, and that his company loses money on almost every AHS call.
We’ve had nothing but problems from this company. Nothing is done in a timely fashion. They use THE WORST service providers possible! The service providers don’t show up when they’re supposed to, and they don’t call to let you know they’re not coming. Half of them have no idea what they’re doing. AHS has VERY LOUSY customer service. They will not call you back, and they won’t pay for half of the work that is done. We recently renewed our policy, but we will be canceling now that we’ve gotten another runaround – this time with an A/C problem that has yet to be fixed. The service provider has already been out twice to look at the unit – the second time was yesterday to fix it and the WRONG PART had been ordered. The new part is on “back order” (which seems to be a common thing for AHS covered parts after reading other comments). I’m sure it’ll be another week or two before it’s fixed. Luckily, we’re able to still run our air somewhat – or so the service guy is telling us. If we have any “undesireable consequences” from running this air, we’ll be getting ourselves a lawyer with the money we get back from our policy cost! DO NOT PURCHASE A WARRANTY FROM THIS COMPANY!!!
We have had 4 service calls with AHS. The first call was for our A/C. The technician got our A/C running the very day he came out, but the patch job he did was only temporary. To be fair, we had considered replacing the A/C before it went out and this breakdown just confirmed it. However, we were going to replace in Ocotber. Then it went out again 3 weeks after the service call. The same technician came back, extremely rude this time, and said “Well whoever you had work on it wired it all wrong and the motor is gone.” My husband told him, “you worked on it” The tech rudely said “we don’t have any record of us ever being here, and we don’t do this kind of crappy work.” 10 minutes later his office called and had found the work order, listing him as the tech. His attitude changed to “Oh, oh haha. Silly me.” Anyway – he fixed it again and left. Next day, our other A/C unit goes out after he allegedly “checks it to just be sure”. I asked AHS not to send the same guy. When I opened my door, lo and behold, same tech. He “discovers” a new problem saying the wrong part has been replaced and he can quickly fix it. After he leaves, 3 hours later, we have no A/C again. Then he reports to AHS that the unit has not been professionally serviced every year. (True – we had it serviced every other year.) Anyway, after that nightmare, we ended up buying a new $9000 system. Our second call was regarding a leak in our bathroom. The plumbing tech showed up, looked at our bathroom, decided it was our shower door, (never measured, never unscrewed a shower head, or looked at the actual plumbinng at all. He was guessing.)took our check for $60 and left. We foolishly trusted his judgement because he is supposed to be the expert. 3 weeks later, we were dismayed to find he had lied and we were the victims of his deception as we watched our office ceiling fall in. Several calls to AHS later, we got another tech out who fixed the leak and told us he would report the hole caused by the first plumber’s negligence. He did so 4 days later. We finally got AHS to agree to fix the hole, but now it looks very rough and not at all like the rest of the ceiling. They said they are only obliged to patch the hole and not restore us to our previous state, regardless of whether their plumber’s negligence had caused the damage.
AHS needs to more carefully screen their providers. The next service call was for pool service and remarkably, the tech came, checked the problem, fixed the issue, honestly earned his service fee and provided information on how to prevent future problems. So, far AHS has not been very good, but not a total disaster. The customer service reps are polite enough , but many of the field techs are a nightmare and could be much better.
As a former Realtor I used to recommend AHS to every customer I came in contact with. This was in the 90’s. Their service level was impeccable. Fast forward to 2008-2009, to my personal home warranty. I have made 3 service requests during a one year period. Each time, their customer service department has failed to impress. In one instance, an emergency sewage backup, I was promised call backs multiple times in a 48 hour period and never once received a phone call. I was stupid enough to renew the contract and pay my bill on time for 3 months in a row. Each month I received a collections notice because I wanted to pay by bill pay through my bank (which I was told I could do), but later told their policy was to not offer monthly payments unless they had my credit/debit card on file and initiated the payment themselves. I am now attempting to cancel my contract, because I do not intend to pay another penny to a company with poor customer service, that could care less about honoring their word to a customer.