What is a Home Warranty?
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What is a home warranty?
A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of many of the most frequently occurring breakdowns of home system components and appliances.
Why do I need a home warranty?
Your home is most likely one of your biggest investments. Unexpected repair or replacement costs can easily strain your budget. Plus, finding an approved and insured contractor to solve your problem can be stressful and inconvenient. A home warranty cannot prevent systems or appliances from breaking down, but it can help make covered repairs or replacement easier and less costly.
How does a home warranty work?
When a covered item breaks down, request service by calling 1-800-776-4663 to speak with a highly-trained AHS customer service representative or visit us online at www.ahsservice.com. We’re here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to accept your service request. After your service request is received, one of our approved and insured contractors will contact you to schedule a time to diagnose your problem. A low Trade Service Call Fee, per trade, is due when the contractor arrives to diagnose the problem. Once repair or replacement is complete, and as long as we have your proper email address on file, AHS will send you a follow-up customer satisfaction survey regarding the service preformed.
Why should I choose American Home Shield?
We lead the home warranty industry with over 35 years of experience caring for our customers, and today have over 1.3 million home warranties in force nationwide. AHS is committed to and solely focused on providing relief from home repair hassles, and continues to deliver innovative home warranty products to our customers.
Your home is likely one of your largest investments – don’t trust the covered repairs or replacements to just anyone. Our network of over 11,000 approved and insured contractors are monitored and graded by our customers to help ensure satisfaction. Make the right choice in case things go wrong.
Is everything in my home covered by the AHS Home Warranty?
No. While not everything is covered, we do offer coverage for many of the most frequently occurring breakdowns of home system components and appliances. Please review sample contract for specific covered items, terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions.
How many times can I use my AHS Home Warranty?
Unlimited during your contract term. Currently, we have over 1.3 million active warranties in place nationwide, and on average, over 2 service requests are made by our customers each year. In 2007, that resulted in over $304 million spent nationwide to take care of our customers by repairing or replacing covered items.
What if I have an appliance that just can’t be fixed?
If AHS determines your covered system component or appliance can’t be repaired by a service contractor, it will be replaced.*
What out-of-pocket expenses will I have?
For each service request, you will pay a Trade Service Call Fee to each contractor of a different trade (plumber, electrician, etc.) who visits your home to diagnose a problem or perform service. There may be additional costs associated with the repair or replacement of covered items. Details will be included in your contract.
How do I know my service contractor is qualified?
Our comprehensive network of approved and insured contractors are consistently monitored and graded on their performance through our customer satisfaction survey program.
Is the AHS Home Warranty renewable?
Yes, warranty holders may renew their AHS coverage (at the option of AHS). We will notify the homeowner in advance of the expiration date, and will offer a variety of convenient payment plans.
I'm in the market for a home. What's the benefit of buying a home protected by an AHS Home Warranty?
An AHS Home Warranty helps provide confidence during and after a home purchase. An unexpected, covered breakdown can be devastating to your budget. Enjoy your home without the hassles of covered breakdowns.
When a covered system component or appliance breaks down, call one number or go online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to request service. There's no need to get back in touch with the real estate agent or track down the previous owner.
I'm selling my home. Why would I want an AHS Home Warranty?
An AHS Home Warranty helps give buyers additional confidence in the real estate transaction—they’ll know that AHS stands behind the covered systems or appliances in the house. An added benefit is that we can also protect your home while it’s on the market which can help you avoid investing more money into a home you’re trying to sell.
My home systems and appliances are old. Does that matter to AHS?
No. The age of a home or its system components and appliances are not important to AHS. The covered items must be in good working condition and properly maintained at the time coverage is purchased.*
Does AHS need to inspect my home systems and appliances before I purchase?
No. A home inspection is not necessary to order an AHS Home Warranty.*
What is a Trade Service Call Fee?
Since it may require more than one contractor or several unrelated trips to the house by the same contractor, (one to fix the pipe, another to fix the dishwasher) there is a fee due for each trade a service call covers. It's perfectly alright to report more than one breakdown at a time. Additional fees may apply if the repairs fall into different categories.*
Is there a limit to the number of repairs AHS covers?
No. American Home Shield allows an unlimited number of covered repairs.
* Not all home systems and appliances are covered. To receive a copy of the contract that details specific coverages, exclusions, and limitations, please call 1-866-634-1442. Coverage includes single-family homes under 5,000 square feet. The trade service call fee applies to the initial visit by a technician for each covered trade. Additional charges may apply to some repairs and replacements. AHS may provide cash back in lieu of repair or replacements in the amount of AHS's actual cost to repair or replace that item, which at times may be less than retail pricing. Systems and appliances 1) will be replaced with units that have comparable features, not necessarily the same dimension, color and/or brand; 2) must be in good working condition on the effective date of contract; 3) designated by the manufacturer as commercial are not covered. Improper maintenance of any covered system or appliance may result in denial of coverage for lack of maintenance. Offer valid for new AHS customers only. Not valid in conjunction with real estate transactions or current AHS contract renewals. Cancellation after the review period is subject to administrative fees and service costs incurred prior to the cancellation date. Refer to contract for state specific cancellation provisions. Void where prohibited by law.
It's being regarded as one of the most significant housing bills in decades. 
