Home warranties are a great way to protect your home’s appliances and major systems in the event of a failure. You pay a monthly fee, and when a covered item breaks down, you just make a claim, and a service tech repairs the issue. Two of the best home warranty companies are Sears Home Warranty (SHW) and American Home Shield (AHS). While they share some similarities, like various plan levels and coverage, they each have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Choosing between these two home warranty companies can be difficult. This is why we thoroughly vetted both to ensure they have great coverage, reasonable pricing, good customer service, and plenty of optional add-on coverage. We stacked Sears Home Warranty and American Home Shield against each other so you can decide which is best for your home.
Our Take
Both Sears Home Warranty and American Home Shield have great home warranty plans, coverage, and affordable pricing. But, American Home Shield plans are the most affordable and cover more home systems and appliances. However, Sears Home Warranty has lower home service fees and other incentives like discounted oil changes and 25% repairs of HVAC systems and water heaters.
Compare Sears Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield
| Sears Home Warranty | American Home Shield | |
| Our rating | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Website | https://www.searshomeservices.com/home-warranty | https://www.ahs.com/ |
| Plan options | 3 plans | 3 plans |
| Monthly premium | Appliance Plan: $49.99/month; $599.88/year Systems Plan:$59.99/month; $719.88/year Whole House Plan: $69.99/month; $839.88/year | Shield Silver: $24.99 to $39.99/month; $347.88 to $527.88/year Shield Gold: $34.99 to $49.99/month; $467.88 to $647.88/year Shield Platinum: $54.99 to $69.99/month; $711.24 to $891.24/year |
| Service fees | Appliance Plan: $75 Systems Plan: $75 Whole House Plan: $100 | Shield Silver: $75, $100, or $125 Shield Gold:$75, $100, or $125 Shield Platinum: $75, $100, or $125 |
| Availability | All 50 U.S. states | 49 U.S. States (not AK) |
| BBB rating | A- | B |
| Years in business | 23+ | 50+ |
Sears Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Coverage
American Home Shield’s plans cover more items than Sears Home Warranty’s plans. For example, SHW’s Whole House Plan covers 21 systems and appliances, while AHS’s comparable Shield Platinum Plan covers 27 units. The companies have comparable coverage limits and exclusions.
Sears Home Warranty Coverage and Plans
Sears Home Warranty offers three plans, an appliance plan, a systems plan, and a combo plan for systems and appliances. All plans have optional add-ons for less common systems and appliances, like second refrigerators, pools, spas, sump pumps, sewage ejector pumps, ice makers, etc.
| Covered Appliance or System | Appliance Plan | Systems Plan | Whole House Plan |
| Air conditioning system / cooling system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Central heating system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing stoppage | – | – | ✓ |
| Water heater | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water softener | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Whirlpool bathtub | – | – | ✓ |
| Refrigerator | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Oven/range /stove | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Cooktop | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Built-in microwave | – | – | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes washer | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Ductwork | – | – | ✓ |
| Garage door opener | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling and exhaust fans | ✓ (exhaust only) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in trash compactor | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Toilet | – | ✓ | ✓ |
Sears Home Warranty Optional add-ons available for coverage:
- Pool and spa equipment
- Septic tanks
- Well pumps
- Stand-alone freezers
To get a free quote from Sears Home Warranty, fill out its form here or call 872-766-4232.
To learn more details about this home warranty provider and its plans, read our full Sears Home Warranty review.
American Home Shield Coverage and Plans
American Home Shield also has three plans, but unlike SHW, its plans have varying levels of covered items for both systems and appliances. Homeowners have the option of adding several add-ons to any home protection plan. Add-ons include pools/spas, electronics, pumps, and guest houses.
| Covered Appliance or System | ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum |
| Air Conditioner | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smoke Alarms | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Attic Fans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bath Exhaust Fans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling Fans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cooktop Exhaust Fans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dishwasher | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage Disposal | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Doorbell | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes Dryer | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage Door Opener | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Locksmith | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Microwave | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Oven | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing Stoppages | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Refrigerator | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roof Leaks | – | – | ✓ |
| Toilet | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trash Compactor | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes Washer | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hot & Cold Water Dispenser | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Water Heater | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Whole House Fan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
American Home Shield Optional add-ons available for extra covered items:
- Pools and spas- all parts of one heating, filtration, and pumping system
- Well pumps
- Septic systems
- Sewage ejector pumps
- Guest house, up to 750 square feet
- TVs
- Desktop computers
- Laptops
- Tablets,
- Home theater systems
- Smart home products
- Gaming systems
- And more
For a free AHS quote, fill in its online quote request form or call 888-365-2839.
Read our full American Home Shield review to get all the information you need on the company and its plans.
Sears Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Cost
Sears Home Warranty and American Home Shield both have affordable premium and service fees. However, AHS has the most affordable plans among the two. Plus, its plans cover more appliances and systems. Service fees are about the same – SHW’s are $75 or $100, depending on the plan, and AHS’s are $75, $100, or $125 (depending on what the homeowner chooses).
Sears Home Warranty Cost
Sears Home Warranty’s plans are pretty straightforward. If you want appliance coverage, select the Appliance Plan. For just home systems coverage, pick the Systems plan. For coverage of both, choose the Whole House plan.
| Home Warranty Policy | Monthly Premium | Service Fee |
| Appliance Plan | $49.99 | $75 |
| Systems Plan | $59.99 | $100 |
| Whole House Plan | $69.99 | $100 |
American Home Shield Cost
AHS’s plans are unique in that homeowners can choose their monthly rate and service call fee for each plan.
For example, if a homeowner chooses the ShieldGold Plan, they can pick a monthly fee of $34.99 and a service fee of $125. But if they want a lower service fee, they can choose a higher monthly premium. In that case, they will pay $49.99/month, and their service call fee will be $75.
| Home Warranty Policy | Monthly Premium | Service Fee |
| ShieldSilver | $24.99 to $39.99 | $75 to $125 |
| ShieldGold | $34.99 to $49.99 | $75 to $125 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $54.99 to $69.99 | $75 to $125 |
Sears Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield Reviews
Sears Home Warranty and American Home Shield have similar average customer ratings. SHW has an A- rating on the Better Business Bureau vs. AHS’s B rating. As you scan over the consumer ratings in the table, keep in mind that many people only submit a review if they had an issue and those with good experiences rarely take the time to submit a rating. With that in mind, here are their ratings:
Home Warranty Customer Reviews Comparison
| Sears Home Warranty | American Home Shield | |
| BBB rating | A- | B |
| Average star rating | 1.1 BBB 1 Yelp 1.5 Trustpilot | 2.3 BBB 1 Yelp 1.9 Trustpilot |
| Number of online customer reviews | 956 BBB 375 Yelp 937 Trustpilot | 9,790 BBB 127 Yelp 2,449 Trustpilot |
| BBB accreditation | Yes | Yes |
Sears Home Warranty Customer Reviews
Here are a few of the BBB reviews from Sears Home Warranty customers:
“The technician for Sears Home Warranty will give an appointment date and not show. No show no call I pay 76.00 a month and can’t get service. The last time I needed an element reached in my oven took about a month on that because fo the same thing making apps and getting no show no calls. This service is terrible. I am going to have to drop it.” – Sharon C.
“Our service tech ( Bradley) was great! Came to our home and repaired washing machine on date he quoted us when he came to diagnose the problem. Very professional and polite. He did an excellent job. We are very satisfied with this service. Washing machine works great.” -Sandy K.
American Home Shield Customer Reviews
Here are a couple of reviews from the Better Business Bureau from customers of American Home Shield:
“Great service! Our furnace broke and I was able to request service online. Within a day, our contractor came out. He was very professional and fixed our furnace in a timely manner. We LOVE the security of having a home warranty that covers all our appliances and major systems. Definitely recommend.” – Jamie E.
“Another great experience with American Home Shield. Coverage was as per contract and scheduling service was quick and easy. Service tech arrived quickly as promised, was pleasant, very professional and competent. Problem with our central air conditioning was identified and repaired quickly. Couldnt be more pleased!” – Richard J.
“My furnace broke down in the middle of winter and everything went smoothly with AHS. The repair company they sent arrived in good time, the person was professional and knowledgeable and my heater was fixed and working again. Very pleased and the process was very easy for me.” – Sarah L.
Final Thoughts
While Sears Home Warranty has plenty of covered appliances and extra benefits, we recommend American Home Shield for most homeowners. AHS has more affordable costs, the ability to choose your own service fee, fast response to service requests, and several optional add-ons to ensure your home is fully protected. But, if AHS isn’t available in your state or you want discounted oil changes at Sears Auto Centers and a longer 180-day workmanship guarantee, SHW is still a great choice.
FAQs about Home Warranties
What does a home warranty cover?
A home warranty covers the repairs and replacements of major home systems and appliances. These can include kitchen, laundry, and other appliances as well as home systems such as AC units, furnaces, water heaters, etc. However, what is and is not covered varies between home warranty companies and plans, so check the service contract or call your home warranty provider to verify.
What is the home warranty waiting period?
A home warranty waiting period is the time it takes for a home warranty policy to start covering your home after signing up. Most home warranty companies have a 30-day waiting period, but the length is as short as ten days for certain home warranty companies.
Is a home warranty worth it?
Yes, a home warranty policy is usually worth it. Home warranties give you peace of mind knowing that expensive repairs and replacements are covered in the event of failures. If your home has a major appliance breakdown, it could save you hundreds to thousands of dollars in repair or replacement costs.
Today's Homeowner Home Warranty Ranking Methodology
At Today's Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader.
To create this rating system, our team spent hours researching over 60 companies, analyzing 2500+ key data points, getting the thoughts and opinions of 1000+ homeowners, and speaking to home warranty company representatives directly. We also dug into the fine print on each company’s service agreement to ensure no detail was left out.
We developed an objective home warranty review and rating methodology to score each home warranty company based on several criteria. We used a five-point scale with a point index ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. The minimum awardable value is 0.0, whereas 1.00 is the maximum. These numeric points are translated into star ratings, using whole star increments between one and five.
Here is a quick breakdown of our five core scoring categories:
- Coverage (0.4): This category evaluates the scope of protection offered by a home warranty provider. We clearly distinguished between limited or broad coverage to help homeowners identify their own home protection needs. We also factor in claim turnaround times, average waiting period lengths, plan types, annual coverage limits, policy exclusions, etc.
- Cost (0.3): This category considers what home warranty companies charge homeowners monthly, annual, and out-of-pocket. We urge homeowners also to consider the cost-to-value ratio of a home warranty plan.
- Transparency and Trustworthiness (0.15): This category evaluates home warranty providers based on pending or past legal action, hidden fees, lack of information readily available on the website, exclusions, and more. We consider how upfront a company is to its potential policyholders, which says a lot about its products and services.
- Customer Support and Satisfaction (.09): This category evaluates the efficacy of a home warranty company’s effort to provide supportive guidance to inquiring customers and how policyholders are satisfied with the assistance they receive.
- Customization (.06): This category evaluates the ability of homeowners to adjust and choose their policy details, such as pricing variation, optional add-ons, and the number of plans available.
