Short answer
American Home Shield's sample contract is stronger on heating & cooling cap, best appliance cap, code & permit upgrades and unknown pre-existing issues. Which fits better depends on whether your biggest risk is aging systems, appliances, or contract flexibility. Confirm terms in the contract for your state.
Side by side
| Checked Oct 23, 2026 |  American Home Shield |  Choice Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | 3 plans (best of those shown) ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum | 2 plans (best of those shown) Basic Plan, Total Plan |
| Heating & cooling cap | $5,000 (best of those shown) per system | $3,000 (best of those shown) per system |
| Best appliance cap | $4,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $3,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier |
| Overall limit | $50,000 (best of those shown) per term | Not stated (best of those shown) |
| Service fee | $100 or $125 (best of those shown) | $100 per claim (best of those shown) |
| Code & permit upgrades | Limited (best of those shown) Platinum only, up to $250 | Excluded (best of those shown) Code corrections and permits excluded |
| Unknown pre-existing issues | Limited (best of those shown) Excluded only if known or reasonably detectable | Excluded (best of those shown) Known or unknown pre-existing excluded |
| Cancellation | Anytime (best of those shown) Yes; pro-rata refund, admin fee after 30 days | Anytime (best of those shown) Yes; admin fee may apply after 30 days |
| Waiting period | 30 days (best of those shown) | 30 days (best of those shown) |
| Availability | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published | All states (best of those shown) except WA |
| Sample contract | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) |
| Links | Review | Review |
Covered Limited Excluded Best Most favorable term among the providers shown From each provider's sample contract and plan pages. Not a quote; terms can vary by state.
Which one fits your home?
American Home Shield may suit
- Homeowners who want to choose between a $100 and $125 service fee
- Homes where systems matter more than appliances (ShieldSilver)
- Buyers who want a contract that excludes only pre-existing problems that were known or reasonably detectable
Watch for: Code, permit, and modification costs are excluded except a $250 allowance on ShieldPlatinum.
Choice Home Warranty may suit
- Homeowners whose main concern is kitchen appliances plus heating and plumbing (Basic)
- Buyers who want AC, laundry, and refrigerator in one tier (Total)
Watch for: Air conditioning is only in the Total Plan, and unknown pre-existing conditions are excluded.
AHS vs. Choice: common questions
Is American Home Shield better than Choice Home Warranty?
American Home Shield's sample contract is stronger on heating & cooling cap, best appliance cap, code & permit upgrades and unknown pre-existing issues. Which fits better depends on whether your biggest risk is aging systems, appliances, or contract flexibility. Confirm terms in the contract for your state.
Which has higher coverage caps, AHS or Choice?
Heating and cooling: AHS $5,000 per system, Choice $3,000 per system. Appliances: AHS $4,000 per appliance, Choice $3,000 per appliance. Caps are from each provider's sample contract and can vary by plan and state.
Can I cancel AHS or Choice at any time?
AHS: Yes; pro-rata refund, admin fee after 30 days. Choice: Yes; admin fee may apply after 30 days.
Next steps
- Read the full American Home Shield review and Choice Home Warranty review.
- See how both stack up against every other provider on our comparison page.
- Check which plans are sold where you live with the plan finder.
This page is general education, not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Home warranty terms vary by provider, plan, and state; the contract you sign controls what is covered. Spotted an error? Request a correction.