Old Republic Vs. American Home Shield: Picking The Best Home Warranty

Owning a home comes with plenty of stress. Appliance failures, AC breakdowns, and leaky roofs always seem to happen at the worst time. The repair bills can drain your savings in an instant.

That’s why having a home warranty is so valuable. For a small monthly fee, a home warranty covers the cost to repair or replace covered home systems and appliances when they break down.

But not all home warranty companies are created equal. Let’s compare two of the top providers: Old Republic and American Home Shield (AHS). We’ll examine their coverage, costs, customer service, and more to determine the best choice for protecting your home.

A Brief Comparison Table

Aspects	Old Republic	AHS
Pricing	3 straightforward plans from $445 to $725/year	More pricing tiers from $405 to $1185/year
Coverage	Covers 20+ home systems	Covers up to 21 home systems
Optional Add-Ons	Additional appliances	Electronics, pools, roof leak repair
Service Fees	$75 to $100 per repair visit	$75 to $150 per repair visit
Contract Length	Month-to-month after first year	1 to 3 year contracts
Repair Quality	90 day warranty on repairs<br>Strict tech certification	30 day warranty on repairs
Customer Service	Excellent, quick response times	Mixed reviews, long hold times
Availability	All 50 states	Contiguous 48 states only
Key Differences	Lower fees, flexible terms, better service	More add-ons, longer contracts, higher fees

What is a Home Warranty?

Before diving into the details, let’s quickly explain what a home warranty is and how it works.

A home warranty is a service contract between you and the warranty company. For a set fee, the warranty provider covers repairs and replacements needed for home systems like:

• Furnaces and air conditioning
• Hot water heaters
• Major appliances like refrigerators
• Plumbing systems
• Electrical systems

Exactly what’s covered depends on the warranty plan. But in general, a home warranty saves you money by paying for covered home repair costs beyond a service fee you pay per incident.

Home warranties provide valuable peace of mind and help keep homeownership affordable. Now onto the comparison…

Old Republic Overview

With a history dating back to 1923, Old Republic is one of the oldest and most reputable home warranty companies. They offer comprehensive coverage plans with options for home buyers, sellers, and current owners.

Some highlights of Old Republic home warranties include:

• Coverage for over 20 home systems and appliances
• Repair service 24/7
• Plans from $445 to $725 per year
• 90 day warranty on repair work
• Rated A+ by Better Business Bureau (BBB)

American Home Shield Overview

Founded in 1971, American Home Shield (AHS) also has a long track record as a home warranty provider. As an experienced national company, they offer reliable service and broad coverage tailored to your home’s needs.

Here are some key facts on AHS home warranties:

• Coverage for up to 21 home systems
• Repair service available 24/7
• Plans from $405 to $1,185 per year
• 30 day warranty on repair work
• Rated A+ by Better Business Bureau

Also Read: Comparison Between Choice Home Warranty And 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

Key Differences Between Old Republic And American Home Shield

Now that we’ve introduced both providers, let’s compare them across several factors:

1. Cost and Plan Options

One of the first considerations – how much does each home warranty cost? Here’s an overview of plan pricing for Old Republic and AHS:

Old Republic Pricing

• Oasis Plan: $445/year
• Diamond Plan: $625/year
• Platinum Plan: $725/year

AHS Pricing

• ShieldEssentials: $405/year
• ShieldComplete: $495/year
• ShieldPremium: $650/year
• ShieldPlatinum: $735/year
• ShieldUltra: $1,185/year

American Home Shield offers more pricing tiers from budget to premium coverage. Old Republic keeps things simple with just three straightforward plans.

AHS has lower prices at the basic level. But Old Republic provides more value for mid-range coverage in the $600 to $700 yearly range based on plan inclusions.

For budget basic coverage under $500, AHS has the edge. Otherwise, Old Republic plans provide strong value for the price.

2. Coverage and Add-Ons

The breadth of coverage is also important – how many home systems are included?

Old Republic warranties cover:

• Heating and AC systems
• Plumbing pipes and fixtures
• Water heaters and sump pumps
• Ovens/ranges/cooktops
• Refrigerators
• Washers and dryers
• Garage door openers
• Ceiling fans and exhaust fans
• Dishwashers
• Built-in microwave ovens
• Garbage disposals
• Electrical systems
• Ductwork

AHS warranties include:

• HVAC systems
• Plumbing pipes and fixtures
• Water heaters
• Ovens, ranges, cooktops
• Refrigerators
• Clothes washers and dryers
• Garage door openers
• Ceiling fans
• Garbage disposals
• Instant hot water dispensers
• Doorbells
• Central vacuums
• Electrical systems

The coverage is very similar. Both warranties include all major home appliances, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Old Republic covers a few extra items like ductwork and dishwashers. But coverage is comparable overall.

For optional add-ons, AHS offers more diversity:

• Electronics coverage for TVs, home tech, and alarm systems
• Swimming pool coverage
• Coverage for guest units and appliances
• Roof leak repair coverage

Old Republic allows you to add coverage for additional appliances only beyond those in the basic warranty plans.

So AHS provides more flexibility to expand coverage as needed for your home’s unique needs.

3. Claims and Service Fees

Another key question – what will repair visits cost you?

With both companies, you pay a deductible fee or service call fee per incident:

• Old Republic fees: $75 to $100 per service call
• AHS fees: $75 to $150 per service call

Old Republic offers consistently lower service fees starting at just $75 per incident across all plans. Their fees don’t exceed $100.

AHS service fees range higher, from $75 up to $150 depending on your plan. You’ll pay more out of pocket per claim with AHS.

For lower repair visit fees, Old Republic is the clear winner.

4. Contract Length and Renewals

A big advantage of Old Republic warranties is that they are month-to-month contracts after the first year. You aren’t locked into long renewals.

AHS requires 1 to 3 year contracts for their plans. Longer terms may cost you more in the long run if you want to switch providers later.

So Old Republic provides greater flexibility if you decide their service isn’t the right fit down the road.

5. Repair Quality

With both AHS and Old Republic, local technicians and contractors handle your repair work. But Old Republic takes extra steps to ensure quality:

• Technicians must meet stringent certification requirements
• Repairs carry a 90 day workmanship warranty
• Quicker remediation if repairs are unsatisfactory

AHS provides a standard 30 day warranty on repair work. Their tech approval process seems less rigorous than Old Republic’s based on customer reports.

Many reviewers say Old Republic does a better job ensuring complete, quality repairs from approved technicians. Their 90 day repair warranty also surpasses the industry standard 30 days.

6. Customer Service

Responsive customer service can make or break the warranty experience. Slow response time leaves you waiting when critical systems are down.

Old Republic users praise their excellent customer service team. They answer quickly 24/7 and follow up on claims persistently.

AHS gets mixed reviews when it comes to service response. Some claims go smoothly. But multiple reviewers report long hold times, repeating issues, and poor follow through from AHS reps.

For the best service experience from quote to claim, Old Republic wins for superior customer care. Their focus on responsive support sets them apart.

7. Coverage in Hawaii and Alaska

One limitation of AHS home warranties is that they only cover the contiguous 48 states. Homes in Hawaii and Alaska aren’t eligible for coverage.

This geographic limitation doesn’t apply to Old Republic. You can get a full warranty in Hawaii or Alaska without coverage exclusions.

So for homes in these non-contiguous states, Old Republic is the only option.

Also Watch This Review Video:

Old Republic vs AHS: Key Takeaways

Here are the main differences between the two home warranty providers:

• Old Republic plans provide strong coverage value in the $600 to $700 price range. Their service fees are also lower across all plans.
• AHS offers more pricing tiers and coverage add-ons. But their core plans provide less value, and service fees are higher.
• Old Republic contracts are month-to-month. AHS requires long 1 to 3 year commitments.
• Old Republic ensures higher quality repairs and provides better customer service overall.
• AHS excludes Hawaii and Alaska. Old Republic provides full coverage in all 50 states.

For most homeowners, Old Republic is the preferable choice over AHS when it comes to coverage, affordability, and service. Their broad plans, lower fees, flexible terms, and customer-focused support earn them strong marks.

AHS works for budget basic coverage under $500/year. But their core plans don’t measure up to Old Republic, and poor service earns them quite a few complaints.

Overall, Old Republic emerges as the winner – their plans provide home protection you can rely on when the next appliance fails or AC dies during a heat wave.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For more concise answers about home warranties:

The Bottom Line

Protecting your home and wallet from expensive repairs is a must for any homeowner. While no home warranty is perfect, Old Republic plans provide the right balance of coverage, affordability, and customer service to give you real peace of mind.