Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield (2024)
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Both American Home Shield (AHS) and Liberty Home Guard (LHG) are reputable in the home warranty industry. American Home Shield has more customizable plan options and more years of experience. However, Liberty Home Guard has cheaper monthly premiums and lower service fees.
This review provides an in-depth comparison of these two providers on important home warranty criteria such as plans, customer ratings, and pricing.
Continue reading for a detailed analysis of each provider to determine which offers the best home warranty for you.
How Do Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield Compare?
| Provider | Liberty Home Guard | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| This Old House Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Coverage Options | Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, Total Home Guard | ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, ShieldPlatinum |
| Monthly Premiums | $49–$60 per month | $29–$90 per month |
| Service Call Fee | $65–$125 | $100–$125 |
| State Availability | 49 (all except WI) | 48 (all except WA and HI) |
| BBB Rating | NR | B |
| Years in Business | 5 | 52 |
What Are the Pros and Cons of Liberty Home Guard?
Below is a list of pros and cons for Liberty Home Guard.
Pros
- Extends a 60-day workmanship guarantee
- Offers 38 unique optional add-ons, including pest control and gutter cleaning
- Provides a live-chat customer service feature
Cons
- Doesn’t allow plan price or service call fee customization
- Covers high-end appliances only with add-on purchase
- Is not transparent about services fees during the quote process
Liberty Home Guard, a relatively new company, started selling home warranties in 2017. Liberty Home Guard offers three different coverage plans and 38 optional coverage items to include with any plan.
For a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, fill out this online form or call 866-452-9107.
What Are the Pros and Cons of American Home Shield?
Here is a list of pros and cons for American Home Shield coverage.
Pros
- Offers a flexible service call fee model that allows customers to adjust monthly fees to fit their budget
- Sets generous coverage caps ($5,000 on built-in systems and up to $4,000 for appliances with ShieldPlatinum)
- Provides coverage for unknown preexisting conditions, items damaged by rust and corrosion, and items that have been improperly installed or modified
Cons
- Requires customers to use contractors within AHS network
- Offers less coverage flexibility than most providers with only a few add-on options
Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield Coverage
Both American Home Shield and Liberty Home Guard offer plans for appliances and systems.
- Liberty Home Guard offers more optional add-ons than American Home Shield, but American Home Shield covers more items in each of its plans.
What Coverage Does Liberty Home Guard Offer?
There are three Liberty Home Guard plans: Appliance Guard, System Guard, and Total Home Guard. The Appliance Guard plan covers nine appliances, the System Guard plan covers six systems, and the Total Home Guard plan covers all 15 of these items.
Liberty Home Guard Plan Comparison
| Plans | Appliance Guard | System Guard | Total Home Guard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothes washer | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Kitchen refrigerator | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Built-in microwave oven | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Garbage disposal | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Range/oven/cooktop | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ceiling and exhaust fans | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Garage door openers | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Heating | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Plumbing | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Electrical | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Water heater | ✓ | ✓ |
What Coverage Does American Home Shield Offer?
There are three American Home Shield plans: ShieldSilver™, ShieldGold™, and ShieldPlatinum™. ShieldGold covers laundry and kitchen appliances with major household systems, while ShieldSilver covers home systems only. ShieldPlatinum offers comprehensive coverage for both systems and appliances with extra benefits such as roof leak coverage.
American Home Shield Plan Comparison
| Systems and Appliances | ShieldSilver™ | ShieldGold™ | ShieldPlatinum™ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ductwork | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Doorbells | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smoke Detectors | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling Fans | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plumbing and Stoppages | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water Heaters | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water Dispensers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Central Vacuums | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Refrigerators | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ranges, Ovens, and Cooktops | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes Washer | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes Dryers | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dishwashers | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-In Microwave | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trash Compactors | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Freestanding Ice Maker | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garage Door Opener | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-In Food Centers | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coverage Boost | – | – | ✓ |
| Roof Leak Coverage | – | – | ✓ |
Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield Add-Ons Compared
Liberty Home Guard Add-Ons
Liberty Home Guard offers 38 optional add-ons that you can purchase separately with any plan:
- Additional spa
- Carpet cleaning
- Casita guest unit
- Central Vacuum
- Ejector pump
- Electronics protection
- Freestanding ice maker
- Generator
- Grinder pump
- Gutter cleaning
- In-fridge ice maker
- Instant hot water dispenser
- Lawn sprinkler system
- Lighting fixtures
- Limited roof-leak
- Pest control
- Plumbing fixtures
- Pool and spa
- Pro-series clothes dryer
- Pro-series dishwasher
- Pro-series microwave
- Pro-series range/oven/cooktop
- Pro-series refrigerator
- Pro-series washing machines
- Re-key services
- Reverse osmosis water filter system
- Saltwater pool
- Second refrigerator
- Septic system pumping
- Stand-alone freezer
- Sump pump
- Swamp cooler
- Trash compactor
- Water dispenser water line
- Water softener
- Well pump
- Window washing/cleaning
- Wine cooler/fridge
American Home Shield Add-Ons
Here are the five optional add-ons offered by American Home Shield:
- Electronic extended warranty
- Guest units up to 750 square feet
- Pool and spa
- Septic pump
- Well pump
How Do Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield Costs Compare?
Liberty Home Guard offers a cheaper monthly premium than American Home Shield. Regarding service call fees, Liberty Home Guard offers $65–$125 service call fees for customers. American Home Shield allows customers to select their own service fee between $100–$125.
With American Home Shield, choosing a lower service fee may lead to a higher monthly premium, while homeowners who are willing to pay a higher service fee will have a relatively lower monthly premium.
Note: The cost of a home warranty depends on where you live, the square footage of your home, and the type of plan you choose. Because of these factors, getting a quote from both providers is the best way to determine the specific cost of a home warranty for your situation.
American Home Shield Pricing
- Monthly cost: $29.99–$89.99
- Service call fee cost: $100-$125 per claim
| Plan | $125 Service Fee Price | $100 Service Call Fee | Coverage Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| ShieldSilver | $29.99 | $39.99 | $5,000 |
| ShieldGold | $49.99 | $59.99 | Systems: $5,000 Appliances: $2,000 |
| ShieldPlatinum | $79.99 | $89.99 | Systems: $5,000 Appliances: $4,000 |
Liberty Home Guard Pricing
- Monthly cost: $49.99–$59.99
- Service call fee cost: $65-$125 per claim
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Coverage Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appliance Guard | $49.99 | $65–$125 | $2,000 |
| Systems Guard | $54.99 | $65–$125 | $2,000 (Plumbing & electrical: $500) |
| Total Home Guard | $59.99 | $65–$125 | Coverage caps remain the same |
What Do Customers Say About Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield?
Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield both have thousands of reviews across third-party sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot.
Home Warranty Reviews Comparison
| Provider | Liberty Home Guard | American Home Shield |
|---|---|---|
| BBB rating | NR* | B |
| BBB accreditation | No | Yes |
| Number of customer reviews on BBB webpage | 1,929 reviews | 11,681 reviews |
| Average BBB customer review rating (out of 5 stars) | 4.5 stars | 2.2 stars |
*As of April 2024, Liberty Home Guard is listed as NR on the Better Business Bureau. It also has a BBB alert noting “a pattern of complaints regarding [its] claims process, customer service, and sales tactics.”
We contacted LHG, which shared this statement: “Despite the BBB’s alert, our customer satisfaction levels remain by far the highest relative to our scale. Last month, we had the lowest percentage of customer cancellation requests in our entire history. On the BBB’s own platform, Liberty Home Guard has achieved a star rating of 4.5 out of 5 from nearly 2,500 reviews. For added context, the approximately 480 resolved complaints on Liberty Home Guard’s BBB profile equate to an extremely low fraction of a percentage relative to the size and scale of our total customer base. As we navigate this situation, which we believe will be resolved in time, we want to assure you that we remain committed to our customers and their satisfaction; they are the key stakeholders we orient all our efforts around.”
We’ve noted LHG’s consistently high review scores across third-party review sites, including 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. In contrast, American Home Shield has 2.2 stars on BBB and 2.1 stars on Trustpilot. These higher-than-average customer review scores indicate overall LHG customer satisfaction.
Comparing the Best Home Warranty Companies
| Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NR** | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $56–$139 | $100–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $35–$94 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| A- | $44–$58 | $70 | VISIT SITE | |
| B+ | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | VISIT SITE | |
| A | $27–$61 | $65–$100 | VISIT SITE |
| Star Rating | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Response Time | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Home Guard |  | NR** | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | Up to 48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| American Home Shield |  | B | $56–$139 | $100–$125 | Up to 48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| Select Home Warranty |  | B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | 48-84 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| Elite Home Warranty |  | A- | $44–$58 | $70 | Up to 48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| First American Home Warranty |  | B | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | 4-48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| AFC Home Warranty |  | B | $35–$94 | $75–$125 | 24-48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| Cinch Home Services |  | B+ | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | 2-24 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty |  | A | $27–$61 | $65–$100 | Up to 48 hours | VISIT SITE |
| Liberty Home Guard | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | NR** |
| Monthly Cost | $49–$59 |
| Service Fee | $65–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| American Home Shield | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Monthly Cost | $56–$139 |
| Service Fee | $100–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| Select Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B- |
| Monthly Cost | $44–$47 |
| Service Fee | $60–$75 |
| Response Time | 48-84 hours |
| Elite Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A- |
| Monthly Cost | $44–$58 |
| Service Fee | $70 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| First American Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Monthly Cost | $42–$82 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| Response Time | 4-48 hours |
| AFC Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Monthly Cost | $35–$94 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| Response Time | 24-48 hours |
| Cinch Home Services | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B+ |
| Monthly Cost | $30–$56 |
| Service Fee | $100–$150 |
| Response Time | 2-24 hours |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A |
| Monthly Cost | $27–$61 |
| Service Fee | $65–$100 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
Liberty Home Guard vs. American Home Shield – Our Final Take
Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield both offer comprehensive plans that protect major systems and appliances within the home. Liberty Home Guard offers more optional add-ons than American Home Shield, but American Home Shield offers more coverage plans with more comprehensive options Both providers offer affordable plans and have received positive customer reviews.
Because of American Home Shield’s years of experience in the industry and its fully customizable plan option, we recommend this provider for most homeowners, especially those looking to customize coverage. To learn more about each provider, read our Liberty Home Guard review and our American Home Shield review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I purchase a home warranty?
Purchasing a home warranty plan provides peace of mind for homeowners by protecting them from expensive repairs that they can’t afford. Since major home systems and appliances will break down from normal wear and tear and may need repairs from time to time, a home warranty can offer you protection and save you money.
How does a home warranty work?
With home warranty coverage, you pay a monthly premium of about $25 to $60. When one of your systems or appliances breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee of about $75 to $125.
What is the waiting period on a home warranty?
Many home warranty and home appliance insurance companies require you to wait a specific amount of time after purchasing your plan before you can submit your first claim. Both Liberty Home Guard and American Home Shield require you to wait 30 days before going through the claims process.
Related Resources
- Choice Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield
- American Home Shield vs. Select Home Warranty
- American Home Shield vs. AFC Home Warranty
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts from each company, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for coverage, cost, trustworthiness, plan transparency, customer support, and flexibility to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
