Cancel American Home Shield in 2026: The Complete Exit Guide

Updated February 2026 • 8 min read

The Home Warranty Math Problem

American Home Shield charges $50-75/month ($600-900/year) plus a $75-125 service fee every time you file a claim. Their BBB rating sits at 1.1/5 stars with over 26,000 complaints.

Here's what most homeowners don't calculate: if you put that same $75/month into a home repair HYSA at 4.5% APY, you'd have $4,700+ after 5 years — enough to replace most major appliances — and you keep every dollar you don't spend.

How to Cancel AHS (Step by Step)

Method 1: Phone Call (Fastest)

1. Call 1-800-776-4663 (Mon-Fri 7am-7pm CT, Sat 8am-5pm CT)
2. Say "cancel my contract" — skip retention offers
3. Request your cancellation confirmation number in writing
4. Ask for the exact last day of coverage and any refund amount
5. Follow up with a written cancellation (see template below)

Method 2: Written Notice (Creates Paper Trail)

Mail to: American Home Shield, 150 Peabody Place, Suite 300, Memphis, TN 38103

Method 3: Email

Email cancel@ahslink.com with your contract number and cancellation request. Less reliable than phone/mail — always follow up if no confirmation within 5 business days.

AHS Cancellation Policy: What They Don't Tell You

• 30-day notice period: Your coverage continues (and you pay) for 30 days after cancellation request
• Pro-rata refund: If you cancel mid-term on a prepaid annual plan, you get a refund minus a $50 admin fee plus any claims paid
• Monthly plans: No refund — you just stop paying after the 30-day notice period
• First 30 days: Full refund minus admin fee if you cancel within the first month
• Auto-renewal: AHS auto-renews your contract annually — cancel at least 30 days before renewal date

Why 37% of AHS Claims Get Denied

The most common denial reasons:

• "Pre-existing condition": AHS claims the issue existed before coverage started — even on items you never used
• "Improper maintenance": Without proof of annual HVAC servicing, they deny AC/furnace claims
• "Not covered component": Your AC compressor is covered, but the "refrigerant lines" connected to it aren't
• Cap limits: Many categories have $1,500-2,000 caps — your $8,000 HVAC replacement gets $1,500

The Better Alternative: Self-Insurance

1. Open a HYSA (Marcus, Ally, or similar at 4-5% APY)
2. Auto-transfer $75/month (what you'd pay AHS)
3. Build your contractor list — ask neighbors for recommendations, check Angi/Thumbtack
4. Handle repairs directly — you choose the contractor, the parts, and the timeline

After 2-3 years, your self-insurance fund covers most emergencies. After 5 years, you're ahead of where AHS would have left you — with better repairs and your own money.