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First American Home Warranty

4.3 Stars (265 Reviews)
Most Reviewed
Brands that earn the Most Reviewed badge have received the most customer reviews in their category on Retirement Living over the last 12 months.
Updated: April 20, 2023
By: Jonathan Trout
Jonathan Trout
Content Manager
Jonathan is a former product and content manager for Retirement Living. His background spans sales/marketing, finance, and telecommunications. Jonathan’s expertise in consumer wellness and research-backed data stories helped educate seniors on financial planning, retirement, and community resources. Jonathan graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Environmental Sociology.
Content Manager
Edited By: Lauren Hamer
Lauren Hamer
Editor
Bringing more than a decade of editorial experience to Retirement Living, Lauren focuses on reporting senior-related issues, including retirement planning, finance, consumer protection, and health and wellness. Lauren has edited consumer content for Credible, Angi, Slickdeals, Jobs for the Future, and more.
Editor

Founded in 1984, First American Home Warranty offers three home warranty service plans to homeowners and real estate professionals and three flat service fee options. Home warranties are available in 35 states nationwide.

Editorial Breakdown

Service Quality 4.3 Stars
Affordability 5 Stars
Coverage Area 4.3 Stars
Customer Service 4 Stars

Overall Rating 4.6 Stars

Bottom Line

You can tailor a First American Home Warranty using add-on coverage to fit more specific appliances you may have in your home.

First American Home Warranty Review

American Home Warranty is a Home Warranties Buyer’s Guide offering plans to cover household items such as major appliances and electrical and plumbing systems.

The company serves more than 625,000 customers nationwide and has 24/7 claims assistance available online and via telephone. While they also offer plans for real estate professionals, homeowners can choose from three plan types that include monthly or annual payments depending on the service fee you choose.

Pros

  • Ample coverage options and add-ons to tailor your plan
  • Replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair
  • 24/7 assistance
  • Competitive pricing, including three service fee options

Cons

  • Not available in all 50 states
  • Cannot choose your own technician

First American Home Warranty Products

First American Home Warranty offers three home warranty plans to consumers. They also have a real estate professional option. For consumer options, First American Home Warranty offers a start, essential, or premier plan.

  • The Starter plan covers aspects of plumbing, electrical, and heating systems, plus key appliances like dishwashers, refrigerators, ovens, and built-in microwaves.
  • The Essential plan protects washers, dryers, water heaters, AC units, and garage door openers.
  • The Premium plan includes luxury appliance coverage, such as garbage disposals, full garage door systems, faucets, and instant hot water dispensers.

First American Home Warranty also offers add-on coverage for pool or spa equipment, well pumps, and central air conditioning for an added fee. It also extends add-on coverage for additional types of refrigeration units, such as freestanding ice makers or wine refrigerators.

A sample policy is available for review before your purchase a plan. Consumers are encouraged to ask questions about coverage before purchasing.

First American Home Warranty Fast Facts
Coverage Length Cancellation Policy Required Maintenance Pricing
– 12 months
– Coverage begins on the contract effective date
30-day cancellation window
The company may cancel
under certain conditions.
A clause in coverage
requires proper maintenance
of covered systems
and appliances.
– $47.99 to 87.99 per month
– Service fee: $75, $100, or $125

First American Home Warranty Coverage Limitations

While exclusions vary based on the plan purchased, some common exclusions are worth noting. In general, there is no coverage on parts of an appliance or system that do not affect the actual function of the appliance or system. For example, knobs on a stove or shelves in a refrigerator.

Also, if a covered system fails, items that are secondary to the system or easily movable may not be covered. So, if your electrical system fails, it might not protect computers, doorbells, televisions, and alarm systems. There is also no coverage for damage due to pests, breakdowns due to lack of maintenance, or inappropriate usage of the appliance or system. Non-covered events include power surges, smoke, theft, accidents, riots, vandalism, and acts of God.

first american screenshot

First American Home Warranty Screenshot. Source: First American Home Warranty Homepage

How to File a Claim WithFirst American Home Warranty

The first step in filing a claim with First American Home Warranty is to review your warranty to determine if you have a covered issue. You can call the service number on your contract or fill out the online service request form on the company’s website. The online form is the better option because you will have documentation of your claim from the start.

From that point, First American Home Warranty will select an appropriate service contractor in your area and assign them to the claim within 48 hours. Then, the service contractor will contact you directly to schedule an appointment (you’ll pay the service fee at the time of the appointment). The technician contracted with First American will inspect the system or item in question and diagnose the cause of the problem.

Once coverage is confirmed, the service contractor will begin repairs, which may require more than one visit. If they cannot repair certain systems, they may replace them as your contract terms dictate.

First American Home Warranty Costs

Prices range from $47.99 to $87.99 per month, depending on your chosen plan and service fee, which you pay once the technician comes to diagnose the problem with the system or appliance. First American Home Warranty has a $75, $100, or $125 service call fee. The company does not place age limitations on the systems and appliances it will cover. However, there are limits to how much the warranty will cover. Coverage limits range from $500 to $3,500 per item, which is comparable to the industry average. Select appliance limits in the Premium plan extend to $7,000, higher than other companies.

First American Home Warranty Complaints

First American Home Warranty currently has a 3 ½ star rating on ConsumerAffairs and a “B” rating with the Better Business Bureau. The majority of consumers who report concerns report confusion or issues with understanding what is covered or excluded by the policy. Some were confused about coverage limits as well.

Our Experience With First American Home Warranty

We needed to enter our address and contact information to compare quotes and learn pricing information. Within seconds, we could view a sample contract for North Carolina, and a representative called me within two minutes to discuss options. First American Home Warranty has higher appliance limits than competitors, and its top-tier plan is more affordable than most. Unlike other companies, First American displays a table showing the appliances, systems, limits, and available add-ons, making it easy to quickly compare options online. We attempted to ask questions via the online chat portal, but representatives were unavailable to assist us.

First American Home Warranty Q&A

  • How long do I have to wait before requesting service?
    If you’re a new First American customer, you must wait 30 days before requesting service.

    first american screenshot

  • Can I choose my own contractor?
    No, First American Home Warranty maintains a list of service contractors that they dispatch based on the type of problem and location.

  • What happens if local or state codes have changed since the home system installation?
    First American Home Warranty states they are not liable for upgrades, repairs, inspections, or other costs due to laws or building codes.

  • What if my covered item breaks beyond repair?
    First American Home Warranty may replace the item. Replacement coverage varies by system, appliance, and plan selected.

  • What if I disagree with a First American Home Warranty decision?
    Try to reach an agreement with the company, as you would with any other product or service. Contact the company, explain why you disagree and have information to support your opinion. Get any promises of resolving the problem in writing. If an agreement is not possible, First American Home Warranty’s policies include an individual arbitration agreement waving class action rights, but you can still have the matter settled in small claims court.

  • Does First American Home Warranty do business in all states?
    No. First American Home Warranty offers coverage in 35 states and the District of Columbia.

Conclusion

First American Home Warranty has customizable and comprehensive home warranty plans. Like other providers, the plans include many exclusions, but the company offers substantial add-on coverage that allows you to tailor the warranty to fit your needs. As with any warranty or insurance product, it is vital to understand the terms and conditions of the coverage you are purchasing.

To confirm pricing and plans from First American, call 877-755-6974 or start a quote online.


265 First American Home Warranty Reviews

Write Review

Featured Review

5 Stars

December 06 2021 1:15AM

My experience with First American has been really efficient and responsive. It's amazing. The response time is really fast. I'll submit online and then we'll hear back from someone within a couple of hours. Then we'll have someone likely scheduled within 48 hours, if not sooner.

Yvette M.
Manteca, CA
First American Home Warranty
Yvette, We appreciate your review. It is always great to hear when our customers have a fantastic experience with us!
5 Stars

September 15 2023 9:07AM

A friend that had really good luck with First American Home Warranty recommended them and he was absolutely right. It's been an excellent service. They've been phenomenal. I like the peace of mind. If I've had an issue, they've taken care of it. I go online to submit a claim, I set up the appointment, and then they get it taken care of.

As far as the contractors, I know exactly who they are and they call and confirm the appointment and then they call when they're on their way. I've been very happy. They've been very good quality.

I had a refrigerator and a stove that needed some repairs. The tech was able to fix the refrigerator right there on the spot by just getting the door tweaked back into place, and then he ordered the part for the stove, came back out a couple of days later and fixed the stove.

Stephen B.
Belton, SC
5 Stars

September 14 2023 7:10AM

First American was positive and prompt. Our garage door opener stopped working. So, we submitted a claim online. They followed up within a couple of days, made an appointment for a garage door company to come out, and the garage door company replaced it.

The person who came out was very friendly and helpful. He was here for about three hours. They told us it would be a couple of hours. So, it was within the timeframe that they expected. The motor on the garage door had stopped working, and he decided it was too old. So, they replaced the entire device.

Aaron H.
Gresham, OR
5 Stars

September 11 2023 6:09AM

We have been protected with First American for 20 years, and the house that we moved into ended up having a lot of plumbing problems. We knew there might be problems at the very beginning. We've kept it because of the plumbing issues that have come up. There's rarely been anything we've called before that wasn't plumbing related.

Submitting a claim is so easy. They're so good about getting people out here really fast. They're so good about feedback when it's been a bad experience. We've had a couple of bad experiences with some companies. In the end, after a couple of years, these companies have gone out of business because they were so bad.

First American really listens to the feedback. Part of the reason why these companies ended up going under was because of the bad reviews that people gave them, and also through First American not wanting to work with them anymore. They do really look out for their customers.

Recently, we had the pressure regulator go out for the second time in 20 years. They got out here super fast. It was kind of difficult because they came out earlier than I expected, but First American was right on it.

I put an online claim for it at 9:00 at night and before 10 o'clock, I had heard back from the plumbing company that they had contacted, and I would be setting up an appointment the next morning. It was very comforting that there was somebody there that would take care of it that fast.

The guy who came out was so wonderful. He was young, but he knew what he was talking about. He checked everything and all of the actual procedures. He took care of the problem right away. I love the company.

I've had such good experiences with First American. The new app has made it so easy to make a claim and find out when things are going. I tell them, "You got to get this. You got to get this."

Susan G.
Layton, UT
5 Stars

September 08 2023 3:00AM

We switched to First American from American Home Shield this past year because they raised our premium to over $200. My husband was looking at First American and they seem to be doing everything that American Home Shield did and it was about the same price. Also, Choice and another one we went with didn't have all the benefits that First American did.

I call First American to submit my claims. It's easy to get through to a rep. You may have to wait on line just a minute to get to the next available operator, but it's not that hard. They give us the name of whoever is coming out.

We just had some people come out for the sink and the toilet. The guy didn't fix the toilet right because it kept running. You'd flush the toilet and it would just keep running. I called First American and told them that it was not fixed. They got in touch with those people that came out here to fix it. They sent somebody out and he fixed it yesterday.

Overall, I like being able to only have to pay $75 to get somebody to come out here. Somebody came out and on my kitchen sink, they had to replace the whole assembly like the faucet and the hot and cold water taps. All it cost me was $75.

Because it was plumbing, they fixed the toilet. There was something wrong with where you mash the handle on the toilet, and they replaced that. And for the bathroom and the kitchen sink, it cost me $75. And if I had to get a plumber out here to fix the sink and the toilet, it would have cost me a fortune.

First American is easy to get in touch with, they seem to be reliable, is easy to use, and it saves you a lot of money having a home warranty.

Brenda M.
Auburn, GA
2 Stars

July 05 2023 1:30PM

I contacted First American Home Warranty on June 28, and requested service to my AC unit and exhaust fan in the attic. They assigned me a person for the AC unit, and the fan.

The person supposedly to fix my fan called me and complained about the heated weather. He said he was the only person the company had to fix exhaust fans, and that he would try to get to it the following week. As of this date, no one has come out to fix my fan and AC.

John M.
Clinton, MS
5 Stars

April 06 2023 7:39AM

I recently had a claim to First American for a dishwasher replacement. The process was very easy. They were prompt, and everything was good. The tech was very nice. First American covered the entire replacement. I would recommend the company. My daughter has got it, too, and she's very pleased.

Betty Z.
Oxford, MS
4 Stars

March 31 2023 2:56AM

Sometimes, it can be problematic to get things done efficiently with First American, but overall, it's not too bad. I currently am dealing with having to have my dishwasher repaired a second time.

I don't think they properly assessed the first issue correctly. They may have, but there may be multiple issues. So, they're in the process of getting me through that.

It's kind of annoying that they make you go through so many hoops because I really believe the dishwasher can't be repaired properly and that it should just be replaced, but I know they're going to take me through a lot of expensive possible multiple copays to get to any resolution.

As far as the customer service, in the beginning, it was fine because the calls were handled within the United States. I'm pretty sure all of it is overseas now and as a customer, that's extremely dissatisfying to me.

I don't have problems with jobs being shipped overseas, but it becomes problematic because while they may speak English, there are subtle cultural things, idioms, and things that are specific to a country, and so trying to deal with somebody in a different country who has a very thick accent has become very problematic. I don't even know if they have reps in the United States anymore.

Alfreda R.
Buckeye, AZ
5 Stars

March 19 2023 3:50AM

The water heater didn't work and I paid the $85 and someone came out and checked it out. It was supposed to cost me $500, which I didn't know you had to get extra benefits.

Then, the lady explained to me from the other company that the first company that put it in was supposed to be responsible for it. So, I got mad and went down to the guy's office because it was done through the county, but it was a big mess, and then they had to get it inspected.

So, I went down to the office and I told them and he said he'd put it in for nothing. I told First American this whole thing. They did a cash-out to me up for the water heater, and then I had them put a water heater back in, I sent the paperwork, and it's all done.

First American's claim process wasn't bad. I've been with them for three years. I've done a refrigerator. I've had a washing machine and water heater fixed. I'll stay with them until anything ever happens to me. I have a mobile home and it's perfect.

It takes a while to talk sometimes and it takes a while to get them out here. They exchanged my stove because PG&E locked it down for carbon monoxide.

I had already paid the call to come out for 85, and then they replaced that. They had to come put a new cap thing. I've been through a lot with them, but everything's been fine. I wouldn't go to any different place.

Patti S.
Stockton, CA
5 Stars

March 10 2023 7:10AM

The heating element had gone out on our dryer. The claim process with First American was a little bit longer than normal. I was a little unhappy with that one. I put in a claim on January 16th and it didn't get resolved until February 24th. So, that was a long time to be without a dryer.

They had come out and figured out what was wrong with it, and then they had ordered parts. Some of the parts were on backorder, but they never really let me know what that looked like with it being on backorder.

Finally, all the parts came in. When I called to get it scheduled, they told me that it couldn't be for two and a half weeks to get somebody here. When the technician came, he was great. He's the same guy that came with our other claim and he did a great job.

I like the benefit of having First American. If we put in a claim, it covers some big expense types of things. The estimate on our washer was $400 to fix it and it cost us the service fee. I recommend First American to people often.

Tiffany M.
Hillsboro, OH