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First American Home Warranty

4.3 Stars (288 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
Sr. 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.
Sr. 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.


288 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

March 22 2024 9:57AM

First American has been working as expected. I had a recent claim for the garbage disposal and they replaced it. The technician was courteous.

Tarsha T.
Fresno, TX
5 Stars

March 18 2024 6:18AM

I like that I feel covered with First American, and it's a great company. It's a little bit slow waiting for parts but the first company had come out, had to check the furnace, and the tech was awesome. He was in, fixed it, and he was out. It was making noise. So, he fixed it. And then the dishwasher, for some reason, started leaking from this valve. So, I called it in and they took their time. They sent out a repairman and it needed a water intake valve part. The last time I talked to them was a few days ago, and they told me that the part was going to come in Wednesday and they would contact me. So, I'm still waiting for them to contact me.

Mike T.
Sparks, NV
5 Stars

March 11 2024 10:33AM

First American comes in handy when unexpected stuff breaks. I had a plumbing claim back in February. It was quick. They got someone to the house within a week because they had to wait on the plumber. They fixed everything when they got there.

Randall J.
Cleveland, TN
5 Stars

March 08 2024 9:33AM

First American has been fabulous. Filing a service request is very easy. They get back to us quickly. The latest claim was filed within a week. Our heating went out. Within the first week, someone came and looked at it. The contractor did very well. They answered all our questions. They knew the issue when they first came, and then they had to go back and order a new air conditioner, which took another week for us to get back.

Kathy & Stan S.
Knoxville, TN
5 Stars

March 07 2024 9:00AM

I'm satisfied with First American. I file my service requests over the phone, and they're very helpful. I call them, tell them what the problem is, and they will assign me a contractor. The technicians have been good. If something doesn't work after they leave, within 30 days, they'll come back and fix it or replace the whole unit.

Tracy S.
Fayetteville, GA
5 Stars

March 04 2024 12:01PM

I've been satisfied with all the services that First American provided. I've had no issues with them taking care of anything that needed to be repaired or replaced. They have a good customer service department. It's been a good experience.

Michelle A.
Little Rock, AR
3 Stars

March 02 2024 2:43AM

Last month, we had a lot of rain and my smoke detectors started going crazy. So, I put a claim in for the smoke detectors and First American said, "Pay the $100 and we'll send the guy out." I paid the $100, and the guy came out and said, "A couple of these things should be replaced because of what happened." There were power outages here in our area during the rainstorms and the power outages were going up and down throughout the whole day. The smoke detectors started making noises and they wouldn't stop. The guy said, "I think that I should just replace those." I said, "Okay. As long as it's covered, go ahead and do it." He said, "Yeah, I'll replace two or three of them." He called his office to make sure everything was okay and he replaced three of them. He said, "You got three other ones. But those are older ones and I don't think that they're going to be covered."

I said, "You know what? Let me just pay you whatever it is and you can just change them." He said, "Okay. That's $30 each." So, I gave him $100 and he changed them. Then, I got a letter a couple of weeks later saying, "We're sorry. Your claim is denied. Smoke detectors are not covered." There was a labor cost. I don't mind paying for services as long as they do it. The deal was to pay the $100. I paid the $100 and he came out and changed the two that he said that there was no charge. When I put the claim in, I made sure I told them exactly what was wrong with the smoke detectors. They won't stop beeping because of the power outages. They said, "Well, that's covered." Then, I got a letter. I didn't pay any attention to the letter because the thing was already done. He already did the work and I paid and that's it.

It cost me $200 to change a few smoke detectors. 100 for First American and the 90-something for the tech. He didn't have a receipt, so he gave me a photo of the $100 bill that I gave him and that was it. I didn't complain. They said fixtures are not covered. Also, there was a light switch that wasn't going on. When he came out here, he said, "You know what's wrong with your light switch? The ballast." It was a ceiling light. He said, "I don't know if it was the power outage or whatever it is, but the ballast is no good. It's not the fixture. It's the ballast. I can't change it unless you give me $50 because I'm not sure if it's covered." I said, "Well, you know what? Why don't you call the office and find out if it's covered?" He said, "Okay." They never got back to me again. I called First American and I said, "The ballast is burned out in the ceiling. I happen to have a new part here in my house."

We have a big house and we get repairs sometimes. So, we had a new fixture. I said, "You could just change the whole fixture if you want. It's got a new ballast in it. All you have to do is just shove it in the ceiling and just connect it to the wires." I called First American and they said the ballast is covered. Then, I got a letter saying, "No, the fixture is not covered." So, it was the same thing. When I signed up for it, they said, "Pay the $100, the smoke detectors are covered." Then they sent a letter saying the fixtures were not covered. When I called and said, "Is the ballast covered or should I pay the guy 50 bucks?" They said, "No, it's covered." I called the electric company and left a message saying, "Hey, I just called the warranty company. They said the ballast is covered." They never called me back. I got a call from First American saying it was not covered.

So, I got bad information on that whole deal. I didn't complain. I just said, "If that's not covered, it's not covered." When I paid the $100, I talked to somebody on the phone. I just didn't go online and file a claim. I called and said, "This is the problem. Is it covered?" He said, "Yes." I went forward and paid the 100 bucks. I was also told the ballast was covered. What happened was I told the electric company that I had a brand-new fixture. It's just a little ceiling light in the bathroom. The ballast behind the tiny fixture was burned out. So, I said, "Here's the part. Just go change it." He said, "Nope, nope. Can't do it unless I get an okay from the office."

There was one other claim. Because of all the rain, we had a leak. So, I paid $100 for that and I had a couple of guys come out and say, "You know what? You got a bunch of mud up there from the rain. Give me your hose." He hosed it down and washed out the mud and he said, "You're not going to have any more leaks." So, I canceled that and I asked for the $100 back.

I was a little disappointed because I was calling and getting mixed signals saying the smoke detectors were covered, and then they sent me a letter saying it was not. It was the same thing for the ballast. I talked to two people when I called. I said, "Is the ballast covered?" The person who answered the phone said, "I don't know. Let me check with my manager." So, they went to the manager, and he said, "Absolutely. A ballast is covered." I never do anything without getting an okay because I didn't want to make any problems with this thing because it's a minor thing. Next time I have a handyman come, if it's not covered, I'll just pay him to do it.

Gary Z.
Bakersfield, CA
4 Stars

February 12 2024 11:59AM

First American has been great. They're responsive. They're a good company. Their website's very easy to use. I like it. I haven't had any complaints except with the appliance repair people that they have. They are not the best quality.

Wendy M.
Marietta, GA
3 Stars

February 08 2024 1:51AM

Back in January, I had an air conditioner replacement and it took forever to get that done. We had to go through First American to get it approved, but I finally got it fixed. So, I was happy with it so far. Just the other day, I had to have a garbage disposal replaced. I called to set up an appointment and the guy told me he didn't have time to mess with me. First American got someone else and they got right on it. So, I was very happy about that.

First American saved me quite a bit of money over the years. I've had them for 10 years. They replaced our hot water heater and done some plumbing. It's always been done to perfection but it's just hard to get someone out here. Most of the people they get have to make time to get to this area. It's my only downfall with them. First American has always been very helpful. They've done everything they're going to say and try to stay on top of everything.

Debra R.
Longview, TX