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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.
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You can tailor a First American Home Warranty using add-on coverage to fit more specific appliances you may have in your home.
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.
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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.
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.
Coverage Length | Cancellation Policy | Required Maintenance | Pricing |
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– 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 |
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.
Flexible Coverage
First American Home Warranty
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 Home Warranty Screenshot. Source: First American Home Warranty Homepage
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.
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 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.
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.
If you’re a new First American customer, you must wait 30 days before requesting service.
No, First American Home Warranty maintains a list of service contractors that they dispatch based on the type of problem and location.
First American Home Warranty states they are not liable for upgrades, repairs, inspections, or other costs due to laws or building codes.
First American Home Warranty may replace the item. Replacement coverage varies by system, appliance, and plan selected.
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.
No. First American Home Warranty offers coverage in 35 states and the District of Columbia.
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.
Flexible Coverage
First American Home Warranty