First American Home Warranty – 2024 Review

Homeowners interested in a home warranty plan with various coverage options to manage costly repairs in their home should consider First American Home Warranty. The home warranty company extends coverage to your most-used home systems and appliances to bridge exclusions in your homeowner’s insurance policy.

Homeowners insurance is the most important protection you can have for your home. However, a home warranty plan is arguably the second most crucial. Home warranties can range from a basic plan with home system or appliance coverage to a more comprehensive plan that includes both. With both homeowners insurance and a home warranty on your side, you can have some peace of mind that the most important parts of your home stay protected.

First American Home Warranty – 2024 Review

First American Home Warranty has plans for homeowners and real estate professionals, but this home warranty review details only residential home warranty coverage. With the company’s network of highly qualified technicians as service provider options, you can use your home warranty to repair a covered item that isn’t protected under your homeowner’s insurance.

As a homeowner, you probably have several questions about a home warranty from First American Home Warranty, like “Does a First American Home Warranty plan have a coverage limit?” and “How much does a home warranty cost?”

To alleviate some of your concerns, we researched this company, noted as one of the best home warranty companies based on customer reviews and ratings, and will detail the most important facts you need to know to make an informed decision.

Pros

• Affordable coverage and service fees
• Optional coverage for luxury appliances
• Annual and monthly payment options
• Responsive customer service

Cons

• Not available in 15 states
• No coverage for central air conditioning
• Only 30-day guarantee for repairs and replacements

Quick Facts

Locations Served: 35 states (excludes Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin)

BBB Rating: B |  Accredited? Yes

Service Fee: $50 – $125

Company Overview

Founded in the 1980s, First American Home Warranty was one of the first companies to offer home warranty plans as we know them today. It’s also one of the longest-running home warranty companies in the United States, solidifying its trust factor with homeowners across the country.

First American Home Warranty coverage extends to appliances and home systems. For example, customers can have kitchen and laundry appliances covered or opt to include systems that usually require expensive repair, like air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems.

The company has over 600,000 customers who can enjoy 24/7 access to customer service to submit a claim for a repair or replacement. The First American Home Warranty Corporation has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2000 and currently has a B rating.

As one of the best home warranty companies, First American Home Warranty's competitors include:

• American Home Shield
• Choice Home Warranty
• Cinch Home Services
• Select Home Warranty
• AFC Home Club
• First Premier Home Warranty
• Liberty Home Guard
• ARW Home

What Areas Does the Company Serve?

First American Home Warranty plans are available in 35 states, including Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, and Virginia. Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island are among the states that are not eligible for the company’s plans. Washington, D.C. is also not a covered location.

This differs from many of First American Home Warranty’s competitors that offer coverage to most or all states, including Washington, D.C. You can find out if your state is eligible for a plan by visiting the website and scrolling to the bottom of the page to find the pull-down menu labeled ‘Home Warranty Plans by State.’

Plans & Coverage

First American Home Warranty offers three plans for homeowners: the Starter plan, Essentials plan, and the Premium plan.

The Starter plan provides basic coverage for your plumbing system, electrical system, and heating system. With the Starter plan, coverage extends into the kitchen to protect your refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, range, and built-in microwave. This First American Home Warranty plan is the more affordable option of the three.

The Essential plan costs about $10 more per month, expanding coverage of more appliances and systems in your home. The Essential plan includes everything in the Starter plan, plus it covers your air conditioner, water heater, washing machine, clothes dryer, and garage door opener.

For complete coverage, First American Home Warranty offers the Premium plan. It includes everything in the Starter and Essential plans, plus all faucets, full garage door system, luxury appliance coverage, garbage disposal, instant hot water dispenser, and additional coverage and enhancements.

Specific coverage may vary by location, so getting a quote for service is the best way to get coverage caps, exclusions, and additional coverage options for your area. First American Home Warranty will also provide you with a sample contract for your location so that you can read the fine print of a plan before signing up.

With all plans, a First American Home Warranty service provider will first attempt to repair your covered item when you request a service and pay your service fee. If your covered item cannot be successfully repaired, the home warranty company will then replace that item based on the coverage limit detailed in your service agreement.

Optional Upgrades

A warranty from First American Home Warranty can be customized to your needs with as many additional upgrades as necessary to create a service plan that makes sense for you. These coverages can supplement an appliance or home system plan for an additional cost each month or per year.

First American Home Warranty offers seven optional upgrades, including well pump service, pool and spa equipment for salt water and chlorine pools, and central air conditioning services. You can also add additional refrigerant for up to four more units.

A unique option from First American Home Warranty is its First Class Upgrade, which includes several additional services combined into one convenient cost. The upgrade covers the disposal of any appliance or home system the company replaces, improper installations and modifications, and building upgrades and permits. Depending on the base warranty you choose, you can also get coverage for toilet tanks and bowls, heating registers and filters, ductwork, plumbing faucets, and more.

To view the available home warranty plan optional coverage in your area, request a free quote from First American Home Warranty. After choosing your plan, you’ll be directed to the add-on options to select before purchasing.

How Much Does First American Home Warranty Cost in 2024?

You may notice that each First American Home Warranty review lists different prices for services. That’s because, like most of the best home warranty companies, the pricing varies between locations. The only way to know how much you’ll pay specifically for your home warranty is to request a quote from the company.

However, based on our research, the typical First American Home Warranty cost is about $45-$65 per month, which is generally on the lower side of home warranty plans. However, some areas may see higher costs of $60-$80 monthly. You can choose to pay annually, too, which may take some money off the total price of your warranty.

Optional coverage starts as low as $2 for HVAC tune-ups, and up to $17 for pool and spa equipment. Again, the monthly charges can vary slightly based on your location. Homeowners looking for the best deal might choose the First Class Upgrade for just $9 a month to receive numerous additional coverage options and covered items.

How To Sign Up for First American Home Warranty

To sign up with First American Home Warranty, simply request a free quote to see coverage options and pricing for your area. After choosing your base plan, reading your sample contract, and selecting additional coverage options, you can make your first payment and obtain coverage.

You can also call customer service at (888) 875-0533 to speak with a representative who can help you.

Note that after signing up, you’ll need to wait 30 days before submitting a claim for service for a covered item under your plan.

How To Request Warranty Service

To request warranty service from First American Home Warranty, log into your online account and find the service claim area. Through your portal, you can submit a claim for your covered item, pay the service fee, and set up a service appointment.

The customer service team can also help you if you’d rather request service over the phone. Call (800) 992-3400 to start the process.

How To Cancel First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty allows cancellations for full refunds within the first 30 days of opening the policy. Because the company also has a 30-day waiting period, you will not be able to request any service within that time, making the contract completely cancelable.

If you decide to sign up and you’re unsatisfied with your service during your first 30 days, you can easily cancel your home warranty plan. However, after the initial 30-day period, First American Home Warranty may charge fees for cancellation and will only refund what you’ve paid minus any service costs the company has paid. To cancel your plan, call (800) 327-9292, ext. 7521.

First American Home Warranty Contact Information

Members of First American Home Warranty can log into their online accounts to send communications to the company or request services.

If you’re not yet subscribed to a plan and need to contact customer service, you can call the number listed on the website that most directly relates to your question. First American Home Warranty’s default sales team number is (888) 875-0533. This department should be able to answer most questions or direct you to the right department to address your needs.

You can also send mail to P.O. Box 7248, Santa Rosa, CA 95407.

Is First American Home Warranty Right for Me?

After reading our First American Home Warranty review, learning more about its specific coverage options, and comparing the First American Home Warranty cost to other similar companies, you should have a good idea of whether or not this company is one of the best home warranty companies for you.

Start with an online quote or contact customer service to receive a quote over the phone. This starting point gives you more details about coverage options for costly repairs of your appliances and home systems. You can also learn more about additional coverage for parts of your home, like a pool or spa or building permit coverage.

Compare quotes from other top companies, too. Company offerings and pricing vary by location, so one company may provide more affordable coverage for your area. But keep in mind that price is not the only factor – it’s important to choose a company that takes charge when faced with a claim and quickly covers the repair.