- 2 plans + optional add-ons
- Covers improperly installed or maintained items
- No cap on coverage for HVAC
- $38–$48.50 per month
First American Home Warranty (FAWH) has been a leader in the home warranty industry for over 35 years, serving more than 590,000 customers. What distinguishes them from other home warranty companies is that First American Home Warranty offers the First Class Upgrade optional coverage, covering systems and appliances even if they were improperly installed, modified, or maintained.
Below is House Method’s 2022 First American Home Warranty review. We compare the company’s plans and pricing, do a deep dive into it, show how it stacks up against its competition, and provide reviews from current and previous customers.
Pros | Cons |
✓ Established company with a BBB accreditation | ✗ It doesn’t let customers choose their contractor |
✓ It doesn’t have a coverage cap on heating, cooling, or ductwork | ✗ According to some customer reviews, the technical jargon in contracts is confusing |
✓ 24/7 service calls are available | |
✓ Offers replacement of some covered items that are too damaged to repair |
FAHW offers two plans—a Basic Plan and a Premier Plan—at $38–$48.50 per month. The exact price of your home warranty plan will depend on your location and the type of coverage you choose. They also offer optional coverage for items like your pool, well pump, and central air conditioning for an additional cost.
Basic Plan: $38.00 per month ($420.00 per year). This plan covers essential home appliances.
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Premier Plan: $48.50 per month ($546.00 per year). Under this plan, all major home systems and all items in the Basic Plan are covered.
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Optional add-on coverage: FAHW offers optional coverage for six home items. Call or request a free quote online to get pricing for these items.
Note: You also can include pest control services for termites.
We recommend FAHW to home buyers whose appliances or systems were included in their real estate transaction since the previous owners may not have installed or maintained an appliance correctly with this type of coverage. Additionally, they may have modified these systems and appliances in a way that you’re unaware of—so FAHW will still provide coverage of your items, unlike some other home warranty providers.
*Note: FAHW charges an $85 service call fee, which aligns with the industry average. You’ll have to pay this fee anytime a contractor comes to your house to diagnose an issue on a covered item.
This graph represents the monthly premium customers would pay under First American's most basic plan against what they would pay for competitor plans. Note: these prices do not include the service fee amount.
Our team at House Method wanted to understand which major appliances and systems were most important to homeowners. We surveyed 1,000 homeowners and asked them which systems and appliances they valued most to get this data. Our results gathered that the top three most important systems to homeowners are electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. The top three appliances that are the most important are the refrigerator, washer/dryer, and oven/stove/range.
Home warranty coverage starts 30 days after you sign your contract and lasts for a standard 12 months with the option to renew at the end of the year (unless you’re a seller who has enrolled in basic coverage for your home while it’s listed). Sellers’ listing coverage lasts 180 days or until the close of sale or listing cancellation, whichever comes first.
As far as cancellation goes, the policy differs from state to state. The company’s customer service team encourages you to request a quote, apply for coverage, and thoroughly read your service agreement before signing.
Coverage limits to the Basic Plan include home systems and appliances malfunctioning due to improper maintenance or installation. To get coverage for these items, you’ll have to choose the First Class Upgrade. Unlike other home warranties, First American will cover malfunctioning items due to an unknown defect.
The sample contract reads, “[First American] will repair or replace a system or appliance (excluding roofs and ductwork) that was improperly installed, modified or repaired, or was not properly matched in size or efficiency at any time before or during the term of this contract.”
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First American Home Warranty is not available in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Wisconsin.
First American Home Warranty is one of the more experienced home warranty providers in the industry, having been in business for over 35 years. Though it’s not as old as American Home Shield, FAHW still has years of experience over other companies like Select Home Warranty and The Home Service Club.
The company does have comprehensive coverage; however, it doesn’t include basic coverage for air conditioning. If you want AC coverage, you’ll have to tack on optional coverage at an additional cost. Another drawback is that they only cover 35 U.S. states, meaning 30% of the U.S. isn’t covered. While this may not sound like much, the top home warranty companies protect anywhere between 40 and 50 states.
Finally, FAHW doesn’t have the best reputation regarding customer service in the past. According to customer reviews before 2019, it appeared that the company was so-so at responding to service requests and providing quick and efficient coverage for necessary repairs and replacements. Since then, FAHW has upped its customer service satisfaction and even claimed the Best Customer Service Award in 2020. FAHW was also in Fortune’s 100 top companies to work for in 2019.
While the company provides excellent appliance coverage and seemingly improved customer service, we believe other home warranty companies out there give you better coverage at a more affordable cost.
Plan options
3.8 / 5
Breadth of coverage
2.1 / 5
State availability
1.8 / 5
Cost
4.5 / 5
Trustworthiness
4.8 / 5
Customer service
4.0 / 5
Unique benefits
1.0 / 5
As a consumer, you probably don’t have the time to sit around and sift through the hundreds of reviews left by customers. That’s where we come in. At House Method, we go through user complaints, feedback, and ratings of each home warranty company and compile that information in a chart that’s easy for you to read.
Below, we’ve included First American Home Warranty ratings compared to the industry average.
Reviewer | First American Ratings | Industry Average Ratings | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Average # of Reviews | Average Score | Average # of Reviews | Average Score | |||
Yelp | 770 | 1.0 | 375 | 1.2 | ||
BBB | 1376 | 2.8 | 956 | 2.0 | ||
TrustPilot | 3632 | 4.0 | 937 | 1.9 |
Although many FAHW reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) site are negative, it’s important to remember these complaints have been accruing for 35 years. The BBB even raised First American’s score to a B because the home warranty company made a significant effort to address and resolve customer complaints over the years.
Here are a few FAHW reviews submitted to the BBB from customers:
Jainy M. on August 8, 2021, said:
First American Home Warranty does everything possible to close your claim. For us, it was getting 3 different air conditioner repair companies to look at and make the proper repairs. We didn’t give up the first time and were insistent, but First American didn’t give up on us until we were satisfied.
Verlee T. on August 4, 2021, said:
We have used First American Home Warranty for many years, with coverage for 4 different homes we have owned. We have never had issues with the contractors they have sent, nor with the work done. We have had to come out-of-pocket a few times, because California codes were changed and the water heater was not up-to-date, etc.. But we find the contractors get the work done in a timely manner, and always accurate and complete.
Ji H. on July 21, 2021, said:
I have a leak in my basement, I called First American and the contractor they sent came 3 times but couldn’t fix the problem. It has been 2 weeks that I can’t use my shower! Totally sucks! I guess they just lost another customer.
Todd C. on July 20, 2021, said:
Pleasantly surprised at how simple it was to get my water heater repaired. The contractor wasn’t the most efficient but the process as it relates to First American was just fine. The policy premium has proven to be well worth what I paid.
While the company doesn’t provide as extensive coverage as American Home Shield, it does provide coverage for items that are improperly installed, modified, or maintained, which is something that most other companies don’t offer. Additionally, their plans are relatively inexpensive compared to companies like Choice Home Warranty or Select. Read our Choice Home Warranty review and our review on Select Home Warranty.
First American Home Warranty costs between $38 and $48.50 a month. The actual price of your home warranty will vary depending on your location and the level of home warranty coverage customers choose. There’s also a $85 service fee which is paid to the pre-approved contractor upon appointment for service.
Be sure to read your home warranty contract for clear cost and coverage information.
First American Home Warranty covers major systems and appliances that break from normal wear and tear. This includes home systems, like heating and plumbing, and home appliances, such as dishwashers and water heaters.
Read more: Home Appliance Insurance
The company has a multitude of other home protection plans in addition to home warranties, including First American renters insurance, auto insurance, and landlord insurance. You might also consider First American Property and Casualty Insurance Group, which covers condominiums, or First American’s personal umbrella policy, which keeps you covered when you have reached the underlying liability limits on your auto or homeowner insurance.
Plumbing problems are covered by all First American home warranty plans. Plumbing insurance under this home warranty company includes:
No, First American Home Warranty does not cover mold, nor does it cover damage due to bacteria, yeasts, mildew, viruses, fungi, mycotoxins, or other metabolic products.
Yes. If you want to cancel your plan, call First American at 800.992.3400 or send your cancellation request to cancellationsupport@firstam.com.
House Method gives First American Home Warranty 4.5 out of 5 stars. It’s been in the business long enough to know what customers want and need, and the company’s customer service has made evident strides to show it cares. From our review of the company, we deem them the best for appliance coverage.
FAHW is a good choice for you if…
FAHW might not be your first choice if…
Appliance Coverage
2 + add-ons
$38–$48.50
Covers improperly installed/maintained items
Sample contracts are difficult to find online
Customizable plans
4 + add-ons
$35–$75 (customer chooses)
Up to $3,000 limit on appliances
Higher service fees and longer wait times than average
Workmanship guarantee
4 + add-ons
$37–$40
Choose your own service provider
Customers are charged $60 per call even if the repair cost is less than the service fee
At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each home warranty provider according to our methodology. Our team spent hours on the phone speaking to representatives from each home warranty company to get information right from the source.
Our rating system involves a weighted, 100-point scale that scores home warranty companies on plans offered, coverage, state availability, cost, trustworthiness, customer service, and unique benefits.
For more details, check out our affiliate disclosure and rating methodology.
American Home Shield Review (2022)
Read reviews about American Home Shield to find out why we deem it the best home warranty option for customizable plans.
Choice Home Warranty Review (2022)
If you're on the fence about which home warranty provider to choose, keep reading and learn about Choice Home Warranty coverage and costs, current customer ratings and reviews, and our take on the company.
Select Home Warranty Review: What You Need to Know (2022)
Select Home Warranty reviews tout its comprehensive coverage at an affordable price. Learn more about Select's plans, low prices, and fast claims process here.
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