First American Home Warranty Review: Coverage, Pricing, and Plans

First American Home Warranty Review

First American Home Warranty has been serving homeowners for over 35 years, establishing itself as a reliable provider of home protection coverage. The company received a strong rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars in our review standards, positioning it as a competitive option among home warranty providers. First American stands out by offering up to $7,000 in coverage for high-end appliances and imposing no caps on most major home systems—a feature that distinguishes it from many competitors in the industry.

What Is First American Home Warranty?

First American Home Warranty is a home warranty company that protects homeowners from unexpected repair and replacement costs caused by normal wear and tear on major home systems and appliances. Service contracts typically last for one year and can be renewed annually. The company offers comprehensive combo plans that bundle both system and appliance coverage, with no age limits on the items covered—meaning older appliances and systems can still qualify for protection as long as they’re in safe working order at the contract start date.

First American Home Warranty Coverage

First American Home Warranty provides extensive coverage across three distinct plans: Starter, Essential, and Premium. The coverage includes essential appliances and major home systems, with varying levels of protection depending on which plan you select.

Covered Appliances and Systems

Across its plans, First American Home Warranty covers the following items (note that not every item is available on every plan):

• Dishwasher
• Ceiling fans
• Garbage disposal
• Instant hot water dispenser
• Microwave (built-in only)
• Trash compactor
• Oven/range/cooktop
• Water heater
• Air conditioning and heating
• Attic and exhaust fans
• Central vacuum system
• Electrical system
• Garage door opener
• Plumbing system
• Plumbing stoppages
• Ductwork
• Sump pump

First American Home Warranty Plans

First American offers three comprehensive plans designed to meet different homeowner needs. Each plan bundles system and appliance coverage, ensuring protection across multiple areas of your home.

Starter Plan

The Starter Plan provides basic coverage for essential home systems and appliances at an entry-level price point. This plan is ideal for homeowners with older homes or those seeking fundamental protection. However, the Starter Plan excludes key items such as air conditioning, water heaters, and laundry appliances, which means you’ll need to upgrade for more comprehensive coverage if these systems are important to you.

Essential Plan

The Essential Plan is First American’s most popular offering, providing increased coverage compared to the Starter Plan. This mid-tier option strikes a balance between affordability and comprehensive protection, making it suitable for many homeowners seeking solid coverage without premium pricing.

Premium Plan

The Premium Plan offers the most comprehensive coverage available from First American Home Warranty. This plan includes added protection for luxury and high-end appliances, with appliance limits increasing to $7,000. Systems coverage under this plan includes window AC units, garage door components, instant hot water dispensers, and showerheads. Water heaters receive no coverage limit under this plan, providing the same unlimited coverage offered for other major systems.

The Premium Plan also includes free roof-leak coverage and pre-season HVAC tune-ups at no extra charge, adding significant value for homeowners with higher-end equipment or systems. Additionally, this plan features unique plumbing coverage that stands out in the industry—First American offers coverage to clear stoppages up to 125 feet, more generous than many providers that only cover up to 100 feet. The Premium Plan includes specific coverage of $250 to cover ground-level cleanouts, which most home warranty companies exclude entirely.

First American Advantage Upgrade

A standout feature unique to First American is the First American Advantage upgrade, available with both the Essential and Premium plans. This upgrade covers issues caused by poor installations or modifications—coverage you won’t usually find with other providers. This is especially helpful if you have older items or have done recent renovations.

The upgrade also includes preexisting issues and installation mishaps, offering flexibility that makes First American a good fit for a wide range of coverage needs. The First American Advantage upgrade includes coverage for crane fees related to rooftop HVAC repairs, corrections of code violations, and permit costs. It also covers issues arising from improper installation or mismatched systems, as long as they meet size requirements. Coverage limits include $500 under the Essential Plan and $1,500 under the Premium Plan.

Unlike most home warranty companies, which typically exclude coverage for preexisting conditions, this upgrade offers protection in these situations. It also provides coverage for refrigerant disposal and the removal of old appliances during replacements, filling in gaps where many other top home warranty companies fall short.

First American Home Warranty Pricing

First American Home Warranty pricing ranges from $42 to $97 per month, depending on your selected service call fee, home size, and location. You can choose a service call fee of $100 or $125, which you’ll pay each time First American sends a technician to your home.

Prices can vary based on your service call fee as well as home size and location, so it’s best to request a quote directly from the company to get a true picture of the cost to cover your house. Overall, First American’s pricing is on the lower side compared with the rest of the industry, making it a cost-effective option for homeowners seeking comprehensive protection.

First American Home Warranty Coverage Limits

First American Home Warranty places dollar limits on certain items. These limits represent the total amount the company will pay to access, diagnose, repair and/or replace items covered in your contract. Coverage limits range from $500 to $7,000 per item, which is comparable to or exceeds the industry average.

One of First American’s key strengths is that there is no cap on most major home systems, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. This unlimited coverage for systems represents one of the highest limits in the industry, providing substantial protection for homeowners with valuable or complex systems.

Add-On Coverage Options

First American Home Warranty offers various add-on coverage options to enhance your base plan:

Member Benefits and Discounts

Beyond standard coverage, First American Home Warranty provides members with access to valuable discounts on various home services. Members can save on services such as light fixture installations, TV mounting, and handyman tasks through partners such as Porch and Helpful Heroes. Additionally, members can save on Electrolux, Frigidaire, and GE appliances, providing extra value beyond warranty coverage.

Customer Experience and Service Quality

Based on First American reviews, customers appreciated the company’s quick claims process and efficient technician dispatch. Many customers praise the convenience of the service, with testimonials highlighting the ease of the online claims process and the ability to get responses quickly. One long-term customer noted that First American has handled technician scheduling, eliminating the need to source contractors independently.

However, negative reviews have reported issues with repair quality, generic replacements, and frequent claim denials. These concerns suggest that while the company’s process is efficient, the actual service quality and resolution outcomes can be variable. Prospective customers should review specific feedback to understand potential service quality concerns.

Our Take on First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty is a good choice for homeowners seeking comprehensive protection for high-end appliances and systems. The company provides up to $7,000 for covered appliances, one of the highest limits we’ve seen from a home warranty provider. Additionally, there is no cap on most systems, unlike many providers that impose set limits on this type of coverage.

The First American Advantage upgrade offers extended coverage for damaged items due to poor installations and modifications—a feature that distinguishes it from competitors. The upgrade includes preexisting conditions, which many other home warranty companies exclude, providing valuable protection for homes with recent renovations or older equipment.

First American Home Warranty Advantages

• Up to $7,000 appliance coverage limits
• Unlimited coverage on most major home systems
• First American Advantage upgrade covers preexisting conditions
• No age limit on appliances or systems
• Extended plumbing stoppages coverage (up to 125 feet)
• Competitive pricing compared to industry standards
• Quick claims process and efficient technician dispatch
• Member discounts on various home services

First American Home Warranty Disadvantages

• Excludes air conditioning, water heaters, and laundry appliances from lowest plan
• Only offers comprehensive combo plans covering both systems and appliances
• Cannot purchase appliance-only or system-only coverage
• Higher pricing required to access essential items like AC
• Some customers report repair quality issues and generic replacements
• Not available in all states
• Some reports of frequent claim denials

Who Should Choose First American Home Warranty

We recommend First American Home Warranty if you:

• Own luxury or high-end appliances
• Prefer no limits on major home system coverage
• Need added coverage for items damaged by poor installations or modifications
• Have recently completed renovations and want preexisting condition coverage
• Have older homes with aging systems and appliances

We don’t recommend First American Home Warranty if you:

• Need appliance-only or system-only coverage
• Prefer not to pay higher pricing to cover essential items, such as AC
• Want consistent item coverage regardless of your plan choice
• Live in a state where the company doesn’t operate
• Are looking for the absolute cheapest home warranty option

Is First American Home Warranty Worth It?

If you own high-end appliances or expensive home systems, First American Home Warranty is a good option thanks to its higher coverage caps and comprehensive plans. It covers essential systems such as heating, cooling, and ductwork without imposing limits, offering strong protection for valuable or complex systems. For homeowners with luxury appliances or recent renovations, the First American Advantage upgrade provides exceptional value through its coverage of preexisting conditions and installation-related issues.

The company’s no-age-limit policy means even older homes can access protection, and the flexibility to choose your service call fee allows for budget customization. However, if you need appliance-only coverage or want to avoid mandatory combo plans, First American may not be the ideal fit. Additionally, potential service quality issues noted in some customer reviews warrant careful consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is First American Home Warranty legit?

A: Yes, First American Home Warranty is a legitimate home warranty company that has been in business for over 35 years. The company offers competitive coverage at reasonable prices and is established as a reliable provider in the home warranty industry.

Q: How does First American Home Warranty work?

A: First American service contracts typically last for one year and protect a home’s systems and appliances from unexpected repair or replacement costs caused by normal wear and tear. When a covered item breaks down, you contact the company, submit a claim, and they dispatch a technician from their network to assess and repair or replace the item.

Q: What service call fee options does First American offer?

A: You can choose your service call fee of either $100 or $125, which you’ll pay each time First American sends a technician to your home. Your selection will affect your monthly premium cost.

Q: Are there any items that First American Home Warranty doesn’t cover?

A: Yes, certain items are excluded or limited based on your plan selection. For example, the Starter Plan excludes air conditioning, water heaters, and laundry appliances. Additionally, items damaged by improper use, neglect, or normal wear beyond the warranty period are typically excluded.

Q: Can I get appliance-only or system-only coverage from First American?

A: No, First American only offers comprehensive combo plans that bundle both system and appliance coverage. You cannot purchase appliance-only or system-only coverage, which means you’ll be paying for coverage across both categories regardless of your specific needs.

Q: Does First American Home Warranty have age limits on appliances?

A: No, First American Home Warranty has no age limit on appliances or systems. As long as items are in safe working order at the start of your contract, they can be covered regardless of their age, making this ideal for older homes.