First American Home Warranty: Coverage, Plans And Reviews For 2023

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The need for home repairs can pop up at any time. When it comes to choosing a home warranty company, it’s important to work with an experienced provider that can help lift the burden of home ownership in your time of need. When an appliance or system malfunctions, homeowners insurance may not cover the repair leaving you to foot the bill. A home warranty plan can provide some much-needed financial relief by covering part or all of the cost to repair the problem.

Read on to learn about a company that can help, the plans they offer and the advantages of working with First American Home Warranty.

First American Home Warranty: An Overview

First American Home Warranty is a home warranty provider that serves more than a half-million customers and works with more than 850 associates nationwide to help Americans protect their home appliances and systems. The company was first established in 1984 and has three offices in the United States.

First American Home Warranty Coverage And Plans

There are two coverage options homeowners can choose from with First American Home Warranty – the Basic Plan and the Premier Plan. The Basic Plan is the most affordable, but the Premier Plan provides broader coverage. We’ll take a closer look at each plan below.

Basic Plan

The Basic Plan is an affordable way for homeowners to protect their home appliances. Items like a dishwasher and refrigerator would be covered with the Basic Plan, but home systems like plumbing and electrical would not be.

Premier Plan

The Premier Plan is more comprehensive and covers home appliances and major home systems. The Premier Plan is a great option for those who don’t mind paying a bit more each month for additional coverage for items like the garage door opener and electrical system.

First American Home Warranty Pricing

The two home warranty plans offered through First American Home Warranty will range $28 - $60 per month, these prices fall in line with similar home warranty plans.

The Basic Plan that covers most home appliances will cost about $28 a month. The Premier Plan that covers both home appliances and home systems will cost about $42.50 a month. It’s important to note that each plans pricing will vary depending on the home’s location, square footage, residence type, and any add-ons you might choose.

You’ll also be responsible for a service fee of $85 each time a contractor comes to your home. This service fee is paid directly to the contractor and will be charged for each service call regardless of the type of repair or replacement that takes place.

Optional Add-Ons

First American Home Warranty offers optional add-on warranty coverage and services for items not covered with the Basic Plan or Premier Plan. We’ve outlined them below.

Coverage Exclusions

Any home appliance or system not listed as covered in your warranty contract is excluded from coverage. If you purchase the Basic Plan with First American Home Warranty and your plumbing system or garage door opener breaks down, these items would not be covered with the Basic Plan.

There are some common expenses that are excluded from all coverage with First American Home Warranty. Those common exclusions are:

• Code upgrades: If you need to update your home systems to meet the municipality’s codes, your warranty won’t cover the costs of bringing those appliances and systems up to code.
• Structural modifications: First American Home Warranty does not cover structural modifications. If your home has a sagging foundation or needs a new roof, your warranty will not cover these expenses.
• Secondary damage: Warranties don’t cover the cost of mitigating secondary damage after a home has been damaged by fire, flood or other natural disasters. If a home is flooded and mold develops, the home warranty would not cover the cost of remediating the mold because it would be considered secondary damage.
• Cosmetic changes: First American Home Warranty plans do not cover cosmetic changes. If your appliances aren’t a color that blends well with your cabinets, the cost to paint or upgrade the appliances would not be covered.

First American Home Warranty Reviews

It’s always a good idea to dig a little deeper before your commit to a home warranty plan. We’ve pulled together a few reviews from trusted industry sources to give you better insight into the advantages of working with First American Home Warranty.

U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News and World Report ranks First American Home Warranty 4 out of 5 stars.

Pros:

• Low monthly fee
• Fixed service fee rate

Cons:

• Not available in 14 states
• No optional roof coverage
• Only offers two plans 

Consumer Affairs

Consumers Affairs rates First American Home Warranty 3.8 stars out of 5.

Pros:

• Termite coverage available
• Available in California, Arizona and Nevada

Cons:

• Not available in all states
• Cancellation policy

This Old House

The This Old House review team gives First American Home Warranty an 8.4/10.

Pros:

• Covers pest control
• First Class Upgrade covers additional components of covered items
• Affordable plans

Cons:

• Air conditioning is only available as add-on coverage
• Basic Plan doesn’t cover plumbing or electrical systems

Why We Like First American Home Warranty

There are more than a few reasons to choose First American Home Warranty for your home warranty needs. We’ve listed a few of those reasons below.  

Allows Unlimited Service Requests

With First American Home Warranty there is no limit to the number of service calls you can make for repairs at your home. If you need to call a plumber, electrician, and HVAC tech to your home, your monthly fee will not fluctuate based on service call volume.

Provides 24/7 Claims Submission

First American Home Warranty is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call and request service any time day or night. This doesn’t mean a technician will show up for the service call in the middle of the night – most service technicians only make service calls during regular business hours.

Requires No Home Inspection

With First American Home Warranty you won’t need a home inspection before signing a home warranty contract. Home inspections can be costly and depending on your home’s size and location, can cost around $450. Some companies require a home inspection and can turn down your request for service if the inspection reveals too many issues with your home. With First American you can avoid the cost of a home inspection and get coverage quickly.

Covers Building Permit (Optional)

As part of First American Home Warranty’s First-Class Upgrade plan, the company will help pay for the cost of building permits that are required when homeowners need to replace appliances, systems, or other components. First American will pay up to $250 to cover the costs of these local building permits.

First American Home Warranty FAQs

In what states is First American Home Warranty available?

First American Home Warranty provides coverage to customers across the United States. The only states the company does not operate in are Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.

How do I purchase a home warranty from First American?

You can purchase a home warranty policy with First American Home Warranty by following these easy steps:

• Choose the plan for you: You’ll need to evaluate which plan will provide the coverage you need for your home. Be sure to look over the list of add-on options to ensure any additional components you may have in your home are adequately covered.
• Answer a few questions: You’ll need to provide your home’s location, size and your contact information. This will help a warranty expert develop a quote tailored to your home’s needs.
• Speak to a warranty expert: Once your quote is prepared, a home warranty expert will contact you with more information about the coverage available to you and answer any of your concerns. They can assist you with paying for your plan online and over the phone.

Is there a waiting period before I can request service?

New customers are typically required to wait 30 days after signing a contract before they make their first service request.

How do I file a claim with First American Home Warranty?

Filing a claim with First American Home Warranty is easy. Sign into your account to request service online or call (800) 992-3400 to make your request via phone. Once your service request is entered, a service provider will contact you to schedule a convenient appointment. The service provider will confirm your coverage upon arrival and begin the process of diagnosing your repair or replacement.

What are the age limitations on systems and appliances covered by First American Home Warranty?

There are no age limitations for home appliances or systems. First American Home Warranty will cover all appliances and systems regardless of their age as long as they are in working condition before homeowners sign their contracts.

The Bottom Line

If you’re considering purchasing a home, a home warranty plan can help reduce the cost of maintaining your home by providing coverage for costly repairs to home appliances and systems. If you’re a new a homeowner and you’re not familiar with the repairs and maintenance of owning a home, a home warranty can give you the peace of mind you need to sleep well at night in your new home.

It's important to do your homework when looking for the home warranty plan that will work best for you. Check out our review of the best home warranty companies to help your find the company that best fits your needs.