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First American Home Warranty Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4 / 5 (Very good)
580 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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First American Home Warranty is a California-based company founded in 1984 for the purpose of providing home warranty products and services in the United States.

They provide coverage for home systems and appliance repairs for homeowners, sellers, buyers. The company is BBB-accredited, with a B+ rating, and a four-star TrustPilot score.
 
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How is First American rated?

Breakdown

4.5/5
Transparency
4.0/5
Claims Processing
4.1/5
Coverage Options
4.0/5
Additional Benefits
3.5/5
Customer Experience

Overall Rating: 4 / 5 (Very good)

With more than 30 years of experience, First American has proven itself a leader in the home warranty industry.

The company serves over 450,000 customers across the nation, offering year-round repair and replacement services, even on holidays.
Some of the most attractive features of First American home warranty plans are their comprehensive coverages, standard prices, and lower-than-average service call fees.
First American is an excellent option for anyone looking to protect their homes at a reasonable price and receive quality service 365 days a year.

Coverage

Key Facts

Plan Types
Appliances
Combo Plan
Benefit Limit Type
Per Item
Unlimited

Coverage Options - 4.1 / 5

First American offers two plans, the Basic coverage, and Premier coverage.

While their basic coverage protects mainly kitchen appliances, their Premier plan offers complete protection for all main home systems as well as appliances.

In line with most businesses in the industry, however, they will not cover cosmetic damages, damages due to improper maintenance or installation, and any known or unknown pre-existing conditions.

Coverage amounts differ by contract, yet their limits range around $3,000 in the aggregate for kitchen refrigerators, $1,500 for heating systems, and $500 for ductwork, which are substantially higher than comparable companies.

What does First American cover?

Covered Built-In Systems

  • Air Conditioning
  • Heating
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Water Heater

Covered Appliances

  • Refrigerators
  • Clothes Dryers
  • Clothes Washers

Exclusions

For a full list of First American exclusions, check out this page.

Specialty Items

  • Pool/Spa
  • Well Pump

Contract & Price

Contract Details

Annual Premium
Starting at $300
Minimum Contract Length
12 month(s)
Online Quote/Application

Contract & Price - 3.8 / 5

Annual premiums with First American can range from $300 to $500+ depending on the plan and option selections, quite reasonable within the home warranty industry.

The company extends a standard 12-month contract term and allows customers to obtain quotes and enroll online. Contracts seem to have different cancellation policies according to geographical location, so customers are advised to read their warranty agreements thoroughly before signing.

For instance, Texas residents may cancel their plans within the first seven days of coverage for a full refund, whereas Virginia residents have 20 days to cancel and receive back the entirety of their payment, provided they have not filed any claims under said contract.

Sample Contract

First American provides a sample contract for potential customers on its website: First American Sample Contract

Claims & Service

Claims

Service Fee
$75 - $100
24/7 Claims Department?
Waiting Period
30 days

Contractors & Service

Contractor Selection
In-Network Only
Service Recall Period
0 days

Claims Processing - 4 / 5

First American has some of the most affordable service call fees in the industry, which range from $75 to $100, depending on the plan selected and state.

The company also offers a vast network of pre-screened contractors and technicians, as well as a 24/7 claims department.

Although their service offer is similar to that some competitors, it must be noted that First American contracts are short and easy to understand, which is another feature that potential clients will surely appreciate.

First American Reputation

Company Details

Year Founded
1984
NHSCA Membership
Number of Customers
450,000
Number of Employees
351
TrustPilot Rating
8.0 out of 5
BBB Rating
B+
BBB Positive Reviews
6
BBB Neutral Reviews
4
BBB Negative Reviews
277

Reputation - 4 / 5

First American is a BBB-accredited business with a B+ rating and composite score of 2.82 out of 5 stars based on 321 customer reviews.

Although they have received a considerable amount of negative client feedback at the Better Business Bureau's website, the agency has granted them accreditation based on their commitment to making a good faith effort to resolve consumer complaints.

Additionally, the company is a member of the NHSCA and holds a noteworthy Trustpilot score of 8.0 (Great).

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
https://homewarranty.firstam.com/
Company Phone
(800) 992-3400
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 7248, Santa Rosa, CA, 95407
Year Founded
1984

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580 Customer Comments & Reviews

Loading Reviews ...
J
John
3/9/2019
John & Esther C Porterville, California 3/9/19 Been with out a furnace for over a month now. One excuse after another. Unit should have been replaced but First American would not do that Totally unsatisfied. Do not waste your money with this company. Still not fixed.

Jenora B
2/27/2019
This company has very few contractors to call on. After a complaint about the appliance company they sent to look at my refrigerator, I asked for a different company....they didn't have one. I had a plumbing problem and they sent a company that had to drive in from over 110 miles one way. That company was TERRIBLE and did not fix the problem. After NUMEROUS calls they finally confessed that they didn't have anyone else to call so I had to use that company or call someone I knew and pay them and they would "reimburse" me after reviewing the bill. NO WAY was I getting into that trap. DO NOT use this company. Terrible customer service and terrible contractors (the few that will work for... Read More

B
Bryan B
2/21/2019
FAHW has been good taking care of our claims but we almost always seem to get a C+ contractor doing repairs and they are seldom in a hurry to take care of us.

michelle R
2/20/2019
Was very pleased with the help of the customer service rep who helped me set everything up for my service. The electrician and the plumber were professional and courteous. Work was completed in a very timely manner.

Jeb J
2/20/2019
Outstanding response to each of our claims. Our most most recent need for a garage door opener was handled by a very professional local contractor.

Sally B
2/20/2019
I had two great experiences so far with First American. In the past, I felt that warranties were useless because everything was rejected for one reason or another. That is not my experience with First American. The response time was immediate and the services performed exceeded my expectations.

O
Oliver A
2/13/2019
Absolute worst company to deal when it comes to claim resolution and customer service! Rejects all statements from customer (me) and accepts the fictitious report claimed by the plumber which is contracted by First AM. I initiated several claims and one of them is the plumbing issues. The plumbing service finally showed up a week later. Whereas, my other claims I filed was at my house the following 2-3 days and closed out. The plumber the company sent, in a nutshell, conducted inadequate, poor, subpar investigation/diagnosis/inspection. For example, concluded water regulator was broken/not working without properly looking or testing the regulator. Visually inspected it from where he was... Read More

Carol R
2/9/2019
Takes a long time before a tech to come out. Also, not happy they keep going up on the deductible. Planning on shopping elsewhere.

T
theseusxx
2/8/2019
While we finally got our problem fixed, I was dismayed that First American DOES NOT have an electrician anywhere close to our area. We don't live in the "sticks", we are only 25 miles from Myrtle Beach! So after waiting 3 days for FA to find someone, an appointment was made. The poor guy had to travel 400 miles round trip!!! He did arrive on time, explained what he needed to do, and went to work. He was proficient, knowledgable, and polite. Kudos to him... What I am worried about is the next time I need an electrician. Will the same thing happen? I sure hope not.

G
Gerald
2/6/2019
There is a reason this company has many bad consumer reviews. The bad reviews are well-earned. It is sad that they have managed a good rating, despite the countless bad reviews. This is a terrible company. They are happy to collect the Premium and glad to charge the service fee, but they will do everything in their power to deny a claim. Sometimes, they will throw you a bone; if they think something can be repaired with an inexpensive part, they will do it, just to make you think they are legitimate. Nonetheless, they will take a very long time to act. Yes, they will take your call, but it always takes several days before someone comes out. This is not a one-time occurrence; we were with... Read More

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