We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. Learn more

First American Home Warranty Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4 / 5 (Very good)
580 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
Our content is free because we may earn a commission when you click or make a purchase using our site. Learn more.
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.

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
Company Phone
(800) 992-3400
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 7248, Santa Rosa, CA, 95407
Year Founded
1984

Leave a comment for First American Home Warranty
Minimum 12 words.
 No maximum length.
* What's Your Rating?
To make this comment as helpful as possible for our community, please provide at least 2 sentences.

580 Customer Comments & Reviews

Loading Reviews ...
Steven J
1/4/2018
You have failed to repair my furnace after a week saying you are looking for a part. We are in the middle of an attic blast and temperatures are from a high of 20 to nighttime lows of 0. Please help. Steven Davis Huntington West Virginia


J
Judy
1/2/2018
My hot water heater was noted as leaking called FAHW on 11/19/2017. I was with hot water for a week while they ordered a new tank. Tank was for propane and I have natural gas! So it never worked. Today is 1/2/2018 and it's been over 6 weeks and I do NOT have "HOT" Water. I have had 6 visits by AAA plumbing and now they are sending another company!!!


T
Tanya
12/29/2017
After quickly reading the first dozen reviews here there is little left that I could add. It appears most people here have had the same experiences we have had. We've used First American for a couple of our homes and consistently experience the same issues repeatedly...sub standard contractors who might, or not, call you within a week's time, chasing down information, waiting days and/or weeks for repairs to be completed after waiting days and/or weeks for contractors to initially show up to assess problems, etc...Absolutely horrible experiences and never one issue fully resolved. Unless you love being angry and dissatisfied, do not use First American. Your broken product will not be... Read More


L
Lanita T
12/26/2017
Horrible company. My water heater would not produce hot water. Called them on December 8. They sent the worst plumbing company in the world "DRAINCO...which has a "C" rating with the BBB". They told me that someone would fix my water heater on December 11th. As of December 26th I am still waiting for my water heater to be fixed with no hot water. Being given the runaround by First American as well as DRAINCO. First American will do nothing about the problem. I would not recommend this company to my worst enemy.


M
mike s
12/15/2017
My honest experience with this company is they SUCK. We paid $500 for a warranty they can't back up. My refrigerator has been out for over 2 months, through Thanksgiving and now they tell me I can't get a tech out to see it again, for the 6th time, till after Christmas. They won't make a decision on replacing it because they are inept and stupid. One representative told me to get buckets of ice and put my $500 of groceries in it. Steer clear of this sorry excuse of a warranty company. VERY DISSATISFIED.


T
Terry
12/10/2017
The absolute worst home warranty company. The absolute worst customer service experience that I have ever had with any type of company. Had an AC problem in 100 degree weather, and it took two weeks before I (and it was me that had to figure it out) figured out that they had the wrong phone number for me. So I had spent two weeks requesting new contractors, because I was never contacted. Then, and this was the biggest nightmare, I had a stopped up drain. First plumbing contractor never showed and never called, which was typical for that contractor. So there goes a week of waiting and playing phone tag with FAHW. I finally get a plumber sent out, and the contractor stated that the... Read More


T
Ted P
12/7/2017
This company has been thee worst comapnies Ive ever had to deal with. Since the day I made the claim they have been Nothing but a headache. My plumbing was leaking for 4 days since claim was made, it was a hassle to hire an outside plumber without their approval. They finally approved after Not hearing from them for 4 days and them being unable to get someone to my home immediately. Once plumbers showed up, we were on the phone for 2 hours while they asked the plumbers questions that I answered already, I’m so glad the plumbers were very patient and professional, anyone else would have left. Once the price was quoted for the damage, the operator from this warranty company tried to finagle... Read More


T
Ted P
12/7/2017
This company is great at sending advertising to sign up with them. Beware that once you actually need them and file a claim, they are Rude anf irresponsible and extremely incompetent. I called and informed them the pipes were leaking under my sink and that water heater was damaged. They told me someone will contact me within 24 hrs. Its been 4 days and when I called them And told them Im getting a private plumber, they said they would not reimburse me for that. So Im supposed to wait days until they send someone? The 4 days also cause secondary damage to my home and they also said they are not responsible. The staff is rude, and after this is taken care of, they are getting cancelled... Read More


S
Stephanie
12/7/2017
The customer service for First American Home Warranty is AWFUL! Please DO NOT waste your money or time with this company. I was without hot water for over 3 weeks in September. Come November, my heater doesn't work. I'm still without heat for over a month! Every time I try to call to speak with someone about my issue they give me the run around. I will be cancelling this service as soon as my heater is fixed and looking for a new company!


P
Paula H
12/5/2017
This company’s customer service is not even 2 stars worthy. They did get a company assigned to fix my heat quickly. After the company came out the first time the heat went out again in less than 12 hours....they came out again....the heat worked less than 12 hours. The actual company was willing to come back and try to get it fixed for good, but the warranty company would not allow them to. They said they would assign another company and I never heard from them. I ended up having to call someone myself to have it fixed. The hvac company returned my $75 copay. The warranty company is giving me the run around about reimbursing the money I paid. My heat was out for a week....during... Read More



Our Partner

Best Home Warranty for Broad Coverage

  • Get $100 Off with Code PROTECT
  • $213 Million Saved By Homeowners in Repairs
  • Covers Up to $3,500 Per Home Appliance
  • Filing a Claim Does Not Increase Your Rate