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First American Home Warranty Review 2024
First American Home Warranty (FAHW), with over 40 years of experience, is recognized for providing economic plans alongside competent customer support. To better understand their services, we present a comprehensive First American Home Warranty review to help you make an informed decision.
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Plans costs
$47 - $87
Service fee
$75, $100 & $125
30 days service guarantee
39 Years in
Business
30 day Waiting
Periods
First American Home Warranty (FAHW) is one of the early entrants in the industry with over 40 years of experience. The parent company of FAHW, First American Financial Corporation, has been around for over 125 years and is listed as one of the Fortune 500 companies in the US.
Our editors thoroughly researched the company policy and analyzed over 2400 customer reviews to create this assessment. We recommend homeowners read this detailed review to learn more about:
- Pricing, coverage, and plan details of FAHW
- Dollar limits and exclusions of the company
- Process of claims’ submission
Why First American Home Warranty?
FAHW has paid $219 Million in claims in a year
The company accepts service requests 24 hours a day and seven days a week
The company offers coverage regardless of the age of appliances & systems
HomeWarrantyReviews.com
2.8/5 (2,445)
Trustpilot
4.2/5 (15,322)
Consumer Affairs
4.2/5 (8512)
Explore Verified Consumer Reviews for First American Home Warranty
first year of protection was excellent but only hear from them at renewal
Frst American has always exceeded my expectations for going the extra mile for us personally on our own home and for all of our real estate cliants who we recommend that they purchase a home warranty for their new perchase. Also, if they are considering selling their home they can be assured that any last minute break down of any covered home component will be repaired avoiding closing delays.
I am glad that I have my home covered by First American Home Warranty. They have repaired my dryer and my fridge and my water heater and they have replaced my washer and more. I only ever pay my service call fee and my monthly fee for the coverage of course. I have the peace of mind to know that I won\'t have a huge repair bill to fix something.
My whole house fan and my ductless air conditioner needed repaired. First American Home Warranty contacted the necessary contractors and they replied and made the necessary repairs satisfactorily. We were well pleased with the entire process from start to completion.
I am an officer in a VERY small non-profit corporation, that goes out of its way to provide affordable rental homes. We have FAHW insurance with all three of our properties, now for at least 9 years. I have noticed a considerable uptick in their performance over the last 2-3 years. I am delighted that I can talk to a live person on the phone when there is a problem. The customer service people on the phone are very knowledgeable and polite. They might speak English as a second language but I don\'t care. It\'s very good customer service. The online interface is also improved, and so has the quality of the servicing contractors. My one complaint in the past year, was our tenant that was least able to afford problems was without their washer machine for 2 months waiting on a special nut. I believe that the 25 year old washer machine had outlived its useful life, and $40 a week at the laundromat for two months really hurt. For a really old appliance, I would like to have a conversation before the action is taken.
I HAVE BEEN WITH FIRST AMERICAN HOME WARRANTY FOR A DECADE AND THEY HAS BEEN THERE ALL THOSE YEARS FOR ME AND MY REPAIRS THANK GOODNESS FOR FIRST AMERICAN HOME WARRANTY
Pros & cons
Pros
- Does not mandate home inspections
- Offers Plumbing Plus and various such upgrades
Cons
- Offers limited add-ons
Enquire For Cost-effective home warranty plans
Protect Your Home Appliances And Systems Starting As Low As $1.5/Day
Plans & Coverage Of First American Home Warranty
FAHW offers 3 plans with varied coverage options: Starter, Essential, and Premium. The Starter Plan covers 5 appliances and systems, the Essential Plan includes 9 items, and the Premium Plan, a comprehensive option, covers 15 essential systems and appliances.
The table below lists all the items covered by First American Home Warranty plans:
|
Items |
Starter |
Essential |
Premium |
|
Plumbing System |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
Dishwasher And Refrigerator |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
Electrical And Heating Systems |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
Built-In Microwave Oven |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
Oven And Cooktop |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
|
Clothes Washer And Dryer |
✓ | ✓ | |
|
Water Heater |
✓ | ✓ | |
|
Garage Door Opener |
✓ | ✓ | |
|
Air Conditioning |
✓ | ✓ | |
|
Luxury Appliance Coverage |
✓ | ||
|
Full Garage Door System |
✓ | ||
|
Garbage Disposal |
✓ | ||
|
Instant Hot Water Dispenser |
✓ | ||
|
Faucets |
✓ | ||
|
Additional Coverage And Enhancements |
✓ |
Besides these three plans, FAHW also offers optional items and upgrades at an additional cost. Take a look at what the following upgrades cover:
- First Class Upgrade increases the combined aggregate coverage limits. FAHW covers up to $2.5k for diagnosis, access, repair, or replacement of the geothermal heat pump and oil furnace. They cover up to $1.25k to make modifications when effecting approved repairs or replacements.
- Plumbing Plus extends coverage for water heater expansion tanks, up to $250 to install and up to $250 to clear blockages caused by tree roots.
Optional Coverage
The following items you can purchase in exchange for some extra dollars:
- Central Air Conditioning
- First Class Upgrade
- HVAC Tune-up
- Water Softener
- Pool / Spa Equipment
- Septic Tank / Pumping System
- Additional Refrigeration
- Well Pump
Coverage Limitations & Exclusions
The First American Home Warranty offers dollar limits under all of its plans. This means the company will protect your home system or appliance up to these limits.
The table below shows the coverage limits provided by the company for basic coverage.
|
Items |
Limits |
|
Plumbing |
Up to $500 |
|
Water Heater |
Up to $1500 |
|
Kitchen Appliances |
$3500/item |
Also, FAHW will cover your optional add-ons up to the provided coverage limitations. These are:
|
Optional Items |
Limits |
|
Central Air Conditioning |
Up to $1,500 |
|
First Class Upgrade |
Up to $600 |
|
Pool / Spa Equipment |
Up to $2,500 |
|
Additional Refrigeration |
Up to $1,000 |
|
Well Pump |
Up to $1,500 |
|
Septic Tank / Pumping System |
Up to $500 |
|
Water Softener |
Up to $500 |
First American Home Warranty plans only cover the parts and components explicitly mentioned in their service agreement. Accessories, shelves, knobs, hinges, digital meters, transmitters, etc., of appliances and systems are excluded.
Although the company offers repair and replacement services for items with improper installation, it is subject to terms and conditions.
Note: You can learn about more limitations and exclusions of First American Home Warranty plans with the help of a sample or service contract.
First American Home Warranty Cost
First American Home Warranty plans start at $47/month or $540/year for Starter, $57/month or $600/year for Essential, and $72/month or $840/year for Premium plan.
|
Starter Plan |
Essential Plan |
Premium Plan |
|
|
Cost At $125 Deductible |
$47 / Month |
$57 / Month |
$72 / Month |
|
$540 / Annum |
$660 / Annum |
$840 / Annum |
|
|
Cost At $100 Deductible |
$52 / Month |
$62 / Month |
$77 / Month |
|
$600 / Annum |
$720 / Annum |
$900 / Annum |
|
|
Cost At $75 Deductible |
$62 / Month |
$72 / Month |
$87 / Month |
|
$720 / Annum |
$840 / Annum |
$1,020 / Annum |
The company offers three choices of deductibles- $75, $100, and $125, based on which plan rates differ. The detailed break-up of the First American Home Warranty plans is explained in the table below.
Note: These prices are California-specific and for properties under 5,000 sqft.
Review Of Plans, Coverage & Customer Service Of First American Home Warranty
FAHW’s long-standing presence in the industry and the goodwill it borrows from its parent entity give it a unique benefit vis-à-vis other companies. First American Home Warranty has a 2.8/5 rating on our platform based on over 2,400 customer reviews.
Review Of First American Home Warranty Plans & Coverage
- First American Home Warranty (FAHW) offers comprehensive coverage plans suitable for individuals concerned about improperly installed or maintained appliances and systems, particularly in older homes.
- Some customers may find First American Home Warranty pricing complex due to deductible choices impacting plan costs.
- The Premium Plan stands out as a good option for those seeking extensive coverage at an affordable price.
Review Of First American Home Warranty’s Customer Service
- Customers have praised FAHW for its coverage plans, claims payout, and professionalism. The company holds a rating of ‘B’ with accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- FAHW has been a popular pick among customers due to its many positives. However, to improve customer satisfaction, the company must analyze homeowner complaints and work on resolving them.
First American Home Warranty Claim Filing Procedure: Phone Number, Web Portal, & Online Form
Requesting service from the licensed and skilled technicians of FAHW’s network is easy. The FAHW claims process is as follows:
- Call the First American Home Warranty customer service number or log into the website to submit your service request
- Within 48 hours of confirming your claim with FAHW, a service contractor will be assigned, and the visit will be scheduled at your convenience.
- You are responsible for paying the service call fee during the visit. The company offers a recall period of 30 days if the issue recurs.
Note: FAHW will not reimburse you for any services performed without prior authorization.
Conclusion
First American Home Warranty provides three different plans and flexibility in selecting the deductible and determining the plan’s cost. However, the Starter and Essential plans are not comprehensive, excluding basic items such as faucets and garbage disposal.
Nevertheless, the company offers optional items that can be added to your existing plan to enhance its comprehensiveness. Therefore, we strongly recommend reviewing each plan and its coverage details to understand what is covered and what is not, allowing you to decide according to your requirements.
Quick Details About The Company
Look at the following table to learn some basic details about First American Home Warranty:
| Founder |
Matthew Wendl, President |
| Year Of Establishment |
1984 |
| Address |
1244 Apollo Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 |
| Type Of Company |
Private |
Why Should You Trust Us?
- All details presented in this review are directly sourced from First American Home Warranty's official page and sample contract.
- We carefully assessed First American Home Warranty's sample contract to simplify and refine their descriptions.
- Our analysis involved studying more than 6,630 customer reviews from various platforms to understand customers' perspectives and pain points.
- This comprehensive First American Home Warranty review results from 29 hours of thorough research dedicated to comprehending every aspect of the company.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is There A Waiting Period For First American Home Warranty?
A.
First American Home Warranty has a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. You can choose a different start date up to 45 days from your enrollment date.
Does The First American Home Warranty Cover Plumbing?
A.
Yes, First American Home Warranty coverage includes plumbing systems and plumbing stoppages.
How Does First American Home Warranty Work?
A.
First American Home Warranty offers two plans with different coverage levels – The Basic Plan and Premium Plan. You can choose either of these plans depending on your coverage needs. After your 30-day waiting period, you can file a service request claim when a covered item breaks down.
The company verifies the validity of your claim and arranges for a qualified service technician. The technician will diagnose and fix your broken item after you pay him the agreed-upon service call fee.
How Much Does A First American Home Warranty Cost?
A.
First American Home Warranty costs vary depending on your chosen plan, your location, and other factors.
For example, the Basic Plan may cost you $38 per month or $420 per year in Texas. The Premium Plan is $48.50 per month or $546 per year. In California, the Basic Plan starts at $33 per month or $360 per year; the Premium Plan is $45.50 per month and $510 per year.
What Is The First American Home Warranty Cash-Out Option?
A.
First American Home Warranty provides flexible payment options where you can contact an independent licensed contractor if they cannot locate one to attend to your claim. They authorize covered repairs or replacements and reimburse up to an agreed-upon rate.
Your contractor can be paid directly if they bill First American Home Warranty the repair costs, or you can get the amount upon presenting a paid invoice.
Do I Need A First American Home Warranty If I Have Homeowners Insurance?
A.
Homeowners’ insurance provides different coverage, as it covers your expenses for damages caused by natural disasters, Acts of God, burglaries, and structural issues.
On the other hand, home warranty coverage reduces repair and replacement costs for your home systems and appliances. These services are provided when a covered item breaks down due to general wear and tear, especially after the expiration of the manufacturer’s warranty.
Can I Get Coverage On Any Home System Or Appliance?
A.
You can get the home systems and appliances mentioned in a home warranty plan covered by the company. There are no restrictions on home systems and appliances age, make, or model. However, it’s best to maintain service records to have a reference when claiming First American Home Warranty coverage.
Does First American Home Warranty Cover Roof Leaks?
A.
First American Home Warranty coverage does not include roof leaks in any of its plans. You can consider ServicePlus Home Warranty and Choice Home Warranty, which offer roof leak coverage.
Does The First American Home Warranty Cover Freon?
A.
Yes, the First American Home Warranty plans cover R-22 refrigerant or freon. They will cover the costs to refill your system irrespective of the type of refrigerant.
Additionally, they have no dollar-limits policy on the cost of covered refrigerants.
Is There Any Limit To How Often I Can Request Service?
A.
You can make any number of requests during your contract period. You must pay a trade service fee for each visit unless it follows up on a previous repair within the service guarantee period (30 days).
How To Cancel The First American Home Warranty?
A.
If you wish to terminate your services, follow First American Home Warranty’s cancellation process. According to the company guidelines, you must submit a cancellation request in writing to cancellationsupport@firstam.com. You may also be required to pay a $50 cancellation fee.
When can a warranty claim be denied?
A.
Yes, your home warranty can be denied if you don’t follow the exact guidelines provided by the company. Hence, read your service contract carefully to understand the terms.
Does a home warranty cover accidental damage?
A.
No, the home warranty does not cover any accidental damages. You can opt for a home insurance policy if you want coverage for these damages.
In which states is First American Home Warranty excluded?
A.
First American Home Warranty is available in 35 states across the United States. However, it is currently excluded in the following states: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
Does First American Home Warranty Offer Any Discounts?
A.
First American Home Warranty offers $25 off for active and retired military personnel on home warranty plans. Homeowners can also get $100 off on any plan when purchasing online. You can find more details on this in your service agreement.
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