Having our homes, major appliances, and systems protected can offer peace of mind. One place you can get that protection is with First American Home Warranty. The company has been in the business for over 30 years. If you want to learn more about them, the following First American Home Warranty review will provide you with all the information you need.
The company is known for its flexible payment plans (monthly/yearly). However, they’re also known for requiring a service fee prior to having any claim under investigation. To understand the details about the company, continuing reading our First American Home Warranty review below.
Contact Information
Address: P.O. Box 7248, Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Phone Number: (Service Department) 800-992-3400 | (Consumer Sales) 888-875-0533 | (Renewals Department) 800-327-9292 | (Real Estate Sales) 800-444-9030
Official Website: First American Home Warranty
Coverage: 38 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
About First American Home Warranty
First American Home Warranty is a member of the First American Corporation family. They were first founded back in 1984. The company offers protection to both homeowners and real estate professionals. Currently, they hold a “B” rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
When using First American Home Warranty, you must go with their selected contractors. They privately screen their network of service providers and offer a way for contractors to apply to become part of their team. The type of contractors they use varies, from plumbing to garage door repair/installation, and more.
Available First American Home Warranty Plans
To provide more details for this First American Home Warranty review, we’ll look at the benefits and plans offered by the company. There are two available plans: Basic and Premier. Within both of them, you can add on additional coverage.
To begin, you can easily get a quote by filling out a brief form on their official website. Beyond requesting a quote, you can also view a sample contract so that you have an idea of what to expect.
Pros
- 24/7 claims department
- Pre-screened contractors
- Replacement for items that can’t be repaired
Cons
- In-network only contractors
- A number of coverage exemptions
- High service fee
Basic Plan
The Basic Plan covers most basic home appliances. Some of the appliances that this covers you will see below:
- Attic and exhaust fans
- Ceiling fans
- Clothes washer/dryer
- Kitchen appliances (dishwasher, garbage disposal, oven/cooktop, instant hot water dispenser)
- Kitchen refrigerators (built-in and freestanding)
- Smoke detectors
There are also optional add-ons you can purchase if you want something covered that is not included, yet you do not wish to go for another plan. Some of these optional coverage options include additional refrigerators, central air conditioning. The plan does have exceptions. They will not cover all parts and components, like for example racks, insulation, shelves, lights, etc.
To learn the exact nature of what is or is not excluded, you must thoroughly read your specific contract. If the company feels it is necessary, they can call in a second opinion, but they will not charge you for it. To deal more with pricing, there’s a service fee (typically $75) as well as annual premiums ($300-$500+) and monthly premiums ($28-$44+).
Premier Plan
With a Premier Plan, you get coverage like in the Basic Plan plus more. You can see examples of what this plan covers below:
- Central Vacuum System
- Ductwork (e.g. heating and cooling units)
- Electrical (wiring, circuit breakers, telephone wiring, etc.)
- Garage Door Openers (e.g. motor, hinges, receiver unit, etc.)
- Heating (grills, filters, heat pump, heat lamps, and more)
- Plumbing & Stoppages (toilet tanks, shower head/arm, faucets, etc.)
- Water Heater (including tank-less)
You can add optional coverage to the Premier Plan. This is similar to what you can add to the Basic Plan. Other examples of what this plan covers are pool/spa equipment and a well pump. Another add-on, essentially, is the same second opinion as with the Basic Plan. This can only be called in by the company at no additional cost to you.
Like the Basic Plan, the Premier Plan comes with exclusions. For instance, with the central vacuum systems, detachable pieces like hoses cannot be covered. Always check your contract to learn more. Pricing depends on location and what you the plan covers. The price range, however, is still $300-$500+ for annual premiums and $24-$48+ for monthly. A service fee of $75 can change depending on contractor/service needed.
Verdict
To wrap up our First American Home Warranty review, we’ll touch on consumer opinions. The company’s composite score on the BBB website is 3.11 out 5 stars based off more than 300 customer reviews. Negative feedback about the company stems from specific contractors (e.g. communication difficulties) and the several exclusions under the appliances/systems covered. However, there are many things to praise about the company such as their prompt customer service, how straightforward and easy the entire process is, and more. If you want to read a personal First American Home Warranty review, you can choose from more than 4,000 customer reviews on Consumer Affairs.
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