Friday, August 12th
2022 Home Warranty Company Reviews
First American Home Warranty
- Accredited by the BBB
- In business for 40 years
- Over 600,000 customers
- $85 service call fee
- Straightforward pricing
- Thousands of five-star reviews
Established in 1984, First American Home Warranty serves almost 600,000 customers and has three main offices serving the US. In a single year, the company pays out over $219 million on repairs and replacements.
2 plans for home warranties
The easiest way to start exploring your home warranty options with First American is by clicking on the "get a quote" button. You'll enter your name, phone number, address, email, and the type of property (single-family home, condo, duplex). In our area, our options included two plans:
- Basic ($36/month): coverage for your garbage disposal, dishwasher, oven/range/cooktop, microwave, trash compactor, refrigerator, washer/dryer
- Premier ($46.50/month): covers everything in the Basic plan, as well as your plumbing, water heater, ductwork, electrical, heating, garage door opener, and central vacuum system.
Watch the details
All plans have an $85 service call fee, and during the quote process we noticed that the fine print said a $3 handling fee is included on all month-to-month payments (but not on full annual pay plans). You should also look at the bottom of each plan to see what optional coverage can be added, like septic systems/pumping, pool/spa equipment, and so forth. Be aware that electric central air isn't included in the Basic or the Premier plan, and you'll need to select it as a monthly add-on if you want protection.
Complaints get resolved
First American Home Warranty has a "just average" rating of "B" from the Better Business Bureau, though the BBB has accredited this company. That rating is due to FAHW having over 4400 complaints filed over the last three years - which, unfortunately, is not uncommon in the home warranty industry. Despite having so many complaints, First American does a good job of responding and getting them resolved (which is why they have a higher BBB rating than some of their rivals with fewer complaints).
Thousands of satisfied clients
On a positive note, we found more than 5500 five-star reviews from happy First American Home Warranty clients. While not everyone has a stellar experience with getting repairs scheduled, most customers seem to receive prompt service and minimal struggles with having it covered under warranty. We also saw lots of compliments for the attention received from FAHW's customer reps - and that's fairly unusual among home warranty companies.
Home warranty service you can count on
You're rarely going to find a home warranty provider that has absolutely no consumer complaints. First American Home Warranty does a solid job of handling the ones that come their way, and we're pretty confident in recommending them as a good choice for your coverage. We like their straightforward plans, easy-to-use website, and their thousands of reviews from satisfied clients. Keep FAHW near the top of your list when deciding which home warranty company should earn your business.
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Where Can You Get the Best Home Warranty Protection?
Maybe you're a landlord trying to mitigate your operating expenses. Or you're trying to sell your home in a tough market and want to set prospective buyers' minds at ease. Then again, you could be like the average homeowner who wants some protection against those unexpected expenses like a failing air conditioner or a leaky bathtub.
In all of these situations, a good home warranty is a wise choice that can make the difference between a quick, inexpensive fix and a huge repair bill. How do home warranty plans work? Most providers give you several plans to choose from, ranging from basic coverage of appliances or systems, to premium packages that cover just about every component of your home. There are usually add-on services for an extra fee, like coverage of your electronics, sump pumps, septic systems, pools/spas, and so on.
Home Warranty Company FAQ
Continued from above...
All home warranties have limits, exclusions, and caps on the amount your policy will pay over the life of the contract: this is one of those times where it's essential to read the fine print and understand what's covered and what's not.
You should also expect a 30-day waiting period before your coverage takes effect. In other words, don't think you can hurriedly throw a warranty plan on your broken fridge and expect it to get fixed - unless you want to wait a whole month. Many home warranty companies use this time as a money-back guarantee period, in case you change your mind or discover something in your policy that you weren't aware of when you signed up. One such "surprise" is often the trade call service fee: what you'll pay per service call, similar to a copay you'd have on a medical insurance plan or a deductible with your car insurance. Be aware that you could have multiple fees for a single repair, if the fix requires different tradespeople to get it taken care of (both a plumber and an electrician).
You've got a lot of companies to consider for your home warranty, and it's easy to get overwhelmed. How can you tell which ones will deliver what they promise? Here are the most useful criteria to guide your decision:
- Reputation. First and foremost, what do homeowners say about their experience with the home warranty provider? Are claims handled quickly, with repair technicians dispatched in a timely manner? Does the company approve claims easily, or should you expect to fight to get them approved and paid for? How many complaints have been registered, in comparison with any positive feedback?
- Coverage. What will you get for what you pay? Can you select a tier of service that doesn't make you spend money on coverage you don't need? What's included and what's not?
- Value. What will you spend on your home warranty? How much will you pay for trade service call fees? Play with the numbers and see what your annual premium totals and fees might be, compared with what you'd spend out of pocket to take care of the repairs on your own.
To help protect your home (and your savings), TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked today's most popular home warranty providers. We're sure this information will help you choose the right plan for your property!
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