First American Home Warranty (FAHW) provides service contracts for major home systems and appliances with 24/7 request intake online or by phone and flexible coverage options you can tailor during signup (official site). Availability varies by location; FAHW currently operates in 35 states according to recent third-party reviews—always confirm eligibility by ZIP on the official site (Forbes Home; U.S. News 360 Reviews).
Depending on your needs and budget, FAHW offers three primary homeowner plan tiers (names vary by state) and a menu of add-ons; pricing is location-based and adjusts with your selected trade-call fee. Get live pricing using the online quote tool on the official site (First American Home Warranty).
FAHW is part of First American Financial Corporation, a large publicly traded provider of real estate and settlement services—offering financial and operational backing for the home warranty business (First American Financial SEC filings).
First American Home Warranty Overview
- Plan types: Three primary homeowner plans (names vary by state) plus optional upgrades like the First Class Upgrade (plan details on FAHW)
- Pricing: Location-based; use the official quote tool for current monthly pricing and state-specific terms (sample contract terms)
- Service fees: Customer-selectable trade-call fee at signup (fee choice affects your monthly price). For context, typical local service/diagnostic fees outside a warranty run about $70–$130 for appliance repair, $75–$200 for HVAC, and $50–$200 for plumbers (many providers credit the fee if you proceed with repair)
- Workmanship guarantee: Yes — 90 days on parts and 30 days on labor on completed repairs (see current contract language)
- Contract length: 1 year
- BBB rating (Letter): See current BBB profile
- Home inspection required? No
- States served: 35 states (availability varies by ZIP; confirm on the official FAHW site; also reported by Forbes Home and MarketWatch Guides)
Plan Options:
Basic Plan
Monthly Premium: Varies by location and selected trade-call fee; FAHW commonly offers three homeowner tiers (names differ by state), and your fee choice adjusts the monthly price (see live quote).
Systems Covered: Coverage varies by tier; core home systems are typically included on mid/high tiers. Central air conditioning is often available via add-on in many states and may be included on higher tiers in some locations—confirm in your state’s plan documents (FAHW plan comparison).
Premium Plan
Monthly Premium: Varies by location and service-fee selection; higher tiers typically bundle more systems and appliances, and you can add optional upgrades like the First Class Upgrade for permits/code/disposal coverage (get a quote).
Who is this best for?
FAHW suits homeowners who want mid‑priced coverage with control over monthly cost via the trade‑call fee choice and the ability to add upgrades like the First Class Upgrade to reduce out‑of‑pocket costs for permits/code/disposal (FAHW). It’s a practical fit in the 35 states FAHW serves; if central air conditioning must be included by default rather than added as an option, compare plan tiers at American Home Shield, which includes central AC on its systems‑covering tiers (AHS plan overview).
Pros
- Customizable coverage: Three primary homeowner plans (names vary by state) with add‑ons and the optional First Class Upgrade; monthly price adjusts with your trade‑call fee selection (FAHW plan options).
- Helpful online resources: FAHW offers 24/7 service request intake and an easy quote flow, plus a blog with tips to help customers maintain their home and understand coverage.
- Workmanship terms disclosed: Completed repairs carry a workmanship guarantee of 90 days on parts and 30 days on labor, per current contract language (FAHW contract).
Cons
- Availability: FAHW operates in 35 states rather than nationwide—confirm eligibility by ZIP (official site; U.S. News 360 Reviews).
- Per‑claim trade‑call fee: A fee applies on each service request; while you can choose your fee level at signup, note that typical local service/diagnostic fees outside a warranty often run $70–$130 (appliance) and $75–$200 (HVAC), so higher‑cost trades can add up without protection.
- Central AC may be an add‑on: In many states, central air conditioning is offered as optional coverage rather than included on entry tiers—verify inclusion for your state and tier during the quote process (FAHW plans).
The Competition
| First American | American Home Shield | Choice Home Warranty | AFC Home Club | |
| States served | 35 states | 49 states | Broad availability (check ZIP) | Most states (check ZIP) |
| Reviews rating | Check Google/BBB; most shoppers look for 4.0+ and recent reviews | Check Google/BBB; most shoppers look for 4.0+ and recent reviews | Check Google/BBB; most shoppers look for 4.0+ and recent reviews | Check Google/BBB; most shoppers look for 4.0+ and recent reviews |
| Service fee | Customer‑selectable trade‑call fee | $75, $100, or $125 | Fixed per‑claim fee (disclosed at purchase) | Varies by plan |
| Workmanship guarantee | 90 days parts, 30 days labor | 60 days | 90 days parts, 30 days labor | Life of contract |
| Customizable? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other | Three primary plans Optional First Class Upgrade | Three plans (ShieldSilver/Gold/Platinum) Broader protections on higher tiers | Two tiers (Basic/Total) Frequent promotions; review caps/exclusions | Lifetime workmanship guarantee Four plans offered |
All information reflects the latest available provider disclosures and independent reviews in 2025; verify live quotes and state availability on official sites. For ratings context, recent consumer research shows most buyers expect an average of 4.0+ stars and very recent feedback before engaging, and platforms actively filter large volumes of policy‑violating reviews (BrightLocal 2025; Google Maps safety updates).
First American compared to American Home Shield:
- Size: American Home Shield operates at national scale; parent company disclosures indicate service to millions of customers, with a large contractor network supporting dispatch capacity (Frontdoor SEC filings). FAHW is smaller but backed by First American Financial (FAF filings).
- Plans: AHS offers three tiers—ShieldSilver, ShieldGold, and ShieldPlatinum—while FAHW offers three primary homeowner plans (names vary by state) plus optional upgrades like the First Class Upgrade (FAHW plans).
- Service Fees: Both companies let you choose a per‑claim fee at signup. AHS offers $75, $100, or $125 options that affect the monthly premium (AHS), and FAHW also provides selectable trade‑call fee options (FAHW).
- Appliance and System Coverage: A key difference is central air conditioning: AHS includes central AC on its systems‑covering tiers (AHS plan overview), whereas FAHW often lists central AC as an optional add‑on depending on state/tier—confirm during quoting (FAHW plans).
First American compared to Choice Home Warranty:
- State coverage: Choice Home Warranty markets broad availability (confirm by ZIP), while FAHW operates in 35 states per recent independent reviews—verify eligibility on each provider’s site (U.S. News 360 Reviews; FAHW official).
- Discounts: Choice frequently advertises promotions; FAHW pricing is mid‑range with upgrade options—compare live quotes and contract limits before deciding (CHW plans; FAHW quote).
- Plan Structure: Choice offers two tiers (Basic and Total) with add‑ons (plan list), whereas FAHW offers three primary homeowner plans (names vary by state) plus optional upgrades (FAHW).
- Customer Service: Both companies accept service requests 24/7 via online portals or phone, and neither typically requires a home inspection before purchase. Given rising labor/parts costs—especially in HVAC amid refrigerant transitions—compare service‑fee choices and coverage caps carefully (EPA HFC phasedown context).
The Bottom Line
FAHW delivers balanced value with flexible trade‑call fee choices, three primary homeowner plan tiers, and upgrades like the First Class Upgrade to help with common non‑covered costs (permits/code/disposal). It’s a strong contender if you’re in one of the 35 states FAHW serves and want the option to tailor coverage (get a live quote). If you prefer central AC included by default or want broader protections at higher caps, compare against AHS Shield tiers. Given rising trade service costs and HVAC changes, review each contract’s caps, exclusions, and service‑fee options before you choose—and compare with other home warranty providers.
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