First American Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield cost
When comparing costs, American Home Shield and First American Home Warranty have similar service fees, which is how much you’ll pay when a technician visits. However, American Home Shield tends to have lower starting costs for its plans.
First American Home Warranty plans and pricing
You can select a service fee of $100 or $125 with First American Home Warranty. You’ll pay more out of pocket for repairs with the higher service fee, but your plan will cost you less monthly.
| Service fee | Starter | Essential | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $47 | $62 | $82 |
| $125 | $42 | $57 | $77 |
*Price quotes used a Texas ZIP code; pricing may vary in other locations.
American Home Shield plans and pricing
American Home Shield lets you choose a service fee of $100 or $125, which is what you pay when you file a claim. Choosing a higher service fee reduces the monthly cost of your plan.
| Service fee | ShieldSilver | ShieldGold | ShieldPlatinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $39.99 | $59.99 | $89.99 |
| $125 | $29.99 | $49.99 | $79.99 |
*Price quotes used a Texas ZIP code; pricing may vary in other locations.
First American Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield coverage
The main coverage difference between these companies is how they structure their basic plans. American Home Shield's lower-tier plan focuses only on home systems and doesn’t include coverage for appliances. First American, in contrast, provides coverage for a mix of systems and appliances from the start. As you look at their more expensive plans, both companies offer similar, robust coverage for most major items.
 |  | |
| Coverage |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Plan | ||
| Air conditioner | | |
| Heating | | |
| Plumbing | | |
| Electrical | | |
| Ductwork | | |
| Sump pump | | |
| Water heater | | |
| Interior plumbing lines | | |
| Interior electrical lines | | |
| Exterior plumbing lines | | |
| Exterior water lines | | |
| Refrigerator | | |
| Dishwasher | | |
| Oven | | |
| Range | | |
| Cooktop | | |
| Microwave | | |
| Food center | | |
| Garbage disposal | | |
| Trash compactor | | |
| Ice maker | | |
| Hot/cold water dispenser | | |
| Range exhaust hood | | |
| Kitchen exhaust fan | | |
| Clothes washer | | |
| Clothes dryer | | |
| Toilets | | |
| Bathtub/shower | | |
| Faucets | | |
| Ceiling fans | | |
| Attic fans | | |
| Central vacuum | | |
| Doorbells | | |
| Garage door openers | | |
| Roof leak repairs | | |
| Main breaker | | |
| Plumbing stoppages | | |
| Home electronics | | |
| Smoke detectors | | |
| Jetted tub components | | |
First American Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield add-ons
American Home Shield and First American Home Warranty offer similar add-on coverage, including coverage for pools and spas, well pumps, septic pumps and roof leaks.
First American Home Warranty add-ons
If you’d like additional coverage, First American Home Warranty lets you seven main add-ons. Here’s the monthly cost of the most popular options:
| Optional coverage | Monthly cost* |
|---|---|
| Septic pump | $4.99 |
| Roof leak repair | $9.99 |
| Well pump | $9.99 |
| Pool and spa equipment | $20.99 |
*Pricing may vary by location.
American Home Shield add-ons
American Home Shield offers six add-ons. See pricing for the most popular additional coverage items below.
| Optional coverage | Monthly cost* |
|---|---|
| Septic pump | $4.99 |
| Roof leak repair | $9.99 |
| Well pump unit | $9.99 |
| Guest unit | $12.99 |
| Electronics protection | $14 |
| Pool and built-in spa equipment | $20.99 |
*Pricing may vary by location.
What First American Home Warranty customers say
First American Home Warranty reviewers who were pleased with their service reported helpful customer service representatives, a user-friendly claims process and polite and professional technicians. When an item couldn't be repaired, positive reviewers were typically satisfied with the amount of money they received to purchase a new appliance. However, some reviewers reported issues finding contractors in network.
Terry, a reviewer from Texas, said: “Great customer service and fast completion of the job. Polite service man. Quick delivery of parts. What more do you want me to say. Great customer service. Great customer service. Great customer service.”
Great customer service and fast completion of the job. Polite service man. Quick delivery of parts.”
What American Home Shield customers say
Happy American Home Shield reviewers appreciated the helpful technicians and fast response times. Many reviewers mentioned an easy online claims process and long-term savings on replacements and repairs. However, some customers noted higher out-of-pocket costs than expected and occasional delays in getting parts.
Zonya, a reviewer from Georgia, said: “I'd recommend AHS. I've had to do claims several times, and it was no problem. Reaching out to them online is convenient for me. The AC wasn't cooling, and the tech [...] came and replaced a part. It was in his van and did it the same day.”
I'd recommend AHS. I've had to do claims several times, and it was no problem. Reaching out to them online is convenient for me.”
Bottom line: First American Home Warranty or American Home Shield?
Both American Home Shield and First American Home Warranty offer customizable coverage and flexible pricing. However, First American is only available in 36 states, while American Home Shield is available in 48 states.
The better provider for you will generally depend on your budget and which items you’re looking to cover. For example, American Home Shield offers coverage for roof leaks in its premium plan, while First American Home Warranty only offers this coverage as an add-on. But First American covers trash compactors and central vacuums, which American Home Shield doesn’t cover.
