First American Home Warranty vs. American Home Shield
Compare home warranty coverage plans, pricing and availability
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Unexpected home repair costs can wreak havoc on a budget, especially for big-ticket items like HVAC systems, water heaters, washers and dryers. A home warranty protects homeowners from expensive home repairs, paying for repairs and replacements of household systems and appliances when they break down from wear and tear.
Warranty companies like American Home Shield and First American Home Warranty provide plans with various levels of coverage. Compare the two warranty providers using the information below to decide which is right for you.
Compare American Home Shield vs. First American Home Warranty
When you’re deciding between two home warranty providers, there are a few things to review. To start, take a look at the plans offered and where they're available. Then research starting and average costs, including the service call fee, which you pay each time you make a claim. From there, you’ll want to do a deeper dive to look into individual item coverages, exclusions and limitations. Read reviews to learn if customers are satisfied.
Let’s see how American Home Shield and First American Home Warranty stack up:
| American Home Shield | First American Home Warranty | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of plans | 3 | 3 |
| Starting monthly cost* | $29.99 | $42 |
| Average cost for comprehensive coverage* | $540 to $720 per year | $510 per year |
| Service call fee* | $100 or $125 per call | $100 or $125 per call |
| Availability | 48 states (excluding Alaska, Hawaii and New York) | 36 states |
*As of publishing date. Pricing varies by state.
Our pick for affordable coverage: First American Home Warranty
First American Home Warranty has been in business since 1984 and has over 590,000 customers. It provides multiple levels of coverage and assists with service requests 24/7 online and by phone.
First American Home Warranty provides robust coverage to help protect homeowners from the financial strain of unexpected breakdowns. It doesn’t matter how old your systems or appliances are—if they’re in safe working condition when your contract begins, they’re eligible for protection. To check availability and see plans in your area, enter information online about your property location.
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First American Home Warranty coverage options
First American Home Warranty offers three levels of coverage.
- Starter ($42.00 - $47.00): The starter plan covers most kitchen appliances as well as heating, plumbing, electrical and ductwork.
- Essential ($57.00 - $62.00): The Essential plan is the most popular and covers everything in the Starter plan as well as water heaters, washers and dryers and more.
- Premium ($77.00 - $82.00): The Premium plan offers the most comprehensive coverage.
Across its plans, First American Home Warranty offers coverage for the following items (note that not every item is available on every plan):
- Dishwasher
- Ceiling fans
- Garbage disposal
- Instant hot water dispenser
- Microwave (built-in only)
- Trash compactor
- Oven/range/cooktop
- Water heater
- Air conditioning and heating
- Attic and exhaust fans
- Central vacuum system
- Electrical
- Garage door opener
- Plumbing system
- Plumbing stoppages
First American Home Warranty limits and exclusions
There is a 30-day waiting period before coverage starts for many new First American customers. The company, in most cases, won’t cover appliances or systems with preexisting conditions. First American sometimes offers cash instead of making a repair or replacement.
Read the contract to find dollar limits for diagnosis, access, repair and replacement. These limits may differ by appliance or system. First American may allow you to transfer a contract to a new homeowner if you sell your home. You may be able to cancel your contract (with mutual agreement by First American) and receive a prorated refund; check for any administrative fees.
Our pick for nationwide coverage: American Home Shield
American Home Shield has 50 years of experience in the home warranty industry and has 1.8 million members. It offers three plans and two service call fee options. Plans cover undetectable preexisting conditions, breakdowns caused by lack of maintenance, items that are improperly installed and duplicates of the same item. Customers can make claims 24/7 by phone or online.
AHS provides free quotes for its plans, along with any add-on coverages you choose. The company covers homeowners in all states except Alaska.
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American Home Shield coverage options
American Home Shield offers three warranty plans: ShieldSilver, ShieldGold and ShieldPlatinum.
- ShieldSilver ($29.99 - $39.99): ShieldSilver is American Home Shield’s most basic plan. It’s also the most affordable option. It covers plumbing, electrical and heating and cooling systems. It does not cover any appliances or roof leaks.
- ShieldGold ($49.99 - $59.99): ShieldGold covers both systems and appliances but not roof leaks.
- ShieldPlatinum ($79.99 - $89.99): ShieldPlatinum covers everything in ShieldGold, plus roof leaks.
American Home Shield limits and exclusions
Like First American, American Home Shield plans usually have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. AHS doesn’t cover repairs or replacements if a malfunction is due to misuse or abuse. It also doesn’t promise matching brands, colors or dimensions on a replacement.
Check the contract for dollar limits; it may pay up to $4,000 per covered item for access, diagnosis, repair and replacement depending on your plan. Look for excluded components on covered appliances and systems.
AHS requires you to call to transfer a contract. You can cancel within the first 30 days for a full refund (as long as AHS hasn’t incurred any fees) or after 30 days for a prorated refund, minus an administrative fee.
Which is better, First American or American Home Shield?
First American has affordable coverage. AHS has comprehensive coverage.
Both American Home Shield and First American Home Warranty are highly rated companies on ConsumerAffairs, offering customizable coverage and flexible pricing. First American has strong coverage at a decent price compared to the industry average. However, First American is only available in limited areas, while American Home Shield is available in 48 states. American Home Shield also offers coverage of more household items in its upper-level plan, making it a great choice for comprehensive coverage.
Next, compare TotalProtect vs. American Home Shield.
