Liberty Home Guard vs. First American Home Warranty
What is the difference between Liberty Home Guard and First American Home Warranty?
When choosing a home warranty, homeowners should compare coverage, pricing and reliability to find the best fit. This process can get a little tricky when deciding between more than one reputable company, though.
Liberty Home Guard and First American Home Warranty are two well-reviewed warranty providers with a few key differences. This guide will break down the features of each company to help you decide between them.
Cost
 |  | |
| Monthly premium cost | $64.99 to $74.99 | $38 to $48.50 |
| Average cost for combo plan | $74.99 (Total Home Guard) | $48.50 |
| Annual premium cost | $624.99 to $749.99 | $420 to $546 |
| Service call fee | $125 | $85 |
| Discounts available | One month free for each year of contract if paid upfront (up to 5 months free for 5-year contract) | Discount for paying annually |
| $64.99 to $74.99 | $74.99 (Total Home Guard) | $624.99 to $749.99 | $125 | One month free for each year of contract if paid upfront (up to 5 months free for 5-year contract) |
| $38 to $48.50 | $48.50 | $420 to $546 | $85 | Discount for paying annually |
Plans
| | |
| Plans available | Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, Total Home Guard | Basic Plan, Premier Plan |
| Covered systems | 8 | 7 |
| Covered appliances | 7 | 10 |
| Combo plan covered items | 15 | 17 |
| Service recall period | 60-day workmanship warranty | Not specified |
| Availability | 45 states | 29 states |
| Appliance Guard, Systems Guard, Total Home Guard | 8 | 7 | 15 | 60-day workmanship warranty | 45 states |
| Basic Plan, Premier Plan | 7 | 10 | 17 | Not specified | 29 states |
Appliances coverage
| | |
| Built-in food centers | — | — |
| Built-in microwaves | ||
| Clothes dryers | ||
| Clothes washers | ||
| Dishwashers | ||
| Ice maker | Add-on | — |
| Instant hot/cold water dispensers | Add-on | — |
| Ranges, ovens and cooktops | ||
| Refrigerators | ||
| Trash compactors | Add-on | |
| Water sensors | — | |
| Whirlpool bathtub | — |
| — | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | — | — | ||||||
| — | — | — |
Systems coverage
| | |
| Air conditioning | Add-on | |
| Ceiling fans | — | |
| Central vacuums | Add-on | |
| Doorbells | — | — |
| Ductwork | ||
| Electrical | ||
| Garage door openers | ||
| Garbage disposals | ||
| Heating | ||
| Plumbing | ||
| Smoke detectors | — | — |
| Water heaters |
| Add-on | — | — | |||||||||
| Add-on | — | — | — |
Other coverage
| | |
| Guest unit | — | — |
| Pools | Add-on | Add-on |
| Roof leak repairs | Add-on | — |
| Second refrigerator | Add-on | — |
| Septic pump | Add-on | Add-on |
| Spas | Add-on | Add-on |
| Stand-alone freezer | Add-on | — |
| Well pump | Add-on | Add-on |
| — | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on |
| — | Add-on | — | — | Add-on | Add-on | — | Add-on |
Reputation on ConsumerAffairs
| | |
| Overall star rating | 4.4 | 3.9 |
| Verified customer reviews | Read reviews | Read reviews |
| 4.4 | Read reviews |
| 3.9 | Read reviews |
All prices are based on a quote for a house of less than 5,000 square feet in Austin, Texas. All information accurate as of publishing.
Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard is a home warranty provider with customizable coverage and flexible policy terms. It has a policy for various types and sizes of homes, and coverage can be purchased online within minutes or over the phone 24/7.
We've listed some starting prices of policies below, but pricing varies depending on your home's details. Check Liberty Home Guard's websites for current promotions, which often reduce prices significantly. Liberty Home Guard's service fee is $125 per visit.
Liberty Home Guard plans
- Appliance Guard: This home warranty offers coverage for all of your home's appliances. Annual policies start at $624.99, excluding any available discounts. Appliance Guard plans cover a clothes washer, clothes dryer, refrigerator with ice dispenser, built-in microwaves, dishwashers, garbage disposals, ranges, ovens, cooktops, ceiling and exhaust fans and garage door openers.
- Systems Guard: This plan starts at $699 per year and covers the major systems in your home. Systems Guard includes your home's HVAC, plumbing (including water heater) and electrical systems.
- Total Home Guard: Total Home Guard includes coverage for both appliances and home systems. These policies start at $724.99, but promotional pricing may be available.
- Optional add-ons: Extra coverage starts at about $45 per year for each addition, but it can run as high as $275 per year for bigger-ticket items like saltwater pools. Available add-ons include pools, spas, limited roof leaks, central vacuums, sump pumps, well pumps, ejector pumps, grinder pumps, septic pumping, extra refrigerators and freezers, water softeners, water dispensers, ice makers, lighting fixtures, re-keying, gutter cleaning, pest control, carpet cleaning, lawn sprinkler systems, electronics, swamp coolers, trash compactors, generators and plumbing fixtures.
What Liberty Home Guard customers say
Reviews of Liberty Home Guard are mostly positive, with customers calling out its great customer service and the quality of its contractors. Reviewers were particularly impressed with how efficiently repairs were completed. Among customers who weren't pleased with the service they received, most comments centered on slow service, while a few others mentioned claims that were denied for small component failure on covered systems and appliances.
The service for fixing our oven was very good and I did not have to wait too long. The technician was very friendly and courteous.. He was knowledgeable and seemed really motivated to help us. He also had good things to say about Liberty Home which was encouraging. He did say they could do a better job at paying faster but then in the same breath also said that he could do a better job at sending them bills. Good experience from me. Thumbs up.”
– Andre of Staten Island, NY
First American Home Warranty
First American Home Warranty is a well-rated provider offering a mostly traditional coverage selection with a few unorthodox upgrades. On top of coverage for appliances and home systems, you can include coverage for uncommon things like HVAC tune-ups, building permits and code upgrades.
Premiums can be paid monthly or annually, and there are plenty of extra coverage options to choose from. All plans include an $85 service fee that can be paid online or directly to the technician.
First American Home Warranty plans
- Basic Plan: The Basic Plan primarily covers appliances, including your garbage disposal, dishwasher, oven range, cooktop, microwave, trash compactor, refrigerator and clothes washer and dryer. This plan costs $420 per year.
- Premier Plan: The Premier Plan includes everything in the Basic Plan, plus plumbing, plumbing stoppages, water heater, heating, ductwork, electrical, garage door opener and central vacuum system. This warranty costs a little extra at $546 per year.
- Optional coverages: Policy add-ons include coverage for electric central air conditioning, pool/spa equipment and well pumps. You can also purchase a First Class Upgrade that includes a list of covered parts and costs, including cranes, haul-away services and code upgrades.
What First American Home Warranty customers say
First American Home Warranty customers frequently praise the helpfulness of its customer service during the claims and repairs process. While some had issues with repairs not being completed, many customers were very pleased with their contractors' politeness and professionalism. When an item couldn't be repaired, positive reviewers were typically satisfied with the amount of money they received to purchase a new appliance.
Everyone involved with our warranty company was very professional, courteous and very helpful. I would refer this company to anyone who could use their services. They made our whole experience very easy. American warranty made sure we were helped immediately. We had a contractor out here three next day.”
– John of Copperopolis, CA
|
|
Bottom line: Liberty Home Guard or First American Home Warranty?
Liberty Home Guard and First American Home Warranty have similarly positive reputations among their customers, and the companies' warranties mostly cover the same systems and appliances. First American offers unique coverage options and lower annual premiums, but Liberty Home Guard has a larger number of add-on options and wider availability. Either of these companies could be a good option for homeowners and sellers.
- Liberty Home Guard is best for those who want to customize their coverage with add-ons. It also offers a systems-only plan, which First American doesn’t.
- First American Home Warranty is best for homeowners who want coverage for unorthodox items like cranes or code upgrades. Policies through this company are also a little more affordable, making it a good option if you’re on a budget.
