Quick answer: First American Home Warranty scores 3.8 out of 5 with us. Its sample contract pays up to $3,500 per kitchen appliance on Starter and Essential and $7,000 on Premium. It has a 30-day review period, then a $50 administrative fee to cancel in most states. The BBB rates it B+. What the sample contract does not print: the service fee, any waiting period and the monthly price.
First American Home Warranty: HomeWarrantyScope Editorial Score (provisional)
★★★★☆ 3.8/5
Contracts read: 36 states plus Washington, D.C. (form numbers GxX.B, March 2024) · BBB: B+, accredited
Provisional because the service fee, waiting period and price are not published in the contract. Score based on the sample contracts and the BBB profile, read on November 6, 2026; the California contract and the BBB profile were re-checked on November 12, 2026. Not a paid placement or customer survey. See how we calculate this score →
Most pages that rank for First American Home Warranty reviews repeat customer stories or the company marketing. We did something different: we read the company published sample contract for each state it lists, and checked its BBB profile. Where the company does not publish a number, we say so instead of guessing. Below is what the contract actually promises, and what you still need to ask before you sign.
Our First American Score, Explained
These are editorial judgments based on the contract and BBB profile, not averages of customer votes. Method: how we rate home warranty companies.
| What we weighed | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage breadth | ★★★★★ 4.5 | Three plans plus optional add-ons for pool/spa, extra refrigerator, well pump, water softener and septic system. |
| Dollar limits | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | $3,500 or $7,000 per kitchen appliance, but caps on toilets, refrigerant and several add-ons. |
| Waiting period and fees | ★★★☆☆ 3.0 | The sample contract prints no waiting period and no service fee amount, so a buyer cannot compare them. |
| Disputes | ★★★★☆ 3.5 | Binding AAA arbitration and a class-action waiver, but the company pays all AAA fees for arbitrations it starts and for claims of $75,000 or less, and small claims court is allowed. |
| Cancellation | ★★★★☆ 3.5 | 30-day review with full refund, then pro-rata minus $50. No cancelling after a claim unless both sides agree (in most states). |
| BBB profile | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | B+, accredited, with a large complaint volume (2,669 complaints in three years) for a company of its size. |
Total: 3.8 out of 5 (average 3.75, shown rounded). We will update this score if the company publishes its service fee and waiting period.
The Three First American Plans Compared
The contract offers three plans: Starter, Essential and Premium. Page numbers refer to the California contract (form CS3T 03/24, Ver. #GCA.B); the dollar limits matched in every other state we checked.
| Feature | Starter | Essential | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen appliances (per appliance) | Up to $3,500 | Up to $3,500 | Up to $7,000 |
| Washer and dryer | ✗ | Up to $3,500 | ✓ Not held to the $3,500 cap |
| Water heater | ✗ | Up to $1,000 | ✓ Cap removed |
| Limited roof leak coverage | Up to $1,000 | Up to $1,000 | ✓ Included |
| First American Advantage | Not shown | $500 total | $1,500 total |
Sources in the contract: appliances p5, washer/dryer p6, roof p7-8, water heater p4, Advantage p6.
First American Dollar Limits
- Toilets: Premium plan only: toilet tanks, bowls and mechanisms are replaced with like quality, up to $600 per occurrence (p2).
- Concrete: the Concrete Limit adds $500 to the Essential limit, making it $1,000 (p3-4).
- Refrigerant: the company pays $20 per pound; you pay any excess, up to a $250 maximum per unit or failure (p2-3).
- Geothermal, glycol, heated-water and steam heating: limited to $1,500 (p2-4).
- Contract term: 12 months.
Optional Coverage
These must be bought within 30 days of the contract start (p6-7):
| Add-on | Limit |
|---|---|
| Pool or spa | $2,500 |
| Extra refrigerator | $500 |
| Well pump | $1,500 |
| Water softener / reverse osmosis | $500 |
| Septic system (one pumping per contract, plus system parts) | $500 |
Waiting Period and Service Fee: Not Published
The sample contract does not state a waiting period or a service fee amount. The company FAQ says many new customers have a 30-day wait and tells readers to check the contract. Its site describes the fee as charged per claim but shows no amount. Ask the agent for both in writing before you pay. For how waiting periods usually work, see our guide to the home warranty waiting period.
How First American Claims Work
- Call the claims line, (800) 992-3400, or use fahw.com (p1).
- The company sends the request to a contractor; in most states the contract says within 4 hours of confirming coverage during business hours.
- Service is due within 48 hours of the claim (p9).
- If you disagree with a diagnosis, you can ask for a second opinion within 14 days, and the contractor work is warrantied for 30 days (p9).
If a claim is denied, read our guide: what to do after a denied claim.
Pricing: What We Can and Cannot Say
The contract has no price. On November 6, 2026 the company site showed marketing “starts from” monthly prices by state, for example $37 in California, $31 in Texas and Florida, $32 in Arizona and Nevada, $63 in Washington and $68 in Arkansas. These are not quotes. Your price depends on plan, add-ons and home. For market ranges see how much a home warranty costs.
Arbitration: Binding, but the Company Pays the Fees
Disputes go to binding arbitration with the AAA. The contract also allows small claims court as an alternative, waives jury trials and class actions, and says the company pays all AAA filing, administration and arbitrator fees for any arbitration it starts, and for any arbitration you start where the claim is $75,000 or less, unless the arbitrator finds bad faith (p10). The hearing takes place in the county of the property. Wyoming’s contract has no dispute-resolution section, and Arizona and Utah add extra wording.
If a claim is refused, our free denied claim appeal letter builder can help you draft a reply.
Cancellation and Refunds
In the California contract you get a 30-day review with a full refund if there is no claim. After 30 days, if a claim has been made, the contract can be cancelled only by mutual agreement; otherwise the refund is pro rata, minus a $50 administrative fee and all service costs incurred. After a claim, you cannot cancel unless both sides agree. The company may cancel only for non-payment or fraud (p10). Your state changes the details:
| State | What differs |
|---|---|
| Alabama, Nevada | $25 cancellation fee instead of $50 |
| Arizona, Illinois, Iowa | $50 or 10% of the premium, whichever is less |
| Arizona, Iowa, Nevada, Georgia | Cancel at any time, even after a claim |
| Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Maryland, Nevada, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington | 10% monthly penalty if the refund is paid late |
| Florida | Full refund minus a fee up to 5% in the first 10 days; 90% of unearned premium after that; 100% if the company cancels |
| Georgia, Kentucky | Performance bond with Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland; the contract says it is not insurance |
Where First American Is Available
We found published contracts for 36 states plus Washington, D.C. We did not find a sample contract for Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont or Wisconsin. The contract is a promise backed by the company itself, not by an insurance policy (p10), except in Georgia and Kentucky.
First American BBB Rating and Complaints
The BBB lists First American as B+ and accredited, with 2,669 complaints (BBB profile, three-year reporting period) on its profile (checked November 12, 2026; 797 of them in the last 12 months, 1,351 customer reviews, accredited since 2000). Complaint counts grow with company size, so read the pattern of the complaints, not only the number. See our full company comparison for how other companies compare.
Who First American Suits, and Who Should Look Elsewhere
- ✓ Good fit: owners of homes with expensive kitchen appliances who want higher per-appliance limits and are fine reading a contract first.
- ✓ Good fit: buyers who want a company that can cancel your contract only for non-payment or fraud.
- ✗ Look elsewhere: anyone who needs the service fee, waiting period and price in writing before calling an agent.
- ✗ Look elsewhere: people who want to keep the right to cancel after a claim in most states.
Compare with American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty, Liberty Home Guard, AFC Home Warranty, Home Warranty of America and 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty.
First American Home Warranty Reviews: FAQ
Is First American Home Warranty legit?
It is a real, accredited company with published contracts in 36 states and D.C. The BBB rating is B+. Legit does not mean it suits every claim, so read the limits above.
How much does First American cost?
The company does not publish prices in the contract. Its website shows “starts from” prices by state; get a written quote.
Does First American have a waiting period?
The sample contract prints none. The company FAQ mentions a 30-day wait for many new customers. Ask in writing.
Can I cancel First American?
Yes: 30-day review, then pro rata minus a fee (usually $50). In most states you cannot cancel after a claim unless both sides agree.
Cancellation is covered across providers in our guide to cancelling a home warranty plan.
How do I file a claim?
Call (800) 992-3400 or use fahw.com.
What does First American cover in the kitchen?
Up to $3,500 per appliance on Starter and Essential, and up to $7,000 on Premium.
Sources
- First American Home Warranty sample contracts by state, e.g. California form CS3T 03/24 Ver. #GCA.B (homewarranty.firstam.com/media/contracts), read November 6, 2026.
- First American Home Warranty official site, plan and price pages, November 6, 2026.
- Better Business Bureau profile, checked November 6, 2026.