First American Home Warranty
Home Warranty Plan Details and Reviews for First American Home Warranty
Premium: $355
Deductible: $55
Effective: Upon payment receipt
Web: homewarranty.firstam.com
Deductible: $55
Effective: Upon payment receipt
Web: homewarranty.firstam.com
Customer Service 
Service Timeliness
Repair/Replacement Service
Overall Rating
Total Reviews: 241 Rate this Company!
Service Timeliness
Repair/Replacement Service
Overall Rating
Total Reviews: 241 Rate this Company!
Coverage Area: USA - All States
| Home warranty is a complex insurance product. Unlike home insurance, it does not provide blanket coverage for all appliances. Pre-existing conditions and problems resulting from lack of maintenance of appliance are are generally not covered by home warranty companies. Home warranty sellers may not state these factors clearly, and this will create dissatisfaction among customers. Due to these factors, you will see many negative reviews here. Don't be intimidated by some negative reviews here. If you have maintained your appliances in good condition and go with a reputed home warranty provider, your coverage will be fine. |
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Reviews
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- regarding customer service…when you speak to a FA rep, they are friendly but talk in circles.
- regarding the contractors they provide…most of them have an F rating with the Better Business Bureau and trying to get them to send one with a decent rating is next to impossible.
- I can’t get any results until my real estate agent gets involved.
- Last summer, an F rated company blew out the compressor to my outside Trane unit…found out later it was the breaker but since he didn’t check that first…he messed it up. They replaced it with a Goodman…not a Trane.
- Today my indoor Trane unit is working just vibrating the house. Who do they dispatch?..the same company that blew out the compressor! Of course I refused so they dispatch another F rated company! I refused again. They refuse to dispatch a contractor with a decent BBB rating. They say they only use contractors with a good BBB rating. I don’t know when an “F” rating became a “good” rating on the Better Business Bureau.
First American continues to use a contractor who has been reported by other First American customers to be incompetent, unethical, and unresponsive. Although they received complaints from myriad customers (and these complaints can be seen online regarding this contractor), they still sent him to my house. One month later, our heat STILL is not working. The contractor took a critical & expensive component of the heater, so we need to find him so he can bring this part back (which he just happened to take with him without our knowledge). I would NOT recommend this company.
FIRST AMERICAN HOME WARRANTY OPTIONAL SPA COVERAGE
1. Spa controls didn’t work.
2. Limits of liability voided my entire spa warranty. Because it is an inground spa. My spa has a pc board that controls when the spa comes on (four times a day for 30 min each time), they consider that a control management system, and that voids the warranty, it is considered electronic system management. Even though it says timers, above ground electrical, switches and relays are covered, they together form a control system which is not covered.
3. Don’t trust the company they send out to you, watch them at all times. They sent me someone who’s BBB rating was F. They cut wires. Don’t leave them out of your sight.
FIRST AMERICAN HOME WARRANTY OPTIONAL SPA COVERAGE NOT WORTH IT
1. Spa controls didn’t work.
2. Limits of liability voided my entire spa warranty. Because it is an inground spa.
3. The first warranty company sent out someone who cut my wires and lied to the warranty company saying pests chewed insulation, chewed through the wires. Four technicians, one paid for out of pocket by yours truely, still they deny the claim.
4. My spa has a pc board that controls when the spa comes on (four times a day for 30 min each time), they consider that a control management system, and that voids the warranty, it is considered electronic system management. Even though it says timers, above ground electrical, switches and relays are covered, they together form a control system which is not covered.
5. Don’t even try to get a second opinion, they will still deny your claim and you will just be out the $60 service fee and the extra opinion fee.
6. Don’t trust the company they send out to you, watch them at all times!!!! They sent me someone who’s BBB rating was F! They messed with my spa and cut wires!! Don’t leave them out of your sight!
7. Good luck with your warranty.
As part of the closing on my first home, I received a one-year agreement with this company. I’ve had to call a couple of times (leaky toilet and busted part in my heating system) and have had quick response and resolution of my problems. I do have to agree that they tend to send people from out of the area. Living in the Washington, DC metro area, there are a zillion different companies that could have responded to either of my calls, but they chose companies who are 45 miles or more away. Doesn’t really make sense. My biggest argument is the price. I have done some comparison shopping in anticipation of my renewal date and have found other companies whose premiums are more than $130 less per year and whose service fees are $15 less per visit. I’m going to do a little more digging to see how these companies compare, but it’s looking like they have better ratings on this site and are signficantly cheaper!
My refrigerator broke down at 5pm on Friday, and I placed the call with FAHW after digging out the contract information. I was very satisfied when the cust. service agent told me he was upgrading the call to emergency status. He said the contractor would contact me within 4 hours, and the problem should be resolved within 8 hours. By 9am Saturday, I had yet to be contacted by the technician. I called FAHW and spoke with an agent who told me that appliances are not considered emergency repairs, and the techinician had 48 business hours to resolve the issue, which puts me looking at Tuesday before I can buy food to feed my family. No one with FAHW could do anything but tell me I had to wait for the tech. to call. They offered no attempt to satisfy their customer (they already had my money, right?), and showed no concern for the way they did business. The contract does state that the tech. has 48 hours to schedule service, but I seem to be the only one who feels this protocol was pre-empted by what I was told be their employee in customer service. I am severely dissatisfied with this company and would not recommend anyone doing business with them.
I am a Real Estate Agent in South Texas and I always used Old Republic, but they have really dropped the ball way too many times for my clients. I have switched all of my policies to First American and I truly can not say enough about their service! If you are looking for a truly reputable company this is the one!!
I am looking for a home warranty company. I have three rentals. Currently I have first american.
What I observed is that, the serviceman they sent will always find something that is not covered, (eg cleaning AC coil 400-500+). In this case I called the serviceman’s own company like a regular customer and they quoted 150-200.
The service people are trying to rack up business for themselves. Its always “you have to this first before I can check what is wrong”. And this is where thay get you.
They are CROOKS. I am disgusted.
The rating scale should show “0″ for poor review. I have been with First American Home Buyers Protection for about 2 years now, and will pick another company to renew with. I have had nothing but trouble when trying to make service calls. First American assigns companies that are 45 min away in a another town. (San Antonio is a big city, I am sure they have companies that can service closer to where I live.) Then there are times when the companies they assign do not show up. My issue today is a leaking washer, and broken dryer. I called to have them serviced, and the company they set me up with has an answering machine stating that they are open Mon-Fri from 8:30am – 5pm and to call back during that time. Well, it is Monday (not a holiday)and even at 10:30am I still get the same answering machine. I only have today off from work, and First American will not reasign my job to anyone else because the company has 48 hours to respond. I even asked for a supervisor, Jesse, who was very un-caring, and very un-helpfull. I did notice on the back of my contract for Texas Residents we can call the Texas Real Estate Commission at 512-465-3917 to make a complaint. The contract from First American is issued pursuant to a license granted by the Texas Real Estate Commission. If there is a class action suit against First American, I want to be a part of it. This company is not Customer Service Friendly. I had better luck getting service from American Home Shield, which has their own set of problems.
Terrible company – much like all the reviews you read here. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING is ever covered. PLus you have the ridiculous service fee every time someone comes out to tell you that something isnt covered.
AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE
my dishwasher broke two months ago. I made my first call to the company and was very impressed at first, they made an appointment for sears to come out the very next day. I was talking to everyone how great the company was. well the next day the tech came to my house and diagonsed the system with a bad internal timer and ordered the parts. two weeks later the tech came back and realized that the part ordered was not the actual problem. He contacted the warranty company and I was told they would get back with me. about 3 days later the company called me and gave me the replacement offer. I was satisified and said to get it. about a week later a tech from another company called and said he was on his way to install the dishwasher. I replied I don’t know how it hasn’t been delivered yet. the reply then was I would have to reschedule (ya think) the next day my dishwasher was delivered and an appointment was made. They called my wife the day of the appointment and said the tech called out sick and we would have to reschedule next tues at 9-1 my wife told them that she had a dr’s apt and the lady got irritated with that. she scheduled us for 1-5 today. At 11:35 am I got a call from the installation company saying they were on their way. I explained that our appointment was between 1 and 5 and was told that the tech was on their way and had to go to suffolk for the next appointment. and I could reschedule. I declined. Now I am without a working dishwasher and my money both. what a crappy way to do business
dwane cochenour
My wife and I bought our first house March of 2008. A friend of ours helped as he has his relators license. He recommended a different home warranty company however the seller of the house would go only with FAHW. So now we know that the relator gets a kickback from them.
Our first problem was a plumbing issue, Six inches of standing sewage looking water in the tub and in the bathroom sink. I called FAHW on a saturday around 4:30. I was told by the “wonderfully nice woman” that since this was our first claim no contractor had been assigned to our account. We would get a phone call on monday and someone might be out to chech it out on tuesday. “Wow so i have to leave standing water in my tub and sink for three days.” Nothing we can do sir, needless to say I plunged for a couple of hours and fixed the problem my self. NO HELP FROM FAHW!!!!
Our next encounter happened just this past week. Furnace goes out tuesday night, call them, send out contractor next day, says the draft motor is bad, can’t FIND serial, product or style number on furnace!!!! Really! So he takes the part, I get zero follow up calls, call myself, told seven to ten business days for part to arrive. It’s febuary in Cincinnati, single digits and 6 inches of snow. Me having no experience with this type of work was able to find the product, serial, style number as well as the year my funace was manufactured. Found the part on the internet with overnight delivery available. Called my contractor and FAHW to tell them I am doing the work myself, they will receive a bill with a letter from my attorney. What do you know they were able to find the part, have it overnight shipped. But, still in not installed correctly and now we can’t find someone to come out and fix it. This company is the worst I have ever had to deal with, and I am so sorry that all of you are these issues also. We are up for that class action suit. Something has to be done to stop this type of scam.
This company is HORRIBLE! We have paid for them to come fix a few things and nothing gets done. I end up calling them after they never show up for the appointment and the tech says he was just about to call and say the part wasn’t in yet…yeah right!! They are a waste of my time and money and no one seems to care that I am not happy with their services!
(1) Some of the contractors First American sent me were blatantly dishonest and frankly a little creepy and scary. (2) First American warranties all repair work for only 30 days. So in my case, they replaced the entire tub of a washing machine (rather than just replace it), and when 6 weeks later that tub failed and leaked water, they charged me another $100 deductible. (3) They charge a $45 “cancellation administrative fee” when you cancel. I’m just scratching the surface here. They are absolutely terrible. Avoid like the black death.
I had the wall-mounted heater in my house stop working on November 19, 2009. I immediately called First American and was informed that the claim would be forwarded to one of their contracted HVAC companies. I was called by a technician from Dunn-Rite Plubming & Heating informing me that they wouldn’t be out until the day after Thanksgiving. The tech showed up and said that the gas valve was sticking and that it should be fixed.
Less than a day later, the heater stopped working. I called them out and I was informed that it would be a week until they could come out. I called First American and said if there was anything that could be done. They simply said no. Continuous problems have ensued with the heater that require part after part to be ordered. When the tech comes back, the new part is defective or the tech doesn’t have the proper fitting for the valeve.
After a month of the lolly gagging by the plumbing/heating company, I asked First American (FA) to get me another company that can do the job. I was told that FA would stay on top of this matter to see it concluded immediately. That since Dunn Rite was the working this claim, they had to finish it out. Well despite the customer service rep supervisor trying to “assist” me, she has been working in concert with Dunn Rite plumbing to further non-service on my claim. As of February 1, 2010, I still have no heat in my house.
We had Christmas and New Year’s without any heat and went the entire month of January without any heat. I finally called FA and begged for a new contractor to be put on this claim and I was told bluntly that it would not happen and that I had better get used to Dunn Rite and their delays. I so want to quit FA, but I have to now get the heater fixed first (when that happens, I have no idea) and then I can look for a more reputable and courteous home warranty company.
Wayne Bergeron
Lynwood, CA
DO NOT USE this company. They make any excuses not to fix anything & you will be out $55 just for having place a service call.
I purchased a brand new condo from the developer, and had warranty for all appliances, heating, plumbing…
I called them to file a claim that my heater was barely blowing warm air when the temperature dipped below zero outside and that I was freezing in one of the rooms. Knowing (through online building forums) that many have faced this issue in the building (but w/o a clear answer as to what the problem was) I asked them if they could verify if the know what the issue is for heating units for this building (517 condos are insured here at one point or another). They said that they do not have that info, and that they will have to send a service person. I told them that I would not want to pay $55 for someone to come take a look at the problem, for them to tell me that they will not cover it. They responded by specifically saying “Whatever it is we will fix it sir”. With that reassurance I ordered the service.
Sure enough when the service man came in, without looking he told me what the problem was, then checked to verify that he was right… all the units in this building had this problem (Lower type heating strip installed by contractor). I paid $55, for them to tell me that it is NOT covered. Obviously First Insurance make their cut of the $55, and just LIE to the customer about “Fixing it, no matter what”. Worthless Warranty.
Not happy with service, or lack of service. Twice I needed service, once for stove and for ac. Both time, i was left waiting.
I have been a with First American for a long time. No claim is easy. The vendors they use for the repair, in my opinion are either the bottom of the barrel, or just not interested because they get lower contracted rates. I just had to vent because my pool motor went out in Dec 7. It had not yet been resolved and on January 10th, at which time the freezing weather damaged the the pump, backwash valves and above ground pipes. I decided I needed to cash out and called my own repair vendor. What should have cost me $55 will not cost me an additional $500 for the pump, and fixing the pool plumbing. The First American vendor said that they were waiting for the motor to be delivered each time I called. Over a Month I waited. I can find re-built pool pumps easily in my area on any day.
First American will not provide any relief for the secondary damaged caused by them not completing the repair.
Do not purchase this home warrenty!! We filed a claim 5 months ago and the issue stillhas not been resolved. we have spent in excess of $300 for service calls and products to try and fix a diswasher as reccomended by service people. Every service person stated that the diswasher needs replacement. FAHW sends more service people. At this point FAHW is completely ignoring our calls and requests, they no longer work with any contractors in our area. Do not waste your time or money with FAHW.
My tenant called to report that the heating unit was not working. I called First American immediately. They told me they would put in a priority order. This was on a Friday. They did not even contact us and when they did they said they would be out on a Thursday ie almost a week later. I had to pay another company to come out and make the repairs. 24/7 service from First American, that’s a joke. I am canceling our contract and finding another company.
So far it has been great.
Our water heater was broken and it took 3-4 days to inspect & send a report back to First American.
I am not sure what type of contractor they are hiring and how much they are paying them.
The contractor wants to charge 619$ non-covered cost.
I could have by 500$ water heater from home depot and replace it for additional 100 or 200$.
Do NOT buy home warranty from First American.
I purchased my home in july 2009. the seller bought a home warranty thru first american. my heat stopped working about a month ago. i had a friend who is an engineer take a look at it and it was deemed a dead unit. i called the warranty company and filed a claim. i asked them if they would replace the unit and they said if it was deemed a dead unit than yes they would replace it. they sent some guy out to my house who came in an unmarked white van and had no identification. he said the unit was not dead and he would order a new air handler and replace that. well i never heard back from him. when i called first american they gave me his phone number and told me to deal with it. well finally today he was supposed to come fix my heat. mind you this is one month later and i have had absolutely NO heat. he never showed. i called first american in tears! i can’t afford to fix this problem on my own. i told them all of my problems with this so called sontractor that they sent and the managers of this company pretty much told me there was nothing they could do for me i would have to keep calling the contractor myself. so i still have no heat and probably won’t until after i get my taxes back this spring. they refused to send another contractor and said they couldn’t help me. i just don’t know what to do. i guess i wwill go all winter with no heat. this is the worst company i have ever dealt with. please anyone who reads this do not even try to do business with them
Wow, do many of these complaints sound familiar. When I bought my home, the seller purchased the warranty for me. I wish he would have just given me the money instead.
The evening of December 29 I returned home to find my heating system cycling on and off every minute or so and not heating my home. I called First American who said they would dispatch someone. The only other time I called them for a minor non-emergency, the repairman came from Austin which is 50 miles away. When I asked where the heat repairman would be coming from the representative did not have any idea, just a phone number. I called the number and sure enough, he was in Austin and does not service my area. I called back First American and asked them to find someone closer. They said they would go through dispatch and see what they could do. After about 15 minutes they told me that they couldn’t find anybody closer and that someone would call me the next day. My response? “It’s freezing and you expect me to wait until the next day? Besides just being cold what about damage to my house?!” They said that there was nothing they could do. I asked if I could be reimbursed for calling someone in my area. I got a definite “NO.”
Well, after thinking a few choice thoughts, I hung up and called someone. What was I to do? I was able to get someone after hours who came out in nasty, cold, rainy weather and fixed my heat for an after-hours cost of $94, just $34 more than it would cost me to wait for who-knows-how-long a First American guy to come out.
After a couple of opinions and estimates, I went ahead and replaced my 16-year system rather than to keep patching it up. You think First American will pay for it? No! I asked anyway, but their question? “Is it working now? Unless it completely fails, we will not replace, just repair.” Oh yeah, like I’m going to wait to let it go out again on another freezing night when they won’t send someone!!
Someone in another review mentioned starting a class-action suit. Sign me up.