Choice Home Warranty vs. First American Home Warranty | 2022
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Looking for a comparison of Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty? In this article, our review team examines these home warranty providers head-to-head on customer reviews, cost, and coverage plans to help you decide which company offers the best home warranty for you and your home.
To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, call 929-400-6165 or complete this form. For a free quote from First American Home Warranty, call 800-891-9778 or fill out this form.
Comparison of Choice Home Warranty vs. First American Home Warranty
Compare a general overview of Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty below.
Choice Home Warranty
Get a free quote: Visit site
Superlative: Best Basic Plan
Number of plans: 2
Premium cost: $41.69–$47 per month
Service fee: $85
State availability: 48 (all but CA and WA)
BBB rating: B
Years in business: 12
First American Home Warranty
Get a free quote: Visit site
Superlative: Best Coverage Upgrade
Number of plans: 2
Premium cost: $37–$49.50 per month
Service fee: $85
State availability: 34 states (all but AL, CT, DE, HI, IL, LA, ME, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NY, ND, RI, VT, and WI)
BBB rating: B
Years in business: 37
Pros & Cons
Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty both have benefits and drawbacks, and one may be a better fit for you and your home. Compare the pros and cons of each home warranty company below.
Choice Home Warranty
Pros:
✔ Covers appliances and systems, regardless of their age
✔ Available in 48 states
✔ Doesn't require a home inspection before coverage begins
Cons:
✘ Charges an $85 service call fee
✘ Has only 11 years of experience in the home warranty industry
First American Home Warranty
Pros:
✔ Provides 24/7 claims service
✔ Covers systems and appliances that were improperly installed or maintained
Cons:
✘ Doesn't offer central air conditioning coverage in either of its plans
✘ Doesn't provide optional coverage for roof leaks
Choice Home Warranty Coverage Plans
Choice Home Warranty offers two comprehensive coverage plans: a Basic Plan and a Total Plan. The Basic Plan covers 14 appliances and systems, and the Total Plan covers everything in the Basic Plan, plus an air conditioning system, refrigerator, washer, and dryer.
Here are the specific items covered under each Choice Home Warranty plan.
Basic Plan
Heating system
Electrical system
Plumbing system
Plumbing stoppages
Water heater
Whirlpool bathtub
Oven, range, and stove
Cooktop
Dishwasher
Built-in microwave
Garbage disposal
Ductwork
Garage door opener
Ceiling and exhaust fans
Total Plan
Clothes dryer
Clothes washer
Air conditioner
Refrigerator
Heating system
Electrical system
Plumbing system
Plumbing stoppages
Water heater
Whirlpool bathtub
Oven, range, and stove
Cooktop
Dishwasher
Built-in microwave
Garbage disposal
Ductwork
Garage door opener
Ceiling and exhaust fans
Choice Home Warranty also offers nine optional add-ons:
Second refrigerator
Central vacuum
Pool and spa
Septic tank pumping
Limited roof leaks
Well pump
Septic system
Sump pump
Stand-alone freezer
You can get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty by calling 929-400-6165 or by completing this simple form.
First American Home Warranty Coverage Plans
First American Home Warranty offers two coverage plans: a Premier Plan and a Basic Plan. The company's Premier Plan covers 16 systems and appliances, while the company's Basic Plan only covers eight home appliances.
First American notably protects item components that are excluded from some home warranty companies' coverage plans. For example, First American provides coverage for switches and a center rail assembly for a garage door, which other companies don't typically provide.
Here are the specific items covered under each First American plan.
Basic Plan
Clothes washer
Clothes dryer
Refrigerator
Dishwasher
Oven, range, and cooktop
Microwave
Garbage disposal
Trash compactor
Premier Plan
Clothes washer
Clothes dryer
Refrigerator
Dishwasher
Oven, range, and cooktop
Microwave
Garbage disposal
Trash compactor
Plumbing
Plumbing stoppages
Heating system
Water heater
Electrical system
Garage door opener
Ductwork
Central vacuum system
Additionally, First American offers the following optional add-ons:
Well pump
Pool and spa equipment
Secondary refrigeration
Central air conditioning system
First Class Upgrade*
*First American's First Class Upgrade covers expenses related to the removal of an appliance and the usage of cranes during installation. It also pays up to $250 when local building permits are required for replacing appliances.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, call 800-891-9778 or complete this easy form.
Choice Home Warranty vs. First American Home Warranty Cost
Home warranty plans consist of two primary costs: a premium and a service fee. A premium is typically paid every month in exchange for home warranty coverage, while a service fee is paid every time a repair or replacement is needed.
First American Home Warranty and Choice Home Warranty's monthly premiums are similar in cost, but First American's premium cost range is slightly more affordable than Choice Home Warranty's cost range. The service fee for Choice Home Warranty is $85, while First American allows homeowners to select a service fee between $75–$100.
Note: The cost of optional add-ons for both of these providers will depend on the specific items you add to your plan. Optional coverage items usually add about $40 to $180 to a homeowner's annual home warranty cost.
Choice Home Warranty vs. First American Home Warranty Cost Comparison
Choice Home Warranty
Monthly premium cost: $41.69–$50
Service fee deductible: $85
First American Home Warranty
Monthly premium cost: $37–$49.50
Service fee deductible: $75–$100
Customer Reviews
On the BBB, both Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty have B ratings. First American Home Warranty is accredited by the BBB, while Choice Home Warranty is not.
Regarding BBB customer reviews, First American Home Warranty has received more positive reviews, on average, than Choice Home Warranty. Here are a few BBB customer reviews for Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty:
Choice Home Warranty Reviews
"Although it sometimes takes a little work on my part to get a covered item repaired or replaced, my experience with Choice Home Warranty is great when compared to another home warranty company I had before Choice. Overall, I would recommend Choice Home Warranty." — Larry H. in October 2017
"I purchased a warranty and one month after purchasing, my A/C stopped working. When I filed a claim, [the company] sent out a technician that was more worried about being on the phone than looking over the issue. My claim was denied—[the company] stated [that] it was a pre-existing condition, which [it is] not able to prove." — Marcy W. on April 24, 2020
First American Home Warranty Reviews
"[First American] is great, and the company stands by [its] word. The company's contract is easy to read and understand. [First American's] technicians came out to fix what was insured. I paid $75 for my deductible, and the service provided was well worth it. Thank you." — Kentina R. on August 16, 2020
"I have had contractors not show up and I've had to go months without my dishwasher being serviced after numerous attempts at scheduling and rescheduling.." — Shelby S. on January 16, 2021
Our Conclusion
Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty were recognized by our review team as two of the best home warranty companies in the industry. We named Choice Home Warranty as the best home warranty company for older homes because it covers appliances and systems of all ages. We named First American as the home warranty company with the most comprehensive claims coverage because of its extensive coverage of individual components within each of its covered home items.
If you're looking for a more experienced provider with comprehensive claims coverage, consider First American Home Warranty. If you want protection for an older home or a comprehensive basic plan, consider signing up for a Choice Home Warranty plan. Before you buy a home warranty, we recommend getting quotes from both providers.
To get a free quote from First American Home Warranty, call 800-891-9778 or complete this easy form. To get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty, call 929-400-6165 or fill out this simple form.
Home Warranty Rating Methodology
The Home Service Research Team at Better Homes & Gardens strives to provide unbiased and objective reviews to readers by compiling relevant information on home warranty companies and rating the providers on a variety of factors.
Here's what our review process looks like:
We examine each provider's website to determine plan details, coverage, customer service offerings, and other benefits. We also speak with company representatives to get more insight on plan details.
We read sample contracts from each home warranty company to analyze and compare coverage details, limits, and exclusions.
We read at least 100 third-party customer reviews for each home warranty company to determine the real-life benefits and drawbacks of each provider.
We gather cost information for a variety of home warranty plans in different states by completing online quote forms and speaking with sales representatives to simulate the quote process.
We revisit each company's offerings on a seasonal basis, ensuring that we include the most up-to-date information in our reviews.
We also created a 100-point rating system to score companies based on objective factors, such as plan options, coverage, and customer service:
Overall, the Home Service Research Team has reviewed over 70 home warranty companies to select the top-rated providers in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the waiting period for Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty?
The waiting period for both Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty is 30 days. This means that coverage doesn't kick in until 30 days after the home service contract has been signed.
How does a home warranty compare to homeowners insurance?
Homeowners insurance protects homeowners from structural damage caused by unexpected events, such as a flood or burglary, and liability claims. A home warranty plan protects homeowners from paying for expensive repairs and replacements when their systems and appliances break down due to normal wear and tear.
What is a comprehensive coverage plan?
A comprehensive coverage plan is a home warranty plan that covers home systems and appliances, instead of covering just systems (systems plan) or just appliances (appliances plan).
What are some other reputable home warranty companies?
Here are some other home warranty companies that made our review team's top home warranty list:
American Home Shield: Best Overall
Select Home Warranty: Best Discounts
America's 1st Choice Home Club: Best Plan Variety