First American Home Warranty vs American Home Shield: Who’s Better?

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Two wrenches on pipe: American Home Warranty vs American Home ShieldHome warranties can be difficult to compare since they can vary by city and state. The coverage and technicians’ work depends on your specific situation. When we compared First American Home Warranty vs American Home Shield we looked at them side by side and we think you’ll be surprised to read what our research uncovered. This is an ever evolving category and company reputations can change quickly, as we’ve learned in our research for this article. So make sure you re-evaluate your home warranty company regularly to make sure you are happy with your purchase. If not, there are always other options to consider.

Visit American Home Shield | Visit First American

We Think American Home Shield Is Better

We compared American Home Shield (AHS), which is our #1 pick for best home warranty, against First American Home Warranty (FAHW). The table below is an overview of which company won each category, but be sure to read the sections following so you have a full  understanding of why we think American Home Shield is better.

First American Home Warranty American Home Shield
Best Coverage Checkmark
Best Plans Checkmark Checkmark
Available in More States Checkmark
Best Customer Service & Reputation Checkmark
Overall Winner Checkmark

Best Coverage

The table below displays what appliances and systems can be covered for each company.

First American Home Warranty American Home Shield
Refrigerator Checkmark Checkmark
Additional Refrigeration Checkmark Checkmark
Dishwasher Checkmark Checkmark
Air Conditioning Checkmark Checkmark
Heating Checkmark Checkmark
Ductwork Checkmark Checkmark
Clothes Washer & Dryer Checkmark Checkmark
Electrical Checkmark Checkmark
Plumbing Checkmark Checkmark
Range/Oven/Cooktop Checkmark Checkmark
Water Heater Checkmark Checkmark
Built-In Microwave Checkmark Checkmark
Garbage Disposal Checkmark Checkmark
Free-Standing Ice Maker Checkmark
Instant Hot-Cold Water Dispenser Checkmark Checkmark
Telephone Wiring Checkmark
Trash Compactor Checkmark Checkmark
Central Vacuum Checkmark Checkmark
Garage Door Opener Checkmark Checkmark
Smoke Detector Checkmark
Built-In Food Processor Checkmark
Doorbell Checkmark
Ceiling Fan Checkmark Checkmark
Sump Pump Checkmark Checkmark
Septic Plumbing Checkmark Checkmark
Well Pump Checkmark Checkmark
Pool/Spa Equipment Checkmark Checkmark
Stand Alone Freezer Checkmark
Double Oven Checkmark

As you can see, American Home Shield covers more appliances and systems than First American Home Warranty.American Home Shield logo

Winner: American Home Shield

Best Plans

Pricing for the companies can vary based on location so please check with the company for your specific state.

First American Home Warranty Plans

Basic Premier Optional Add-Ons
Range/Oven/Cooktop Everything in the Basic plan Additional Refrigeration
Dishwasher Ductwork Well Pump
Garbage Disposal Garage Door Opener Central Air Conditioner
Built-In Microwave Electrical Pool/Spa Equipment
Trash Compactor Plumbing
Kitchen Refrigerator Plumbing Stoppages
Ceiling/Attic/Exhaust Fans Heating
Instant Hot Water Dispenser Water Heater
Clothes Washer Central Vacuum System
Clothes Dryer

First American Home Warranty also has up to a $3 handling fee for each payment. This does not apply to Full Payment Plan.

American Home Shield Plans

Below are the details for AHS’s Appliances and Systems plans. They also offer a Build Your Own plan and a Combo plan, which includes everything in both the Appliances and Systems plans. The prices listed are the ranges for the minimum of each plan. Please be sure to contact AHS and get a quote for your specific state.

Combo Plan: $39.99-$71.99/month

Build Your Own Plan: $31.99-$64.99/month

Systems Plan Appliance Plan
Air Conditioning w/ Ductwork Refrigerators
Heating w/ Ductwork Ranges/Ovens/Cooktops
Electrical Clothes Washers
Doorbells Clothes Dryers
Smoke Detectors Dishwashers
Ceiling Fans Built-In Microwave Ovens
Plumbing (Including Stoppages) Trash Compactors
Water Heaters Free-Standing Ice Makers
Garbage Disposals Garage Door Openers
Instant Hot/Cold Water Dispensers Built-In Food Centers
Central Vacuums

Optional Add-Ons

All of these add-ons cost extra and are available for any plan.

  • Pool/spa
  • Well pump
  • Septic plumbing

We can’t compare pricing since it varies based on location, but we can compare plans. We like that AHS offers appliance and system specific plans but we also like that you can get a good mix with First American Home Warranty’s packages. The winner for this category is based off your personal wants, which is why we have a tie.American Home Shield and First American logos

Winner (Tie): American Home Shield and First American

Available In More States

First American is available in 35 states and Washington DC. American Home Shield is available in all states except Alaska. AHS is the clear winner for this category.American Home Shield logo

Winner: American Home Shield

Best Customer Service & Reputation

Both companies have a B rating from the Better Business Bureau but overall, American Home Shield prevails in this category. Our readers have told us that AHS and First American Home Warranty will choose to repair a system or appliance over and over instead of replacing the entire unit. This results in consumers going long amounts of time without their appliance or system working. Where they differ is that a large portion of the reviews online for First American Home Warranty are negative while there is a more balanced mix for AHS.American Home Shield logo

Winner: American Home Shield

First American Home Warranty vs American Home Shield: Other Comparisons

Below are some other comparisons for these companies for you to take into consideration before purchasing.

First American Home Warranty American Home Shield
Waiting Period 30 Days 15 Days
Request Service 24/7 online or phone 24/7 online or phone
Service Call Fee $50-$100 $75-$125
Years of Experience 30+ Years 40+ Years
Unlimited Service Requests Checkmark Checkmark
BBB Rating B B

To learn more about American Home Shield and First American Home Warranty, read their individual reviews.

We’d like to leave you with one extremely important reminder. When purchasing a home warranty be sure to read the fine print. These contracts can be overwhelming.  However, to make sure you are getting everything covered that you think you are, you need to read every word on that contract. The AARP agrees with us and thinks home warranties can be beneficial, especially for older homes.

Is Another Home Warranty Provider A Better Option?

This was a very close comparison, but in the end American Home Shield wins by a hair. In the future we will keep an eye on these two companies. We could see First American Home Warranty making a come back but for the time being, American Home Shield is the winner in this comparison. To see how the two companies compete against other providers, check out our comprehensive home warranty showdown which compares over 15 home warranty companies.

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The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

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