Choice Home Warranty vs. First American Home Warranty (2024)
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Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty provide comprehensive coverage plans for major home systems and appliances such as a water heater and refrigerator. While Choice Home Warranty covers more items in its plans and offers more optional add-ons, First American offers a unique First Class Upgrade.
Continue reading to learn more about Choice Home Warranty and First American plans, pricing, and customer reviews, and determine which is the best home warranty company for you and your home.
How Do Choice and First American Compare Overall?
Choice Home Warranty has cheaper service fees, covers more items, and is available in more states. However, First American Home Warranty has a better BBB rating, more experience, and cheaper monthly plans. Both Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty are highly reputable companies in the home warranty industry.
How Do Choice and First American Compare Side-by-Side?
Comparison | Choice Home Warranty | First American Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|
|
This Old House rating |
9.1/10 |
8.4/10 |
|
Get a free quote |
||
|
Promotional offer |
$50 off plus one month free |
N/A |
|
Coverage options |
Basic Plan, Total Plan, and optional add-ons |
Basic Plan, Premier Plan, and optional add-ons |
|
Monthly premiums |
$36.17–$43.85 per month |
$28.00–$42.50 per month |
|
Service fee deductible |
$60–$85 |
$75–$100 |
|
State availability |
48 states (excludes CA and WA) |
35 states (excludes AK, ND, MN, WI, IL, NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT, RI, DE, HI, and LA) |
|
BBB rating |
B |
B |
|
Years in business |
12 |
36 |
What Are the Pros and Cons of Choice Home Warranty?
Here are the pros and cons of Choice Home Warranty:
Known for its affordable cost and 24/7 customer service, Choice Home Warranty will send a service contractor out to a customer’s home within two business days of receiving a claim. Because of these positive traits, we recognized Choice as the home warranty company with the best service.
Note: Choice Home Warranty is currently facing a lawsuit that alleges misleading language and advertising related to claims. To read more about this lawsuit, click here.
What Are the Pros and Cons of First American Home Warranty?
Here are the pros and cons of First American Home Warranty:
First American Home Warranty is one of the most popular home warranty companies in the industry. We named First American as the home warranty company with the best value because of its affordable plans and coverage for improperly installed or maintained appliances and systems.
Get a free quote from First American Home Warranty by calling 800-891-9778 or by submitting this easy form.
How Does Choice and First American Warranty Coverage Compare?
Choice Home Warranty covers more items in its plans than First American Home Warranty, and it offers more optional add-ons for purchase. However, First American offers a unique optional add-on with its First Class Upgrade that provides coverage for cosmetic damage on home systems or appliances.
Choice Home Warranty Coverage
Choice Home Warranty offers two plans: a Basic Plan and Total Plan. The Basic Plan covers 14 essential appliances and systems in the home, while the Total Plan covers 18 items, including coverage for an air conditioner, refrigerator, washer, and dryer.
Compare Choice Home Warranty coverage below:
What Does Choice Home Warranty Cover?
| Plan | Basic Plan | Total Plan |
|---|---|---|
|
Air Conditioner |
✓ |
|
|
Refrigerator |
✓ |
|
|
Clothes Washer |
✓ |
|
|
Clothes Dryer |
✓ |
|
|
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 Fans and Exhaust Fans |
✓ |
✓ |
First American Home Warranty Coverage
Like Choice Home Warranty, First American Home Warranty offers two coverage plans: a Basic Plan and Premier Plan. The Basic Plan covers eight home appliances, while the Premier Plan covers 16 systems and appliances, including coverage for heating, electrical, and plumbing systems.
Here’s what each First American plan covers:
What Does First American Home Warranty Cover?
| Plan | Basic Plan | Premier Plan |
|---|---|---|
|
Washing Machine |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Clothes Dryer |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Refrigerator |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Dishwasher |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Oven, Range, and Cooktop |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Microwave |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Garbage Disposal |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Trash Compactor |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Plumbing |
✓ |
|
|
Plumbing Stoppages |
✓ |
|
|
Heating System |
✓ |
|
|
Water Heaters |
✓ |
|
|
Electrical Systems |
✓ |
|
|
Garage Door Opener |
✓ |
|
|
Ductwork |
✓ |
|
|
Central Vacuum System |
✓ |
First American Home Warranty and Choice Home Warranty Optional Add-Ons
First American Home Warranty and Choice Home Warranty offer the following optional add-on coverage choices:
First American Home Warranty offers these five optional add-ons:
- Central air conditioning system
- Well pump
- Pool and spa equipment
- Secondary refrigeration
- First Class Upgrade*
*In addition to covering systems and appliances if they were improperly installed, modified, or maintained, the First American First Class Upgrade comes with these benefits:
- Covers expenses from using cranes during installation
- Covers expenses related to the hauling away or removal of an appliance
- Pays up to $250 where local building permits are required for replacing appliances
Choice Home Warranty offers these nine optional add-ons:
- Stand alone freezer
- Second refrigerator
- Sump pump
- Septic system
- Limited roof leaks
- Pool and spa
- Well pump
- Septic tank pumping
- Central vacuum
How Does Choice and First American Cost Compare?
Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty offer affordable monthly premiums, but First American offers a lower premium cost than Choice Home Warranty. Regarding service fees, both providers allow you to select your own service fee within a given range, with Choice Home Warranty offering cheaper service call fees.
Note: The cost of a home warranty is affected by factors like the square footage of your home and where you live, so the best way to determine how much a home warranty plan will cost is by requesting a free quote from a few different home warranty companies.
| Company | Choice Home Warranty | First American Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|
|
Monthly Premium Cost |
$36.17–$43.85 per month |
$28.00–$42.50 per month |
|
Service Fee |
$60–$85 |
$75–$100 |
How Does Choice and First American Reviews Compare?
First American Home Warranty is accredited by the BBB and received a slightly more positive rating from the organization than Choice Home Warranty did. Regarding customer reviews, First American Home Warranty reviews are slightly more positive, on average, than Choice Home Warranty reviews.
| Company | Choice Home Warranty | First American Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|
|
BBB rating |
B |
B |
|
BBB accreditation |
No |
Yes |
|
Number of customer reviews on BBB webpage |
1,429 reviews |
1,824 reviews |
|
Average Trustpilot customer review rating (out of 5 stars) |
3.9 stars |
4.0 stars |
|
Number of customer reviews on Trustpilot webpage |
10,788 reviews |
4,958 reviews |
Are Choice or First American Worth the Cost?
Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty both offer reputable home warranty plans at affordable prices. If you’re looking for basic coverage, consider Choice Home Warranty, but if you want protection for items that have been improperly installed or maintained, First American may be a better option.
Before you buy a home warranty, we recommend getting free quotes using the panel below to help you decide which provider is the best fit for your home warranty needs.
How Do Other Top-Rated Home Warranty Providers Compare?
If you’re still not sure whether Choice Home Warranty or First American Home Warranty are right for you, take a look at other top-rated home warranty providers below.
| Star Rating | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Response Time | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Home Guard |  | NR | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | Up to 48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| American Home Shield |  | B | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | Up to 48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| Select Home Warranty |  | B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | 48-84 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| First American Home Warranty |  | B | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | 4-48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| AFC Home Warranty |  | B | $38–$64 | $75–$125 | 24-48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| Elite Home Warranty |  | A+ | $44–$58 | $70 | Up to 48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| Cinch Home Services |  | B+ | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | 2-24 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty |  | A | $27–$70 | $65–$100 | Up to 48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| HomeServe |  | A | $50–$63 | $0–$100 | 24–48 hours | VISIT SITE |
| Liberty Home Guard | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | NR |
| Monthly Cost | $49–$59 |
| Service Fee | $65–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| American Home Shield | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Monthly Cost | $29–$89 |
| Service Fee | $100–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| Select Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B- |
| Monthly Cost | $44–$47 |
| Service Fee | $60–$75 |
| Response Time | 48-84 hours |
| First American Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Monthly Cost | $42–$82 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| Response Time | 4-48 hours |
| AFC Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Monthly Cost | $38–$64 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| Response Time | 24-48 hours |
| Elite Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Monthly Cost | $44–$58 |
| Service Fee | $70 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| Cinch Home Services | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B+ |
| Monthly Cost | $30–$56 |
| Service Fee | $100–$150 |
| Response Time | 2-24 hours |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A |
| Monthly Cost | $27–$70 |
| Service Fee | $65–$100 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| HomeServe | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A |
| Monthly Cost | $50–$63 |
| Service Fee | $0–$100 |
| Response Time | 24–48 hours |
| Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NR | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $38–$64 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| A+ | $44–$58 | $70 | VISIT SITE | |
| B+ | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | VISIT SITE | |
| A | $27–$70 | $65–$100 | VISIT SITE |
To learn more about these home warranty companies, read our in-depth reviews:
FAQs About Home Warranties
Is a home warranty worth it?
A home warranty can be beneficial for homeowners because it protects them from paying expensive home repair costs when their systems or appliances are damaged from normal wear and tear. When a system or appliance needs to be repaired or replaced, you simply pay a small service fee of about $75 to $125 instead of paying thousands of dollars out of pocket on expensive repair or replacement costs.
What is the difference between homeowners insurance and a home warranty?
A home warranty protects your home’s systems and appliances from damage caused by normal wear and tear, while homeowners insurance protects your home when it’s damaged from a natural disaster or theft.
What is the waiting period on a home warranty?
For most home warranty companies, including Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty, there’s a 30-day waiting period before coverage kicks in and you can submit a claim.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to score each provider objectively. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys.
We score each provider against our review standards, which include four comparison categories: coverage, value, trust and transparency, and availability and service. We rate each provider across 31 factors within these categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We then convert the final scores to a 5-star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:
- Coverage (40%): We scored coverage based on included home systems and appliances, add-on options, and unique benefits. We also compared coverage caps and policy exclusions.
-
- Additional coverage items
- Annual coverage cap
- Home systems coverage
- Major appliances coverage
- Obstructed wall coverage cap
- Value (30%): We compared the coverage level received to monthly pricing to determine plan value. We considered premium pricing, service fees, and flexibility in customizing plan costs.
-
- Average monthly cost
- Cost flexibility
- Lowest service fee
- Trust and Transparency (16%): We evaluated each company’s reputation using the Better Business Bureau ratings and customer reviews on third-party review sites. We read through plan change policies, workmanship protections, and sample contract availability.
-
- Brand reputation
- Policy change flexibility
- Sample contract availability
- Workmanship guarantee length
- Availability and Service (14%): We award higher scores for faster claim processing and response times. We also considered service technician policies, including options to choose your technician.
-
- Claims process
- Guaranteed response time
- Service flexibility
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.