American Home Shield vs First American Home Warranty

An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top home warranty companies picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.

American Home Shield

American Home Shield

Ranked #1 of 15 in this directory

The original home warranty company with the most plan flexibility

Paid
First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty

Ranked #4 of 15 in this directory

Reliable home warranty coverage with no home inspection required

Paid

Our pick: American Home Shield. Our editors rank American Home Shield higher overall in Home Warranty Companies — but First American Home Warranty can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review

Compare the details

American Home ShieldFirst American Home Warranty
Pricing modelPaidPaid
Starting priceSee websiteSee website
CategoryCombo PlansCombo Plans
Editorial rank#1 of 15#4 of 15

Strengths

American Home Shield

  • Largest and most established home warranty provider in the US
  • Three plan tiers allow customers to choose exact coverage level needed
  • Covers items regardless of age, make, or pre-existing conditions
  • Flexible trade service fee options from $75 to $125
  • Extensive contractor network across all 50 states

First American Home Warranty

  • No home inspection required to start coverage
  • Straightforward combo plan covers most major items
  • Strong reputation backed by First American Financial Corporation
  • Simple online and phone claims process
  • Available in most US states

Watch out for

American Home Shield

  • !Monthly premiums are higher than many newer competitors
  • !Coverage caps on certain items may not cover full replacement costs
  • !Claims process can involve multiple service visits before resolution
  • !Some customers report long wait times for contractor scheduling

First American Home Warranty

  • !Limited plan tier options compared to some competitors
  • !Coverage may not extend to certain high-end appliance brands
  • !Service fees are fixed and cannot be adjusted for lower premiums

Best use cases

American Home Shield

  • Homeowners with aging systems and appliances wanting comprehensive protection
  • Real estate agents including warranties in home sale transactions
  • Budget-conscious homeowners wanting predictable repair costs

First American Home Warranty

  • New homeowners wanting quick coverage without inspection delays
  • Real estate transactions where warranty coverage is part of the deal
  • Homeowners preferring a simple single-plan option over complex tiers

About each tool

American Home Shield

American Home Shield is the pioneer of the home warranty industry and remains the largest provider in the US. AHS offers three plan tiers covering systems, appliances, or both, with flexible service fee options and coverage available regardless of the age or condition of covered items.

First American Home Warranty

First American Home Warranty provides dependable coverage with plans that do not require a home inspection to activate. The company offers a straightforward combo plan covering both systems and appliances, with optional add-ons for pools, spas, and guest units. Available in most US states with a simple claims process.

Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.

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