First American Home Warranty vs Select Home Warranty
Last updated July 2026
First American Home Warranty
Mid-market home warranty with strong per-appliance coverage limits
Advantages
- Higher per-appliance coverage caps than most competitors
- Basic Plan starts at ~$40/mo, undercuts AHS
- First Class Upgrade adds coverage for pre-existing conditions and modifications
- Choose your service fee ($85, $100, or $125)
- Available in most states
Drawbacks
- Fewer plan tiers than AHS
- Systems coverage caps lower than AHS Platinum
- Waiting period of 30 days
- Claims turnaround inconsistent in some markets
Select Home Warranty
Low-priced home warranty with basic coverage tiers
Advantages
- One of the cheapest monthly premiums in the industry ($42-$52/mo)
- $75 flat service call fee
- Three plans: Bronze, Gold, Platinum
- Free roof leak coverage on annual plans
- Nationwide coverage in most states
Drawbacks
- Coverage caps materially lower than AHS ($500-$3,000 per item)
- Claim denial rate reported higher than AHS in third-party reviews
- Waiting period of 30 days
- Customer service reviews mixed
First American Home Warranty and Select Home Warranty both play in home warranty plans, but they're aimed at different buyers. First American Home Warranty is built for homeowners with newer or high-value appliances who want strong per-appliance caps. Select Home Warranty is built for budget-focused homeowners who want the cheapest possible basic breakdown coverage. Which one fits depends on which of those descriptions sounds more like you.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | First American Home Warranty | Select Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Lineup | Starter, Essential, Premium | Bronze, Gold, Platinum |
| Starting Price | $40-$75/mo typical | $42-$52/mo typical |
| Service Call Fee | $85, $100, or $125 (customer choice) | $75 flat |
| Coverage Limits | Up to $3,500 per appliance; $1,500 per system | $500-$3,000 per item depending on plan |
| Waiting Period | 30 days | 30 days |
| Appliances Covered | Refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, washer/dryer, more | Refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, washer/dryer (Gold/Platinum) |
| Systems Covered | HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heater | HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heater |
| Claims Rating | Average, inconsistent by market | Below average, higher reported denial rate |
First American Home Warranty Wins
First American Home Warranty takes it overall (7/10 vs 6/10), but Select Home Warranty is still the sharper pick for budget-focused homeowners who want the cheapest possible basic breakdown coverage.
First American Home Warranty's standout strength: Higher per-appliance coverage caps than most competitors. Its biggest drawback (fewer plan tiers than AHS) is easier to live with than Select Home Warranty's (coverage caps materially lower than AHS ($500-$3,000 per item)). Select Home Warranty isn't out of the running though — its own standout strength is one of the cheapest monthly premiums in the industry ($42-$52/mo). If you fit the profile of budget-focused homeowners who want the cheapest possible basic breakdown coverage, that alone can flip the decision.
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