First Premier Home Warranty review: A comprehensive guide to cost and coverage

First Premier Home Warranty at a glance

First Premier Home Warranty impresses with its affordable premiums and low service fees, no matter the type of home. But its current lawsuit may steer customers toward other home warranty providers.

Fast facts

What we like

First Premier Home Warranty’s plans and service fees are lower than those of many competitors. It’s great for homeowners wanting to protect their systems and appliances without breaking the bank. The company handles claims around the clock, making it easier and faster to get things fixed. It also covers the major property types, from mobile homes and condos to single-family and multi-family homes.

What we don’t like

One of First Premier Home Warranty’s notable drawbacks is it only has two plan options, while many other companies have three. Though add-ons are available, homeowners with more specific coverage needs may want to consider other providers offering systems-only and appliance-only plans. Homeowners must also notify First Premier before picking your own technician for repairs (if that’s the route you prefer).

As of August 23, 2024, the Ohio Attorney General’s agency is suing First Premier for misleading products and services. The complaint states that the company rarely accepts claims, and the accepted claims never result in enough compensation to cover repair costs. There is also evidence that First Premier has violated the Consumer Sales Practices Act by manipulating negative reviews. Due to this ongoing investigation, we recommend you look for a different home warranty provider.

*BBB ratings accurate as of August 2024

First Premier Home Warranty pros and cons

First Premier Home Warranty has excellent benefits for homeowners. You don’t need a home inspection to buy a warranty plan, which makes getting coverage easier. It also has a decent workmanship guarantee, giving you peace of mind for two months. Plus, it doesn’t charge a fee if you cancel your contract within 30 days.

However, First Premier does have drawbacks worth considering. It doesn’t offer a systems-only plan. If you need coverage for your HVAC, you must buy the comprehensive plan with built-in appliance coverage. The cheaper plan, Premier, doesn’t cover the air conditioning and heating systems or washers and dryers. The company also doesn’t service homes in California.

Pros

Cons

How much does First Premier Home Warranty cost?

The cost of a First Premier Home Warranty plan depends on a few factors, like the kind of home and the level of coverage you choose. Customizing your plan with add-ons will also increase your monthly or annual fee.

First Premier gave me a quote for a 2,000-square-foot single-family home in Hyde, Massachusetts. The Premier plan costs $449.99 per year, and the Platinum Plan is $549.99 per year. The service fee is a flat $75, which is standard for the industry.

Homeowners can pay monthly or annually. The monthly option costs just under $10 more per month. If you choose an annual plan, you get limited roof leak coverage and two extra months for free.

*Costs based on a 2,000-square-foot home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Costs may differ depending on location.

What services does First Premier Home Warranty offer?

First Premier Home Warranty offers a 60-day workmanship guarantee, and customers can request service by phone 24 hours a day, but the company has no live chat customer support.

One of my favorite things about First Premier is that it doesn’t require a home inspection. It’ll service your appliances and systems no matter how old they are, but there’s a 30-day waiting period after you sign your contract. While it only offers two plan options, you can customize your coverage with add-ons.

First Premier Home Warranty services

First Premier Home Warranty add-ons and optional features

With First Premier Home Warranty, you can add up to 19 extra coverages to your plan for an added monthly cost. Prices range from $25 to $150 per year, depending on what extras you choose.

I found prices for these add-ons when I requested an online quote. I provided my home address, name, email, and phone number so I could see the prices.

Some of the more popular extras are water softener coverage ($35 per year), added HVAC system coverage ($75 a year) and added spa coverage ($150 per year).

Below are the available add-ons and their yearly costs.

What does First Premier Home Warranty not cover?

Like most home warranty providers, First Premier Home Warranty doesn’t cover everything.

Here are important exclusions to think about:

First Premier Home Warranty customer service and experience

First Premier Home Warranty makes it easy to obtain a quote and buy coverage online. I received an instant quote with a clear breakdown of add-ons and their costs. However, it would be nice if it had a live chat to answer any last-minute questions quickly before checking out.

Customers can file claims with First Premier by phone or online through its website. Like most home warranty companies, it typically processes claims and gets a technician out within a day or two.

These customer reviews underscore the importance of thoroughly reading the fine print and asking questions about sneaky stipulations before buying a home warranty.

The fine print: terms and conditions you should know

I was disappointed that First Premier Home Warranty doesn’t provide a sample contract online, so familiarize yourself with its terms and conditions. Nearly all other top home warranty providers have a sample contract clearly listed online so that you know exactly what you’re signing up for, but not First Premier.

If you want coverage for something specific that most homeowners might not have, ask about it before buying a warranty plan. There may be rules about what is or isn’t covered. You should know them now to avoid surprises later.

First Premier Home Warranty vs. competitors

If you’re in the market for a cheap home warranty, First Premier Home Warranty may be a solid choice. But it’s worth noting they don’t cover preexisting conditions. If you have systems or appliances that are already faulty, you may benefit from American Home Shield’s extensive coverage options.

First Premier only offers two plans, while competitors like Cinch Home Services have three plans — an appliance plan, a systems plan and a complete home plan. Customers wanting a systems-only plan would benefit from choosing Cinch over First Premier. With Cinch, you can get a plan to cover major systems like HVAC, electrical and plumbing for around $36 per month.

However, First Premier’s service fee of $75 is lower than Cinch’s, which falls between $100 and $150. So, you may find greater value in First Premier’s Platinum plan if you expect to file frequent claims for systems or appliances.

Competitor comparison

Methodology

We analyzed 21 home warranty providers to determine our top rankings, focusing on these key factors:

Home warranty companies offering comprehensive coverage of major systems like electrical, plumbing, heating/cooling and key appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers scored highest. We prioritized providers with affordable monthly premiums and service fees compared to industry averages.

Generous guarantees like 90-day workmanship guarantees, money-back guarantees and free cancellation periods also factored heavily. We evaluated each company’s reputation based on their BBB rating, years in business, complaint data and any pending legal actions.

We also looked at customer service metrics like 24/7 claims processing, online quoting capabilities and average response times. Nationwide availability across most states got extra points. Lastly, we gave higher rankings to flexible providers offering multi-tier plans and coverage for various home types, such as multi-family, mobile homes and townhomes.

FAQs