Short answer
Choice Home Warranty's sample contract is stronger on cancellation. First American Home Warranty's is stronger on best appliance cap and code & permit upgrades. Which fits better depends on whether your biggest risk is aging systems, appliances, or contract flexibility. Confirm terms in the contract for your state.
Choice Home Warranty Systems + kitchen appliances 
First American Home Warranty High appliance caps on Premium Side by side
| Checked Oct 23, 2026 | Choice Home Warranty | First American Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | 2 plans (best of those shown) Basic Plan, Total Plan | 3 plans (best of those shown) Starter Plan, Essential Plan, Premium Plan |
| Heating & cooling cap | $3,000 (best of those shown) per system | Not stated (best of those shown) |
| Best appliance cap | $3,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier | $7,000 (best of those shown) per appliance, top tier |
| Overall limit | Not stated (best of those shown) | No limit (best of those shown) |
| Service fee | $100 per claim (best of those shown) | Set in your plan (best of those shown) Not published |
| Code & permit upgrades | Excluded (best of those shown) Code corrections and permits excluded | Limited (best of those shown) Optional Advantage add-on: $500 (Essential), $1,500 (Premium) |
| Unknown pre-existing issues | Excluded (best of those shown) Known or unknown pre-existing excluded | Excluded (best of those shown) Covered only for real estate transaction customers |
| Cancellation | Anytime (best of those shown) Yes; admin fee may apply after 30 days | Restricted (best of those shown) Full refund within 30 days if no claims; after a claim, non-cancelable |
| Waiting period | 30 days (best of those shown) | Not stated (best of those shown) |
| Availability | All states (best of those shown) except WA | Varies by ZIP (best of those shown) No state list published |
| Sample contract | Read it (best of those shown) | Read it (best of those shown) |
| Links | Review | Review |
Covered Limited Excluded Best Most favorable term among the providers shown From each provider's sample contract and plan pages. Not a quote; terms can vary by state.
Which one fits your home?
Choice Home Warranty may suit
- Homeowners whose main concern is kitchen appliances plus heating and plumbing (Basic)
- Buyers who want AC, laundry, and refrigerator in one tier (Total)
Watch for: Air conditioning is only in the Total Plan, and unknown pre-existing conditions are excluded.
First American Home Warranty may suit
- Homes with higher-value appliances (Premium's $7,000 per-appliance limit)
- Owners who can't document past maintenance, since the contract covers failures due to lack of maintenance
- Buyers in a real estate transaction, who get unknown-defect coverage
Watch for: Direct (non-real-estate) buyers don't get unknown pre-existing coverage, and code/permit coverage is an add-on.
Choice vs. First American: common questions
Is Choice Home Warranty better than First American Home Warranty?
Choice Home Warranty's sample contract is stronger on cancellation. First American Home Warranty's is stronger on best appliance cap and code & permit upgrades. Which fits better depends on whether your biggest risk is aging systems, appliances, or contract flexibility. Confirm terms in the contract for your state.
Which has higher coverage caps, Choice or First American?
Heating and cooling: Choice $3,000 per system, First American Not stated. Appliances: Choice $3,000 per appliance, First American $7,000 per appliance. Caps are from each provider's sample contract and can vary by plan and state.
Can I cancel Choice or First American at any time?
Choice: Yes; admin fee may apply after 30 days. First American: Full refund within 30 days if no claims; after a claim, non-cancelable.
Next steps
- Read the full Choice Home Warranty review and First American Home Warranty review.
- See how both stack up against every other provider on our comparison page.
- Check which plans are sold where you live with the plan finder.
This page is general education, not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Home warranty terms vary by provider, plan, and state; the contract you sign controls what is covered. Spotted an error? Request a correction.