Empire Home Protect vs First American Home Warranty (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Empire Home Protect and First American Home Warranty both cover major home systems and appliances that fail from normal wear and tear.
- First American’s published plans run about $42 to $82 per month across three tiers, with a $100 or $125 service fee, per 2026 review data.
- First American is often noted for high per-item appliance payout caps, a fit for homes with premium equipment.
- Empire Home Protect emphasizes clear plan tiers, one point of contact, and quote-based pricing for your specific home.
- The right choice depends on your home’s age, the equipment you want protected, and whether you prioritize payout caps or plan simplicity.
Empire Home Protect vs First American Home Warranty comes down to coverage structure, pricing, and service caps. Both are home warranty options that help cover repair or replacement of major systems and appliances when they break from normal wear and tear. First American’s plans run roughly $42 to $82 per month across three tiers with a $100 or $125 service fee, according to NerdWallet’s 2026 review, while Empire Home Protect uses quote-based pricing tailored to your home. This comparison breaks down plans, cost, and coverage so you can choose.
Empire Home Protect vs First American: Quick Comparison
Empire Home Protect vs First American is a comparison of two consumer-facing home warranty brands with different strengths. Empire Home Protect leans toward plan clarity and a single point of contact, while First American is recognized for high appliance payout caps. The table below sets the two side by side on the factors homeowners weigh most.
| Factor | Empire Home Protect | First American Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Plan tiers | Systems, appliance, and combined tiers | Starter, Essential, Premium |
| Monthly price | Custom quote by home and ZIP | ~$42–$82 (published tiers) |
| Service call fee | Flat fee selected at signup | $100 or $125 |
| Known strength | Plan clarity, one point of contact | High appliance payout caps |
| Coverage basis | Normal wear-and-tear breakdowns | Normal wear-and-tear breakdowns |
| Availability | Nationwide | Available in most states |
Pricing and terms vary by ZIP code and plan for both providers, so confirm details with a written quote before deciding.
How Do the Plans Compare?
The plans compare on structure and depth of coverage. First American organizes coverage into three named tiers, from a lower-cost Starter plan to a Premium plan that adds more systems and appliances. Empire Home Protect organizes coverage into systems-only, appliance-only, and combined tiers, letting you match protection to the equipment you actually own.
- First American Starter: Core coverage at the lowest tier, about $42–$47 per month per 2026 review data.
- First American Essential: Mid-tier coverage, about $57–$62 per month.
- First American Premium: Top tier, about $77–$82 per month, with the broadest included items.
- Empire Home Protect: Tiered plans priced by quote; see the plans page for current options.
Both providers cover breakdowns caused by normal wear and tear rather than accidents, cosmetic issues, or pre-existing conditions. Where they differ is depth: First American’s tiers add items as you move up, and its appliance payout caps tend to sit higher than the industry norm, which suits kitchens with premium ranges or refrigerators. Empire Home Protect lets you split systems from appliances, so an owner of a newer home with older systems can protect the furnace, wiring, and plumbing without paying for appliance coverage they do not need. Read each contract’s exclusions and per-item limits closely, because two plans at the same monthly price can differ sharply once a claim is filed.
How Much Does Each Home Warranty Cost?
Each home warranty’s cost depends on plan tier, home size, and service fee. First American’s published pricing runs about $42 to $82 per month, and Empire Home Protect provides a custom quote for your specific home. Both charge a per-visit service fee that offsets the monthly premium — a higher service fee lowers your monthly price, and a lower fee raises it.
For reference, the U.S. national average home warranty runs about $60 to $73 per month, per Forbes Home. First American offers a $100 or $125 service fee, where the higher fee trims roughly $5 off the monthly premium. Because a single major repair — such as a $1,200 to $4,500 water heater replacement — can exceed a year of premiums, total value depends on coverage caps as much as monthly price. Our 2026 cost guide explains the full math.
Which Home Warranty Is Better for You?
The better home warranty is the one whose coverage caps, plan tier, and service fee fit your home. Choose First American if you want named tiers and high appliance payout caps; choose Empire Home Protect if you want plan clarity, one point of contact, and a quote built around your home. Use this quick decision guide:
- Inventory your major systems and appliances and note their ages.
- Decide whether high per-item payout caps or plan simplicity matters more.
- Compare each plan’s exclusions and coverage limits line by line.
- Pick a service fee that balances monthly cost against per-visit cost.
- Request written quotes from both and compare total yearly cost.
To weigh other options, see how we stack up against American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty, or review the full field in our 2026 home warranty rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Empire Home Protect or First American cheaper?
First American publishes tiered pricing of about $42 to $82 per month, while Empire Home Protect uses quote-based pricing tailored to your home and ZIP code. Because both charge a per-visit service fee and set different coverage caps, the cheaper option depends on your plan tier and home. Request written quotes from both to compare total yearly cost.
What service fee does First American charge?
First American Home Warranty offers a $100 or $125 service call fee, chosen when you sign up. You pay this flat amount each time a technician is dispatched for a covered repair, instead of the full repair bill. Selecting the higher $125 fee lowers your monthly premium by roughly $5, per 2026 review data.
What is First American known for?
First American Home Warranty is frequently noted for high per-item payout caps on covered appliances, which can benefit homes with premium equipment. It organizes coverage into Starter, Essential, and Premium tiers. As with any provider, coverage caps and exclusions vary by plan, so review the contract before you buy.
Do both cover HVAC and major systems?
Yes. Both Empire Home Protect and First American cover major home systems such as heating, electrical, and plumbing, plus central air conditioning on the appropriate plan tier, when they fail from normal wear and tear. The specific systems included and their coverage caps depend on the plan you select, so confirm the details in writing.
How do I switch to a different home warranty?
To switch home warranty providers, compare plans and coverage caps, get a written quote from the new provider, then start the new plan and cancel the old one after any overlap you want. Watch for waiting periods on the new plan, typically about 30 days, before coverage for breakdowns begins.
Compare Plans and Get Covered
If you want plan clarity and a single point of contact for your coverage, compare tiers and pricing built around your home. Explore Empire Home Protect plans or get a free quote today, and see the full field in our 2026 home warranty rankings.
Related Articles
0 Comments