First Premier Home Warranty Review: Is It a Legit Choice?

First Premier Home Warranty legitimacy and licensing

First Premier Home Warranty Corp. is a real, operating company. It was formed in New York on January 13, 2020, lists 2918 Avenue R, Brooklyn, NY as its address, and is run by President/Owner Albert Sayegh, according to its BBB profile and the Ohio Attorney General’s complaint. Its website says it has been trusted “since 1989” and by “1M+” homeowners; we found no record that supports either claim, and the company itself dates to 2020.

Being legitimate is not the same as being a safe buy. As of October 12, 2026 the BBB rates First Premier F with 945 complaints in three years, and several state regulators have taken action against it. Treat it as a high-risk provider and read every cap in the contract before you pay.

Lawsuits and state actions

• Ohio (August 2024): Attorney General Dave Yost sued the company and Albert Sayegh, alleging it rarely covers claims, pays too little when it does, pressured unhappy customers to delete negative reviews before cancelling, posted fake positive reviews, claimed endorsements from outlets such as Forbes and USA Today, and failed to register as a telephone seller. The state cited 13 complaints to its office and asked for restitution and civil penalties. We could not find a published resolution.
• Washington (March 2024): The Insurance Commissioner fined First Premier $100,000 and ordered it to stop selling. The order found 22 contracts sold to Washington residents for $20,859.22 while paying $5,549.83 in benefits, and a wrongly denied refrigerator claim.
• Oklahoma (April 2024): The Insurance Department issued a cease and desist order for selling without a license after consumer complaints.

Earlier BestGuide coverage also reported a 2021 California Department of Insurance action and 2024 registration consent orders in Minnesota ($2,500) and New Hampshire ($13,500). Before you buy, check that First Premier is currently registered with your state’s insurance or commerce department.

Plans and what they cover

First Premier sells two plans. Its plan chart shows the Platinum plan covering 19 items: two A/C systems, two heating systems, ductwork, electrical, plumbing, plumbing stoppages, water heater, refrigerator, washer, dryer, oven, cooktop, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, trash compactor, ceiling and exhaust fans, whirlpool tub and garage door opener. The same chart marks the A/C, heating, washer, dryer and refrigerator as not included in the Premier plan, so confirm what your Coverage Summary lists.

Add-ons include pool/spa, well pump, septic system and pumping, sump pump, limited roof leak, water softener, second refrigerator, stand-alone freezer, central vacuum, generator, sprinkler system and electronics. The contract covers only mechanical failure from normal wear and tear, never pre-existing conditions, and coverage is limited to one unit of each item unless you pay for more.

How much First Premier costs

First Premier does not post plan prices or service fees. You get a quote online or at 1-(800) 388-1918, and the site advertises $200 off, two extra months and free limited roof coverage. Ohio’s lawsuit says consumers there paid $400 to $650 a year plus service fees.

The bigger cost question is what the contract pays. Every covered item is capped at $1,500, many items at $200 or $500 per term, and professional series appliances at $1,000 in total. A full A/C or furnace replacement often costs far more than the cap, and the difference is yours. You also pay the service call fee for each visit, including visits that end in a denial.

First Premier complaints and how to avoid problems

Across 945 BBB complaints and 500 Trustpilot reviews, the same issues repeat: long holds, slow or no contractor dispatch, denials based on pre-existing conditions or missing maintenance records, partial payouts, and slow reimbursements. Positive reviews mostly describe the sign-up call or small repairs.

• Keep receipts and photos of annual HVAC and appliance service. The contract lets First Premier ask for three years of records and cap your payout at $150 without them.
• Get the contractor’s diagnosis in writing and ask for the exact failure code or part.
• Put every request in writing. Disputes must be emailed to [email protected], and First Premier gets 30 business days to respond before mediation and arbitration.
• If a claim stalls, file with your state insurance or consumer protection office and the BBB.

Cancellation, refunds and transfers

You can cancel within 30 days of your order for a full refund of contract fees, minus any service costs First Premier paid. After 30 days, annual customers may get a prorated refund, minus a $75 administrative fee and any service costs, and nothing if services exceeded what you paid. Monthly customers get no refund of premiums paid after 30 days and still owe the $75 fee. Requests must go in writing to [email protected].

Disputing a charge with your bank lets First Premier suspend or cancel coverage. Transferring the contract to a buyer costs $75; earlier claims that transfers were free are not what the current agreement says.

Rules that protect you

Home warranties are service contracts, not insurance, but most states require the seller to register or be licensed, usually with the state insurance department. Washington and Oklahoma acted because First Premier sold without that authorization. Your homeowners insurance covers sudden damage such as fire or storms, not wear and tear, so a home warranty does not replace it. The First Premier agreement requires mediation and then arbitration through the American Arbitration Association, limits awards to out-of-pocket costs of $1,000 to $1,500 per claim, and makes you pay arbitration fees unless state law says otherwise.