First American Insurance Review & Complaints: Property, Auto & Umbrella Insurance (2024)

Premiums
Claims
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Financial Strength

First American Property & Casualty specializes in property insurance, but has gone on to also offer auto and umbrella policies for customers. With a long history, First American has made it’s mark on markets throughout the world.

What is First American Insurance?

From humble beginnings in 1894 as the Orange County Title Company, First American Financial Corporation has grown to become a major provider of title insurance and financial services nationally. It began its rapid growth in 1957 when Donald Parker Kennedy, the grandson of the founder, developed a plan to expand the company.

Since then, First American has opened new offices and acquired existing title and abstract companies. They have also expanded into other financial services including home warranty products, credit reporting, and more. Since 1988, they have also expanded internationally with offices in Canada, Mexico, Korea, and Hong Kong. In addition, First American now has the leading market share for title insurance in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Along with the expansion in other real estate-related financial services, First American acquired Great Pacific as a subsidiary and renamed it First American Property and Casualty Insurance Company in 1999. The newest insurance subsidiary offers auto, home, and umbrella insurance coverage as a natural extension of its first contact with insurance customers.

What types of insurance products are offered?

First American writes a shorter list of products than many national companies. Allowing them to focus on personal insurance coverage for multiple types of homes. This can provide peace of mind to potential customers, who don’t have to spend hours sifting through various policy options.

Home Insurance

First American writes four different types of home insurance policies, each designed for a particular type of dwelling:

• Homeowners Insurance – Covers the structure, personal property, liability, and several additional benefits.
• Condo Owners Insurance – Offering similar coverage to homeowners, but tailored to the specific needs of a condo where an association is responsible for the main structure.
• Renters Insurance – Covering the personal property of a tenant, as well as providing liability coverage, with no structure coverage.
• Dwelling Fire Insurance – Covering the structure and liability along with specific coverage for non-owner-occupied homes, such as loss of rent.

First American home insurance offers a base policy with three levels of enhancement in terms of optional coverage:

• Enhancement Plus – With 125% replacement cost on the home, 20% more personal property coverage with replacement cost coverage, and identity theft along with a few other features
• Eagle Premier – Which goes up to 150% replacement cost for the home in addition to the features of the Enhancement Plus package, along with building code coverage as well
• Eagle Platinum – The highest level of coverage with guaranteed replacement cost, business property coverage, and extra coverage for high-value items

Auto Insurance

First American offers a solid auto insurance program with a hefty multi-policy discount for bundling auto and homeowners insurance policy.

Coverage includes all of the expected basics as well as built-in new car replacement. There are also plenty of discounts available in addition to the multi-policy, most of which are common discounts such as multi-car, loyalty, safety features, accident-free, and more.

Do they have additional products?

First American also offers personal umbrella coverage for extended liability and flood insurance policy products. However, as mentioned above, they have a curated list of services offered, so that it’s not stressful for customers. The insurance business is vast, so by having a smaller, more efficient amount of policy options, First American can focus on the quality they advertise.

Are the company’s rates competitive?

First America does offer online quotes to compare rates. As an agent-drive company, they are likely to be a little on the higher side when compared to larger direct-buy companies such as GEICO.

As previously discussed, First American does offer some substantial discounts for auto/home bundling. Such a discount is likely to have quite an impact on premiums and as a result, make the company more competitive.

First American does not advertise budget insurance solutions but rather presents itself as a company offering great products and good service for a little extra in terms of monthly cost. However, it is interesting to note that many reviews of the company do mention low rates, which suggests that prices may be more competitive than one would expect from an agent-driven company.

Are there consumer complaints against the company?

First American is not BBB accredited and carries a very surprising F rating. There are only a few complaints registered against the business – 14 in the past three years, one of which was closed in the past 12 months. That is a very low number for a company of this size, however, the BBB notes that the company failed to respond to two of those complaints and one was not resolved. The BBB can be fairly quick to drop ratings for companies that fail to respond to complaints.

With a company like First American, it is sometimes hard to distinguish the reviews for the property & casualty insurance company from the title insurance company. Sorting through the reviews on various sites such as Yelp, there are several customer complaints about denied claims and poor customer service. However, the overall number of complaints is really quite low for a company this size, and nothing that raises any big red flags.

First American Claims Process

Ease of Filing a Claim (Online, Over the Phone, Mobile Apps)

First American Insurance offers multiple convenient methods for policyholders to file a claim. You can submit a claim online through their website or over the phone by calling their toll-free customer service line at 1-888-922-5344.

This flexibility allows customers to choose the method that suits them best, whether they prefer the ease of online filing or the personal touch of speaking to a representative.

Average Claim Processing Time

The average claim processing time can vary depending on the nature and complexity of the claim. However, First American Insurance aims to expedite the process as efficiently as possible. After you file a claim, it will be assigned to an adjuster who will review the details, assess fault, evaluate coverage, and provide a settlement.

The company’s commitment to quick and fair claim resolutions is a crucial aspect of its service.

Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts

While First American Insurance does not have a significant volume of complaints, it’s essential to note that they are not BBB accredited and hold an F rating with the BBB. There have been a limited number of complaints, with 14 registered in the past three years, one of which was closed in the past 12 months.

While this number is relatively low for a company of its size, it’s worth noting that the BBB has reported that First American failed to respond to two of these complaints, and one was not resolved. Additionally, customer reviews on various platforms, such as Yelp, have highlighted issues with denied claims and customer service.

First American Digital and Technological Features

Mobile App Features and Functionality

First American Insurance provides a mobile app that offers policyholders a range of features and functionalities to manage their insurance policies conveniently.

While specific details about the app’s features are not provided in this review, mobile apps from insurance companies typically allow customers to access their policy information, make payments, view coverage details, and file claims from their mobile devices. The availability and functionality of the mobile app can enhance the overall customer experience.

Online Account Management Capabilities

In addition to the mobile app, First American Insurance offers online account management capabilities through its website. Policyholders can log in to their online accounts to access and manage their policies, view policy documents, make payments, and more.

Online account management provides policyholders with the flexibility and control they need to stay informed and make changes to their coverage when necessary.

Digital Tools and Resources

While specific digital tools and resources are not detailed in this review, insurance companies typically offer a range of online resources to help policyholders make informed decisions. These may include educational materials, FAQs, insurance calculators, and informative articles.

These resources can assist customers in understanding their policies, coverage options, and the insurance process in general.

What’s the company’s financial strength rating?

What’s the bottom line?

First American Property & Casualty is worth a look for anyone who is planning to insure both home and car, and who wants the personalized attention of an agent. Their product lineup is basic, but their home and auto programs appear solid and offer plenty of features, coverage levels, and discounts.

It is difficult, however, to fully recommend a company with a low BBB rating and complaints that have not received a response. Fixing that rating would be a big step towards First American earning a reputation as solid as their products appear to be. It would be in a potential customer’s best interest to compare insurance carriers before settling on a decision.