First Automotive Warranty Review
If you’re considering a First Automotive warranty, reading our review can help inform your decision. We break down 17 of the provider’s vehicle protection plans.
With our #1 rated provider, 
An extended car warranty refers to mechanical breakdown coverage offered by a vehicle manufacturer. However, this term is often mistakenly used to describe coverage from third-party companies. Independent providers offer similar protection through vehicle service contracts, but we’ve used the terms interchangeably in this article for convenience.
Are you curious about buying a First Automotive® warranty? In this article, we’ll review the many vehicle service contracts offered by First Automotive, discussing coverage, cost, customer reviews and more. We’ll also recommend some of our top recommended extended warranty providers to ensure you fight the right coverage for your needs.
Our researchers have combed through the warranty industry, finding valuable information on the best extended car warranty companies and compiling it into comprehensive reviews. Click above to receive free, personalized quotes from our top-rated picks.
Is a First Automotive Warranty Worth It?
First Automotive Service Corp. is the vehicle protection service arm of SouthwestRe®, a third-party administrator that specializes in reinsurance products. SouthwestRe is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has been in business for over 30 years.
First Automotive holds an accredited A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), as does SouthwestRe. This rating reflects a superior ability to communicate with customers and resolve issues. First Automotive warranties are available at participating dealerships.
Here’s how we rank First Automotive and its offerings:
| Overall Rating | 7.5 out of 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Industry Reputation | 9.0 out of 10.0 |
| Coverage | 8.0 out of 10.0 |
| Warranty Cost | See dealership |
| Customer Experience | 6.0 out of 10.0 |
Is it worth it? With so many First Automotive warranties available, most drivers will be able to find a plan that suits their needs.
First Automotive Warranty Coverage
First Automotive offers warranties for both new and used vehicles with extensive coverage options for both, including:
- Standard VSC
- Enhanced Care
- Multi-Guard Protection
- Xtended Care
- Powertrain Wrap
- Appearance Protection
- 5 Yr./100K Mile Protection
- Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty
- Dent & Ding Protection
- 3 Yr./100K Mile Protection
- Limited Warranty
- Theft Protection
- Maintenance Program
- Extended VSCs for Certifieds
- Expanded Tire & Wheel Protection
- Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP)
- Motor Club with Key Replacement
Here’s an overview of each plan:
| First Automotive Warranty | Vehicle Eligibility | Coverage Details |
|---|---|---|
| Standard VSC | New cars up to 4 years/ 60,000 miles or used cars up to 12 years/125,000 miles | Includes multiple coverage tiers that can cover standard vehicles as well as hybrid, all-electric, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and fuel-cell cars |
| Enhanced Care | New cars up to 1 year/7,500 miles | Covers all mechanical and electrical components of the vehicle, as well as some wear-and-tear parts |
| Multi-Guard Protection | Not specified | Gold and Platinum tiers cover accessory repairs – tires, wheels, dents and windshields – with optional add-ons available |
| Xtended Care | Cars up to 20 years/200,000 miles | Specialized, high-mileage coverage with four plans and over 30 term lengths that can cover hybrid, all-electric, PHEV and fuel-cell cars |
| Powertrain Wrap | New cars up to 1 year/12,000 miles and used cars up to 4 years/50,000 miles | Covers all mechanical and electrical parts of car except for powertrain components and other specified exclusions |
| Appearance Protection | Varies | Covers paint, vinyl, fabric and leather with three coverage plans available |
| 5 Yr./100K Mile Protection | Cars up to 15 years/150,000 miles | Engine Plus and High Tech coverage plans that protect the powertrain and high-tech systems, respectively |
| Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty | New cars up to 1 year/12,000 miles and used cars up to 10 years/100,000 miles | Covers powertrain components, as well as some parts of hybrid, all-electric, PHEV and fuel-cell cars |
| Dent & Ding Protection | Cars up to 20 years/unlimited miles | Covers minor dings and dents in body panels |
| 3 Yr./100K Mile Protection | Cars up to 15 years/150,000 miles | Covers the engine, transmission and transfer case |
| Limited Warranty | Cars up to 20 years/200,000 miles | Covers all lubricated components of the engine, transmission, transfer case and differential with some protection for hybrid, all-electric, PHEV and fuel-cell cars |
| Theft Protection | Varies | Vehicle replacement coverage |
| Maintenance Program | New and used vehicles | Prepaid maintenance program |
| Extended VSCs for Certifieds | Not specified | Extended coverage for Acura, Honda, Toyota and Volvo models |
| Expanded Tire & Wheel Protection | Cars up to 10 years/unlimited miles | Covers aftermarket tires and wheels |
| Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) | Not specified | Bridges cost gap between insurance settlement and remaining balance in a total loss incident |
| Motor Club with Key Replacement | Not specified | Replaces master or original equipment (OE) keys if they are damaged, lost or stolen |
Cost of a First Automotive Extended Warranty
While you can’t get quotes directly from the provider, one customer review mentioned purchasing a First Automotive warranty for $1,978. This price reflected a 60-month/100,000-mile contract length for the customer’s 2011 Buick Lacrosse CXS. However, this customer did not report what coverage plan they purchased, so use this price as an estimate.
The cost of an extended warranty depends on a few factors, including:
- Deductible: Usually, lower deductibles lead to higher overall contract costs.
- Coverage level: On average, comprehensive coverage is more expensive.
- Vehicle type: If you want to protect an older, higher-mileage vehicle, odds are you’ll pay more for coverage.
- Contract length: A longer contract is typically more expensive.
- Existing coverage: Providers will often offer lower-cost contracts to drivers still covered by their original factory warranty.
How to Get a Quote and File a Claim
If you’re interested in purchasing coverage from First Automotive, we’ve detailed how to get a quote and file a claim below.
Get a Quote
First Automotive doesn’t work with consumers directly, which isn’t uncommon among independent providers. However, this means that you can only get a warranty quote from a participating dealership. Unfortunately, First Automotive does not list its dealership partners online.
File a Claim
To file a claim with First Automotive, you can either send the provider an email or call using its claims-specific number. After you’ve moved your car to an authorized repair facility, you’ll need to have First Automotive approve the claim before any repair work begins. Depending on the repair, some claims take longer to process than others.
First Automotive Warranty Reviews
First Automotive customer reviews are mixed, which isn’t uncommon for most warranty providers. Positive customers report an easy claims process and friendly customer service representatives. However, negative customer reviews mention difficulty getting certain parts and components covered.
Here’s a deeper look at what past customers had to say about First Automotive:
Positive Customer Experiences
“The service reps are nice, and I just called customer service today, and they confirmed to cover $30 [per] day for my rental car while the engine was being put in. I will definitely use First Automotive for my next vehicle as well.”
- Ellie H. via BBB
“After the $1,300 invoice, First Automotive approved of the work (with some minor changes in the labor costs; they were only paying for a certain amount of hours vs the amount of hours quoted), gave us the claim number and [we] went on our way.”
- David via BBB
Negative Customer Reviews
“[It’s a] waste of money, [I] had [an] engine failure that was covered. However, they covered only slightly more [than] half of the bill.”
- Raymond V. via BBB
“We had a [fourth] cylinder misfire… that required a re-machining of parts. [The] warranty will only pay $1,700… and it will cost us $800 on our side for the labor and parts they don’t cover despite the fact that they are needed to put our vehicle back together.”
- Patricia G. via BBB
Our Verdict on First Automotive: 7.5 / 10.0
We recommend asking about a First Automotive warranty at your dealership. Based on the company's variety of protection plans, customers should be able to find a First Automotive warranty that suits their budget and vehicle needs. However, make sure to read any warranty contract thoroughly so you’re not caught off-guard when it comes time to file a claim.
Our Picks for Best Extended Car Warranties
If you’re interested in comparing a First Automotive warranty to other providers or want to pursue other options, we recommend taking a look at a few reputable extended car warranty companies. By getting multiple quotes, you ensure you’re getting the best warranty coverage available at a budget-friendly price.
Our top recommendations include Endurance and CARCHEX.
Endurance: Best Provider
Endurance performs well in all our key warranty categories: industry reputation, affordability, coverage variety and customer service. Here are a few highlights of the provider:
- Offers six coverage options, which can extend up to 8 years or 200,000 miles
- Partners with repair shops and dealerships nationwide
- Offers extensive perks with its vehicle service contracts
- Provides sample contracts online
Reach out to Endurance for a quote by clicking below. You can also read our Endurance warranty review for in-depth coverage on the provider.
CARCHEX is our go-to recommendation for high-mileage vehicles. Here are some highlights of the provider:
- Offers five coverage options, which can extend up to 10 years or 250,000 miles
- Provides an extended warranty for cars over 100k miles
- Works with more than 30,000 repair shops nationwide
- Backed by industry leaders, including Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com and RepairPal
For more details, read our full CARCHEX review. You can also click below to receive a free quote from CARCHEX.
