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America’s 1st Choice Home Club (AFC) Review 2023

Katy Ward

In a Nutshell

Accredited by the Better Business Bureau, AFC Home Club could provide affordable and reliable coverage for your home’s systems and appliances. It offers 4 plans—Systems, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—and has a 24/7 claims service, while also guaranteeing repairs for the life of your plan. While its plans have several exclusions, this isn’t uncommon and the provider will allow you to select your own contractor, which will be appealing for many.

pros

  • Home inspection/maintenance records not required
  • Unlimited number of service requests
  • Freedom to choose own contractor

cons

  • Live chat not available
  • App not available

AFC Home Club AFC Home Club Visit Site

AFC Home Club Plans and Coverage

You can choose between 4 plan types.

Covered Item
Systems Plan
Silver plan
Gold plan
Platinum plan


Best for essential systems

Best for systems and core appliances

Best for core systems and most appliances

Best for full bells-and-whistles coverage

Clothes dryer

-

Clothes washer

-

Kitchen refrigerator

-

Oven 

-

Range

-

Ice maker

-

-

-

Dishwasher

-

Built-in microwave

-

-

-

Garbage disposal

-

Garage door opener

-

Air conditioning and cooler

-

Heating system

-

Water heater

-

Electrical system

-

Plumbing stoppages

-

-

-

Plumbing system

-

Ductwork

-


Optional Add-Ons

Whichever plan you choose, you can add coverage for the following:

  • Sump pump
  • Hot water dispenser
  • Standalone freezer
  • Septic system
  • Central vac
  • Well pump
  • Tankless water heater
  • Spa and pool
AFC home club home page

Plan Exclusions

You will not be covered against:

  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Malfunctions due to rust or corrosion
  • Collapsed ductwork
  • Secondary damage resulting from a part that is not covered
  • Cosmetic defects
  • Routine maintenance
  • Claims involving hazardous materials 
  • Chemical or sedimentary build-up 
  • failure to clean or maintain items
  • Missing parts
  • Structural changes
  • Fire
  • Freezing
  • Electrical failure
  • Water damage
  • Acts of God such as lightning, mud, earthquakes, storms
  • Pest damage
  • Construction or carpentry

AFC Home Club Plan Pricing 

As AFC doesn’t offer a pricing breakdown online, we entered the information for a homeowner with a New York zip code and received the following quotes. 

Plan type
Systems
Silver
Gold
Platinum

Pay annually

$431

$345

$518 

$575

Pay monthly

$40.75

$33.58

$47.92

$52.75

We then repeated the process for a zip code in Texas on a currently owned home of 2,000 square feet.

Plan type

Systems

Silver
Gold
Platinum

Pay annually

$425

$350

$500

$550

Pay monthly

$39.58

$33.33

$45.83

$50


Overall, we found these quotes to be roughly in line with industry standards.

You’ll also pay a service fee directly to the technician who visits your home. This fee will be $75, $100, or $125, presented when you take out your policy and dependent on the type of cover you choose.

How to file a claim with AFC Home Club

If you need to make a service request, you can do so 24/7 online or over the phone by providing the make, model, and the serial number of the defective item. You’ll need to fill out a form for each appliance if your claim relates to several goods.

Unlike with some of AFC Home Club’s competitors, you can select your own licensed tradesperson. If you don’t wish to do so, the team will connect you with a qualified professional in your area, and you’ll then receive an email containing his or her contact information. 

With the latter option, AFC Home Club will contact a tradesperson on your behalf within 24 to 48 hours, although factors such as the technician’s availability may affect the timing of the visit.

If the contractor is unable to repair any item covered by your plan, AFC Home Club will reimburse you for its fair market value.

You won’t be able to file any claims within 30 days of purchasing your policy and, if a fault occurs within 31–60 days, you’ll be subject to a $150 payout cap per item. 

After this period, a $2,000 payout cap will apply to all items, with the following exceptions:

  • Icemakers: $200
  • Garbage disposal: $125
  • Garage door opener: $500
  • Built-in microwave: $1,000
  • Refrigerator: $25 per pound
  • Standard thermostat: $80
  • Ductwork: $250
  • Water heater: $1,000
  • Plumbing systems and stoppages: $500
  • Pool/spa equipment: $500 per year
  • Well pump: $500
  • Sump pump: $500
  • Central vacuum: $200
  • Standalone freezer: $500
  • Second refrigerator: $500
  • Septic system: $500
  • Hot water system: $200
  • Tankless water heater: $750

Is AFC Home Club Legit? 

AFC Home Club has a B accreditation with the Better Better Business Bureau and an average rating of 3.28 out of 5 based on customer reviews. The majority of favorable reviewers speak enthusiastically about the efficiency of its customer support, while some customers comment on unexpected exclusions on their policies. AFC Home Club is also a member of the National Home Service Contract Association.

What’s Unique About AFC Home Club?

When you take out a plan, you’ll receive access to discounts and services from the following:

  • MoneyTips: free credit monitoring and identity protection alerts
  • Encompass: access to discounted rates on home maintenance parts
  • ADT: discounted rates on monitored home security
  • Emergency Alert Network: in the event of an emergency, you can receive vital medical information and alerts on those closest to you
  • Deal Cash: savings at participating restaurants and retailers nationwide

Once your repairs have been completed, AFC Home Club will guarantee the work for the lifetime of your plan, which it states is the longest guarantee in its industry.

AFC Home Club Help and Support

If you need to make a claim or have questions about your plan, you can contact AFC Home Club over the phone, via an online portal, or by email. We contacted the company over email but did not receive a response after five days.

Although its in-house support line operates 24/7, the provider stresses that many of its technicians may not be available out of business hours.

AFC Home Club does offer a detailed selection of FAQs and a blog that provides information on topics relevant to homeowners and renters.

What about the AFC Home Club app?

The provider doesn’t currently have an app.

How to Get Started with AFC Home Club

If you’d like to take out a plan, the first step is to enter your address into AFC Home Club’s online quote tool and then state whether you’re a homeowner or in the process of buying or selling your home. This takes as little as 30 seconds, and you’ll receive a selection of quotes for all 4 available plan types.

Overall, we found the process of obtaining a quote very straightforward, with easy-to-navigate forms and simple, jargon-free language.

How AFC Home Club Compares to Other Home Warranty Services

When we compared AFC Home Club against others in the market, we found the provider to be broadly in line with many of its competitors in terms of service fees and service request availability. However, its premium costs are at the lower end of the spectrum, and we were also pleased to see that the provider allows customers to select their own contractors.

Average annual premium

$500–$700

$372-$546 

$499.99-$639.99

Contractors

17,000 in network

N.A

10,000 in-network

Service call fee

$75–$125

$85

$75-$150

Service requests

24/7 online and phone

24/7 online and phone

24/7 online and phone

AFC Home Club vs. American Home Shield

When it comes to pricing, AFC Home Club has a clear advantage over its competitor. While American Home Shield could have costs as high as $700, the highest quote we obtained from AFC was well over $100 cheaper. In terms of service fees, we found nothing to set the two apart as they each quoted us identical amounts, while both companies also allow customers to make claims 24/7, either online or over the phone. One of the most attractive features we identified with American Home Shield is its refer-a-friend scheme, which rewards you with a $25 Amazon voucher if you refer a customer who goes on to purchase a policy.

AFC Home Club vs. First American Home Warranty

If premium costs are your top priority, these providers are an extremely close match, with just dollars setting them apart. In terms of service fees, AFC Home Club quoted us a range of $75-$125, while we were given $85 from First American Home Warranty. While AFC Home Club enables customers to choose which contractor visits their home, First American has its own fully vetted local network. Like many companies in the industry, both providers offer a 24/7 claims service both online and over the phone. If you’re considering a plan from First American Home Warranty, you may be interested to learn the company offers new-for-old replacements on items beyond repair.

AFC Home Clubs vs. Liberty Home Guard

As one of the more affordable companies in the market, AFC Home Club beats Liberty Home Guard on premium costs, and the average premium quotes we obtained for AFC were typically over $100 lower than those of its rival. However, you should bear in mind that Liberty also offers two months’ free coverage to customers who pay their bill annually. And although the service fees we obtained were broadly similar, Liberty Home Guard has the potential to be slightly higher ($75-$125 against $175-$150). While Liberty Home Guard has a medium-sized network of 10,000, AFC Home Club allows customers to select their own tradespeople.

AFC Home Club AFC Home Club Visit Site

The Bottom Line

If you’re seeking coverage for your home’s appliances and systems, AFC Home Club offers a number of features that set it apart from its competitors. In particular, we were impressed by the ability to choose your own contractor and the company’s promise to guarantee all repairs for the term of your plan. Although there are payout caps, these are explained clearly in the sample contracts available on the company’s website.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is AFC Home Club?+-

AFC Home Club doesn’t describe itself as a home warranty company. This, it states, is because only an item's manufacturer can provide a warranty on the product. Instead, it provides service contractors to repair items in your home when they break down.

How is an AFC Home Club warranty different from homeowners insurance?+-

Once you sign up for a plan, you’ll receive a wide array of benefits. These include credit checking services, discounted home parts supplies, and specialist medical alerts in the event of an emergency. For full details of the benefits available, see our What’s Unique about AFC Home Club section.

When does AFC Home Club coverage begin?+-

Your coverage will begin 30 days after you enroll and pay.

Does AFC Home Club require a home inspection?+-

No, although the provider does stipulate that HVAC items receive annual maintenance.

How much does AFC Home Club cost?+-

The exact amount you pay will depend on factors such as your plan type and the level of service fee you choose. When we entered the details for a property in New York, we received a selection of quotes between $345 and $575 per year.

Oxford graduate Katy Ward is a seasoned journalist and editor covering personal finance and software topics for Top10. Over a 15-year career, Katy has worked with several finance titans, including Barclays, Tandem Bank, and Yahoo! Finance.

AFC Home Club customer reviews

Based on 19 reviews

Ease of use

Brand satisfaction

Value for money

Service quality

Top Reviews

Ease of use

Brand satisfaction

Value for money

Service quality

3 years ago

No issues with a claim that we had with several appliances that we're covered under the warranty

3 years ago

They were super easy to use, everything was explained and easy to follow. They have great customer service and support. The price was good as well

3 years ago

Their service is pretty good and very easy to use but yet their customer service could be much better overall. I think they could improve their service and I will say they are a 10/10 over all.

3 years ago

They were pretty good when they came, but it took forever for them to come. And their rates on repairs were worse than advertised.

3 years ago

Good response times and I think they are a good company that offers good rates. We thought their contractor could have done a better job on our repairs.

3 years ago

I LOVE the customer service we have received. We've only filed one claim, and they've been super helpful. Unfortunately, the company they sent has not been great about the actual repairs.

3 years ago

It is a very good service. They have what I'm looking for and have protected my home with no repairs not being covered.

3 years ago

I like it because it provides great customer service but can confusing at times to understand its policies

3 years ago

Ease of understanding what your warranty covers. When the packet was given to us when we bought the house it was easy to understand.

3 years ago

I like afc home club because they help a lot one. We needed repairs done and they were covered at a much lower price than we expected.

3 years ago

It's a good service but honestly I think their customer service could be improved along with a decrease in price

3 years ago

Because I haven't had to use it. I don't see myself holding on to this policy for much longer.

3 years ago

The best satisfaction and reassurance as well them making sure my home was okay and fixed.

3 years ago

Really enjoy having peace of mind with warranty for home repairs, also that you can choose on technician

3 years ago

Trusted brand. Family was very familiar with it. Claims went through quickly and repairs were a success.

3 years ago

They saved me some moneys on some repairs, as the contractors were really up to par. The customer service however, was not great.

3 years ago

AFC Home club makes it easy for the customers to attend to it. Our repairs were very well done, although we though the warranty would have given us a slightly better price.

3 years ago

The price is really good, but the contractors were not. You pay for what you get.

3 years ago

My experience with AFC home club could have been much better. We felt like it was more money for repairs than we expected. And it was hard to get somebody on the phone.

19 reviews
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