Contributor, Benzinga
October 17, 2022
AFC Home Club
Overall Rating:

With four distinct service plans and the ability for homeowners to select their preferred service technicians, AFC Home Club stands out among its competitors. Another distinguishing characteristic is the company does not limit guarantees to between 30 to 90 days. Rather, it guarantees repairs for the life of the contract — even for customers with three-year plans. 

All home warranty plans are favorably priced according to industry standards. Customers can get a quote in less than a minute online, or call and speak to a representative by phone. 

After signing a standard contract, customers can request service by phone or by logging into their online account. Once a service request has been made, customers can choose their own service company or let AFC Home Club find the best choice. 

After getting approval, a service person will repair the covered item. If the item has exceeded its useful life, the service person will replace it with a system or product that has similar features, value and capacity.

Best For
  • Homeowners who want a variety of home warranty tiers to choose from
  • Homeowners who want perks like credit monitoring or emergency alert services
  • Those who want to choose their own service companies
  • Consumers who appreciate long-term guarantees
Pros
  • Is a member of the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA)
  • Is available in all states except Hawaii
  • Offers four tiers of services
  • Offers discounts for homeowners who have more than one home
Cons
  • Must submit a claim within one day after noticing an issue with a system or appliance

AFC Home Club Ratings at a Glance

Product Offering
Customer Service
Customer Pricing
User Benefits
User Experience
Overall

AFC Home Club, officially known as America’s First Choice Home Club, was established in 2009 by a group of people with a service background and vast experience in home warranty plans. Since its incorporation, AFC Home Club has built a trusted name for itself in the home warranty industry, and it serves homeowners in 49 states. 

AFC Home Club Product Offering

AFC Home Club has a plan for most any need. It offers the following four plans:

  • Silver Plan
  • Gold Plan
  • Platinum Plan
  • Systems Plan

Here is a rundown of what each plan includes:

Silver Plan

  • Kitchen refrigerator
  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Oven
  • Range
  • Dishwasher
  • Garbage disposal
  • Garage door opener

Gold Plan

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Garage door opener
  • Kitchen refrigerator
  • Oven
  • Range
  • Dishwasher
  • Air conditioning
  • Heating system
  • Water heater
  • Electrical system
  • Plumbing system
  • Garbage disposal
  • Ductwork

Platinum Plan

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Kitchen refrigerator
  • Oven
  • Range
  • Icemaker
  • Dishwasher
  • Built-in microwave
  • Garbage disposal
  • Garage door opener
  • Air conditioning
  • Heating system
  • Water heater
  • Electrical system 
  • Plumbing stoppages
  • Plumbing system ductwork
  • Fans 

Systems Plan

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating system
  • Water heater
  • Electrical system
  • Plumbing system
  • Ductwork 

Customers can also add coverage to their plan for the following appliances and systems for an additional fee:

  • Electronics
  • Sump pump
  • Electric system 
  • Central vacuum
  • Pool and spa
  • Stand-alone freezer
  • Roof leak repairs
  • Tankless water heater
  • Double oven
  • Well pump
  • Second refrigerator
  • Septic system
  • Hot water dispenser

Homeowners do not need an inspection or proof of maintenance records to get coverage; however, the company requires homeowners to have their HVAC systems serviced annually to continue to be eligible for coverage. 

Customers may request service calls as often as they need to. There is no limit on the number of service calls. Also, the number of service calls a homeowner makes does not affect their current or future rate. 

Coverage starts 30 days after signing up for one of the plans. AFC Home Club offers both a one-year plan and a three-year plan. 

AFC Home Club customers are considered members of the organization. As members, they have the opportunity to get exclusive products and services at special low rates. Some of the benefits members can take advantage of include:

  • Discounts on home security systems
  • Discounts on group home and auto insurance
  • Discounts on parts and home goods
  • Assistance with utilities from a utility concierge
  • Discounts on veterinarian services, medications and pet supplies
  • Discounts on vision and dental services
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Subscription-based primary care services
  • Emergency alert network
  • Emergency transportation coverage
  • Supplemental insurance
  • Whole life insurance
  • Accidental death insurance
  • Cyber identity theft protection

AFC Home Club also has one of the most liberal cancellation policies in the industry. Customers can change their minds within the first 30 days and receive a full refund. If they cancel their plan after 30 days, they can get a prorated refund for the number of remaining months on the plan (minus any service or claims fees). Customers who cancel may have to pay a $75 cancellation fee. 

Customer Service

AFC Home Club’s customer service is consistently rated high. While AFC receives occasional complaints, the company takes a proactive approach to resolving them. It works with unhappy customers to satisfy them whenever possible. At times, customers expect compensation that is not in accordance with the contract, and the company directs them toward the wording in the contract that explains why a service is not covered. 

AFC requires all service providers to be licensed, bonded and insured. It also confirms the contractor’s licenses before sending them on service calls so they know the technician has kept their credentials up to date.   

The Better Business Bureau gives AFC Home Club a B rating for complaints. AFC Home Club has had 136 complaints with the Better Business Bureau over the last three years, which is a stellar record for a company with a vast amount of business. It has closed about a third of those claims. 

Star ratings on other review sites typically range between 3.5 and 4, which is high for the industry. 

The customer service at AFC Home Club may be partially a result of having multiple options for tiers, a broad cancellation policy and work that is guaranteed for the life of the plan. These are all issues that bring value to customers. For these reasons, Benzinga gives AFC Home Club 4 of 5 stars for customer service. 

Customer Pricing

What makes the pricing so attractive for AFC Home Club customers is the many plans to choose from. Customers who have a limited budget can get a reasonably priced plan that only covers the major systems, which tend to carry the most expensive repairs. 

The cost of AFC Home Club plans varies widely, as many factors contribute to the quoted price. Overall, pricing is on the low side for home warranty protection plans, especially considering the many choices the company offers. The lowest-priced plans average in the $30 per month range or $375 annually. Higher-priced plans are closer to the industry average of about $55 per month or $650 annually. Customers get a discount for paying fees annually rather than monthly. 

Optional add-on coverages can range between $150 to $1,000 annually per item, depending on the type of service, item or appliance. 

Budget-conscious buyers can also take advantage of the discounts AFC offers from time to time to get an even better deal on their preferred plan. 

Much like other home warranty plans, AFC bases its quotes on such factors as square footage, the type of plan and any additional coverages. 

Something that sets AFC Home Club apart from other home warranty companies is it allows customers to choose the level of service fee to include in the plan. For example, customers can choose to pay a service fee of $75, $100 or $125 if they have a service call. The higher the service fee they choose, the lower the cost will be for their plan. 

Overall, AFC Home Club’s pricing is some of the best in the industry, and for that reason, Benzing gives it 5 stars for pricing.

User Benefits

The four plans AFC Home Club offers cover almost all appliances and systems that may need repairs at some point. The website is clear on what is covered in each plan. Essentially, customers can cover as many or as few appliances and systems as they choose, and AFC has a plan to fit any budget. 

The club benefits are unique to AFC Home Club, which is something many customers find value in. 

Much like other home warranty companies, AFC Home Club also has a program for Realtors. A home warranty offers added value sellers can offer to buyers to entice them to close a sale. A home warranty also protects a home during and after a sale. Realtors can generate an invoice for a home warranty plan with a simple click of a button on AFC’s website. From there, homeowners can manage their warranty using the online dashboard. 

AFC’s contractor program is mutually beneficial for homeowners and contractors. Homeowners can choose the local contractors they trust, and contractors have an opportunity to expand their client base without investing in marketing. The company approves repairs quickly so technicians can get started on the job as soon as possible. Contractors can invoice quickly online and get fast payment. 

User Experience

The website allows customers to click on an appliance or system and learn what exactly is covered and not covered for that item, which saves them the trouble of reading the fine print on the contract.

Consumers who are looking for a quote can get one quickly online or by calling a customer service representative 24/7. Customers can also request service online or call the company. 

Additionally, customers can find useful articles on topics such as home warranties, home maintenance, home repairs and real estate. These articles may help customers reduce making claims on their home warranty service. 

Customers also can find information on the website for accessing club membership discounts or other benefits. 

Customers can register for the online portal, which gives them a dashboard where they can manage their account, check on updates for servicing, edit payment information, add properties or renew their memberships. 

AFC Home Club Versus Competitors 

The main competitors for AFC Home Club are Choice Home Warranty, Select Home Warranty and Home Warranty of America.

The three companies offer slightly fewer options for plans than AFC. The pricing and service fees are fairly comparable for the competitors and AFC Home Club. 

Beyond the additional club benefits AFC Home Club customers enjoy, the company’s response time is better at 24 hours, compared with 48 hours for competing home warranty companies. 

Overall

AFC Home Club has a strong offering of products and, as a result, a broad target market. The club membership benefits provide added value for members. 

The customer service the company provides is very good compared with other home warranty companies. 

Pricing falls into the average range for home warranty companies and is attractive when customers consider the many options they can choose from. 

As for user benefits, AFC Home Club offers the standard fare and plenty of options and add-ons. The programs for real estate agents and contractors are also comparable with what other companies offer. 

The website is easy to navigate, and the plan features are visible and easy to comprehend for homeowners, realtors and contractors. Pricing is available online or by contacting the company by phone.

Benzinga gives AFC Home Club an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

What is AFC Home Club?

A

AFC Home Club considers itself more of a membership club than a home warranty company, although the services it provides are similar to those of other home warranty companies. The company believes it is not a home warranty company because it is not possible to warranty something it did not build or produce.

Q

How do I get service from AFC Home Club?

A

Customers can get service from their AFC Home Club plan in one of two ways. They can go to AFC Home Club’s website and log into their account and make the request there or pick up the phone and call a customer service representative.

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About Maurice Draine

Maurice Draine is a former insurance agent, broker, underwriter tech, and agent sales support rep with over 15 years of professional writing experience. Maurice helps insurance, financial, and various online and ad agencies, create the words that drive customers to their websites and keeps them there.