America’s 1st Choice Home Club Review
America’s 1st Choice Home Club’s four base plans include one systems plan, one appliance plan, and two other tiered combination plans. It has fewer optional coverages than some other competitors in our list, but the company still offers a number of advantages, including a workmanship guarantee that lasts the entire length of the plan and discounts for three-year contracts.
Pros
- Four plan types, including appliance- and systems-only plans
- Very informative website with sample contracts
- Long workmanship guarantee
- Three-year discount
Cons
- No coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Higher-than-average cancellation fee
America’s 1st Choice Home Club Warranty Plans
An America’s 1st Choice Home Club home warranty protects you from expensive repairs and lets you add specific appliance coverage to any plan. For example, you can add septic repair coverage to the Silver or Gold plan for $50 per year.
- Plan types: 4
- Response time: 48 hours
- States served: 49 states (not Hawaii)
- Service fee: $75, $100, or $125
The company has sample contracts and plan comparison tools to help you find a home warranty that fits your needs. Most of the language in the agreements is easy to understand, but an AFC representative will be happy to explain any of the terms.
- The Silver plan covers nine kitchen and laundry appliances and garage door openers.
- The Gold plan covers up to 15 appliances and systems.
- The Platinum plan covers up to 18 appliances and systems, including plumbing stoppages, built-in microwaves, fans, and ice makers.
- The Systems plan covers six systems, including air conditioning, heating, water, heater, electrical, plumbing and ductwork.
Even AFC’s most basic plans cover refrigerators and washer and dryer machines, which other companies often limit to higher-tiered plans. However, some of its exclusions are pretty specific, like capping A/C and heating coverage to units with five-ton capacities and a SEER below 21. Review each service agreement carefully to understand per-item limits and other repair terms.
Plan Type | Coverage |
---|---|
AFC Silver Plan | Washer and dryer Refrigerator Garage door opener Oven, range, cooktop, stove Dishwasher Garbage disposal |
AFC Gold Plan | Silver plus: Central air conditioning Heating systems Ductwork Electrical and plumbing systems Water heater |
AFC Platinum Plan | Gold plus: Plumbing stoppages Faucets Ice maker Built-in microwave Fans |
AFC Systems Plan | Water heaters Air conditioning Heating systems Electrical Plumbing Ductwork |
America’s 1st Choice Home Club Cost
AFC is more expensive than its competitors. We quoted coverage for a sample North Carolina home and found plans ranging from $43 per month to $70 per month. Its systems-only plan runs about $50, which is more costly comparatively. However, you can lower your monthly or annual payment for each plan by choosing a higher service fee.
You can sign up for a one-year or three-year home warranty with America’s 1st Choice Home Club. A three-year plan will net you at least a $150 discount, but the savings can be higher depending on the plan.
Payments | Silver | Gold | Platinum | Systems |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 Year Plan (1 payment) | $400 | $550 | $625 | $450 |
1 Year Plan (11 monthly payments) | $43.18 ($475) | $52.27 ($575) | $59.09 ($650) | $43.18 ($475) |
3 Year Plan (1 payment) | $1,195 | $1,395 | $1,595 | $1,195 |
3 Year Plan (18 monthly payments) | $69.44 ($1,250) | $80.56 ($1,450) | $91.67 ($1,650) | $69.44 ($1,250) |
America’s 1st Choice Home Club Add-Ons
Compared to other companies, AFC’s options for additional coverage are slim, but you can add protection for electronics, sump pumps, septic systems, central vacuums, pools and spas, stand-alone freezers, and roof leak repairs.
America’s 1st Choice Home Club Limits
Even AFC’s most basic plans cover refrigerators and washer and dryer machines, which other companies often limit to higher-tiered plans. However, some of its exclusions are pretty specific, like capping A/C and heating coverage to units with five-ton capacities and a SEER below 21. The sample contract for its Platinum plan excludes the control board, touch panel, racks, and soap dispenser from dishwasher coverage. The contract also specifies payout limits per appliance or system. Review each service agreement carefully to understand per-item limits and other repair terms.
AFC excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions. An AFC home warranty also doesn’t cover code violations, geothermal heating systems, solar hot water systems, light fixtures, root damage to plumbing, pest damage, or ornamental fountains and waterfalls.
How to Get a Warranty and File a Claim
To get started with America’s 1st Choice Home Club, call a representative or visit the website to compare plans and get a quote. Your costs will depend on square footage, location, and coverage amount. Once you sign the contract, you’ll need to wait 30 days before filing a claim — this waiting period is standard across the industry. If you want to cancel your home warranty, you’ll be charged a $75 fee, which is higher than its competitors.
You will file all claims online or by phone. AFC will initiate contact with a licensed and insured technician within 24 to 48 hours. There are no limits to the number of service requests you can initiate during your contract term, and its claim department is open 24/7.
America’s 1st Choice Home Club Complaints
ConsumerAffairs gives America’s 1st Choice Home Club 4 out of 5 stars with 176 customer ratings. ConsumerAdvocate.org rates AFC Home Club 9.4 out of 10 with 133 reviews. Consumer ratings on Google Reviews average 4.6 stars out of 5.
ConsumerAffairs gives America’s 1st Choice Home Club 4.5 out of 5 stars with 93 customer ratings. AFC Home Club has a “B” rating with the Better Business Bureau. Most complaints stem from customers who did not understand their contract, to which the company either published explanations or problem resolutions on the BBB website. Other complaints mention longer wait times for technicians to repair broken appliances. More recent reviews mention how easy it is to sign up for service and how friendly representatives are while answering questions and problem-solving.
Our Experience with America’s 1st Choice Home Club
AFC has a prominent spot on our home warranty list because of its commitment to transparency and customer education. The company maintains one of the most transparent and informative websites customers can browse to learn about plans, coverage, pricing, and limitations.
Furthermore, AFC allows customers to explore the range of coverage by appliance and system type using a dropdown menu. For example, garage door coverage for AFC includes all components and parts for two units but not doors, tracks, or spring assembly. These added features — which are not common across the industry — allow customers to understand how AFC can help them before asking for a quote.
America’s 1st Choice Home Club Q&A
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Will my home warranty coverage with America’s 1st Choice start immediately?
Coverage begins 30 days after you purchase an America’s 1st Choice home warranty plan, then lasts 365 days from the purchase date. -
Is an inspection required to purchase a plan from America’s 1st Choice Home Club?
Buying a home warranty from America’s 1st Choice requires no inspection. Any repair in your warranty contract after the 30-day waiting period is eligible for service. Pre-existing issues related to the failure of appliances, systems or fixtures defined in your America’s 1st Choice contract are not covered. -
What is the service call limit on a home warranty from America’s 1st Choice Home Club?
America’s 1st Choice home warranties allow for unlimited service calls. Claims approval depends on the plan you sign up for, but claims are never rejected based on the number filed over the plan term. -
Are there any charges beyond the cost of an America’s 1st Choice Home Club plan?
Customers will pay a trade call or diagnostic fee directly to the repair service provider. This fee is standard for home warranties. However, you will not pay another diagnostic fee if the parts used to repair your appliance or system fail and fall within your contract coverage period. Read the contract for details. -
Can I transfer my America’s 1st Choice Home Club repair warranty if I sell my home?
Yes, America’s 1st Choice Home Club home warranties are transferrable for a $50 fee.
Conclusion
If you’re considering a home warranty, America’s 1st Choice Home Club is worth considering because it has multiple options for plans and service call fees and guarantees repairs for the length of your plan. If you’re shopping for plans from multiple providers, AFC makes it easy for you to compare coverage options and offers significant discounts for longer-term plans. To get a quote, call 844-203-5105 or start a quote online.