Founded in 2001, America’s 1st Choice Home Club is a home warranty company that has helped thousands of members avoid sizable unexpected home repair bills. Unlike most home warranty companies, AFC Home Club provides free online quotes without the need to enter personal information. You can also call America’s 1st Choice Home Club to get a quote.
America’s 1st Choice Home Club offers four home warranty plans and discounts for three-year contracts. You can choose your own technician and lock in your rate.
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
Water heaters Air conditioning Heating systems Electrical Plumbing Ductwork
America’s 1st Choice Home Club Warranty Plans
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 Warranty Costs
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.
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
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.
No coverage mentioned for additional coverage, at the time of sale. I had asked about appliances, meaning ALL electronics included, especially as smart devices are including refrigerators, stoves, and A/C, and was assured smart devices are covered- not quite true.
They don't cover tvs, PCs, etc. in their "Platinum" package and they must be ashamed of their prices, as they don't advertise those nor their "contracts", but rather take the "We'll let you find out the hard way" approach, thus insuring more duped patronage.
As soon as I can, I'll be spending more for a policy that fits my understanding and budget, because I am aware that an informed customer is a better desire with truly honest companies.
Edgar M.
Ocala, FL
May 12 2022 8:07PM
As a Disabled Veteran and Consumer, I am utterly appalled by this company. This company talks a good game but does not follow thru. I filed a claim to because my Ameristar AC was not blowing out cold air. Since it came with the house 3 years ago, forgive me for thinking that I would file a claim.
They would send a technician out to see what is wrong. Maybe the AC needs a little Freon, or a valve is not fully open because they do offer that in the warranty. Nope just the runaround and there is nothing we can do. I had no information on it which is why I got a home warranty. Go figure...
They call me back and tell me that I have to contact Trane because it is still under warranty until 11/22 and they can't do anything with it. So, I call Trane who tell me they are not responsible for service calls.
A service technician needs to come out to see what the issue is and if it is Functional part, they can send it in for a replacement. They asked if I knew who installed it because they did not register it. I told them no because it came with the house.
Why that matters you ask? Because since they did not register it there is only basic limited warranty. I even went as far as to look on the Ameristar website. It said the same thing. So, I call AFC back.
They tell me there is nothing they can do because it is under warranty. That if I like I they can recommend but then they are out of it. I got the warranty in case something needed servicing, I wouldn't have to pay more than a deductible to have a technician come out and the repairs.
Now they want to recommend a technician to come out not knowing how much cost is going to be incurred. in trying to use the AFC home warranty, I have found out they don't cover nothing and come up with reasons not to pay for nothing.
Stay away from this company unless you want to be scammed and like paying out extra money on top of paying them.
Coretta D.
Homewood, IL
January 25 2021 6:59PM
STAY AWAY FROM THESE GUYS. IT'S FRAUD. Run from them - Run, just run from these guys. I had American Home Shield for several years and they were just awesome.
I moved to AFC due to some cost savings and it has been a very lousy experience. Two times it has happened: 1) Garbage disposal and the dishwasher both stopped working.
When I moved the plug to a different switch for the garbage disposal, it worked, I called them to report the issue but they said they wont cover it even though I have a GOLD plan with Coverage for electrical.
They gave a lame excuse that they don't cover outlets. I have no way of knowing if the dishwasher issue is due to underlying power connectivity failure or due to the dishwasher itself.
CUSTOMER SERVICE IS AWFUL. They are trained to say no to most of the requests, so that they can usurp the money you give by coming up with weird clauses that are corner cases to rule out the service.
Several months ago, I had similar issue for plumbing and garbage disposal. They refused to support as well saying that any leaks to water outlets are not supported and garbage disposal is not supported. THis is the worst company...STAY AWAY.
Sreeram K.
Sammamish, WA
November 24 2020 10:13PM
As a new homeowner I thought I was making a great investment in this company to cover my appliances. Not only did they take 3 weeks to have a tech come out. The tech that came just looked at the refrigerator and didn't even bother to kneel to look at what the problem is.
He said the fridge needs to be replaced because the compressor wasn't working. When I call AFC with the resolution they tell me it's a leak and won't cover the fridge. A leak that never occurred. The company is lying so they won't cover my fridge.
Now they are only offering me $200 to replace the a whole fridge. That amount doesn't even even replace the food that went bad. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY. They are liars and thieves.
Sonia C.
Germantown, MD
September 09 2020 10:03PM
We can’t get any Manager to call us back. It’s been 3 weeks and constantly hearing “someone will call you within 24 hours.” We were told 30 days to wait for a claim but now there is actually a 60 day wait if we want full coverage. Totally shady. I will also be complaining to the BBB.
Gina A.
Tomball, TX
November 01 2019 6:55PM
We have AFC home warranty and need to cancel service a our home has sold. When I called to ask what the criteria is to cancel the contract, I was told to "write a letter to the cancellation department with 30 days notice of cancellation." I wrote to AFC on October 11, 2019 cancelling effective November 30, 2019. I gave MORE THAN 30 DAYS NOTICE, per instructions from "Tasmia **" with AFC (called her on 10 /11/2019).
As we were under the assumption that our coverage extended to November 30, we placed an online service request last evening, 10/31/2019, for our builtin microwave that stopped working. Today I received a call from "Heather" that we are not covered as they cancelled our service the day they received our letter! Even though we have already been charged on our credit card for service to November 9, 2019. We are left with a bill of $707.00 for a replacement GE Profile microwave. The current unit cannot be repaired. On the call with "Heather" today she advised that our service ended TODAY. This is not the first issue with AFC.
On Oct 4 we put in a service call for our garage door opener as the safety board in the motor died. We were told that the item was not covered as "safety switched" are not covered. I pulled out the contract and YES! Safety switched ARE covered. After a round-around with AFC, they agreed to reimburse us for the $325. for new opener. Almost a month later, still no reimbursement. We have had Universal Home Protection, American Home Shield and Home Service Club warranties on other homes we've owned. I could kick myself for going with AFC this time.
