AFC Home Warranty review 2024

AFC Home Warranty, formerly America’s 1st Choice Home Club, has only been in the home warranty business since 2009, and it’s quickly become one of the most reliable warranty providers on the market. The Georgia-based company offers some of the most comprehensive and customizable coverage available, with four warranty plans and 13 add-on options. The company covers all states except California, Hawaii and Washington.

Alongside its extensive appliance and systems coverage, AFC Home Warranty provides membership perks. AFC Home Warranty accepts claims via its 24/7 claims hotline and will assign an in-network service technician within 48 hours of receiving a claim. If you have a licensed technician you prefer, AFC Home Warranty lets you enlist them for repairs and maintenance. 

Our thoughts on AFC Home Warranty

We gave AFC Home Warranty 4.1 out of 5 stars after analyzing it through our in-depth review standards. AFC Home Warranty earned high marks in the workmanship guarantee and pricing sections but scored lower in the customer satisfaction and claims service sections.

We take a thorough look at each company we review by combing through its website, requesting quotes, reading sample contracts and looking at third-party review sites to learn what customers say about their experiences.

What we like

AFC offers extensive coverage options with four plans and 13 add-ons. Instead of the typical 30- or 60-day workmanship guarantee, AFC guarantees its work for the life of your home warranty contract. This can offer greater peace of mind if your home or appliances are on the older side.

Additionally, you’re not required to complete a home inspection before purchasing a plan, and you’re free to select your own technician to perform repairs if you have one you know and trust.

AFC Home Warranty members in certain states can also access its marketplace to purchase auto or homeowners insurance, home security and pet benefits.

What we don’t like

AFC has a strict window for claims submissions. If you experience an issue and need to file a claim, you have up to 24 hours to do so. Waiting longer could result in claim denial.

If you’re on a tight budget and need plumbing stoppage coverage, you may be out of luck. AFC Home Warranty does offer the coverage, but only as part of its Diamond and Platinum Plans — the company’s most expensive options.

Compare top home warranty companies

AFC Home Warranty offers comprehensive coverage but won’t repair items with preexisting conditions. If you want a larger variety of add-on perks or coverage for issues such as corrosion, we recommend comparing AFC Home Club to our other top-rated home warranty companies, including 2-10 Home Buyers Club and American Home Shield.

Company	BBB Rating	Our Rating	Monthly Cost	Appliance Coverage	System Coverage	See Plans
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Visit Site	A	4.8	$22–$74	$2,000–$5,000	$2,000–$5,000	Visit Site
Liberty Home Guard Visit Site	NR	4.5	$49–$60	$2,000	$500–$2,000	Visit Site
Elite Home Warranty Visit Site	A+	4.4	$55–$75	$500–$3,000	$750–$3,000	Visit Site
American Home Shield Visit Site	B	4.4	$64–$74	$2,000–$4,000	$5,000–unlimited	Visit Site
First American Home Warranty Visit Site	B	4.3	$60–$76	$3,500–$7,000	$1,000–unlimited	Visit Site
Cinch Home Services Visit Site	B+	4.3	$47–$64	$2,000	$10,000	Visit Site
ARW Home Visit Site	A	4.0	$45-$85	N/A	N/A	Visit Site
Select Home Warranty Visit Site	B	3.8	$44–$48	$500	$500–$3,000	Visit Site

Company	BBB Rating	Our Rating	Monthly Cost	Appliance Coverage	System Coverage	See Plans
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Visit Site	A	4.8	$22–$74	$2,000–$5,000	$2,000–$5,000	Visit Site
Liberty Home Guard Visit Site	NR	4.5	$49–$60	$2,000	$500–$2,000	Visit Site
Elite Home Warranty Visit Site	A+	4.4	$55–$75	$500–$3,000	$750–$3,000	Visit Site
American Home Shield Visit Site	B	4.4	$64–$74	$2,000–$4,000	$5,000–unlimited	Visit Site
First American Home Warranty Visit Site	B	4.3	$60–$76	$3,500–$7,000	$1,000–unlimited	Visit Site
Cinch Home Services Visit Site	B+	4.3	$47–$64	$2,000	$10,000	Visit Site
ARW Home Visit Site	A	4.0	$45-$85	N/A	N/A	Visit Site
Select Home Warranty Visit Site	B	3.8	$44–$48	$500	$500–$3,000	Visit Site

See all

Coverage plans 

AFC Home Warranty offers four home warranty plans. While comparing plan options on the company’s website, we were offered a $100 discount and bonus roof-leak protection. The discount and additional coverage apply when you purchase a warranty plan.

Below is a brief summary of each AFC home warranty plan:

• Diamond Plan: This comprehensive plan covers 18 home systems and appliances with additional coverage for electronics, exterior water and sewer lines.
• Platinum Plan: This plan covers 15 major systems and appliances and includes coverage for comfort items such as microwaves and refrigerator ice makers.
• Gold Plan: This plan covers 12 major systems and home appliances, including clothes washers, dishwashers, HVAC systems and water heaters.
• Silver Plan: This AFC Home Warranty’s most basic home warranty plan that covers seven of your most-used appliances, including your oven/range/cooktop, refrigerator and garbage disposal.

A few other factors influence the cost and value of an AFC Home Warranty warranty plan. These include the following:

• Workmanship guarantee: Unlimited workmanship guarantee (AFC will service previously repaired items free of charge while the policy remains active.)
• Appliance coverage caps: $3,000 payout per membership term with a $10,000 policy limit
• Systems coverage caps: $150–$1,000 per membership term depending on the part covered
• Additional coverage caps: $150–$500 per membership term

The table below highlights what each warranty plan covers:

Appliance Coverage	Diamond Plan	Platinum Plan	Gold Plan	Silver Plan
Built-in microwave	✓	✓	✗	✗
Clothes dryer	✓	✓	✓	✓
Clothes washer	✓	✓	✓	✓
Cooktop	✓	✓	✓	✓
Dishwasher	✓	✓	✓	✓
Electronics	✓
Garage door opener	✓	✓	✓	✓
Garbage disposal	✓	✓	✓	✓
Ice maker	✓	✓
Oven/range	✓	✓	✓	✓
Refrigerator	✓	✓	✓	✓
Stove	✓	✓	✓	✓

Electrical Coverage	Diamond Plan	Platinum Plan	Gold Plan	Silver Plan
Electrical system	✓	✓	✓	✗
Fans (attic, exhaust and ceiling)	✓	✓	✗	✗

HVAC Coverage	Diamond Plan	Platinum Plan	Gold Plan	Silver Plan
Air conditioning	✓	✓	✓	✗
Ductwork	✓	✓	✓	✗
Heating system	✓	✓	✓	✗

Plumbing Coverage	Diamond Plan	Platinum Plan	Gold Plan	Silver Plan
Exterior sewer lines	✓	✗	✗	✗
Exterior water lines	✓	✗	✗	✗
Faucets	✓	✓	✗	✗
Plumbing stoppages	✓	✓	✗	✗
Plumbing system	✓	✓	✓	✗
Water heater	✓	✓	✓	✗

Additional coverage options

While secret shopping, we found that AFC Home Warranty offers a few add-on options to its warranty coverage — 13 in total. One additional option, the electronics coverage package, has two deductibles that apply to different covered items.

AFC’s add-on coverage includes the following:

• In-ground pool
• In-ground pool and spa
• Stand-alone freezer
• Sump pump
• Double oven
• Tankless water heater
• Central vacuum
• Ice maker
• Hot water dispenser
• Septic system
• Well pump
• Built-in microwave
• Roof leak
• Electronics coverage

Coverage exclusions

If you’re considering AFC Home Warranty , be sure to note what the company excludes from its coverage. We combed through sample contracts for each AFC Home Warranty plan to learn what isn’t covered. Some of the listed exclusions are the following:

• Fireplaces
• Garage door, track and spring assembly
• Gas leaks
• Improperly sized ductwork
• Inadequate or low-voltage wiring
• Parts that don’t affect the functionality of an appliance
• Solar water heaters
• Window air conditioning units

Quotes and pricing 

AFC Home Warranty offers three service call price options. You can choose to pay $75, $100 or $125 per service call. If you have room in your budget, choose a higher fee to lower your monthly cost.

Using the free tool on the company’s website, I requested quotes for each AFC Home Warranty plan. The cost data below is for a 2,700-square-foot, single-family home in Tucson, Arizona. Your pricing will differ based on your location, home size and selected plan.

Plan Name	Monthly Cost With $75 Service Call Fee	Monthly Cost With $100 Service Call  Fee	Monthly Cost With $125 Service Call Fee
Diamond	$102	$100	$98
Platinum	$68	$65	$63
Gold	$63	$61	$58
Silver	$48	$46	$44

Customer thoughts

AFC Home Warranty currently holds a B rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a customer review average of 2.9 out of 5 stars. BBB cites the more than 140 complaints filed against AFC Home Warranty as the reason for its rating. The company holds a slightly higher customer rating on Trustpilot, with 3 out of 5 stars.

Customers who report positive experiences with AFC mention speedy service and excellent communication with representatives. A June 2023 review from Brett L. on Trustpilot praises AFC Home Warranty for its prompt dispatching of a technician.

Negative reviews note the complex fine print in contracts and confusion about what is and isn’t covered. Shawn M. left a 1-star review on Trustpilot in April 2023, stating that an AFC Home Warranty technician botched a repair, and the company refused to cover it.

How do I use my AFC Home Warranty coverage plan?

There’s a 30-day waiting period when you purchase a home protection plan, so you won’t be able to file a claim until the 31st day. The first section in your plan contract outlines your coverage’s requirements and limitations. Before filing a claim, read your contract in full to ensure you know exactly how to use your home warranty.

Read your service contract

You can get a solid sense of what your coverage plan entails by reading the sample contracts AFC Home Warranty provides on its website, but it’s always a good idea to fully read your specific contract before filing a claim. Here are the sections you should pay closest attention to:

• Section B — Service Requests: This section explains the guidelines for requesting service. It lists your responsibilities and what you’ll need to prepare for the service technician. It also explains what AFC Home Warranty will and will not be responsible for. For example, if a particular system or appliance requires a “factory-certified technician,” AFC Home Warranty will not be held liable for any work delays.
• Section C — Covered Items: This section lists all systems and appliances covered under your contract. AFC Home Warranty also lists the per-item coverage limits and membership term coverage limits, as well as the appliance components that are not protected. If you’ve added any optional coverage to your plan, you’ll find the per-item coverage limits and restrictions for those systems and appliances here.
• Section D — Limitations of Liability: This section lists everything for which AFC is not liable, as well as additional fees customers may need to pay for services such as disposal of appliances or work done by unlicensed technicians. Also included is the company’s arbitration agreement and instructions on how to transfer a warranty to a new owner. This section also explains AFC’s cancellation policy.

File a claim

AFC’s claims process is relatively simple. There are two methods for filing a claim: a 24/7 service request hotline and an online claims portal. Once you file your service request, AFC will dispatch a technician to your home within 24 hours. In most cases, you’ll need to pay a service fee. The technician will diagnose the problem and contact AFC to determine if the issues can be covered under your warranty plan.

If approved, the technician will repair or replace the covered item. They will contact you to make sure the work was completed and done to your satisfaction.

It’s important to note that you should contact AFC the moment you discover an issue with an appliance or system. You should also promptly take any necessary steps to prevent secondary damage — including shutting off water to prevent further leaks or discontinuing the use of a broken appliance.

How long does my coverage plan last?

AFC Home Warranty offers one-year and three-year coverage contracts. Your coverage begins 30 days after purchasing the plan. One-year plans last for 365 days from your sign-up date, while three-year plans last 1,095 days. However, if your warranty plan comes bundled with the purchase of your home, coverage may start immediately. When it comes time to renew, AFC Home Warranty will contact you 30 days before the renewal date.

You can cancel an AFC Home Warranty plan at any time for a prorated refund, though you’ll have to pay a $75 cancellation fee. If you cancel within the first 30 days, you won’t be charged the cancellation fee, and you’ll receive a full refund.

How should I handle a dispute with AFC Home Warranty ?

Should you have a dispute with AFC Home Warranty , we recommend taking the steps below to reach a resolution.

1. Review your coverage: When filing an appeal on a denied claim, be sure to go back and carefully read your service contract. Make sure that the issue at hand is covered by AFC.
2. Contact AFC Home Warranty : If you’ve confirmed that your issue or breakdown is covered by AFC Home Warranty , reach out to a representative to seek a resolution. You may have to call more than once. If you’ve contacted AFC Home Warranty at least three times but haven’t reached a solution, you can file a complaint with your state’s consumer protection agency.
3. Document all communication: Take notes about every interaction you have with AFC Home Warranty , noting the name of the representative, the date of the communication and the basics of the conversation. This documentation will come in handy should you need to escalate the matter.
4. Contact the NHSCA or your state’s consumer protection agency: Since AFC Home Warranty is an accredited member of the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA), you can file a complaint with the organization. You can also submit a complaint with your state’s consumer protection agency if you prefer going that route.

Final take: AFC Home Warranty offers comprehensive coverage but isn’t the best choice for tight budgets

AFC Home Warranty ‘s coverage options are highly customizable. In addition to four robust warranty plans, the provider offers a wide range of add-on coverage options, including for sump pumps, stand-alone freezers and home electronics.

However, it’s tough to take advantage of AFC’s perks without purchasing one of its two most expensive plans, Diamond or Platinum. To ensure you’re getting the best price for the coverage you need, we recommend comparing quotes from at least three different providers before deciding on a contract. 

You can use AFC Home Warranty ‘s free online tool for a quick personalized quote.

Our rating methodology for home warranty companies

We research and rate home warranty providers to help you choose the right one for your budget and your home. The best home warranty companies offer multiple coverage choices, high coverage limits, competitive pricing, good reviews, solid service and extra features.

We rate companies based on our in-depth methodology. We score companies out of 100 on factors related to their coverage options, coverage limits, pricing, reputation, customer service and extra features. We then divide their final score by 20 to obtain a 5-star rating in our reviews.

BBB and Trustpilot ratings are accurate as of January 2024.