AFC Home Club vs American Home Shield | 2021

Home Service Research Team
·8 min read

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Deciding between AFC Home Club and American Home Shield? We examined these providers' coverage plans, cost, and customer reviews to help you decide which company is the best fit for you and your home. For alternative home warranty companies worth considering, read our article on the best home warranty companies.

AFC Home Club vs. American Home Shield Comparison

AFC Home Club

  • Get a free quote: Visit site

  • Our rating: Best Plan Variety

  • Number of plans: 4

  • Premium cost: $38–$50 per month

  • Service fee: $75–$125

  • State availability: All but CA and HI

  • BBB rating: B

  • Years in business: 11 years

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American Home Shield

  • Get a free quote: Visit site

  • Our rating: Best Overall

  • Number of plans: 3

  • Premium cost: $40–$65 per month

  • Service fee: $75–$125

  • State availability: All but AK

  • BBB rating: B

  • Years in business: 49 years

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AFC Home Club Coverage Plans

AFC Home Club, also known as America's 1st Choice Home Club, offers four coverage plans: Systems Plan, Silver Plan, Gold Plan, and Platinum Plan. The Systems Plan covers only systems, while the Silver Plan covers appliances exclusively. The Gold Plan protects both systems and appliances covered in the Systems Plan and Silver Plan, and the Platinum Plan includes everything in the Gold Plan, plus coverage for a built-in microwave, plumbing stoppages, and an ice maker.

With each of its coverage plans, AFC Home Club guarantees parts and labor for the entire duration of a homeowner's membership. The company also offers free credit monitoring and discounts on maintenance-related supplies, restaurants, home security services, and more.

AFC Home Club also offers coverage for 11 optional add-ons:

  • Tankless water heater

  • In-ground pool

  • Standalone freezer

  • Sump pump

  • Double oven

  • Central vacuum

  • Ice maker

  • Hot water dispenser

  • Septic system

  • Well pump

  • Built-in microwave

View the specific items covered under each AFC Home Club plan below:

The Systems Plan covers the following:

  • Electrical system

  • Air conditioning system

  • Water heater

  • Heating system

  • Plumbing system

  • Ductwork

The Silver Plan covers the following:

  • Clothes dryer/washer

  • Refrigerator

  • Oven/Range/Stove

  • Dishwasher

  • Garbage disposal

  • Garage door opener

The Gold Plan covers everything in the Systems and Silver Plans.

The Platinum Plan covers everything in the Systems and Silver Plans, plus:

  • Built-in microwave

  • Ice maker

  • Plumbing stoppages

To get a free quote from AFC Home Club, call 678-335-2181 or fill out this form.

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American Home Shield Coverage Plans

American Home Shield offers three coverage plans: the ShieldSilver™ Plan for just major systems, the ShieldGold™ Plan for a combination of 23 systems and appliances, and the ShieldPlatinum™ Plan for the same combo with extra coverage limits and features.

Note: All American Home Shield plans come with a service guarantee of 30 days on both parts and labor.

American Home Shield offers five optional add-ons:

  • Well pump

  • Pool and spa

  • Septic pump

  • Electronic extended warranty

  • Guest unit up to 750 square feet

View the specific items covered under American Home Shield plans below.

The ShieldSilver Plan Includes the following major systems:

  • Electrical

  • Air conditioning

  • Heating

  • Breakers and fuze boxes

  • Plumbing

  • Water heaters

  • Toilets

  • Faucets and valves

  • Whirlpool tub motor and components

  • Ductwork

  • Built-in exhaust, vent, and attic fans

  • Doorbells

  • Garage door openers

  • Ceiling fans

The ShieldGold Plan covers everything in the ShieldSilver Plan, plus:

  • Refrigerators

  • Clothes washers

  • Clothes dryers

  • Ranges/cooktops

  • Ovens

  • Dishwashers

  • Built-in microwave ovens

  • Garbage disposals

  • Hot or cold water dispensers

The ShieldPlatinum Plan includes everything in the other two plans, plus:

  • One free HVAC tune-up

  • Roof leak repairs

  • Unlimited AC refrigerant limits

  • $1,000 coverage for code violations

  • $3,000 increase to appliance coverage limit

You can get a free quote from American Home Shield by calling 844-529-9298 or by completing this form.

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AFC Home Club vs. American Home Shield Cost

According to the sample quotes our review team received, AFC Home Club and American Home Shield both offer coverage plans for under $60 per month. As seen in the table below, AFC Home Club offers slightly more affordable coverage than American Home Shield. Both companies allow you to select a service fee between $75–$125.

American Home Shield Cost

  • Monthly premium: $49.99–$59.99

  • Service fee: $75–$125

AFC Home Club Cost

  • Monthly premium: $37.50–$50.00

  • Service fee: $75–$125

Note: The cost of optional add-ons depends on the specific items you include in your plan, but these optional coverage items typically add about $40-$180 to a homeowner's annual home warranty cost.

Customer Reviews

Both AFC Home Club and American Home Shield are accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and received B ratings from the organization. In terms of customer reviews, AFC Home Club has received more positive reviews, on average, than American Home Shield.

Here are a few BBB customer reviews for AFC Home Club and American Home Shield:

AFC Home Club Reviews

"Best home warranty company I have ever dealt with...always courteous, always concerned about taking care of my issues, and they follow up with us on each service request. The best part is...the value for the money is EXCELLENT. I would highly recommend them to anyone!" — Glenda E.

"A part in my condensing unit broke. I was able to hire my own contractor to fix it. They came out. We called AFC Home Club for approval. We had it in about 15 [minutes] and the contractor was able to fix it. Went very smoothly." — Brian

American Home Shield Reviews

"Great experience with a skilled technician to address my garbage disposal problems. Prompt, polite, and knowledgeable. Assessed the situation quickly and completed work professionally." — Jill B.

"I've submitted two claims so far—both of which were handled immediately. Incredibly happy with this service, and I highly recommend it." — Stephanie W.

Our Conclusion

Both AFC Home Club and American Home Shield offer multiple coverage plans for under $60 per month. Our review team named American Home Shield as the best overall home warranty company because of its breadth of coverage, unique benefits such as coverage for items with unknown pre-existing conditions, and reputation as an industry leader. We named AFC Home Club as the home warranty company with the best plan variety because of its comprehensive coverage plans.

If you prefer a provider with decades of experience in the industry that serves nearly two million customers, consider choosing American Home Shield. If you're seeking a lifetime service guarantee on repairs and replacements or want a more affordable home warranty company, consider choosing AFC Home Club.

To get a free quote from AFC Home Club, call 678-335-2181 or complete this form. To get a free quote from American Home Shield, call 844-529-9298 or fill out this online form.

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Home Warranty Rating Methodology

The Home Service Research Team at Better Homes & Gardens strives to provide unbiased and objective reviews to readers by compiling relevant information on home warranty companies and rating the providers on a variety of factors.

Here's what our review process looks like:

  • We examine each provider's website to determine plan details, coverage, customer service offerings, and other benefits. We also speak with company representatives to get more insight on plan details.

  • We read sample contracts from each home warranty company to analyze and compare coverage details, limits, and exclusions.

  • We read at least 100 third-party customer reviews for each home warranty company to determine the real-life benefits and drawbacks of each provider.

  • We gather cost information for a variety of home warranty plans in different states by completing online quote forms and speaking with sales representatives to simulate the quote process.

  • We revisit each company's offerings on a seasonal basis, ensuring that we include the most up-to-date information in our reviews.

We also created a 100-point rating system to score companies based on objective factors, such as plan options, coverage, and customer service:

Overall, the Home Service Research Team has reviewed over 70 home warranty companies to select the top-rated providers in the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a home warranty plan compare to homeowners insurance?

A home warranty plan protects homeowners from paying for expensive repairs and replacements when major systems and appliances break down due to normal wear and tear. Homeowners insurance protects homeowners from structural damage caused by unexpected events, like a burglary or fire, and personal liability claims.

What are the benefits of buying a home warranty plan?

Not only does a home warranty prevent homeowners from paying expensive repair and replacement costs on their home appliances and systems, it can also help them find a trusted technician to complete the necessary repairs.

How much does a home warranty typically cost?

A typical monthly premium costs about $25 to $60 per month, and a service fee costs about $75 to $125.

How does a home warranty work?

With home warranty coverage, homeowners pay a set monthly payment to receive protection for their major systems and appliances. When one of these covered items fails or breaks down, the homeowner can place a service call with their home warranty company and have a technician come out to inspect the issue and perform the necessary repair or replacement, at which time a service fee is paid.

What is the waiting period for AFC Home Club and American Home Shield?

If you're a new customer with AFC Home Club or American Home Shield, you must wait 30 days after signing your contract before you can submit your first service request on a covered item.

What is a comprehensive coverage plan?

A comprehensive coverage plan is a home warranty plan that covers both home appliances and systems, rather than exclusively covering appliances or systems.

Which is better, AFC Home Club or American Home Shield?

Though our review team gave American Home Shield a higher rating than AFC Home Club, both providers are among the best home warranty companies in the industry. We named American Home Shield as the best overall home warranty company and AFC Home Club as the provider with the most flexible plan options.

Will AFC Home Club and American Home Shield replace HVAC systems?

It depends on which home warranty plan you purchase. AFC Home Club's Systems, Gold, and Platinum plans cover HVAC systems, while American Home Shield's Systems and Combo plans cover HVAC systems. You can also cover an HVAC system with American Home Shield's Build-Your-Own Plan.

What are some other reputable home warranty companies?

Here are some other home warranty companies that made our review team's best home warranty list: