[ad_1]
AFC Residence Membership isn’t my favourite house guarantee supplier due to its low protection caps, excessive variety of exclusions, complaints about declare denials, and poor reimbursement charges. All of those are sufficient to make me wish to steer clear. Considered one of my greatest priorities is having a house guarantee coverage that doesn’t require upkeep information and gives loads of protection for replacements. Nevertheless, owners on the lookout for advantages like electronics protection or add-on protections for restricted roof leaks, a double oven, and a sizzling water dispenser might take pleasure in this supplier’s service.
Established in Marietta, Georgia, in 2009, AFC Residence Guarantee has a strong status with a B score and accreditation from the Higher Enterprise Bureau (BBB). Nevertheless, buyer complaints about declare denials and low reimbursement charges give house guarantee buyers purpose to pause.
On this information, I’m diving into the nice, the unhealthy, and the ugly about AFC Residence Membership — the place it shines and the place its chief downfalls lie. In the long run, you’ll have a nuanced have a look at the supplier as a complete. I gained’t maintain again on any criticisms so you may have an unbiased have a look at AFC Residence Membership. Having a strong house guarantee is integral to defending your self financially when your home equipment and methods fail. You’ll be able to determine whether or not that is the best supplier for you.
Along with my secret purchasing and intense analysis, we scored AFC Residence Membership utilizing In the present day’s Home-owner’s proprietary overview standards, which embrace plans and protection, affordability, buyer expertise, firm status, claims course of, and availability.
Why Belief Us?
Right here’s how we ranked and reviewed the nation’s prime house guarantee firms to convey you essentially the most correct info.
76
Our group of consultants reviewed over 70 house guarantee suppliers to check plan choices, protection limits, costs, and buyer suggestions.
152
We collected over 100 pattern quotes from dozens of house guarantee firms to provide you an correct have a look at trade pricing.
6
Our score system scores suppliers based mostly on 6 key components: protection choices, affordability, buyer expertise, status, claims processes, and availability.
For extra info, try our Residence Guarantee Methodology web page.
AFC Residence Membership: Greatest Extra Advantages
AFC Residence Membership has its Membership Advantages program constructed into all its plans. Advantages embrace offers and reductions on credit score monitoring, auto insurance coverage, owners insurance coverage, whole electronics protection, imaginative and prescient insurance coverage, pet advantages, and extra — all unusual coverages on this trade. I like that the corporate has 4 base plans, starting from budget-friendly ($43.50 per 30 days) to the upscale Diamond Plan ($97.50 a month). Whereas costlier, the Diamond Plan has built-in electronics protection for water injury, drops, and different issues for a lot of house electronics, like leisure methods, TVs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and extra.
In keeping with AFC’s pattern coverage for its Platinum Plan, the corporate requires a previous annual upkeep report from a licensed technician for some repairs. This stipulation means you gained’t obtain protection if you happen to fail to have common upkeep check-ups with a licensed technician or don’t observe via with their restore or upkeep recommendations. This can be a large ache, particularly when coping with a broken-down HVAC system on a chilly or sizzling day as you scramble to get ahold of those information.
One other disadvantage is AFC Residence Membership’s pattern insurance policies listing many exclusions and low protection caps, like a restrict of $500 per membership time period, which is one to a few years, relying on the plan, in your septic system. This protection is lackluster and inadequate to cowl the value of changing a septic system. Plus, gadgets just like the septic line from your own home and a system clean-out aren’t lined, so that you’re nonetheless left to pay a part of the invoice. One other con is AFC’s lack of emergency providers and its coverage of being closed on nationally acknowledged holidays. That leaves you with out service when your dishwasher breaks down on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
AFC Residence Membership Backside Line: 8.5/10
When you suppose you’d get quite a lot of use from AFC Residence Membership’s giant variety of Membership Advantages, corresponding to reductions and offers on credit score monitoring, owners insurance coverage, whole electronics protection, imaginative and prescient insurance coverage, and pet advantages, then this can be a strong supplier for you. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be my best choice due to its intensive listing of exclusions. None of those exclusions are extraordinary within the trade, however the giant amount of them makes it difficult to evaluate what’s and isn’t lined and makes it simpler for AFC to disclaim your declare — one thing that clients introduced up repeatedly in evaluations. A few of these exclusions are system mismatches, lack of equipment capability, and maintaining with system and equipment upkeep. For instance, if you happen to don’t sustain with yearly upkeep in your HVAC system by a licensed technician and don’t observe prompt repairs, you may be denied a later declare since you didn’t preserve the equipment correctly.
Nevertheless, AFC Residence Membership delivers truthful pricing, with its least costly appliance-only plan costing round $43 a month with out reductions. With reductions, this plan prices near $36 per 30 days, which is inexpensive in comparison with the common house guarantee value ($50 or extra nationwide). It can save you $168 a 12 months if you choose the discounted appliance-only plan. On prime of that, AFC Residence Membership’s add-ons are fairly priced, with most costing lower than $15 per 30 days. That’s way more inexpensive than plans from suppliers like Liberty Residence Guard, whose add-that common $20 to $25 per 30 days.
The underside line: I like AFC Residence Membership for its spectacular and distinctive Membership Advantages and its complete electronics plan (particularly as somebody working from house). However the firm’s low protection caps give me pause. For instance, it solely pays as much as $150 per membership time period in your ductwork, rubbish disposal, or vary exhaust per their pattern coverage for Platinum Plan members. This isn’t a lot for vital repairs. Plus, essentially the most complete plan, the Diamond Plan, wasn’t obtainable in all ZIP codes once I was secret purchasing.
AFC Residence Membership Plans and Protection
8.1/10
AFC Residence Membership has an uncommon variety of plan choices (a complete of 4, greater than most suppliers who supply two to a few choices). You’ll discover an appliance-only plan, a methods plan, a complete plan masking each, plus the Diamond Plan, which covers 18 methods, home equipment, and electronics. The electronics element of this plan is uncommon inside the trade and covers gadgets like your smartphone, laptops, displays, house leisure merchandise, tablets, and sensible units like Alexa, Google Residence, and smartwatches. That is one thing I’ve solely seen just a few suppliers supply as an add-on, however it’s seldom included in a plan.
If I selected AFC Residence Membership for my house, I’d go for the Diamond Plan. It has a complete electronics plan that covers water injury, drops, and practical points — all issues that value tons of and even hundreds of {dollars} to exchange if you happen to drop your TV or laptop computer. As somebody who works from house and depends on a laptop computer, I discover this protection priceless. Throughout my secret purchasing, I discovered that the Diamond Plan wasn’t obtainable in some areas, corresponding to elements of Alaska, so double-check that this plan is offered in your space first.
The next month-to-month prices don’t embrace the obtainable reductions.
| Plan | Month-to-month Value | Service Charge | Accessible Reductions |
| Silver Plan | $43.50 | $75 | As much as $250 off if you name, free roof leak safety, and $100 off utilized at checkout (on-line) |
| Gold Plan | $58.08 | $75 | As much as $250 off if you name, free roof leak safety, and $100 off utilized at checkout (on-line) |
| Platinum Plan | $62.92 | $75 | As much as $250 off if you name, free roof leak safety, and $100 off utilized at checkout (on-line) |
| Diamond Plan | $97.50 | $75 | As much as $250 off if you name, free roof leak safety, and $100 off utilized at checkout (on-line) |
Editor’s Observe: The associated fee knowledge talked about on this article was sourced for a single-family, two-bedroom house below 5,000 sq. ft in Nashville, TN. The associated fee knowledge introduced was correct on the time of writing.
Accessible Add-Ons
I particularly like AFC’s add-on choices, together with electronics and double-oven protection, which value round $25 and $2 per 30 days, respectively. The restricted roof-leak protection is a steal as a result of it solely prices $25 a 12 months (about $2 per 30 days). Evaluate that to the safety of one other respected house guarantee firm, Elite Residence Guarantee, which costs $99.99 per 12 months ($8.33 per 30 days) for related safety. Roof-leak protection is important for a lot of owners as a result of rain, snow, and heavy wind can all put on down your roof, resulting in leaks and eventual water injury in your house. AFC’s add-on menu consists of:
- Central vacuum: $25/12 months
- Double oven: $25/12 months
- Digital protection: $300/12 months
- Scorching water dispenser: $25/12 months
- In-ground pool: $100/12 months
- In-ground pool and spa: $150/12 months
- Restricted roof leak protection: $25/12 months
- Septic system: $50/12 months
- Stand-alone freezer: $25/12 months
- Sump pump: $35/12 months
- Effectively pump: $50/12 months
Exclusions
AFC Residence Membership has normal exclusions, however its pattern insurance policies spelled out many, so learn your coverage intently earlier than enrolling in a program with them. Whereas not one of the exclusions have been unusual, they have been intensive, making it simpler for AFC to disclaim your declare if you happen to’re not on prime of sustaining your methods. Among the many exclusions:
- Equipment inadequacy (lack of capability)
- Code violations
- Computerized HVAC administration methods
- Crane leases
- Geothermal heating methods
- Haul-away providers
- Improper set up
- Identified or unknown pre-existing situations
- Lighting fixtures
- Mismatched methods
- Modifications to the system of equipment
- Not chargeable for failure to maintain up with routine upkeep
- Oil-based boiler methods
- Outsized or undersized gear
- Window models
Editor’s Observe: Whereas this text highlights sure exclusions, it’s crucial for readers to overview their contracts because the talked about exclusions usually are not exhaustive, and extra exclusions might apply.
AFC Residence Membership Affordability
9.1/10
AFC Residence Membership offers owners with 4 plan choices, starting from $43 to $99, based mostly on the quotes I gathered throughout my secret looking for a single-family house in Nashville, Tennessee. I like that once I was secret purchasing, AFC Residence Membership supplied a number of reductions, together with a reduction if you happen to pay yearly, a number of offers on its web site, and free roof-leak protection. When signing up, you possibly can select between flat service name charges of $75, $100, or $125, providing you with larger flexibility to customise your month-to-month premium to suit your finances.
AFC Residence Membership Buyer Expertise
9.2/10
I discover AFC Residence Membership’s buyer expertise easy and environment friendly. Its on-line quote course of was speedy, with the supplier delivering on its “30-second” quote course of declare. I additionally love you could select your personal technician so long as they’re insured and licensed. Many suppliers will solely assign technicians inside their community to service your own home. So, this feature is a big bonus for owners with most popular technicians. When you don’t have a choice, AFC sends somebody from its nationwide community. Both method, you don’t have to fret about researching and vetting a technician. Nevertheless, essentially the most vital profit to AFC’s buyer expertise is their lengthy work assure of as much as three years. Most house guarantee firms supply one to two-month workmanship ensures, however AFC ensures repairs for the lifetime of your plan (one to a few years, relying in your contract). This assure even extends to conditions the place you select your technician and costly repairs like water heaters or AC models, so it’s a severe profit to owners wanting that additional peace of thoughts.
For extra info, watch this buyer testimonial from an precise AFC buyer right here:
AFC Residence Membership Firm Status
8.3/10
AFC Residence Membership has largely optimistic buyer evaluations and a strong status, with a B score and an accreditation from the BBB, which provides me nice peace of thoughts. Optimistic evaluations spotlight AFC Residence Membership’s immediate declare response, competent restore technicians, and a optimistic response about clients with the ability to select their service technicians. In distinction, destructive evaluations share that they handled a number of declare denials, points with the customer support group, and low reimbursement charges. One other downside identified was “scammy” exclusions and low reimbursement charges. Nevertheless, the supplier’s coverage does state that it reimburses you based mostly on the present value of your equipment. In different phrases, you’re reimbursed based mostly on the depreciated value of your own home system or equipment, not what you initially paid out of pocket, so preserve this in thoughts when selecting between suppliers.
Whereas AFC’s evaluations aren’t as stellar as suppliers like Liberty Residence Guard, it nonetheless enjoys first rate evaluations general.
| Score Web site | Score | # of Opinions |
| BBB | B/2.53 | 164 |
| Trustpilot | 3 | 24 |
| Yelp | 1.9 | 337 |
Editor’s Observe: The scores supplied have been correct on the time of writing.
AFC Residence Membership Claims Course of
6.8/10
AFC Residence Membership has a slower response time, round 48 hours, than I would really like. It’s for much longer than that of suppliers like Liberty Residence Guard, which responds in as little as 12 hours. AFC additionally doesn’t present emergency service choices. When you need assistance after hours, you’ll pay a further charge, a big con. The supplier isn’t open on nationally acknowledged holidays both, which might result in larger delays — one thing I don’t wish to cope with when my leaking garments washer is damaging my flooring.
Sadly, many buyer evaluations I learn identified points with the claims course of, corresponding to issues with lengthy wait instances, a number of declare denials, and poor reimbursement charges. These are issues I don’t wish to see when looking for a house guarantee coverage.
In the present day’s Home-owner Ideas
A house guarantee coverage ought to scale back stress since you ought to really feel assured that the supplier will deal with the price of changing or repairing your broken-down unit. So, consider protection caps when purchasing round to make sure your supplier will cowl the entire value of repairs and replacements based mostly in your home equipment.
AFC Residence Membership Availability
10/10
AFC Residence Membership offers house guarantee protection in 47 states, all besides Hawaii, Washington, and California. This supplier has 14 years of trade expertise and has been accredited by the BBB since 2015, giving me loads of peace of thoughts about its historical past of dealing with buyer complaints.
AFC Residence Membership Vs. The Competitors
AFC Residence Membership Vs. Liberty Residence Guard
Of all of the suppliers our group has reviewed and ranked, Liberty Residence Guard logged the best rating, 9.3 out of 10 stars. One of many greatest causes for such a excessive rating is its complete plans and exorbitant variety of add-ons. Liberty Residence Guard has greater than 40 add-on choices, permitting you to tweak your plan to a bigger extent than most suppliers. That’s extra obtainable flexibility than even plans with AFC Residence Membership, which has 4 base insurance policies. Nevertheless, AFC Residence Membership is extra inexpensive, particularly when factoring in beneficiant low cost choices and cheaper add-ons (round $10 to $15 a month in comparison with Liberty’s $20 to $25 common add-on value).
Whereas these two suppliers have equivalent (and excellent) availability scores, Liberty Residence Guard has nationwide protection. AFC doesn’t promote insurance policies in Hawaii, California, or Washington.
Liberty Residence Guard is my decide between these two due to its extra complete protection and fewer exclusions. It additionally doesn’t require upkeep information to take pleasure in HVAC system protection, a actuality I don’t like about AFC.
| Liberty Residence Guard | AFC Residence Membership | |
| Plans and Protection | 10 | 8.1 |
| Affordability | 8.9 | 9.1 |
| Buyer Expertise | 7.8 | 9.2 |
| Firm Status | 9.1 | 8.3 |
| Claims Course of | 10 | 6.8 |
| Availability | 10 | 10 |
| Total Rating | 9.3 | 8.5 |
AFC Residence Membership Vs. American Residence Protect
Considered one of my greatest points with AFC Residence Membership is its lower-than-average protection. Whereas the corporate gives as much as $3,000 in HVAC protection after you submit upkeep information, that quantity nonetheless isn’t sufficient to pay for an HVAC alternative — or perhaps a vital restore in some instances. American Residence Protect gives beneficiant protection caps of as much as $4,000 for home equipment and $5,000 for methods. That features protection for an HVAC, a important system that, if you happen to dwell someplace sizzling or chilly, can get overwhelmed for months at a time.
Nevertheless, my expertise with American Residence Protect’s customer support isn’t as optimistic. My analysis discovered many destructive evaluations citing poor customer support and underskilled technicians. It has higher-than-average costs (though you obtain significantly better protection than most suppliers, together with AFC).
Total, I decide American Residence Protect over AFH Residence Membership due to the beneficiant protection caps and the truth that American Residence Protect covers unknown pre-existing situations and older home equipment. These execs give me larger confidence in American Residence Protect’s service and peace of thoughts that it could absolutely cowl a serious equipment or house system breakdown in comparison with AFC, which caps out fridge protection at solely $150.
| American Residence Protect | AFC Residence Membership | |
| Plans and Protection | 9 | 8.1 |
| Affordability | 8.7 | 9.1 |
| Buyer Expertise | 8.4 | 9.2 |
| Firm Status | 7.7 | 8.3 |
| Claims Course of | 8.4 | 6.8 |
| Availability | 10 | 10 |
| Total Rating | 8.6 | 8.5 |
AFC Residence Membership Vs. Selection Residence Guarantee
Selection Residence Guarantee shines due to excessive declare acceptance charges, which clients persistently reward in evaluations. This provides me quite a lot of peace of thoughts as a result of the very last thing you wish to fear about is your declare being denied whereas your dishwasher leaks. Nevertheless, this supplier is preventing the Arizona lawyer normal in a shopper fraud case, which has a severe set of allegations. Whereas nonetheless pending, it is a blow to AFC’s buyer status.
Whereas I feel AFC Residence Membership has extra inexpensive plans and comparable protection to Selection, its claims course of is missing, with a decrease declare acceptance price and fewer user-friendly processes, in response to evaluations. Total, these suppliers are related of their availability, plan decisions, and affordability.
I’d decide Selection if you’re most involved about declare denial, however AFC Residence Membership is the selection in order for you additional perks like electronics protection and particular reductions on different insurance coverage. Selection doesn’t supply that protection.
| Selection Residence Guarantee | AFC Residence Membership | |
| Plans and Protection | 8.3 | 8.1 |
| Affordability | 8.9 | 9.1 |
| Buyer Expertise | 8.4 | 9.2 |
| Firm Status | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Claims Course of | 8.8 | 6.8 |
| Availability | 10 | 10 |
| Total Rating | 8.6 | 8.5 |
Who Is AFC Residence Membership Greatest For?
AFC Residence Membership is finest for owners with many electronics, particularly individuals who earn a living from home and need safety for work laptops, displays, tablets, and many others. The corporate’s Diamond Plan has spectacular electronics protection, which protects chip-based gadgets, house leisure parts, and sensible electronics in the event that they get broken from water leaks, droppage, and extra. This can be a uncommon rider for this trade.
When you don’t decide the Diamond Plan, you possibly can select this protection as an add-on, making their plans very customizable. Nevertheless, I don’t advocate this supplier for anybody with luxurious home equipment as a result of the decrease protection caps aren’t sufficient to completely restore or exchange many gadgets. You may be paying an excessive amount of out of pocket for a restore or alternative.
4.3
Restricted Time:
$200 off + free roof leak protection
FAQs About AFC Residence Membership
Is AFC Residence Membership Legit?
AFC Residence Membership is a professional house guarantee supplier with accreditation via the Higher Enterprise Bureau (BBB) and over 14 years of expertise within the house guarantee trade.
How A lot Does AFC Residence Membership Value?
AFC Residence Membership prices between $43 and $99 per 30 days, relying in your plan, based mostly on our secret purchasing (no reductions included). One other house guarantee value to think about is AFC’s service name charge, which prices both $75, $100, or $125.
What Does AFC Residence Membership Cowl?
AFC Residence Membership covers the next (relying in your plan):
- Air-con and heating methods
- Constructed-in microwave
- Ceiling/exhaust/attic fan
- Garments dryer
- Garments washer
- Dishwasher
- Ductwork
- Rubbish disposal
- Storage door opener
- Ice maker
- Inside electrical
- Kitchen fridge
- Oven/vary/cooktop
- Plumbing methods and stoppages
- Water heater
AFC Residence Membership doesn’t cowl the next:
- Equipment inadequacy (lack of capability)
- Code violations
- Computerized HVAC administration methods
- Crane leases
- Geothermal heating methods
- Haul-away providers
- Improper set up
- Lighting fixtures
- Mismatched methods
- Modifications to the system of equipment
- Not chargeable for failure to maintain up with routine upkeep
- Oil-based boiler methods
- Outsized or undersized gear
- Window models
Learn our information about what house warranties cowl for a extra in-depth have a look at what to anticipate if you enroll in a coverage.
How Do You Cancel AFC Residence Membership?
You’ll be able to cancel AFC Residence Membership throughout the ready interval and obtain a refund. It’s also possible to cancel throughout your energetic coverage and obtain a prorated refund. Exterior of the ready interval, it’s possible you’ll be topic to a $75 cancellation charge.
Different Assets for Householders
[ad_2]