Cinch Home Services home warranty review

About Cinch Home Services

Cinch Home Services (Cinch) is a home warranty carrier. A home warranty is a service contract that covers major home systems and/or appliances. Cinch has been around for almost 15 years.

Cinch used to operate as Cross Country Home Services (CCHS). In October 2019, CCHS consolidated its subsidiaries, including HMS Home Warranty and TotalProtect to form Cinch. According to Cinch’s press releases, the intention of the rebrand was to be identified as a modern, tech-forward company. Cinch’s website says it has nearly one million customers and responds to over 1 million service requests a year.

What types of homes are covered?

Cinch covers single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses, villas, or manufactured homes used solely for residential purposes. Only manufactured homes constructed within 10 years and permanently secured to the ground on land you own or is located in a division operated similar to a condominium are eligible. Homes that are not covered include mobile homes, multi-family residential properties of more than two units, any homes used for business and commercial purposes, and homes listed or registered in any historical register. Shared systems and appliances with other homes are not covered.

Available plans

Cinch offers three plans: an Appliances plan, a Built-in Systems plan, and a Complete Home plan.

Appliances plan

Covers 12 appliances, including:

• Clothes dryers
• Clothes washers
• Cooktops
• Dishwashers
• Built-in food centers
• Freestanding ice makers
• Built-in microwaves
• Ranges
• Range exhaust hoods
• Refrigerators
• Built-in trash compactors
• Wall ovens

Built-in Systems plan

Covers 16 major systems, including:

• Air conditioning including ductwork
• Attic fans
• Ceiling fans
• Central vacuums
• Doorbells
• Electrical system
• Garage door openers
• Garbage disposals
• Heating system including ductwork
• Instant hot/cold water dispenser
• Plumbing system
• Smoke detectors
• Sump pump
• Toilets
• Water heater
• Built-in whirlpool/jetted tub

The Built-In Systems plan also includes a reimbursement of up to $500 when you have to pay a deductible on a covered homeowners insurance claim. The reimbursement is limited to one claim per year.

Complete Home plan

Combines the Appliances and the Built-in Systems plans and covers everything that’s under those plans. See above for what’s covered.

What add-ons are available?

Cinch offers some items that you could add to your plan at an additional cost. These include:

• Another sump pump, water heater, and/or refrigerator
• Outside gas line
• Outside sewer line
• Outside water line
• Outside gas/sewer/water line combo
• Pool, spa, or combo pool/spa
• Septic tank/pumping
• Water softener
• Well pump system

Note: commercial grade equipment, systems or appliances are not covered.

How much does Cinch cost?

Cinch’s pricing varies by zip code, plan type (Appliances, Built-in Systems, or Complete Home), and the service fee (Cinch calls this “deductible”) amount you choose. The service fee options are $100, $125, or $150. The lower the service fee, the higher the plan cost and the higher the service fee, the lower the plan cost. As with most home warranty carriers, you may pay for your plan in monthly installments or all at once.

Cinch plan pricing summary

Note: these prices do not include taxes. They are also just estimates. Check for actual pricing on Cinch’s site.

Service Fee: $100 (12-month term)
Plan	Monthly Payment	One-Time Payment
Appliances	$38 to $76	$456 to $912
Built-In Systems	$45 to $82	$540 to $984
Complete Home	$52 to $97	$624 to $1,164

Service Fee: $125 (12-month term)
Plan	Monthly Payment	One-Time Payment
Appliances	$33 to $71	$396 to $852
Built-In Systems	$39 to $76	$468 to $912
Complete Home	$46 to $91	$552 to $1,092

Service Fee: $150 (12-month term)
Plan	Monthly Payment	One-Time Payment
Appliances	$28 to $66	$336 to $792
Built-In Systems	$33 to $70	$396 to $840
Complete Home	$40 to $85	$480 to $1,020

How’s the service contractor network?

Cinch provides access to a nationwide network of contractors. We could not find on its website how big its network of contractors is. Cinch requires all contractors to have valid and current trade licenses that are verified, to complete background checks, and to have general liability coverage and automotive coverage on all utilized vehicles, and workers compensation that is properly maintained.

Cinch provides a 180-day workmanship guarantee to repair problems that persist at no additional. This is one of the longest workmanship guarantee periods we’ve seen among home warranty carriers.

Cinch offers many ways to submit a service request. In addition to the standard methods that most carriers allow you to request service, which are by calling customer service and by logging into your online account, Cinch also allows you to use your Amazon Alexa device to submit a request—if you have one.

What types of malfunctions are covered?

Cinch covers malfunctions of covered systems and appliances due to “normal wear and tear” during the contract term, including malfunctions due to unknown pre-existing conditions, rust, corrosion, or sediments.

What types of malfunctions are not covered?

Cinch does not provide coverage for covered systems and appliances that are:

• Improperly installed or repaired
• Covered by other insurance, warranties, or guarantees provided by manufacturers, contractors, builders, distributors, home service agreements, or home warranties
• Determined to be defective by the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the manufacturer
• Damaged during a remodeling or unauthorized repair
• Failing due to abuse, misuse and/or neglect, lightning strikes, power failure, power surge, missing components, parts or equipment, animal, pet and/or pest damage, fire, casualty, flood, smoke, earthquakes, freeze damage, acts of God, manufacturer’s improper design, use of improper materials and/or formulas, manufacturing process or any other manufacturing defect, structural and/or property damage, accidents, war, acts of terrorism, nuclear explosion, reaction, radiation or radioactive contamination, insurrection, riots, vandalism, or intentional destruction of property, mold, mildew, mycotoxins, fungus, bacteria, virus, condensation, and wet or dry rot
• Malfunctioning because of a lack in capacity in the existing system or appliance (e.g. under/oversized systems in relation to the square footage for the area being heated or cooled), insufficient or excessive water pressure, inadequate wiring capacity, and circuit overload

Note: the above may not be the full list of what’s not covered by Cinch. Review your agreement for the full list.

Also, Cinch does not cover the costs to dismantle and remove defective equipment and to recapture, reclaim and dispose of refrigerant.

What coverage amount limits are there?

Most home warranty plans have maximum amounts that the carrier will pay out to you for repairs and/or replacements of certain covered systems and appliances per covered item per contract term.

Cinch pays up to a total of $10,000 for all repairs and replacements per contract term. Some covered limits have other limits. See below for details.

Covered appliance limits

For covered appliances, the limit for kitchen and laundry appliances is $2,000 per covered item.

Covered system limits

For covered systems, the limit for air conditioning and heating is $1,500 or $1,000 if the air conditioning and heating ductwork is accessible only through a concrete floor, wall, or ceiling. If the plumbing system is accessible only through a concrete floor, wall, or ceiling, Cinch will only pay up to $1,000 per agreement term for plumbing.

Covered add-on limits

For optional add-ons, there is a limit of $1,500 for swimming pool and/or spa combo and well pump. There is a $500 limit for septic system pumping and $1,000 for septic system replacements.

Available discounts and promotions

Cinch offers $25 credit that you can use to purchase filters for your air conditioner or fridge. It also provides a free water sensor to help detect leaks in your home. Plus, it offers discounts on brand-name appliances.

When does coverage start?

There is a waiting period from the time you purchase your plan to when you can request service. Cinch will let you know when your coverage begins before you complete your purchase. Generally, you may start requesting services 30 days after you purchase your plan. Your coverage start date will also be on your contract.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You may cancel your warranty agreement at any time. To cancel, you may call Cinch’s customer service or submit a request in writing. You can cancel your warranty agreement at any time. If you cancel within the first 30 days after you purchase your plan, you’ll get a full refund. After the 30 days, you’ll receive a pro-rated refund based on the months not used in the plan minus any service or claim costs incurred, a $25 processing fee, and a 10% penalty fee per month.