Cinch Home Services Review (2024)
We rank Cinch Home Services as one of our best home warranty companies. Learn how it compares to other top providers in our review.
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Cinch Home Services is a popular nationwide home warranty provider. Homeowners like that it covers items with preexisting conditions and rust and corrosion damage. Cinch offers three plans with a handful of additional coverage options and a 180-day service guarantee that’s among the strongest in the industry.
For this Cinch Home Services review, we analyzed its plans, coverage, pricing, and customer reviews. We also surveyed more than 1,000 customers of the best home warranty companies. We then rated Cinch against our unbiased ratings and review standards. Below, we’ll share our findings and explain everything you need to know about Cinch Home Services.
Editor’s Note: This review was updated on March 18, 2024, with our latest consumer survey data, competitor comparison details, and added insights from industry experts. All pricing information in this article was gathered from a sample quote for a 2,000-square-foot home in Tempe, Arizona.
Our Take on Cinch Home Services
We like Cinch because it covers items other providers don’t, such as built-in food centers and free-standing ice makers. Cinch also provides plan flexibility via its three protection plans. Additionally, it includes a $25 air conditioner and refrigerator filter credit in each plan, making it our choice for the best additional perks. Cinch’s downsides include its costly service call fee range and lack of roof-leak coverage.
Pros and Cons of Cinch Home Services
Here are some of the pros and cons of Cinch Home Services:
How We Rated Cinch Home Services
We rated Cinch Home Services with our unbiased rating and review standards based on the criteria homeowners find most important. Cinch received points across all categories to determine its final star rating of 4.6 out of 5. Here’s a breakdown of how we rated Cinch in each key category:
- Coverage: Cinch Home Services lost some points in this category because of its less comprehensive plan coverage.
- Value: Cinch’s higher service fees resulted in a slight reduction in points.
- Trustworthiness and transparency: Cinch earned the most points in this category because of its strong workmanship guarantee, high customer review scores, and sample contracts.
- Availability and service: We awarded Cinch the most points in this category thanks to its quick claims process and multiple means of communicating with customers.
Our Home Warranty Experts
We contacted a home warranty expert to supplement our research on Cinch Home Services.
What Plans and Coverage Does Cinch Offer?
Cinch Home Services offers an Appliances Plan, Built-in Systems Plan, and Complete Home Plan. The Appliances Plan covers major appliances, including clothes washers and cooktops. The Built-in Systems Plan covers major systems, such as air conditioners and plumbing systems. The Complete Home Plan bundles appliance and system coverage and adds home insurance deductible reimbursement. Cinch provides these plans to homeowners in 48 states, excluding Hawaii and Alaska.
After reading through Cinch’s sample contract, we discovered it provides a $10,000 annual coverage cap. Cinch will cover repair and replacement costs for any covered item up to $10,000 throughout the plan year. You’ll have to pay additional repair or replacement fees once you’ve reached the coverage limit. Cinch also has specific coverage caps for different items and categories. Its Appliance Plan uses a $2,000 coverage limit for each appliance. Its Built-in Systems Plan has numerous coverage caps ranging from $500–$3,000, depending on the item covered.
| Coverage | Appliances | Built-in Systems | Complete Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air conditioner or water filter credit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air conditioning including ductwork | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Attic fans | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling fans | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Central vacuum | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Clothes washer | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Cooktop | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Doorbell | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Food center (built-in) | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Freestanding ice maker | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Garage-door openers | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating system including ductwork | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement | – | – | ✓ |
| Instant hot/cold water dispenser | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Microwave (built-in) | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Plumbing system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Range | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Range exhaust hood | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Refrigerators | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Smoke detectors | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sump pump | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Toilets | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trash compactor (built-in) | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Wall oven | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Water heater | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Whirlpool/jetted tub (built-in) | – | ✓ | ✓ |
Optional Add-ons
Cinch only offers six optional add-ons for homeowners to customize their plans. These add-ons range from $4.58–$22 per month. This selection falls short compared to other home warranty providers, most of which provide between eight and 12 add-ons or more. For example, Liberty Home Guard provides 40 add-ons.
- Septic tank/pumping
- Well pump
- Pool
- Pool with spa
- Spa
- Premier Upgrade Package (permits, code updates, etc.)
Why Would Cinch Home Services Deny My Claim?
Cinch Home Services can deny your claim for several reasons. The most common reason for claim denial is that an item or part falls under your policy’s exclusions. Exclusions can vary by plan and be specific to a category or general across all policies. More expensive policies typically have less restrictive coverage and fewer exclusions than cheaper ones. We analyzed Cinch’s sample contract to find all the most important exclusions, which are listed below:
- Chillers
- Geothermal pump
- Well pump
- Window units
- Auxiliary holding tanks
- Energy conservation units
- Storage tanks
- Broken, chipped, cracked glass cooktops due to misuse and abuse
- Free-standing freezers
- Bathtubs
- Caulking or grouting
- Saunas or steam rooms
- Septic tanks
- Sinks
- Vent or sewer lines outside the home’s main foundation
Cinch stands out because it doesn’t exclude some common items or tertiary components typically excluded in most policies. Its policies cover items such as glass, knobs, hinges, and doors on appliances, unlike most other home warranty plans.
Cinch’s general exclusions are similar to those of other home warranty providers. For example, Cinch does not cover damages already protected by other warranties or insurance. Other important exclusions we noticed include the following:
- Repairs or replacements resulting from floods, fires, earthquakes, lightning strikes, and other natural disasters
- Repairs or replacements resulting from theft and vandalism
- Improperly installed or improperly repaired items or those with manufacturer defects
- Items damaged due to misuse, abuse, or neglect
- Any repair that involves removing or remediating toxic or otherwise harmful materials such as asbestos
How Much Does Cinch Home Services Cost?
Cinch’s pricing will depend on your coverage and where you live. Our sample quotes ranged from $30–$56 per month. Cinch has three service fees that directly affect your monthly premium. Your monthly premium will be higher with a lower service fee and lower with a higher service fee.
Customers can pay for their home warranty plan in monthly installments or make a single annual payment. If you pay in monthly installments, Cinch offers two months of free coverage when you purchase any plan. This offer excludes optional coverage and add-ons, and you can’t combine it with other offers. Our survey results show that annual plans are slightly more popular, as 52.5% of respondents choose a yearly premium.
The table below indicates the cost of each Cinch Home Services plan:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Coverage Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appliance Plan | $30–$40 | $100–$150 | $2,000 |
| Built-in Systems Plan | $35–$47 | $100–$150 | $500–$3,000 |
| Complete Home Plan | $45–$56 | $100–$150 | Same coverage caps apply |
What is Cinch’s Service Call Fee?
Cinch Home Services has three service fees: $100, $125, and $150. You’ll see which service call fee applies to your policy when you sign up. This fee will determine the price of your monthly premiums.
How Do I File a Claim with Cinch Home Services?
You can file a claim with Cinch Home Services by using its online portal or calling its phone number at 844-324-5688. Cinch’s customer support staff is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Here is an overview of the claim filing process:
- Claim submission: Cinch’s claims portal has three options for claim submission: phone number, house number, or policy number. Next, you’ll select the appliance or system and schedule an available time for a repair professional to arrive at your home. You’ll get a confirmation screen with your damaged item, appointment date and time, contact information, and service request number.
- Confirmation and appointment scheduling: The assigned contractor will contact you to confirm the appointment date and time. Cinch’s sample contract states that it will attempt to appoint a service professional for your claim within two hours or up to 24 hours if requested outside of business hours. Cinch’s contract allows homeowners to choose their own service technician if no in-network professional is available. This process is at Cinch’s discretion, and they hold the final say over the approval of all out-of-network technicians.
- Repair complement: The technician will arrive at your home on the appointment date. Once your technician repairs the item, you must pay your service call fee. Cinch’s sample contract states you’ll still have to pay the service call fee if the technician is sent to your home but cannot access it.
Cinch Home Services Reviews: Reddit, BBB, and More
For our research, we read over 100 responses from third-party review sites such as Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Reddit, and Google Reviews and surveyed over 1,000 customers. Cinch has mixed customer sentiment across all review sites. Some positive reviews praise its knowledgeable staff, while some negative reviews note slow response times.
What Homeowners Like
Homeowners like Cinch’s clear warranty plan, prompt service, and professional technicians.
- Clear warrant plans: Customers like Cinch’s clear, concise, and well-detailed warranty plans. Customers praise the detailed plans and clearly spelled-out coverage.
- Polite representatives: Customers praise Cinch’s customer service and sales representatives’ politeness and knowledgeability.
- Prompt service: Customers praise Cinch’s customer portal and quick claim processing.
What Homeowners Dislike
Displeased customers mention problems such as inconsistent repairs, long response times, and high service call fees.
- Inconsistent repairs and technicians: Some customers cite unskilled technicians and unsatisfactory repairs.
- Long response times: Customers claim that callbacks and correspondence with customer support staff take a long time.
- High service call fees: Customers note high service call fees or multiple service call fees for claims.
Average Customer Rating
Cinch has mixed customer review scores. Its BBB page has over 1,500 responses with a score of 1.1 out of 5 stars. Its Trustpilot page has a score of 3.8 out of 5 stars and over 3,100 reviews.
These scores are slightly below the industry standard. Most home warranty companies have at least 2.5 out of 5 stars. Overall, these industry-wide scores conflict with our survey results. Our data shows that 92.5% of all respondents were either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their policy and company performance.
Customer Reviews
Here’s a sampling of third-party customer reviews for Cinch Home Services:
Positive Reviews
Negative Reviews
Cinch Home Services vs. Competitors
The following table provides an in-depth comparison of Cinch Home Services and other top-rated home warranty providers.
| Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B+ | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| NR | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| A+ | $44–$58 | $70 | VISIT SITE | |
| B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | VISIT SITE |
| Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Response Time | BBB Rating | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinch Home Services |  | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | 2-24 hours | B+ | VISIT SITE |
| First American Home Warranty |  | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | 4-48 hours | B | VISIT SITE |
| Liberty Home Guard |  | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | Up to 48 hours | NR | VISIT SITE |
| American Home Shield |  | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | Up to 48 hours | B | VISIT SITE |
| Elite Home Warranty |  | $44–$58 | $70 | Up to 48 hours | A+ | VISIT SITE |
| Select Home Warranty |  | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | 48-84 hours | B- | VISIT SITE |
| Cinch Home Services | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $30–$56 |
| Service Fee | $100–$150 |
| Response Time | 2-24 hours |
| BBB Rating | B+ |
| First American Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $42–$82 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| Response Time | 4-48 hours |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Liberty Home Guard | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $49–$59 |
| Service Fee | $65–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | NR |
| American Home Shield | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Monthly Cost | $29–$89 |
| Service Fee | $100–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Elite Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $44–$58 |
| Service Fee | $70 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Select Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Monthly Cost | $44–$47 |
| Service Fee | $60–$75 |
| Response Time | 48-84 hours |
| BBB Rating | B- |
Cinch vs. American Home Shield
American Home Shield has better coverage than Cinch Home Services and is a more popular choice for homeowners. According to our survey results, 37% of 1,000 respondents chose to go with AHS.
Cinch and AHS cover preexisting conditions. AHS has higher coverage caps and more robust add-ons. However, Cinch covers various niche and tertiary items that AHS doesn’t, including nonessential components for home appliances such as glass, knobs, doors, etc.
Cinch Home Services has lower monthly premiums. AHS’s premiums are $29–$89, while Cinch’s are $30–$56. Service call fees are similarly priced, with AHS having a slightly lower range from $100–$125 and Cinch $100–$150. The breakdown of plan policies is the largest difference between Cinch and AHS. Cinch has an appliance, system, and combination plan. AHS only offers combination plans covering both appliances and home systems.
Cinch vs. Select Home Warranty
Select Home Warranty is a budget-friendly alternative to more comprehensive companies like Cinch Home Services. It offers lower-cost plans with wider add-on options that allow homeowners to create a custom and affordable policy. Select’s monthly premiums are under $50, with service call fees ranging from $60–$75.
Cinch outshines Select in coverage and overall plan quality. Select’s plans have a $500 cap, except for HVAC coverage, which has a $3,000 cap. Cinch provides a $2,000 appliance cap. Its Built-in Systems Plan has $500–$3,000 coverage caps.
How To Choose a Home Warranty
We recommend taking the following steps when shopping for a home warranty plan:
Home Warranty Cost Calculator
We created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty. Use the following steps to calculate your projected cost:
- Enter your monthly premium
- Enter your service call fee
- Enter your estimated number of claims
It’s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers, as annual costs and service fees vary.
Use the table below to compare your calculated cost to repair and replacement costs for common appliances.
| Appliance | Average Repair Cost | Average Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dehumidifier | $50–$200 | $1,300–$2,800 |
| Microwave | $50–$400 | $60–$2,000 |
| Dishwasher | $50–$500 | $400–$3,000 |
| Exhaust Fans | $16–$300 | $250–$950 |
| Electric Range | $100–$500 | $230–$3,000 |
| Gas Range | $100–$500 | $230–$3,000 |
| Dryer | $100–$400 | $450–$2,300 |
| Oven | $100–$430 | $400–$3,000 |
| Washer | $50–$450 | $400–$2,300 |
| Freezer | $90–$500 | $160–$2,900 |
| Refrigerator | $40–$350 | $200–$5,000 |
What’s Our Verdict on Cinch Home Services?
Cinch Home Services may be a good option if you want comprehensive coverage for systems and appliances. Its coverage for items with preexisting conditions, 180-day workmanship guarantee, and extensive network of service providers make it worth considering. However, Cinch may not be a good choice if you need roof-leak coverage or deductibles below $100.
Our Cinch Home Services review yielded 4.6 out of 5 stars. Not only does Cinch provide extensive coverage on important home items, but it also offers coverage for components and parts such as knobs, doors, and drawers. Further, Cinch provides additional benefits such as a $25 credit for AC or fridge filters and an easy-to-use digital dashboard.
FAQ About Cinch Some Services
Is Cinch Home Services owned by Sears?
No, Cinch is not owned by Sears, but you can buy Sears’s warranty through Cinch.
What is the average cost of a plan with Cinch Home Services?
The average cost of a Cinch Home Services plan is between $30–$56 per month.
What isn't covered under Cinch Home Services?
Common exclusions include non-mechanical items in your home, such as the roof, windows, walls, and doors. Additionally, items that were improperly installed or repaired might not be covered.
Can I choose my own service technician with Cinch Home Services?
No, in most circumstances, Cinch will select a technician for you. However, Cinch may allow you to choose your own technician if there are no in-network service providers near you.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
