Cinch Home Services review 2024

Cinch Home Services, founded in 1979, offers some perks other home warranty providers don’t — such as a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement. Cinch also covers rust and corrosion damage, making it a solid choice if you live in a harsh climate. 

Our review provides an in-depth look at this popular home warranty company’s other perks, coverage plans, costs, add-on options and other details.

Our thoughts on Cinch Home Services

We gave Cinch 4.3 out of 5 stars after analyzing it against our in-depth review standards. Key parts of our process included requesting quotes, contacting customer service and reading the company’s sample contract.

Cinch excelled in our review standards’ service request and workmanship guarantee sections. However, it scored fewer points in the service call fee and pricing sections.

What we like

Cinch offers an extensive list of covered items, several of which are unique to Cinch, such as built-in food centers. Cinch provides a 180-day workmanship guarantee for all completed repairs, which is six times the industry standard of 30 days. This can offer extra peace of mind if you own older home appliances and systems.

Another unique feature we like is Cinch’s homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement. Cinch will cover up to $500 of your home insurance deductible once per policy term. On top of its additional perks, Cinch covers damage other home warranty companies exclude, such as rust and corrosion.

Part of our research involved investigating Cinch’s reputation. Cinch is a National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) member, meaning it must follow the NHSCA’s code of conduct. Member companies that act in bad faith get their membership rescinded, according to Pierce Haley, executive director of the NHSCA. 

What we don’t like

Cinch charges the highest service call fees of all the home warranty companies we’ve compared. Its fees range from $100 to $150 per claim, which is 23% higher than the industry average.

What Cinch makes up for in perks it lacks in roof-leak coverage. Unlike most home warranty companies, Cinch doesn’t offer roof-leak repair in standard plans or as an add-on. If you live in an area with frequent rainfall, opt for a home warranty company that offers this coverage.

Compare top home warranty companies

Cinch covers many major systems and appliances in its standard coverage plans but offers limited add-ons. If you prefer more customizable coverage and add-on variety, consider our other top-ranking companies, such as Liberty Home Guard and 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty.

Here’s how the best home warranty companies compare on key factors:

Company	BBB Rating	Our Rating	Monthly Cost	Appliance Coverage	System Coverage	See Plans
Our top pick Liberty Home Guard Visit Site	NR	4.6	$49–$60	$2,000	$500–$2,000	Visit Site
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Visit Site	A	4.5	$22–$74	$2,000–$5,000	$2,000–$5,000	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
Cinch Home Services Read view	B+	4.3	$47–$64	$2,000	$10,000	Read view
First American Home Warranty Visit Site	B	4.2	$60–$76	$3,500–$7,000	$1,000–unlimited	Visit Site
ARW Home Visit Site	A	4.0	$45-$85	N/A	N/A	Visit Site
Select Home Warranty Visit Site	B	3.9	$44–$48	$500	$500–$3,000	Visit Site

Company	BBB Rating	Our Rating	Monthly Cost	Appliance Coverage	System Coverage	See Plans
Our top pick Liberty Home Guard Visit Site	NR	4.6	$49–$60	$2,000	$500–$2,000	Visit Site
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Visit Site	A	4.5	$22–$74	$2,000–$5,000	$2,000–$5,000	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
Cinch Home Services Read view	B+	4.3	$47–$64	$2,000	$10,000	Read view
First American Home Warranty Visit Site	B	4.2	$60–$76	$3,500–$7,000	$1,000–unlimited	Visit Site
ARW Home Visit Site	A	4.0	$45-$85	N/A	N/A	Visit Site
Select Home Warranty Visit Site	B	3.9	$44–$48	$500	$500–$3,000	Visit Site

See all

Coverage plans 

Cinch offers three home protection plans. While secret shopping on Cinch’s website, we found that it includes a $25 air conditioner and refrigerator filter credit in each coverage plan. You can use this credit to purchase a new AC or fridge filter at select retailers. Below is a quick summary of each Cinch plan:

• Appliances Plan: This plan covers common major appliances such as built-in microwaves and clothes washers. 
• Built-in Systems Plan: This plan only covers home systems, including HVAC systems and water heaters.
• Complete Home Plan: This plan bundles all Appliances and Built-in Systems items into one comprehensive plan.

Several other factors affect the cost and value of Cinch’s home warranty plans, including the following:

• Workmanship guarantee: 180 days
• Appliance coverage caps: $2,000 per claim; $10,000 annual policy limit
• System coverage caps: $1,000–$10,000 per claim; $10,000 annual policy limit

The following tables highlight the items Cinch covers in each of its protection plans:

HVAC Coverage	Appliances	Built-in Systems	Complete Home
Air conditioning, including ductwork	✗	✓	✓
Central vacuum	✗	✓	✓
Doorbell	✗	✓	✓
Heating system, including ductwork	✗	✓	✓

Electrical Coverage
Electrical Coverage	Appliances	Built-in Systems	Complete Home
Attic fans	✗	✓	✓
Ceiling fans	✗	✓	✓
Electrical system	✗	✓	✓
Garage door openers	✗	✓	✓
Smoke detectors	✗	✓	✓

Plumbing Coverage	Appliances	Built-in Systems	Complete Home
Plumbing system	✗	✓	✓
Sump pump	✗	✓	✓
Toilets	✗	✓	✓
Water heater	✗	✓	✓
Whirlpool/jetted tub (built-in)	✗	✓	✓

Appliance Coverage	Appliances	Built-in Systems	Complete Home
Clothes dryer	✓	✗	✓
Clothes washer	✓	✗	✓
Cooktop	✓	✗	✓
Dishwasher	✓	✗	✓
Freestanding ice maker	✓	✗	✓
Microwave (built-in)	✓	✗	✓
Range	✓	✗	✓
Range exhaust hood	✓	✗	✓
Refrigerators	✓	✗	✓
Trash compactor (built-in)	✓	✗	✓

Additional coverage options

During secret shopping, we found that Cinch offers limited additional coverage options — six in total. However, one of its add-ons, the Premier Upgrade Package, has significant benefits. This add-on increases your plan’s coverage limits, adds code violation protection and more. Cinch’s add-ons including the following:

• Pool
• Pool with spa
• Septic tank and pumping
• Spa
• Well pump

Coverage exclusions

Cinch’s notable exclusions include the following:

• Commercial-grade items
• Covered items located in a detached unit from your home
• Failures caused by reasons outside normal wear and tear and mold damage
• Routine maintenance

We found it interesting that Cinch also excludes coverage for items that don’t have a visible model or serial number. If you’re considering Cinch, check that the items you need protected all have visible model or serial numbers.

When we requested a quote using Cinch’s online tool, it linked each plan’s sample contracts at the bottom of its “compare plans” drop-down menu. After reading all three sample contracts, we found they had the same items listed in the “general exclusions and limitations” section.

Quotes and pricing 

Like several other home warranty providers, Cinch offers three service call fee options. Selecting the higher service fee lowers your monthly premium and vice versa. We suggest choosing the higher service fee if you are on a restricted budget because Cinch will charge a lower premium.

The table below features monthly cost data based on a quote I pulled using a 2,188-square-foot, single-family home in Boca Raton, Florida. Your pricing could vary depending on your location, home size and plan selection.

Plan Name	$100 Service Call Fee	$125 Service Call  Fee	$150 Service Call Fee
Appliances Plan	$40.99	$39.32	$35.99
Built-in Systems Plan	$47.99	$44.32	$40.99
Complete Home Plan	$56.99	$53.32	$50.99

Customer thoughts

Cinch holds accreditation and a B rating from Better Business Bureau (BBB). Cinch has poor customer reviews on BBB; however, low BBB customer ratings were common for several other home warranty companies we reviewed. BBB helps facilitate customer complaint resolutions, which may explain why customers write mostly negative reviews on the site.

Cinch has 3.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Multiple customer reviews note Cinch’s quick and easy sign-up process. This Trustpilot review from Sandra N. highlights Cinch’s sales representatives’ professional service.

Many negative reviews reference Cinch’s slow claims resolutions. Jamie A.’s November 16, 2023, review reported that she’d had an unresolved claim for a broken shower handle since October 26.

How do I use my Cinch coverage plan?

After purchasing a plan from Cinch, you won’t be able to file your first claim until after the 30-day waiting period. You can find this information in your coverage plan’s contract. To effectively use your coverage plan, you must understand the stipulations that apply. This involves reading your service contract carefully and knowing your options for filing a claim.

Read your service contract

Once you sign up for a plan, read your service contract fully. While most of the information is available in the sample contracts online, you should familiarize yourself with your plan’s terms to avoid claim denials. Here are the sections you should review:

• Section III — When your coverage applies: This section includes the general terms for covered breakdowns, item replacements and alternate claim reimbursement options. It also provides information on Cinch’s service providers and the rules for choosing your own.
• Section IV — Requesting and receiving service: This section lists your responsibilities when filing a claim, the accommodations you must provide for your service provider and other service request stipulations.
• Section V — Coverage details: This section indicates all the items your plan covers. It also lists per-item coverage limits, your plan’s annual limit and components Cinch won’t repair or replace.
• Section VI — General exclusions and limitations: As the name suggests, this section outlines Cinch’s coverage exclusions. Each exclusion category is numbered and followed by a bulleted list of specific coverage exclusions.
• Section IX — Cancellation information: This section details Cinch’s cancellation policy.

File a claim

Cinch provides two options for requesting service: a 24/7 claims hotline and an online claims portal. Section IV of Cinch’s sample contract has all the service request provisions you must follow for a successful claim. For instance, you must submit a claim immediately after you notice a covered item has broken down. Waiting until the next day to contact Cinch can lead to a denied claim.

Cinch indicates that it will respond to your service request within two hours of receiving your claim during normal business hours. If you file your claim after normal business hours, Cinch will attempt to respond in 24 hours.

How long does my coverage plan last?

Section III of Cinch’s sample contract mentions your coverage plan’s effective date and length. Your plan will last 12 months unless you sign up for a multiyear policy.

Section VIII of Cinch’s sample contract provides detailed information on canceling your coverage plan. Like most reputable home warranty companies, Cinch provides a 30-day free cancellation period during which Cinch will refund your entire premium. However, if you terminate your plan after the free cancellation period, you’re responsible for a $25 processing fee and any applicable fees.

How should I handle a dispute with Cinch?

If you have a contractual dispute with Cinch, there are some things you can do to reach a resolution.

1. Review your coverage: Go back and review your service contract again. Ensure that Cinch lists your issue as a covered breakdown.
2. Contact Cinch: Communicate with Cinch and ask for a resolution once you confirm your breakdown is covered. We suggest contacting Cinch at least three times before filing a complaint with your state’s consumer protection agency.
3. Document your communication efforts: Each time you contact Cinch, note who you spoke with and the date of your communication. This ensures you’ve done your due diligence should you need to escalate the matter.
4. Contact the NHSCA or your state’s consumer protection agency: Since Cinch is an accredited member of the 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: Cinch features great perks and comprehensive coverage but limited add-on variety

Cinch covers a generous list of appliances and systems with its protection plans. Its unique perks, such as its homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement feature, add value to an already robust coverage lineup. 

However, you must purchase Cinch’s most expensive plan to take advantage of its perks. In addition, you’ll pay higher service call fees with Cinch compared to other top providers.

We recommend pulling quotes from at least three home warranty companies before settling with Cinch to compare pricing and coverage options. Fill out Cinch’s quote form to request your personalized estimate.

Our rating methodology for home warranty companies

BBB and Trustpilot ratings are accurate as of December 2023.