Cinch Home Services Review
Formally known as Cross Country Home Services aCinch Home Services has over 40 years of experience in the home warranty business. The company rebranded to reflect the hassle-free experience customers can expect. Now, the company offers a mobile app that can connect you to a technician in two hours, and repair work is backed by an extensive 180-day guarantee.
Pros
- Covers unknown pre-existing conditions
- 180-day workmanship guarantee
- Fast claims response times via mobile app
- Variable service fee option that can lower monthly premiums
Cons
- No roof coverage
- Expensive service fee
Cinch Home Services Warranty Plans
Cinch Home Services offers three repair contracts with several add-on options.
- Plan types: 3
- Response time: 2 hours
- States served: 47 states (not Alaska, California, or Hawaii)
- Service fee: $100 – $150
Sample contracts on the website reveal that Cinch provides good coverage levels with some exclusions. These exclusions are relatively standard and include items like exterior pipes and free-standing freezers.
- The Appliances plan covers washers, dryers and all major kitchen appliances.
- The Built-In Systems plan includes your furnace, water heater, garbage disposal, plumbing, heating, cooling and built-in whirlpool tub.
- The Complete Home plan combines appliance and system coverage. You’ll also get up to a $500 reimbursement on your homeowners insurance deductible if you have to file a claim with your homeowners insurance.
Another reason Cinch is on our list of top companies is that each plan features four components not provided in one package offered by competitors:
- 180-day workmanship guarantee: If the repair doesn’t fix the problem, Cinch will ensure it gets corrected at no additional cost. The guarantee covers parts and labor.
- Unknown pre-existing conditions coverage: Some home warranties don’t cover repairs required due to unknown pre-existing failures before you purchased the property. Cinch Home Services does not make this exclusion.
- Rust and corrosion coverage: Often excluded from home warranties, Cinch pays for repairs required due to rusting and corrosion.
- New appliance discounts: Want to upgrade your appliances? Cinch will help you buy a replacement for less.
Cinch’s Online Customer Portal
Cinch Home Services provides a portal for customers to file a claim online and manage their home warranty plan. It provides a mobile-friendly and secure online portal called “My Account” where you can easily file a claim and manage your warranty plan. Use this feature to download your plan documents, open a service request, see how existing orders are progressing and update contact and payment information. Cinch’s My Account services are available 24/7.
Cinch Home Services Costs
Cinch Home Services plans range from $30.99 per month to $44.99 per month. Per-service deductibles are $100, $125 and $150. This is higher than other companies on this list, but its affordable monthly premiums help balance out the total costs. Choose a higher deductible to reduce the cost of the home warranty.
The optional monthly add-on service costs range from $2.50 for septic repairs to $13.33 for outdoor pool and/or spa (including heater) coverage. The Premier Upgrade Package is available for $10 per month. It helps pay for things like permits and code upgrades (up to $1,000, two claims per year) related to a covered repair.
Location | Appliances Plan | Built-In Systems Plan | Complete Plan |
Milwaukee, WI | $75.99 / $74.32 / $65.99 | $83.99 / $80.32 / $71.99 | $99.99 / $96.32 / $87.99 |
Charlotte, NC | $48.99 / $47/32 / $38.99 | $55.99 / $52.32 / $43.99 | $66.99 / $63.32 / $54.99 |
Oklahoma City, OK | $48.99 / $47.32 / $38.99 | $55.99 / $52.32 / $43.99 | $66.99 / $63.32 / $54.99 |
Seattle, WA | $54.99 / $53.32 / $44.99 | $61.99 / $58.32 / $49.99 | $72.99 / $69.32 / $60.99 |
Cinch Home Services Limits
Though some companies offer higher aggregate limits, Cinch’s maximum coverage limit per term is $10,000. Coverage limits will vary, but the sample contract notes a cap of $1,500 for A/C and heating units, a $1,000 cap for plumbing repairs, and a $2,000 cap for appliances per agreement term.
How to Get a Warranty and File a Claim
You can use the quote tool on the Cinch Home Services website to buy a home warranty or call the company. Enter your ZIP code and select a plan to get an online quote. Choose any options you want to include in the warranty, and then you can purchase the agreement or save it for later.
The quote tool provides prices for each plan and option, so you won’t be surprised by the cost at any point in the process. The tool also includes the contract terms with each warrant, which details the repairs covered. If you have any questions, call the number at the top of the quote tool.
Cinch’s on-demand service is available online for appliance repairs, even for those without a protection plan. Just click on “No Plan? Find a Pro” to access the on-demand scheduler.
To file a claim, navigate to the website or mobile app or call the number listed on the website. You’ll pay a service fee online at the time you schedule service. The payment is applied to the total charge for the repair. Same-day service is available for a higher cost.
If the request is submitted during normal business hours, Cinch will use reasonable efforts to provide a referral to a service professional within two hours. Any request received outside normal business hours has a 24-hour wait time.
Cinch Home Services Complaints
We found negative reviews for Cinch Home Services resulting from the company subcontracting with other home warranty companies like Sears. The company also has hundreds of 5-star reviews that mention fast service and helpful customer service agents.
ConsumerAffairs readers give Cinch Home Services 4.25 out of 5 stars based on more than 500 reviews. The company scores 3.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and gets a B from the Better Business Bureau. Several complaints about Homsesure of America, Inc mention service delays due to supply issues. The company has issued a statement that directs customers to contact their representatives directly for a resolution.
Our Experience With Cinch Home Services
As with most home warranty plans, we recommend reading the terms and conditions carefully before signing a contract with any provider. Cinch Home Service’s sample contract lists several limitations and exclusions, like capping gas line coverage to lines less than 500 feet and reserving the right to get a second contractor opinion before determining coverage eligibility.
Cinch also has a very easy online quote feature. We could source a quote using just our email and zip code. This made it easy for us to compare premiums against the variable service fee and budget for coverage across all three plans. The website advertises plans that start at $30.99, but the closest we got to that figure during our research in April 2023 was $38.99 for the appliance plan with a $150 service charge for homes in the southern region of the country.
Cinch Home Services Q&A
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What if I change my mind about Cinch Home Services? Can I cancel my home warranty?
Cinch Home Services will fully refund your contract fees if you don’t file a claim within 30 days of the date coverage starts. If you made a claim in those 30 days and want to cancel, you will receive a partial refund or will pay for the repair minus the refund amount.
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Can I buy a Cinch Home Services warranty when I sell my house?
Offering a home warranty can help sell your property faster since the buyer won’t need to be concerned with breakdowns for a year. Cinch Home Services provides a seller plan for as low as $50 to cover heating and air conditioning. More substantial plans are available with a comprehensive selection of optional coverages.
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Will Cinch Home Services issue a warranty package for a mobile home?
Cinch home warranties cover single-family houses, condominiums, townhouses, villas or manufactured homes with a permanent foundation. The company does not cover mobile homes.
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What if I want a home warranty while comparing Cinch on-demand quotes?
Cinch Home Services allows you to upgrade on-demand service to a Cinch Home Protection plan as you schedule service. If you decide a home warranty will save you money, you can take advantage of the savings immediately.
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How do I know what I buy online with a Cinch Home Services Warranty?
Cinch gives you access to the contracts for the three home warranties and the add-on services. We always recommend reading contract terms carefully to determine if a home warranty is worth the cost for you. Many people benefit from these repair contracts, but the arrangement isn’t ideal for everyone.
Conclusion
Cinch Home Services brings a modern approach to home warranties by integrating technology with generous home warranty terms. The company also offers an on-demand repair service for those not interested in buying a home warranty. Cinch Home Services provides all contract terms on its website and backs up claims with a 180-day workmanship guarantee.