Cross Country Home Services Review
Cross Country Home Services (CCHS) offers a variety of home warranties and repair and maintenance contracts to consumers. The company also sells the Service Response Platform to provide household maintenance alerts through smart home service providers. The company is ranked among the Inc. 5000 with an 86 percent growth over the past five years and won awards for customer service. The U.S.-based company opened for business in 1978 and currently operates two service centers to assist customers 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Pros
- Service centers located in the U.S.
- Customer service available 24/7 every day of the year
- Licensed and insured service contractors
- Sample contract available for review online
Cons
- Arbitration clause required
- Deductibles slightly higher than other home warranties
Cross Country Home Services Home Warranty Features
Cross Country Home Services, better known as CCHS, offers three TotalProtect home warranty service plans, each with options for customizing coverage to provide the best service level for the homeowner. All home warranty plans come with Cross Country Home Services’ Workmanship Guarantee, which guarantees repairs for 180 days. The Appliances Plan, Systems Plan, and Combo Plan each include:
- Coverage for unknown pre-existing conditions
- Limited rust and corrosion coverage
- No inspection required to qualify
- Add spa and pool coverage within 30 days of plan purchase
Cross Country Home Services does not cap the total annual coverage payout, but there are limits on some items depending on the plan. Understand the difference between home warranties and insurance and read the entire contract to know how CCHS covers repairs. Like most home warranty companies, an arbitration clause in TotalProtect service contracts requires dispute resolution via binding arbitration, which limits the consumer’s ability to sue or join a class-action lawsuit.
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CCHS Appliances Plan: The Cross Country Home Services TotalProtect Appliances Plan covers a refrigerator, cooktop or range and exhaust hood, wall ovens, clothes washer and dryer and built-in microwaves, dishwashers, and trash compactors. It’s worth noting the TotalProtect Appliances Plan covers refrigerators with built-in water dispensers and ice makers since many home warranties charge extra to add this coverage.
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Systems Plan Home Warranty: The TotalProtect Systems Plan from Cross Country Home Services is designed to cover the core home systems, such as up to two furnaces and air conditioners and garbage disposal. Covered plumbing systems include a water heater, plumbing stoppages, plumbing lines, sump pump, whirlpool bath and toilets. Electrical and gas utility systems coverage includes interior gas and electric lines, an attic or whole-house fan, main breaker or fuse box, garage door opener, central vacuum, doorbells, and wired smoke detectors.
Due to the complexity of plumbing systems, TotalProtect Systems Plans exclude coverage on some types of stoppages, which is spelled out in the contract and is standard for home warranties. The Systems Plan provides limited refrigerant replacement and covers repairs on two air conditioners, which are usually add-ons to other home warranties.
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Combo Plan Comprehensive Home Warranty: TotalProtect Combo plan is the highest-coverage home warranty Cross Country Home Services offers. This plan combines the Systems and Appliances plans with homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement. The TotalProtect Combo Plan pays you up to $500 annually if you make a homeowner’s insurance claim and pay a deductible. Some restrictions apply.
Cross Country Home Services Warranty Costs and Deals
The cost for a TotalProtect home warranty from Cross Country Home Services varies slightly by region because of fluctuating repair costs across the country and state regulations for home warranties. You pay a $125 deductible, known as a service fee, for each repair. However, if an appliance or system needs a duplicate repair within six months after the initial repair, you won’t pay the deductible again.
- Appliances Plan: $35.95
- Systems Plan: $42.95
- Combo Plan: $54.95
TotalProtect does not run promotions year-round. Unless otherwise specified, promotions can’t be combined with other offers, and are not valid in AZ, IA, MA or WA.
| Promotion | How to Qualify |
|---|---|
| $100 Off Combo Plans | If you don’t get this offer by email or on the website, call to sign up for a Combo Plan by phone. Ask for the $100 off promo and pay the annual premium in full. |
| First Month Free | This offer is usually presented via email or on the website and entitles you to one free month on your home warranty. |
| $50 Gift Card | This promotion runs at various times throughout the year, either on the website or in an email. Gift card is from your choice of over 50 retailers. |
| Nest Protect Smoke + CO Alarm | This offer applies to the Combo Plan when you purchase a Nest Protect Smoke + CO Alarm through TotalProtect. |
Shopping for a Cross Country Home Services Home Warranty Online
Consumers can use Cross Country Home Services’ website to determine the home warranty they want and to add optional services to the contract. TotalProtect Home Warranty makes access to contracts obvious so you can read the details before deciding if a home warranty is right for you. Each plan’s coverage and exclusions are broken down into simple language on the plan comparison page. Enter your ZIP code and email address to see a quote immediately. If you want to buy a plan, you can sign up on the spot. An advantage to requesting a quote is that you may receive promotional deals via email within a few days.
Cross Country Home Services Contractors
Over 40,000 prequalified service contractors work with CCHS to provide home warranty repairs. Cross Country Home Services Network Managers routinely visit contractors to review customer feedback and discuss ways to improve service. CCHS service contractors must fulfill a rigorous set of requirements:
- Be fully licensed in their trade
- Carry at least $1 million in general liability and $500,000 in vehicle liability insurance
- Maintain Workers’ Compensation insurance
- Be willing to be graded by TotalProtect Dynamic Vendor Rating Systems with rewards for quality work
Cross Country Home Services Complaints
ConsumerAffairs accredits Cross Country Home Services with a 3.25 out of 5-star rating. Complaints typically revolve around homeowners not reading plan coverage terms and conditions, which frequently happens across the industry. CCHS is very responsive to complaints, and most have resolutions in progress. Positive reviews note the company’s quick response to repairs and the ease of filing claims. We found average-to-high consumer ratings on other sites, with 3.5 to 4.5 out of 5 stars across multiple review sites.
Reviews on Yelp give CCHS an average 1 star out of 5, but many poor reviews are from customers who were dissatisfied when the company would not pay for items not covered under the service contract, or by the service fee for each repair. It is vital to read the contracts made readily available by Cross Country Home Services and ask questions to understand how home warranties work.
Cross Country Home Services Q&A
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Can I use my preferred contractor for repairs serviced by a Cross Country Home Services home warranty?
Because CCHS vets each contractor in their extensive nationwide network, you can’t select who makes warranty repairs. CCHS takes recommendations for service providers and will contact your preferred contractor to discuss working together. -
When can I expect service after filing a claim with Cross Country Home Services TotalProtect home warranty?
CCHS usually provides a referral to a network contractor within two hours of receiving claims during regular business hours and within 24 hours on weekends and after hours. You schedule an appointment with the referred repair company. Given CCHS standards for contractors, you should have your repair done promptly. -
Does Cross Country Home Services require an inspection for coverage?
Unless your home is significantly older, there is no inspection requirement for coverage under a CCHS home warranty. -
Do home warranties from Cross Country Home Services cover normal wear and tear?
Yes, TotalProtect plans cover mechanical failure due to ordinary wear and tear. -
How long are Cross Country Home Services home warranty contracts?
TotalProtect home warranty plans from CCHS renew annually. Renewals are automatic unless the customer cancels. -
How soon does coverage start after I buy a Cross Country Home Services home warranty?
Cross Country Home Services warranty plans have a standard 30-day waiting period after purchase.
Conclusion
Cross Country Home Services TotalProtect home warranties are designed to pick up where homeowners insurance leaves off. Average annual home repair costs are around 1 percent of property value, which can quickly drain savings. CCHS eases budgeting for repairs with a flat monthly fee for a year of service. A home warranty repair plan can be a solution to ensure your home remains in good condition at a minimal cost.