Cinch Home Services Review | 2021

Home Service Research Team
·7 min read

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In this article, we discuss Cinch Home Services and examine the company's coverage plans, cost, claims process, and more. The provider currently offers two months free on all plans (with exclusions) to homeowners. Continue reading to determine if Cinch is the best home warranty company for your home protection needs.

To get a free quote from Cinch Home Services, call 888-520-1711 or fill out this online form.

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Cinch Home Services Pros & Cons

Background & State Availability

Cinch Home Services, formerly known as Cross Country Home Services, is one of the most popular home warranty companies in the industry. Cinch was featured in the 2018 edition of Inc. 5000's fastest-growing companies list, and it now responds to more than a million service requests every year.

  • Years in Business: 41 years

  • BBB Rating: B

  • Number of Reviews: 1,134

  • State Availability: 48 states*

*Cinch Home Services is unavailable in Alaska and Hawaii.

Cinch Home Services Plans & Coverage

Cinch Home Services offers three different coverage plans: a Built-in Systems plan, an Appliances plan, and a Complete Home plan. The Built-in Systems plan and Appliances plan only cover systems and appliances, respectively, while the Complete Home plan covers both appliances and systems.

Here's a few benefits of coverage with Cinch Home Services:

  • Rust and corrosion coverage: Your service request will not be denied because of rust or corrosion.

  • Discounts on new appliances: Cinch offers discounts on new appliances, such as refrigerators and ovens.

  • 180-day workmanship guarantee: If your home service issue persists after a Cinch technician visits your home, the company will cover additional repair visits for free for up to 180 days.

  • Coverage for items with unknown pre-existing conditions: Unlike many of its competitors, Cinch offers protection for items with unknown preexisting conditions.

Optional Add-Ons & Benefits

Cinch Home Services also offers optional coverage for the following items:

  • Pool (including heater for all options): Pool, spa, pool w/spa

  • Plumbing: Septic tank/pumping, well pump

  • Premium Upgrade Package: This helps cover the cost (up to $1,000 per claim) when there are charges that are not normally covered under a home protection plan, such as permits and code upgrades. Homeowners should note that coverage limits apply.

Coverage Limits

We recommend that you review Cinch's sample contract to get an overall idea of what limitations and exclusions apply to each covered item. Cinch provides a maximum of $10,000 per term agreement for covered items. Here are some of the major coverage limits you can expect from Cinch:

  • Air Conditioning Including Ductwork: Outside or underground piping, well pump, and well pump components for geothermal and/or water source heat pump, interconnecting refrigerant lines (external of the equipment) window units, water towers, chillers, chiller components, water lines, and legally mandated diagnostic testing when replacing heating or cooling equipment

  • Electrical: Damage caused by overloading component wiring or cables of audio/video/computer/intercom/alarm/security wiring or telephone systems; or damage to overload protection and face plates

  • Refrigerator: Freestanding freezer, multimedia centers built into appliances, wine chillers, and consumables

  • Water Heater: Auxiliary holding or storage tanks, fuel storage tank, or energy conservation unit(s)

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Cinch Home Services Cost

Cinch Home Services plans have flexible prices. The higher the service fee you choose, the lower your monthly premium will be, and vice versa. The specific cost of your plan also varies depending on your zip code and the deductible you choose. Each plan comes with the option for a $75 or a $100 service fee.

Here is the minimum cost of each of Cinch's plans:

Cinch Home Services Reviews

Cinch Home Services received a B rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is accredited by the organization. Cinch Home Services reviews on the website are mixed, with both happy and unhappy customers leaving feedback, which is common across the home warranty industry.

Here's a sampling of Cinch Home Services BBB reviews:

The entire process worked out very well. My service request was made online. I received a confirmation email immediately thereafter. It was followed by another email with the name of the technician and the expected arrival time window and date. The technician called me about 20 minutes ahead when he was on his way. He was very professional, wearing uniform, introduced himself and gave his business card.

—Sam M., 5/3/2021

The air-conditioning company that came to do the check up was very qualified, knowledgeable, professional, thorough and friendly.

—Marilyn W., 5/10/2021

This company has not lived up to their promises and the customer service reps have not properly handled my issues.

—Martez C., 4/20/2021

I am so frustrated, I feel I have been scammed.

—Josy S., 4/8/2021

How to Submit a Claim with Cinch

There are two ways customers can submit a claim with Cinch Home Services:

  1. You can call the customer service team seven days a week (including holidays and weekends) at 844-324-5688.

  2. You can complete a claim online using your Cinch account.

Verdict & Recommendation

Overall, we recommend Cinch Home Services to homeowners looking for a home protection plan. Since Cinch's service fees are higher than other companies, customers will want to factor in that part of the cost when evaluating whether a plan is right for them. Homeowners do have the flexibility of choosing a service fee on the lower end, which may raise the cost of the monthly premium.

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Compare Home Warranty Companies

To help our readers find the right home warranty company, we analyzed a variety of providers on factors like coverage plans, customer reviews, and cost. Using this research, we compiled a list of the best home warranty companies.

As seen in the table below, American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty earned high scores from our review team. We found that American Home Shield is the best overall provider, while Choice is the best for older homes.

Best Membership Perks

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Best Overall

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Best Basic Plan

bhg BUY IT

Best Discounts

bhg BUY IT

Best Coverage Upgrade

bhg BUY IT

Best Plan Variety

bhg BUY IT

Home Warranty Rating Methodology

The Home Service Research Team at Better Homes & Gardens strives to provide unbiased and objective reviews to readers by compiling relevant information on home warranty companies and rating the providers on a variety of factors.

Here's what our review process looks like:

  • We examine each provider's website to determine plan details, coverage, customer service offerings, and other benefits. We also speak with company representatives to get more insight on plan details.

  • We read sample contracts from each home warranty company to analyze and compare coverage details, limits, and exclusions.

  • We read at least 100 third-party customer reviews for each home warranty company to determine the real-life benefits and drawbacks of each provider.

  • We gather cost information for a variety of home warranty plans in different states by completing online quote forms and speaking with sales representatives to simulate the quote process.

  • We revisit each company's offerings on a seasonal basis, ensuring that we include the most up-to-date information in our reviews.

We also created a 100-point rating system to score companies based on objective factors, such as plan options, coverage, and customer service:

Overall, the Home Service Research Team has reviewed over 70 home warranty companies to select the top-rated providers in the industry.

Cinch Home Services FAQ

Does Cinch Home Services have coverage limits on its plans?

Yes, Cinch Home Services has a maximum coverage limit for certain items. You can find these limits in the company's sample terms.

How many service requests can I make in a year?

As long as you have not hit the $10,000 maximum coverage cap, you can make an unlimited number of service requests for the covered items in your Cinch plan.

What is not covered under a Cinch Home Services plan?

Like most home warranty companies, Cinch Home Services doesn't cover non-mechanical items in your home, such as the doors, walls, windows, and roof. While Cinch covers unknown pre-existing conditions, it doesn't cover items that were improperly installed or repaired.

How do I file a claim with Cinch Home Services?

You can file a claim via Cinch's online customer portal, or you can call Cinch's 24/7 customer service hotline.

Where can I read more Cinch Home Services reviews?

You can read more Cinch Home Services reviews on the company's BBB profile or on its Trustpilot webpage.