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Is a home warranty just a waste of money? Some feel this way. But for others, it is a real budget-saver. Home warranties are meant to help you when an appliance or system (such as HVAC) breaks and you need it fixed. They are also useful when it’s beyond repair and you require a new one.
But be careful! It’s extremely important that you read every part of your contract* so you know what is and isn’t covered. So let’s dig in and see how Cinch (formerly Total Protect) stacks up versus the other home warranty companies you may be considering.
*Good for you! You are reading every part of this article! (This is to help you look for those small asterisks in contracts.)
Cinch Home Warranty Review
Product Name: Cinch Home Warranty
Product Description: Cinch is a home warranty offered by Cross Country Home Services, Inc. (CCHS). They offer a 180-day guarantee and three deductible levels: $100, $125 or $150 (higher deductibles means lower monthly premiums). They offer an appliance package starting $27.99/month, a built-in systems package starting at $32.99/month, and a complete package that covers both.
Summary
Cinch is a home warranty offered by Cross Country Home Services, Inc. (CCHS). They are the only home warranty company to offer a 180-day guarantee – if the same problem happens again within 6 months Cinch will fix it at no extra cost to you. Their deductibles are higher than what competitors offer and you are unable to customize your plan. The number of complaints on their Better Business Bureau page may be reason for concern.
Overall
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Customer Service
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Coverage
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Work Quality
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Overall Value
Pros
- 180-day service quality guarantee
- Covers a wide range of appliances and systems
- File claims 24/7 online or on the phone
- Available in 48 states (not Alaska or Hawaii)
- BBB rating: B
Cons
- They go by many names so you may have to look under a different name to find them in your area
- Deductibles are higher than competitors
- No custom plan
- Many complaints on the BBB page
- Not available in Alaska or Hawaii
Consumer Reviews
This is the aggregate score of reader reviews we’ve received. Have a good or bad experience with Cinch? Feel free to leave your own review in the comments. Please note that only ratings with valid review content will be published and counted.
5 Key Features
- Cinch is a product offered by Cross Country Home Services, Inc. (CCHS). Another popular home warranty company, HMS Home Warranty, is also owned by CCHS.
- 180-day guarantee – if the same problem happens again within 6 months Cinch will fix it at no extra cost to you (Cinch is the only home warranty provider that offers this).
- Three deductible levels: $100, $125 or $150 (higher deductibles means lower monthly premiums).
- BBB accredited with a B rating.
- Offered in 48 states (not Alaska or Hawaii), however coverage may vary depending on where you live.
Plans
Cinch Home Services offers three coverage plans. All plans include an air conditioner or water filter credit (a $25 credit after your first payment), and a water sensor (helps you detect leaks in your home, ships after your first payment).
- Appliances ($27.99/mo+) – covers major appliances, from washer and dryer to refrigerator.
- Built-In Systems ($32.99/mo+) – covers systems such as HVAC (heating and air conditioning), ductwork, water heater, electrical, etc.
- Complete Home ($39.99/mo+) – includes everything in the Appliances and Built-In Systems plans as well as a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement (reimburses you up to $500 when you have to pay a deductible on a covered homeowners insurance claim; one claim per year is allowed).
| Appliances | Built-In Systems |
|---|---|
| $27.99/mo+ | $32.99/mo+ |
| Clothes Dryers | Air Conditioning Including Ductwork |
| Clothes Washer | Attic Fans |
| Cooktops | Ceiling Fans |
| Dishwashers | Central Vacuums |
| Food Centers (Built-in) | Doorbells |
| Freestanding Ice Makers | Electrical System |
| Microwaves (Built-in) | Garage Door Openers |
| Ranges | Garbage Disposals |
| Range Exhaust Hoods | Heating System Including Ductwork |
| Refrigerators | Instant Hot/Cold Water Dispenser |
| Trash Compactors (Built-in) | Plumbing System |
| Wall Oven | Smoke Detectors |
| Sump Pump | |
| Toilets | |
| Water Heater | |
| Whirlpool/Jetted Tup (Built-in) |
Customer Feedback
Below are two positive and two negative reviews for Cinch to help you understand some of the good and the bad situations that customers have experienced.
Praise
Have had four different services covered and all were handled quickly, effortlessly and courteously. I am really happy I opted to get home protection when I did.
Barbara F., BBB 1/20/2020
I had just bought a refrigerator and I thought it was better to buy the full home appliance than just the refrigerator warranty. I got a warranty from Cinch and used them for the Samsung refrigerator when the icemaker messed up. It’s a counter-depth refrigerator, which is kind of rare, so the tech had to order a special part and have it sent here. He didn’t have anything that would fix it but he was really nice.
Jackie, Consumer Affairs 5/10/2020
Complaints
we never had issues like this when the company was HMS, however since becoming Cinch the service has been very disappointing. my oven broke and they are trying to tell me the only option to replace is with a size that doesn’t fit. how am I supposed to make a 27 inch oven fit a 21″ hole in the wall?? they are offering me a claim credit that barely covers 2/3 the cost of the cheapest option I can find. After 2 hours on the phone, they are refusing to help rectify this situation. I cannot believe I have wasted my money on a warranty that doesn’t hold up to their end of the deal. I will be looking for a new company for my business and would STRONGLY advise anyone looking for their services to look elsewhere.
Melissa H., BBB 5/12/2020
I’ve had Cinch Home Services for a couple of years. The first claim I ever put in was in February of this year for my heat downstairs that stopped working. That claim was fine. The people came out and they told Cinch I needed a compressor, so they replaced the unit. A month or so later, it got really warm one day so we put the air on and it didn’t work. So, I put a claim in. The first time, I paid Cinch 217. That was the only part I had to come out of pocket for for the whole unit downstairs. This time, when they said I needed a whole new unit upstairs, they didn’t cover anything but $900, and I had to come up with $2,300. They’re identical units. I don’t know if it’s the 2 different companies they sent. One itemized it, one just said I needed a compressor and a whole unit. I didn’t replace it so it’s hot upstairs. I wanna cancel.
Taneisha, Consumer Affairs 4/8/2020
Do You Really Need A Home Warranty?
Are you still wondering why you need a home warranty? Watch this short clip, maybe it will convince you!
How Does Cinch Compare?
Cinch is just one of the many home warranty companies we review. Check out our comprehensive home warranty comparison to see if there’s a better option.
Tagged With: Home Warranty, Review
