Cinch Home Services Home Warranty Review 2026: Plans and Cost
A 180-day repair guarantee and plans that cover two of most items make Cinch Home Services worth considering.
Cinch Home Services offers three plans in most states, all of which cover the same systems and appliances but offer different services. Customers can choose from different service fees to better fit their budgets, and the company’s 180-day guarantee means you won’t be charged a service fee for any failed repairs that fall in that time frame. However, a lower maximum coverage limit and four ways of applying coverage caps might give some homeowners pause.
Cinch offers different plans in California than in other states. The NerdWallet Home Services editorial team outlines differences in coverage, policies and pricing for California homeowners in the relevant sections throughout this review. Look for sections specifically relating to California coverage if you live in the state.
NerdWallet’s editorial team took a deep dive into Cinch Home Services’s plans, reading each plan’s individual sample contract (there are six of them) from top to bottom, comparing its policies and exclusions with those of its competitors, collecting quotes for different plans and locations, and researching customer satisfaction on consumer review websites and Reddit. We’ve done all the work so you can get a clear and complete picture of Cinch Home Services’s home warranty plans.
Cinch Home Services guarantees their technicians' repairs for 180 days, which is much longer than their competitors' standard 30-day and 60-day guarantees.
The Nerd’s take on Cinch Home Services
Cinch Home Services guarantees their technicians' repairs for 180 days, which is much longer than their competitors' standard 30-day and 60-day guarantees.
NerdWallet rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
What makes it shine: Cinch Home Services offers competitive pricing with three service-fee options, so you can choose which plan structure works best for your budget. Additionally, plans outside California cover the same items but let you choose if you want to pay more to have items replaced if needed. This is a unique style of plan that might work better for some homeowners.
Cinch also covers two units of most items, such as two water heaters, two air conditioning systems and two of most kitchen appliances. This is a bonus for homeowners with two kitchens or a kitchenette somewhere else in their house. The company also covers some pre-existing conditions and malfunctions caused by rust, corrosion and sediment, which is excluded by some competitors.
And Cinch has a 180-day workmanship guarantee, which means you don’t have to pay a service fee if a technician has to repeat a repair because it didn’t fix it the first time.
What could be better: Despite having three service fee options, Cinch is on the higher end compared with some of its competitors. The company also offers different plans in California than in other states; although the coverage limits and some policies are similar to those in other states’ plans, it’s an unusual setup. Additionally, outside of California, customers can’t choose a plan to cover just appliances or just systems but have to go with a comprehensive plan.
Cinch’s $10,000 aggregate limit (the most it’ll pay for repairs during a service agreement’s term) is lower than some of its competitors’ limits. And the company applies coverage limits in four different ways, which is uncommon and complicates comparing coverage to other companies’ plans.
Cost | ✅ Competitive prices with service fee options. |
Plan options | ❌ Comprehensive only in all states except California. |
Optional coverage | ❌ A small set of options, some with higher prices than competitors. |
How much it pays for repairs | ❌ Less than some competitors and have four different types. |
What it doesn't cover | ✅ Coverage for causes that some competitors exclude. |
How long it guarantees repairs | ✅ 180 days, which is much longer than many other companies’ guarantees. |
Customer satisfaction | ❌ Mixed customer satisfaction across multiple consumer review websites. |
» MORE: NerdWallet's picks for the best home warranties
Cinch Home Services plans
Which Cinch plans are available for your house depends on where you live, with most states having the same plans. California has its own plans that are unique to the state’s homeowners after Cinch updated its plans in 2025.
💬 Why did Cinch Home Services change its plans in June 2025?
NerdWallet’s editorial team asked Cinch about the company’s new plans. A Cinch Home Services representative said by email that the company updated its plans because Cinch believes “the need for repairs is much likelier than replacements,” leading it to offer a repair-only plan that doesn’t include replacement coverage. The two other plans that cover repairs and replacements fill in the gap so that different consumers can find more comprehensive coverage, the Cinch Home Services representative confirmed with NerdWallet.
To make it easier to see what coverage is available, the NerdWallet Home Services team breaks down this section into plans for California homeowners and plans for residents in other states.
Plans available in California
Cinch offers three plans that include an appliances-only plan, a systems-only plan and a combination plan that covers appliances and systems.
Appliances Plan covers major kitchen appliances, including a refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, oven, range (including exhaust hood), built-in microwave, trash compactor, built-in food center and a freestanding ice maker. It also covers a clothes washer and dryer set.
Built-in Systems Plan covers electrical systems that include wiring, lighting fixtures, built-in fans and additional items such as doorbells, garage door openers and central vacuums; plumbing systems, including components such as valves, lines and stoppages, as well as specific items such as a garbage disposal, a water heater, a sump pump and toilets; and an air conditioning and heating system along with ductwork.
Complete Home Plan combines everything in the other two plans and adds a $500 reimbursement for a covered homeowners insurance claim.
Plans available in all other states
Cinch Home Services has three plans outside of California, which cover the same items but differ with the services you can request. Every plan pays for approved repairs to covered items, but the differences between the plans include:
Repair Only is exactly that and won’t pay to replace any items if they can’t be fixed.
Repair and Replace also replaces covered items in certain situations.
Repair and Replace Premier does both with a few extra perks. The plan:
Covers exterior gas, sewer and water lines, which are excluded from other plans.
Pays up to $2,000 in non-covered costs for approved claims, such as the removal of a replaced appliance; however, Cinch will pay up to only $1,000 per claim, and you can submit only two claims for this additional coverage during your contract.
Reimburses you up to $500 if your homeowners insurance approves a claim for which you met your deductible. Homeowners insurance claims are different from home warranty claims, and your claim has to meet Cinch’s requirements to qualify for the reimbursement.
Because the plans differ with which services they provide and not covered items, all three plans cover the same items.
Cooktop.
Dishwasher.
Built-in food center.
Freestanding ice maker.
Built-in microwave.
Range and exhaust hood.
Refrigerator.
Trash compactor.
Oven.
Washer and dryer.
Air conditioning systems, heating systems and ductwork.
Electrical systems, including attic fans, ceiling fans, exhaust fans, vent fans, central vacuum systems, doorbells, garage door openers, smoke detectors, direct current wiring and lighting fixtures.
Plumbing systems, including garbage disposal, instant hot/cold water dispenser, built-in jetted tub, standard and tankless water heater, sump pump, toilets, related valves, plumbing lines, and drain and sewer stoppages.
👓 Spotted by the Nerds
A unique aspect of Cinch’s plans is that they cover two of most items. For example, every Cinch plan covers two ovens, whereas most other home warranties cover only one. If you have multiple appliances in your kitchen, this might make Cinch’s coverage a contender to get the most out of a home warranty plan.
Air conditioning systems.
Heating systems.
Central vacuum systems.
Door bells.
Garage door openers.
Garbage disposals.
Instant hot/cold water dispensers.
Kitchen refrigerators.
Clothes washers.
Clothes dryers.
Ranges, ovens or cooktops.
Dishwashers.
Built-in microwaves.
Trash compactors.
Freestanding ice makers.
Built-in food centers.
Water heaters.
Note that the Appliances Plan and Systems Plan in California will cover two units for those items covered in those plans.
Optional add-on coverage
You can also add on items that aren’t covered by your plan. Each optional item increases your monthly fee and has its own coverage exclusions. Homeowners in all states, including California, can purchase additional coverage for:
Above-ground pool.
Above-ground spa.
Above-ground pool and spa.
Septic tank with ejector pump and tank pumping.
Well pump.
Because none of Cinch’s California plans include coverage for commonly excluded costs associated with repairs, California homeowners can add extra coverage for costs such as requesting permits or disposing of equipment. This isn’t available as an add-on in other states because it’s included in the Repair and Replace Premier Plan.
» MORE: What does a home warranty cover?
How much does a Cinch Home Services home warranty cost?
Cinch Home Services’ home warranty plans range from $24.99 to $131.99 per month, depending on your plan, service fee and location.
Monthly fees
The NerdWallet editorial team gathered quotes from Cinch Home Services to compare pricing across its three plans. We requested quotes for each plan in three cities that represent different costs of living and looked at how service fee options affect monthly fees. The range for each plan in each city is shown in the table below, along with the average cost of each plan when all three cities are considered.
City | Repair plan monthly fee range | Repair and Replace plan monthly fee range | Repair and Replace Premier plan monthly fee range |
|---|---|---|---|
New York City, NY | $53.99-$65.99. | $93.99-$105.99. | $119.99-$131.99. |
Boise, ID | $24.99-$36.99. | $49.99-$61.99. | $72.99-$84.99. |
Tulsa, OK | $27.99-$39.99. | $54.99-$66.99. | $77.99-$89.99. |
Average fee | $42.43. | $73.10. | $97.10. |
Cinch varies its price by state. For example, the Repair and Replace Premier plan with the $150 service fee in New York is $47 more than the same coverage and service fee in Idaho. Because of this, request a quote to get a full idea of how much you’ll pay each month before agreeing to purchase a plan.
California homeowners will pay different prices for their plans, which are cheaper than other states’ prices on average.
Service fee | Appliances plan monthly fee | Built-in Systems plan monthly fee | Complete Home plan monthly fee |
|---|---|---|---|
$100 | $40.99. | $47.99. | $56.99. |
$125 | $39.32. | $44.32. | $53.32. |
$150 | $30.99. | $35.99. | $44.99. |
Average monthly fee | $37.10. | $42.77. | $51.77. |
Service fees
Like its competitors, Cinch Home Services charges a service fee every time a technician visits your home to respond to a claim. You’ll pay this fee even if the company ends up denying your claim because of the technician’s report. The company has three service fee options for all states, including California: $100, $125 and $150.
Customers pick their preferred service fee amount when they purchase a plan. Paying a higher service fee reduces your monthly premium, regardless of the plan you choose.
Optional coverage to add items
All homeowners pay the same monthly fees for optional items.
Add-on item | Monthly price |
|---|---|
Above-ground pool | $22.00. |
Above-ground spa | $22.00. |
Above ground pool with spa | $22.00. |
Septic tank, ejector pump and tank pumping | $4.58. |
Well pump | $12.50. |
California homeowners can pay $12.50 per month to add extra coverage for costs that usually aren’t covered by their plans. This option is unavailable in other states.
» MORE: How much does a home warranty cost?
How much Cinch pays for repairs, aka coverage limits
Like most home warranty companies, Cinch limits how much it pays for repairs or replacement items, known as a coverage limit. These limits vary by plan and type of item.
🚨 Nerd Alert 🚨
Cinch Home Services has four types of coverage limits, which is unique for a home warranty. The type of limit affects how you can use the coverage, so it’s important to understand each type and how it applies to items.
This coverage limit is the amount Cinch pays for approved repairs for a covered item during the term of your service agreement. No matter how many claims you make for a category, this is the maximum coverage you can get.
For example, $1,000 for plumbing repairs for the term agreement means Cinch won’t pay more than $1,000 during a one-year contract, whether you file two or ten plumbing claims.
This coverage limit applies to the item that the home warranty will repair. For example, plumbing, electrical, and water heaters are three different items. You can think of them as categories.
Even though Cinch covers two units for some categories, such as ovens in one house, a “per covered item” coverage limit applies to all repairs within the category. So a $2,000 coverage limit per covered item for ovens means Cinch won’t pay more than $2,000 total for all combined oven repairs, even if that applies to repairs to only one of your two ovens.
Cinch covers two of some items, such as two water heaters. In this case, the coverage limit applies to each water heater. So $1,000 coverage per unit for water heaters means the company will pay $1,000 for repairs to each water heater for a total of $2,000 coverage.
This coverage limit applies to each claim you file for an item without limiting how much Cinch will pay for repairs altogether for the item. Instead of capping how much it’ll pay overall for an item, it pays for only $1,000 at a time, leaving you to cover the rest of the cost for each approved claim for a given item.
For example, air conditioning systems have a $1,000 per-claim limit. If you have three approved claims on your air conditioner during your one-year contract, Cinch will pay up to $1,000 on each of those claims. However, say one of the claims is for repairs that cost $1,750. With the $1,000 per-claim limit, you’ll have to pay the remaining $750 even though the company will pay up to $1,000 on future repairs for your air conditioner.
A Cinch Home Services representative said by email that Cinch believes its coverage limits are high enough that it’s unlikely that the average homeowner will reach the limits. However, some homeowners will have repairs that cost more than the coverage limits, requiring them to pay out of pocket for repairs.
California’s plans (Appliances, Systems and Complete Home Plans)
Cinch’s Appliances Plan and Complete Home Plan, available only in California, both cover the following appliances up to $2,000 per item for repair or replacement.
Refrigerator.
Clothes washer.
Clothes dryer.
Range, oven or cooktop.
Dishwasher.
Built-in microwave.
Trash compactor.
Freestanding ice maker.
Built-in food center.
The Systems Plan doesn’t cover appliances.
Cinch’s Systems Plan and Complete Home Plan each cover systems, but not all coverage limits are the same for each system.
Systems
Complete Home
Plumbing systems
$1,000 per agreement term.
$1,000 per agreement term.
Water heater
$1,000 per unit.
$1,000 per unit.
Electrical systems
No limit.
No limit.
Smoke detectors
No limit.
No limit.
Central vacuum systems
No limit.
No limit.
Door bells
No limit.
No limit.
Garage door openers
No limit.
No limit.
Garbage disposals
No limit.
No limit.
Instant hot/cold water dispensers
No limit.
No limit.
Air conditioning system (including ductwork)
No limit.
No limit.
Heating system (including ductwork)
No limit.
No limit.
Ceiling fans
No limit.
No limit.
Other states’ plans (Repair Only Plan and Repair and Replace Plan)
Repair Only plan
Repair and Replace plan (including Premier plan)
Refrigerator
$1,000 per claim.
$2,000 per covered item.
Clothes washer
$1,000 per claim.
$2,000 per covered item.
Clothes dryer
$1,000 per claim.
$2,000 per covered item.
Range/oven/cooktop
$1,000 per claim.
$2,000 per covered item.
Dishwasher
$1,000 per claim.
$2,000 per covered item.
Built-in microwave
$1,000 per claim.
$2,000 per covered item.
Trash compactor
$1,000 per claim.
$2,000 per covered item.
Freestanding ice maker
$1,000 per claim.
$2,000 per covered item.
Built-in food center
$1,000 per claim.
$2,000 per covered item.
Repair Only plan
Repair and Replace plan (including Premier plan)
Plumbing systems
$1,000 per agreement term.
$1,000 per agreement term.
Water heater
$1,000 per unit.
$1,000 per unit.
Electrical systems
$1,000 per claim.
No limit.
Smoke detectors
$1,000 per claim.
No limit.
Central vacuum systems
$1,000 per claim.
No limit.
Door bells
$1,000 per claim.
No limit.
Garage door openers
$1,000 per claim.
No limit.
Garbage disposals
$1,000 per claim.
No limit.
Instant hot/cold water dispensers
$1,000 per claim.
No limit.
Air conditioning system (including ductwork)
$1,000 per claim.
No limit.
Heating system (including ductwork)
$1,000 per claim.
No limit.
Ceiling fans
$1,000 per claim.
No limit.
Outside gas line
$1,000 per claim.
$2,000 per agreement term.
Outside sewer
$1,000 per claim.
$3,000 per agreement term (including $1,500 for sidewalk or public road repair).
Outside water line
$1,000 per claim.
$2,000 per agreement term (including $500 for public easement or road repair).
Regardless of which claims Cinch approves, the company won’t pay more than $10,000 during a service agreement term. This is known as an aggregate limit, and most home warranty companies have one. However, Cinch’s aggregate limit is less coverage than some of its competitors’ aggregate coverage. For example, American Home Shield and AFC Home Warranty both have aggregate limits of $50,000.
» MORE: Are home warranties worth it?
When Cinch Home Services refuses to pay for repairs, aka exclusions
Like most of its competitors, the company doesn’t pay to repair items that:
Malfunctioned because of physical damage.
Are under manufacturer or extended warranty.
Have been recalled by the manufacturer or the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Were improperly repaired or improperly installed.
Break because of natural disasters or weather-related events, such as floods.
Malfunction due to situations that are covered by homeowners insurance, such as a fire.
👓 Spotted by the Nerds
Unlike most of its competitors, Cinch Home Services will cover some pre-existing conditions if the company believes you couldn’t identify the issue before you purchased the home warranty. The company also covers failures caused by corrosion, rust or sediment, which some of its competitors exclude from coverage.
The company doesn’t pay for routine maintenance, such as replacing HVAC filters.
The fine print in Cinch’s contracts
Repair guarantee
A feature that makes Cinch Home Services stand out compared to other home warranty companies is its repair guarantee. Most competitors guarantee their repair work for 30 or 60 days, depending on the company, but Cinch Home Services has a 180-day guarantee. If an approved technician repairs a covered item and has to return to fix the same issue again, you won’t have to pay a service fee within the first 180 days after the initial repair.
Claim buyout, aka alternate claim dispositions
Cinch’s contract uses these terms to refer to the company’s option to give you money to handle a repair or replacement on your own instead of doing it for you. This is a common practice among home warranty companies, but there are a few catches that can actually cost you more than if the company had repaired an item for you.
Cinch’s policy lets the company pay you what it would’ve paid to repair the item, which is usually much less than you’ll pay on your own because the company can negotiate cheaper prices and labor rates. In this case, the amount Cinch pays you to repair or replace a covered item is unlikely to cover the costs for you to hire a professional to do the work.
🚨 Nerd Alert 🚨
Choosing the Repair Only Plan limits claim buyouts even more than other plans. If a covered item isn’t repairable — for example, if the manufacturer no longer makes replacement parts — Cinch can pay you just $250, regardless of how much a replacement item will cost you.
How much money you get if the company decides to pay you instead of repairing an item depends also on how much it’s already paid for repairs during your service agreement. Cinch’s maximum coverage for a contract term is $10,000, and it won’t pay more than that even if it chooses to go with a claim buyout. For example, let’s say the company has already paid $9,500 in approved repairs during your one-year contract and it calculates that it’ll cost $2,000 to repair your air conditioning system. Cinch will subtract how much it’s already paid from the maximum coverage and pay you whatever is leftover. In this case, it subtracts $9,500 from $10,000, and you’ll get the remaining $500, not the $2,000 you need to repair your air conditioner.
Matching replacements
Like many home warranty companies, Cinch Home Services doesn’t guarantee that it’ll use replacements that match the items that are being replaced. The company can replace an item with a different model or one that is a different color, type or brand. And if your old item had features that were convenient but not necessary for the item to work, like a delay function on your dishwasher to run a cycle in the middle of the night, Cinch can give you a replacement without that function.
Additionally, depending on your plan, Cinch can choose to replace a covered item with what’s known as builder grade. This means the company can choose a replacement item that is made of cheaper materials and isn’t as durable as more expensive options. In some cases, this won’t be an issue and might match the item Cinch is replacing in your home, especially if you haven’t updated your system or renovated your kitchen or bathrooms. However, this can affect the look of your home if you need the company to replace more expensive appliances or fixtures.
Hauling off replaced items
Cinch doesn’t pay for a technician to take apart an old item and remove it before installing a replacement. Some installers might charge you for this service, which means you’ll have to pay out of pocket to have the old item uninstalled before a technician will install the new one.
» MORE: Best home warranties for a rental property
Where is Cinch Home Services available?
What homeowners say about Cinch Home Services
To get a picture of customer experiences, NerdWallet looks at consumer reviews from sites like the Better Business Bureau. Our team also considers Reddit, an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like home warranties, so we sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about Cinch Home Services. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.
Satisfied customers note that the wait time for repairs was acceptable and that the repair technicians are professional and knowledgeable. Some customers also say that customer service was helpful in resolving issues and getting claims addressed. Several customers who discussed their purchasing experience felt the price for Cinch’s coverage was affordable.
However, unhappy customers mention having to wait much longer than expected for repairs, especially for HVAC issues in extreme temperatures, and unprofessional repair technicians that weren’t able to fix their issues. A common theme our editorial team found among online reviews was around issues getting in contact with or help from customer service, which left some homeowners unable to know when their claims would be addressed.
Read through positive online reviews. The NerdWallet editorial team noticed that some positive reviews of Cinch Home Services appeared to be from customers who were reviewing their purchasing experience, not their repair experience. We recommend looking for reviews that focus on customer experiences when using the home warranty and filing a claim.
What to know before buying a home warranty
Reading the coverage and exclusions information in your contract is one of the most impactful things you can do to avoid costly misunderstandings in the future. You have a right to read your contract before purchasing a plan, and it’s important to understand that home warranties:
Always have exclusions to coverage, no matter what their sales pitches say. Read your contract carefully before purchasing a plan — especially anything listed as an exclusion or limit of liability. For example, a company might cover air conditioning systems but exclude certain parts or components, such as coils. Other companies cover plumbing repairs but won’t pay to clear all plumbing stoppages or repair certain types of leaks.
Are not a type of insurance. Even though some companies call their service fees deductibles, home warranties do not work the same way as insurance policies. They differ in what they cover and how they pay for repairs or replacements. A home warranty is not a supplement for homeowners insurance.
Limit how much they pay. If the cost of a repair or replacement goes beyond a limit stated in your contract, you’ll have to pay the difference. For example, if the bill for a repair is $2,000 and the limit is $1,500, you’re required to cover $500. This is in addition to your monthly premium and service fee.
Can deny your claim for several reasons. Examples include if you had work performed on a covered item without approval or you modified the system or appliance.
May not pay enough to cover the full cost of replacing a covered item. Home warranties often depreciate the value of items as they age, so you’ll likely have to pay at least some money to replace an item, even if it’s covered by the contract.
» MORE: Does a home warranty cover HVAC?
FAQs
How long does Cinch guarantee repairs will work?
Cinch Home Services guarantees approved repairs for 180 days. If a repaired item malfunctions because of the same issue and a repair has to be repeated, you won’t have to pay a service fee for any duplicate repairs. This is one of the longer workmanship guarantees among home warranty companies.
Why can’t I see all of Cinch’s home warranty plans when I request a quote online?
Cinch Home Services has different plans for California homeowners than homeowners in other states. If you get a quote for a California address, you’ll see pricing and coverage information for the Appliances, Systems and Complete Home Plans. If you request a quote for an address in a different state, you’ll see information for the Repair Only and Repair and Replace Plans.
How much does Cinch pay for repairs?
How much Cinch will pay for approved repairs depends on your plan and the item being repaired. For example, with plans available in California, refrigerators are covered up to $2,000 for repairs; however, in other states, Cinch covers refrigerator repairs up to $1,000 with the Repair plan but $2,000 with the Repair and Replace plans. Cinch also has four different types of limits on how much it’ll pay, so be sure to read your coverage details carefully before purchasing a plan or submitting a claim.
Are Cinch’s home warranty plans expensive?
Cinch’s pricing is similar to its competitors’ plan pricing; however, prices for Cinch plans differ between states, so you might pay more in one state than homeowners in a different state. This might make Cinch a cheaper or more expensive option in your area, depending on how much other home warranty companies charge to cover your address.
Alternatives to Cinch Home Services
Liberty Home Guard
Compared to competitors, Liberty earns more positive customer reviews. On the Better Business Bureau, consumer ratings average about 4.5 stars out of 5, much higher than other top home warranty companies.
What the Nerds like about it
Competitive prices for its coverage.
Offers appliances-only, systems-only and comprehensive plans.
Has a higher customer satisfaction score than many of its competitors.
Why it's a good comparison with Cinch Home Services
Both home warranty companies:
Offer comprehensive coverage plans.
Have variable service fees that depend on your plan terms.
Have high NerdWallet ratings.
This option makes more sense for homeowners who want an appliance-only plan that includes most major kitchen and laundry appliances.
Read our full review of Liberty Home Guard.
American Home Shield
Unlike most plans, the ShieldPlatinum plan includes roof leak coverage. Usually, this coverage is only available as an add-on.
What the Nerds like about it
Has competitive prices for its coverage in some areas.
Has high coverage limits for some categories.
Lets you choose between two service fees.
Why it's a good comparison with Cinch Home Services
Both home warranty companies:
Offer comprehensive coverage plans.
Have mixed online customer reviews.
Cover homes in most states.
This option makes more sense for homeowners who want coverage for certain situations that competitors' exclude, including lack of maintenance or rust and corrosion.
Read our full review of American Home Shield.
Methodology
NerdWallet's Home Services team evaluated home warranties across several factors, including cost, covered items, coverage limits, customer ratings, ability to choose your own technician and warranty on work completed. Because costs can vary by location, it's best to get quotes from multiple companies before making a decision. Read more about how NerdWallet rates home warranties.