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Who Is Cinch Home Services?
Cinch Home Services has been in the home warranty business since 1978, making it one of the longest-standing providers in the industry. Originally known as Cross Country Home Services (CCHS), the company rebranded to Cinch Home Services in 2019 to reflect a more modern, customer-first identity. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, Cinch serves homeowners across all 48 contiguous states.
The Sears Connection
Many shoppers searching for "Cinch Home Warranty" also know it as Sears Home Warranty. That's because Cinch (then CCHS) was the company that powered the Sears Home Warranty program behind the scenes, managing claims, technician dispatch, and customer portals on Sears' behalf through a subsidiary called HomeSure Services. As the Sears retail brand declined, the Cinch name took center stage.
Today, Cinch operates fully under its own brand, though some legacy Sears-branded contracts are still serviced through the same infrastructure. Cinch has paid out over $1 billion in claims in the past six years and has established itself as a major player, independent of the Sears name. For a broader look at how it stacks up against other providers, see our guide to the best home warranty companies.
Plans, Pricing & Coverage in 2026
Cinch restructured its plan naming in most markets. Instead of the older Appliances / Built-In Systems / Complete Home structure, Cinch now primarily offers three tiers, each covering both systems and appliances but with different coverage limits and perks.
The Three Plans at a Glance
| Plan | What It Covers | Est. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Repair Only | Repairs on 37 systems & appliances, up to $1,000 per repair | ~$28 to $40/mo |
| Repair + Replace | Adds replacement coverage, up to $2,000 per appliance | ~$55 to $67/mo |
| Repair + Replace Premier | Full protection plus outside water/sewer/gas lines & permit reimbursement | ~$78 to $90/mo |
Pricing varies by state, ZIP code, and chosen service call fee. Service call fees are $100, $125, or $150 per claim.
NerdWallet's 2026 sample shows Cinch home warranty plans ranging from $24.99 to $131.99 per month, depending on plan, service fee, and location. Consumer Affairs' 2026 pricing comparison shows Repair Only at $27.99 to $39.99, Repair + Replace at $54.99 to $66.99, and Repair + Replace Premier at $77.99 to $89.99 per month depending on the service fee chosen. Cinch also currently promotes a 20% discount on the first year of new annual plans.
What's Covered (and What's Not)
Cinch covers normal wear and tear on most major home components, including items that many competitors exclude, such as damage from rust and corrosion and unknown pre-existing conditions.
Key coverage highlights (2026):
- Heating and air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing systems, all subject to a $10,000 aggregate annual cap
- Plumbing systems capped at $1,000 per agreement term and water heaters at $1,000 per unit
- Kitchen and laundry appliances, sump pumps, doorbells, smoke detectors, and tankless water heaters included as standard in system coverage
- Repair Only plan: up to $1,000 per covered repair; higher tiers up to $2,000 per covered appliance
Common exclusions:
- Cosmetic damage (scratches and dents)
- Damage caused by misuse or neglect
- Items not listed in your contract
- Structural components like foundation, walls, and roof leaks
- Code violations or permits (unless you have the Premier plan)
Standout Perks
One of Cinch's most competitive features is its 180-day workmanship guarantee, which is much longer than the 30-day and 60-day guarantees offered by competitors. If a repair fails within six months, Cinch sends someone back at no additional cost or service fee.
Repair + Replace and Repair + Replace Premier customers also receive up to $500 in homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement per contract year. The Premier plan adds outside water, sewer, and gas line coverage, plus up to $2,000 per year (two claims of up to $1,000 each) for non-covered charges like permits and equipment disposal tied to a covered claim.
Customer Satisfaction, BBB Rating & Complaints
This is where Cinch's track record gets more complicated. While the company earns decent scores from professional review outlets, real-world customer feedback reveals recurring frustrations.
What Review Sites Say
| Review Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| Forbes Advisor (2026) | 4.9 / 5 ⭐ |
| NerdWallet (2026) | 4.0 / 5 ⭐ |
| U.S. News & World Report (2026) | Top pick for HVAC coverage |
| Trustpilot | ~4 / 5 (mixed reviews) |
| BBB Letter Grade | A+ |
| BBB Customer Reviews | 1.07 / 5 |
BBB Complaints: A Reality Check
Cinch's BBB profile currently shows an A+ letter grade, and the company has been BBB accredited since June 27, 2019. However, the letter grade tells only part of the story. On the BBB customer review page, Cinch shows an average of 1.07 out of 5 stars from 898 customer reviews, and its BBB complaints page now lists 2,401 total complaints in the last 3 years and 785 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
Marketwatch's 2025 survey found that just 20% of Cinch policyholders described themselves as "very satisfied" with their coverage, a lower relative level than many competitors. That gap between review-site scores and real-world sentiment is one of the most important takeaways for shoppers.
The most common complaint themes in 2026 include:
- Delayed repairs, especially for HVAC in extreme temperatures, with no proactive updates from customer service
- Claim denials for issues tied to improper venting or pre-existing conditions not disclosed upfront
- Contractor no-shows and repeated rescheduling problems
- Wrong parts ordered multiple times, requiring repeat contractor visits before repairs are completed
- Rule changes perceived as attempts to avoid paying claims
- Reports that customer service quality has declined, with some long-tenured customers attributing it to offshoring
Filing a Claim, Contractor Network & Cancellation
How to File a Claim
Cinch makes the claims process relatively simple with 24/7 availability, online or by phone.
Step-by-step claim process:
- Submit your claim by logging into your account at my.cinchhomeservices.com or calling (844) 324-5688 anytime
- Pay your service fee ($100, $125, or $150) when the technician visits
- Cinch assigns a contractor, a vetted service provider in your area
- Schedule the appointment, and the contractor confirms a visit time
- Repair or replacement work is completed, or Cinch arranges a replacement up to your plan's limit
During business hours (Mon to Fri, 8AM to 6PM local time), Cinch targets a two-hour response time. Requests filed outside business hours are addressed the next business day.
Contractor Network Quality
Every technician Cinch dispatches goes through a vetting and selection process before joining the network. However, customers cannot choose their own contractor, which is a common complaint, especially in areas with limited service providers.
Satisfied customers note that repair wait times are acceptable and that technicians are professional and knowledgeable. Negative experiences, particularly in rural or less-served markets, often involve long wait times and inconsistent repair quality.
How to Cancel Your Cinch Home Warranty
Cinch allows cancellation at any time:
| When You Cancel | Refund Policy | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Within 30 days of start date | Full refund of all fees paid | No fees |
| After 30 days, no claim filed | Pro-rata refund for remaining term | $25 cancellation fee |
| After 30 days, claim was filed | Pro-rata refund minus claim cost | $25 cancellation fee |
Cinch offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and after that window you can cancel for a prorated refund minus a $25 processing fee. To cancel, call customer service or submit a written cancellation request. Cinch may offer plan modifications before processing your request, but you're not obligated to accept them.
How Cinch Compares to Major Competitors
Before committing, it's worth seeing how Cinch stacks up against the other major providers in the home warranty market.
| Provider | Monthly Cost Range | Service Fee | Aggregate Cap | Workmanship Guarantee | BBB Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinch Home Services | $28 to $90 | $100 to $150 | $10,000 | 180 days | A+ |
| American Home Shield | $30 to $120 | $100 to $125 | $50,000 | 30 days | B |
| Choice Home Warranty | $49 to $65 | $100 | Varies | 30 days | B |
| First American | $35 to $85 | $75 to $125 | No total cap | 30 days | B+ |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | $27 to $75 | $75 to $125 | $50,000 | 30 days | A+ |
Cinch stands out most on workmanship guarantees, and no major competitor comes close to its 180-day promise. Its unique coverage for rust, corrosion, and unknown pre-existing conditions is a differentiator that matters for owners of older homes.
Where Cinch falls short is in aggregate coverage limits. American Home Shield features a total coverage cap of $50,000 for each contract term, with HVAC systems covered up to $5,000 per system, five times Cinch's $10,000 total cap. For a deeper look, compare our American Home Shield review and Choice Home Warranty review. If price is your priority, our First American Home Warranty review and Select Home Warranty review offer more budget-friendly alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cinch Home Warranty the same as Sears Home Warranty?
Cinch Home Services and Sears Home Warranty share the same operational roots. Cinch (formerly Cross Country Home Services) was the company that powered the Sears Home Warranty program behind the scenes. When Sears' retail business declined, the Cinch brand moved to the forefront. Today, Cinch operates independently, though some legacy Sears-branded customers may still be serviced under the same infrastructure.
What is Cinch Home Warranty's BBB rating in 2026?
Cinch Home Services currently holds an A+ letter grade from the Better Business Bureau and has been accredited since June 2019. However, its BBB customer review score is much lower at just 1.07 out of 5 stars from nearly 900 reviews. The gap exists because BBB grades are based on complaint resolution, not review sentiment. Around 2,400 complaints have been filed against Cinch over the last three years.
What does Cinch Home Warranty actually cover?
Cinch offers three plan tiers in 2026: Repair Only, Repair + Replace, and Repair + Replace Premier. All three cover roughly 37 systems and appliances, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, kitchen, and laundry appliances. Unique to Cinch is coverage for rust, corrosion, and unknown pre-existing conditions, which many competitors exclude. Every plan carries a $10,000 aggregate limit per agreement term.
How do I cancel my Cinch Home Warranty?
You can cancel your Cinch Home Warranty at any time by calling customer service at (844) 324-5688 or by submitting a written cancellation request. If you cancel within the first 30 days, you receive a full refund with no fees. Canceling after 30 days results in a pro-rata refund minus a $25 processing fee. If a claim was already filed, you may owe the difference between claims paid and premiums collected.
Is Cinch Home Warranty worth it in 2026?
Cinch can be worth it, especially for owners of older homes where unknown pre-existing conditions are a real risk, or for those who value the industry-leading 180-day workmanship guarantee. The $500 insurance deductible reimbursement on higher-tier plans is genuine added value. However, the very low BBB customer review score, the $10,000 aggregate cap, and the fact that only 20% of policyholders report being very satisfied are notable drawbacks. If you need higher coverage limits, compare providers in our full home warranty comparison guide before committing.