Choice Home Warranty vs. Cinch Home Warranty
What is the difference between Choice Home Warranty and Cinch Home Services?
Home system and appliances breakdowns come at unexpected times and can be expensive to fix. Many homeowners protect themselves with a home warranty, which covers costs for repairs and replacements. Choosing the right company and coverage isn’t easy. We break down two home warranty companies — Choice Home Warranty and Cinch Home Services — side by side to help with your decision.
Cost
 |  | |
| Monthly premium cost | $46.83 to $54.75 | $30.99 to $93.99 |
| Average cost for combo plan | $54.75 (Total plan) | $50 to $62 |
| Annual premium cost | $532 to $627 (for 13 months) | $335.88 to $743.88 |
| Service call fee | $85 | $100, $125 or $150 |
| Discounts available | Discounts for paying annually; free 13th month | Not listed |
| $46.83 to $54.75 | $54.75 (Total plan) | $532 to $627 (for 13 months) | $85 | Discounts for paying annually; free 13th month |
| $30.99 to $93.99 | $50 to $62 | $335.88 to $743.88 | $100, $125 or $150 | Not listed |
Plans
| | |
| Plans available | Basic, Total | Appliances plan, Built-in Systems plan, Complete Home plan |
| Covered systems | 8 | 10 |
| Covered appliances | 8 | 12 |
| Combo plan covered items | 16 | 22 |
| Service recall period | 30 days for labor; 90 days for parts | 180-day workmanship guarantee |
| Availability | 48 states | 48 states |
| Basic, Total | 8 | 8 | 16 | 30 days for labor; 90 days for parts | 48 states |
| Appliances plan, Built-in Systems plan, Complete Home plan | 10 | 12 | 22 | 180-day workmanship guarantee | 48 states |
Appliances coverage
| | |
| Built-in food centers | — | |
| Built-in microwaves | ||
| Clothes dryers | ||
| Clothes washers | — | |
| Dishwashers | ||
| Ice maker | ||
| Instant hot/cold water dispensers | — | — |
| Ranges, ovens and cooktops | ||
| Refrigerators | ||
| Trash compactors | — | |
| Water sensors | — | |
| Whirlpool bathtub |
| — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| — |
Systems coverage
| | |
| Air conditioning | ||
| Ceiling fans | ||
| Central vacuums | Add-on | |
| Doorbells | — | |
| Ductwork | ||
| Electrical | ||
| Garage door openers | ||
| Garbage disposals | — | |
| Heating | ||
| Plumbing | ||
| Smoke detectors | — | |
| Water heaters |
| Add-on | — | — | |||||||||
| — |
Other coverage
| | |
| Guest unit | Add-on | — |
| Pools | Add-on | Add-on |
| Roof leak repairs | Add-on | — |
| Second refrigerator | Add-on | — |
| Septic pump | Add-on | Add-on |
| Spas | Add-on | Add-on |
| Stand-alone freezer | Add-on | — |
| Well pump | Add-on | Add-on |
| Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on |
| — | Add-on | — | — | Add-on | Add-on | — | Add-on |
Reputation on ConsumerAffairs
| | |
| Overall star rating | 4.0 | 4.1 |
| Verified customer reviews | Read reviews | Read reviews |
| 4.0 | Read reviews |
| 4.1 | Read reviews |
All prices are based on a quote for a house of less than 5,000 square feet in Austin, Texas. All information is accurate as of publishing.
Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty offers two home warranty plans, which usually last one year. You can make a claim 24/7 using the online account center or by calling, then you'll pay an $85 service call fee to the contractor who visits your home to diagnose the issue. Coverage is available in all states except Washington and California. Choice Home Warranty has covered over 1 million homes in the U.S. and handled more than 4 million service requests, according to its website.
Choice Home Warranty plans
- Basic plan: The Basic plan covers both systems and appliances, including the heating, electrical and plumbing systems, plumbing stoppages, water heater, oven, range, stove, cooktop, dishwasher, garbage disposal, built-in microwave, ductwork, whirlpool bathtub, garage door opener and ceiling and exhaust fans.
- Total Plan: The Total plan is the more comprehensive plan from Choice Home Warranty. It covers everything in the Basic plan, plus the air conditioning system, a refrigerator and a washer and dryer.
- Add-ons: Customers can add on coverage for a central vacuum, pool and spa, well pump, second refrigerator, stand-alone freezer, limited roof leak, septic system, septic tank pumping and sump pump.
What Choice Home Warranty customers say
Overall, customers are happy with the service from Choice Home Warranty. On ConsumerAffairs, customers praise the quick response to claims and the process of getting repairs. Many reviewers note the kind and friendly customer service. Some customers report denied claims, which is why it's so important to read and understand the coverage contract.
Very professional, friendly. The agent was knowledgeable in that he explained the problem and ordered the parts necessary to keep the air condition working. We are in a very hot season but he was kind enough to give us temporary relief until the proper parts come in. Thank you.”
– Carol of Huntsville, AL
Cinch Home Services
Cinch Home Services has plans that cover appliances only, systems only or both, with multiple service call fee options. Each plan comes with coverage for unknown preexisting conditions, a lengthy 180-day workmanship guarantee, a water sensor to detect leaks and an air conditioner or water filter credit. You can make a claim by phone or by using the online digital dashboard at any time. Cinch has nearly 1 million customers and responds to over a million service requests each year, according to its website.
Cinch Home Services plans
- Built-in Systems plan: The Built-in Systems plan covers air conditioning (including ductwork), heating system (including ductwork), electrical system, plumbing system, toilets, water heater, garbage disposals, instant hot/cold water dispenser, smoke detectors, sump pump, built-in whirlpool/jetted tub, attic fans, ceiling fans, central vacuums, doorbells and garage door openers.
- Appliances plan: The Appliances plan covers your washer and dryer, dishwashers, cooktops, ranges, range exhaust hoods, refrigerators, wall ovens, built-in food centers, built-in microwaves, free-standing ice makers and built-in trash compactors.
- Complete Home plan: The Complete Home plan combines all coverages in the Built-in Systems and Appliances plans and adds a homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement of up to $500 on one covered claim.
- Add-ons: Cinch Home Services offers add-on coverage for a pool and spa, a septic system and a well pump, plus a Premier Upgrade Package, which provides more benefits on a covered claim.
What Cinch Home Services customers say
Customers rate Cinch Home Services positively on ConsumerAffairs. According to reviews, representatives are friendly, and the technicians the company partners with are professional and kind. Some customers say they’re unhappy with lengthy repair times and how hard it is to get hold of a live representative.
What was nice is Cinch covers all the appliances and they didn't say they all had to begin on such and such a date. It's debited, so it's painless. $50 a month to keep the policy in effect. But the app itself got to a point that it just didn't go any further. But nonetheless, the appointment got set. ... The techs were also really good.”
– Peter of Oviedo, FL
Bottom line: Choice Home Warranty or Cinch Home Services?
Choice Home Warranty and Cinch Home Services both offer good options for home warranty coverage. Cinch Home Services has lower starting costs, but it also has higher service call fees, and its lower-end plans cover only appliances or systems. Comprehensive plans are similarly priced at both companies. Choice Home Warranty has more optional coverages. Each provider has an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars on ConsumerAffairs.
- Choice Home Warranty is best for homeowners who want coverage of both systems and appliances and plenty of add-on options.
- Cinch Home Services is best for customers who want an appliance-only or systems-only plan at a relatively low starting price.
