Cinch Home Services Review
Formerly HMS Home Warranty. The lowest HVAC cap in the industry at $1,500 combined - and the only company with a $500 homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement.
Overall Score
5
out of 10
BBB Rating
B+
Not accredited
HVAC Cap
$1,500
combined - industry low
States
48
not CA or WA
$1,500 Combined HVAC Cap - Lowest in the Industry
The national average for a full HVAC replacement in 2026 runs $7,500-$12,500. Cinch's $1,500 combined cap covers about 10-20% of a full replacement. If your AC fails in Phoenix in July, Cinch pays $1,500. You pay $7,500+ out of pocket - plus premiums paid.
Our Verdict
Cinch Home Services used to be called HMS Home Warranty. The rebrand happened - I assume because the old brand had accumulated enough negative associations that a fresh start looked like the right move.
The $1,500 combined HVAC cap is the defining fact of any Cinch analysis. That's not a safety net - that's a courtesy contribution toward a $9,000 bill.
The one genuinely interesting feature is the $500 homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement. No other major home warranty company offers this. It's a clever feature that provides real value even in a year where you never file a home warranty claim.
Whether that feature offsets the HVAC cap problem is the question you need to answer for your specific situation.
Score Breakdown
Coverage (4.5) is hurt almost entirely by the $1,500 combined HVAC cap - the lowest in the industry.
Pros & Cons
What Works
- + $500 homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement - genuinely unique feature
- + $10,000 annual aggregate limit
- + B+ BBB rating (not accredited)
- + Plans start at $27.99/month - low entry price
- + Available in 48 states
What Doesn't
- − $1,500 combined HVAC cap for the entire contract - LOWEST in the industry
- − PE-backed (Clarien Group / Cross Country) - profit optimization is the ownership structure
- − Formerly HMS Home Warranty - rebrand may have been reputation-related
- − Not available in California or Washington
- − 2,461 BBB complaints over three years (803 in past 12 months)
Plans & Pricing
Built-in Systems Plan
~$27.99-$39.99/mo
HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heater. The $1,500 combined HVAC cap applies here.
Service fee: $100 or $150 per trade
Complete Home Plan
~$45-$62/mo
Systems + appliances. Still the $1,500 combined HVAC cap - it doesn't increase with the plan tier.
Service fee: $100 or $150 per trade
The $500 Homeowners Insurance Reimbursement
If you file a homeowners insurance claim - for any reason, not related to your home warranty - Cinch reimburses up to $500 of your deductible. With typical homeowners insurance deductibles running $1,000-$2,500, that's real money.
It doesn't require a home warranty claim. It's just a benefit of being a Cinch member. In years where you don't have a home warranty claim but DO have a homeowners insurance event (storm damage, water intrusion), the $500 reimbursement is straightforward value.
No other major home warranty company offers this feature.
It doesn't offset the $1,500 HVAC cap problem for HVAC-primary buyers. But for buyers who aren't primarily buying for HVAC coverage, it changes the value equation.
What the $1,500 Cap Means in Practice
Scenario: Furnace fails, then AC has compressor issue - same year
The $10,000 annual aggregate doesn't help here - you hit the $1,500 HVAC-specific cap long before approaching the aggregate ceiling.
Who It's Best For
May Work For
- ✓Homeowner with relatively new HVAC who wants the homeowners insurance deductible benefit and basic appliance/system coverage at a low entry price
- ✓Buyer primarily concerned with non-HVAC systems - plumbing, electrical, appliances - where the $1,500 HVAC cap is less relevant
Avoid If
- ✗You have aging HVAC or live in an extreme climate - the $1,500 combined cap is genuinely dangerous to rely on
- ✗You don't want a PE-backed company - Clarien Group / Cross Country ownership means profit optimization is the priority
- ✗You're in California or Washington - not available
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cinch Home Services' HVAC coverage limit?
What is the homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement?
Is Cinch Home Services the same as HMS Home Warranty?
What states does Cinch serve?
Is Cinch worth it?
Alternatives to Consider
Compare Cinch Against All 15 Providers
See how Cinch Home Services stacks up - HVAC caps, coverage, price, and the one feature no other company matches.
View All ReviewsLast verified June 2026. Always verify directly with Cinch before purchasing.