If you rent, you don’t have to worry about repairs and maintenance, as they are usually the landlord’s responsibility. But when you become a homeowner, those costs become your responsibility. That’s why it’s worth considering a home warranty to help manage the cost of repairing or replacing home systems and appliances.
If you’re deciding between American Home Shield and Cinch Home Services, here’s what you need to know about the two to help you decide which home warranty is right for your needs.
Overview of American Home Shield and Cinch Home Services
American Home Shield (AHS) and Cinch Home Services are both well-known companies in the home warranty industry, offering fairly comprehensive plans for homeowners who want protection against unexpected repair costs.
American Home Shield offers coverage in every state except Alaska and is known for its high coverage limits and inclusion of unknown pre-existing conditions. That said, great coverage comes with a higher price than most competitors.
Cinch is also known for providing solid coverage, but is slightly more affordable than American Home Shield. Cinch Home Services is unique in that all plans include a 180-day workmanship guarantee. So, if someone needs to come back within 180 days of a repair, Cinch will waive the service fee.
American Home Shield and Cinch Home Services Plans and Coverage
American Home Shield and Cinch Home Services plans differ in structure, add-on options, and coverage limitations and exclusions.
Plan options
American Home Shield has three plan options for homeowners to choose from.
- ShieldSilver (starting at $49.99/month): This is American Home Shield’s most basic plan. Protects parts of 19 major systems (including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical) to keep your home running. The maximum coverage per HVAC system is $5,000.
- ShieldGold (starting at $69.99/month): This plan protects 28 major system and appliance parts and allows you to video chat with live repair experts for real-time support at no additional charge. Coverage limits are $5,000 per HVAC system and $2,000 per appliance.
- ShieldPlatinum (starting at $99.99/month): ShieldPlatinum protects 29 items, including roof leak repairs, and also offers premium membership benefits like one free HVAC tune-up. Coverage limits are $5,000 per HVAC system and $4,000 per appliance.
Cinch Home Services also offers three different plans:
- Repair-only plans (starting at $24.99/month): This is Cinch’s most basic plan. Covers major home systems such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing, as well as kitchen and laundry appliances, with a repair limit of $1,000 and a $150 service fee per repair.
- Repair + Replacement Plan (starting at $49.99/month): This mid-tier plan offers increased coverage with higher limits for systems and appliances, including $1,500 for HVAC, $1,000 for plumbing, $2,000 for kitchen and laundry supplies, and a $150 service fee.
- Repair + Replacement Premier Plan (starting at $72.99/month): This plan includes all of the lower tiers plus outdoor sewer, water, and gas line coverage, plus up to $2,000 in additional benefits for power permits and equipment disposal, and a $150 service fee per bill.
Add-on options
AHS offers six add-ons, with average costs ranging from an additional $5 to $24 per month.
- Roof leak repair: $10/month
- Electronic protection plan: $14/month
- Pool and built-in spa facilities: $24/month
- Guest unit: $20.99/month
- Septic tank pump: $5/month
- Well pump: $8/month
There aren’t that many add-on options available with Cinch Home Services.
- Pool and spa: $22/month
- Septic tank and pump: $4.58/month
- Well pump: $12.50/month
Keep in mind that the cost of a home warranty may vary depending on your location. The cost data here was collected for a 2,500 square foot home in Fairfax, Virginia. Data is current as of April 2026.
Coverage limitations
American Home Shield has a total coverage limit of $50,000 per contract period. HVAC systems are covered up to $5,000 per system, and appliances are typically capped at $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the plan.
With Cinch, you can take advantage of affordable repair-only plans that cover repairs up to $1,000 or upgrade to cover full replacements as well. For Repair + Replace and Repair Plus Replace Premier plans, the coverage limit is $2,000 per appliance. All three plans include a total cost (per year or per contract) of $10,000.
Exclusions
Neither American Home Shield nor Cinch Home Services covers common exclusions such as cosmetic damage, routine maintenance, or problems caused by improper installation or negligence. It also does not cover damage caused by natural disasters or items beyond normal wear and tear.
That said, both AHS and Cinch actually cover unknown pre-existing conditions, which are defects or malfunctions that existed before the insurance began but could not be detected through normal inspection or routine use. This is not something that all home warranty companies offer.
American Home Shield and Cinch Home Services Costs
Prices vary by location, but American Home Shield is generally more expensive than Cinch Home Services.
planned cost
- American Home Shield: $49.99 – $99.99 per month
- Cinch home service: $24.99 to $72.99 per month
additional cost
- American Home Shield: $5 to $24 per month
- Cinch home service: $4.58 to $22 per month
Service call fee
- American Home Shield: $100 or $125
- Cinch home service: $100, $125, or $150
discount options
American Home Shield offers discounts to active military and veterans, AARP members, and those with multi-property coverage. Cinch Home Services currently offers a 20% discount on plans (first year only), but this is subject to change at any time.
American Home Shield and Cinch Home Services billing process
Filing a claim with AHS and Cinch is very easy.
To file a claim with AHS, log in to the AHS MyAccount portal or app, submit a service request, select the issue, and pay the service fee. A qualified professional from the AHS network will contact you within 24-48 hours to schedule an in-home visit.
To file a claim with Cinch, you can submit your claim online or by phone. A service provider from Cinch will then contact you to arrange an in-person appointment. During your visit, your appliance or system will be diagnosed and, depending on your plan, any covered faults will be repaired or replaced.
Homeowner Reviews of American Home Shield vs. Cinch Home Services
AHS is BBB accredited and has a B rating. It also has a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on over 14,000 reviews. While many commented on the ease of the claims process, many complained about delays, claim denials, and inconsistent service.
Cinch is BBB accredited and has a higher rating of A+. It also ranks better than AHS on Trustpilot, with a rating of 4.2 out of 4 based on over 4,000 reviews. Customers like the low prices and easy-to-understand plans, but there have been some complaints about billing issues and varying quality of service depending on location.
Trustpilot and BBB data is accurate as of April 2026.
Availability of American Home Shield and Cinch Home Services
American Home Shield is available in every state except Alaska, and Cinch Home Services is available in every state in the United States except Alaska and Hawaii.
Which is right for you: American Home Shield or Cinch Home Services?
It depends on your needs, but there are some differences that may make one more suitable than the other.
Before choosing a provider, make sure you fully understand what your home warranty actually covers and what it doesn’t. “The biggest mistake is treating it like a one-size-fits-all safety net. It’s not. A home warranty should be a second line of defense behind a thorough home inspection, not a replacement,” said Jake Kennedy, a Compass licensed Realtor®. “I tell my clients that a home warranty without a thorough inspection is like drinking alcohol on an empty stomach. You’ll probably regret it later.”
That said, if you’re willing to pay a higher monthly cost and prioritize higher coverage limits and more comprehensive protection for your key systems, AHS makes more sense. However, if you’re on a tight budget, consider going with Cinch, which is a little more affordable and comes with a longer manufacturing warranty.
USA Today ranks AHS and Cinch
USA TODAY’s editorial team uses trusted in-house methodology to rank and review home warranty providers and plans. Review major providers, their plan options, coverage details, costs, exclusions, add-ons, and more.
FAQ
Which is better: Cinch or American Home Shield?
It depends what you’re looking for. American Home Shield insurance comes with higher coverage limits and more add-ons, but if you want a more budget-friendly plan and a longer quality guarantee, Cinch Home Services insurance may make more sense.
Is Cinch a good home warranty plan?
yes. Cinch is generally considered to be a good home warranty plan. Its plans include comprehensive coverage, and you can easily submit and track claims through the Cinch online portal.
Is American Home Shield a good deal?
American Home Shield is a great value because it offers a wide range of plans and add-ons, including high coverage limits and a low-cost base plan that covers systems like indoor plumbing.
