Long & Foster Home Warranty, now known as Cinch Home Services, is a member of the Long & Foster network of real estate and financial services companies. Originally acquired by HomeService of America (a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway) in 2017, Long & Foster provides comprehensive repair and replacement coverage that protects your budget from unexpected breakdowns in critical home systems and appliances due to normal wear and tear.
Unique features designed to supplement coverage—such as the Homeowners Insurance Deductible Reimbursement and discounts on brand-name appliances—set Long & Foster apart from other home warranty companies and help bridge potential coverage gaps.
In our Long & Foster Home Warranty review, we analyzed the company’s plans, costs, coverage caps, claims process, and customer reviews to provide you with the information you need to decide whether this is the best home warranty for your home and budget.
Pros and Cons of Long & Foster Home Warranty
Pros
- Offers a Homeowners Insurance Deductible Reimbursement of $500, while most competitors do not
- Has a 180-day repair guarantee
- Gives discounts on certain brand-name appliances for remodeling projects or upgrades
- Offers coverage for unknown pre-existing conditions and malfunctions resulting from rust and corrosion
Cons
- Some customer reviews mention delays in service and reimbursement denials
Long & Foster Home Warranty offers coverage across three tiers, with each tier building upon the offerings of the previous tier. Coverage is available in all states except Alaska and Hawaii.
Because plan coverage may vary depending on your location, we recommend reading the provider’s residential service contract and requesting a quote to get accurate plan specifics and pricing.
Here’s a general overview of what’s included under each plan.
Long & Foster Home Warranty Plans and Coverage
| Coverage | Appliances | Built-in Systems | Complete Home |
| Air conditioner or refrigerator filter credit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air conditioning including ductwork | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Attic fans | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ceiling fans | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Central vacuum | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clothes dryer | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Clothes washer | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Cooktop | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Dishwasher | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Doorbell | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Food center (built-in) | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Freestanding ice maker | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Garage-door openers | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garbage disposal | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heating system including ductwork | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement | – | – | ✓ |
| Instant hot/cold water dispenser | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Microwave (built-in) | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Plumbing system | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Range | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Range exhaust hood | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Refrigerators | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Smoke detectors | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sump pump | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Toilets | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trash compactor (built-in) | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Wall oven | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Water heater | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Whirlpool/jetted tub (built-in) | – | ✓ | ✓ |
There is another standout feature that is exclusively available to Cinch plans: the homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement. Customers can receive up to $500 per year in reimbursement when paying a deductible on a home insurance claim. To get your reimbursement, simply send Cinch Home Services the proof of payment within 45 days, and they will send you a claim form. Only one reimbursement claim is allowed per year.
You can add the following systems or appliances to your Cinch plan to make it more robust. Some of these items are duplicates of the ones already available in your standard plan, while others, like the pool and spa, outdoor gas line, and water line, are exclusively available as add-ons. Each add-on comes with an additional cost that will be added to your standard plan price.
Optional Coverage
| Additional System & Components | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Premier Upgrade Package | $99.00 |
| Premium appliances | $299.00 |
| Each additional sump pump | $60.00 |
| Each additional water heater | $50.00 |
| Each additional refrigerator | $25.00 |
| Outside gas line | $60.00 |
| Outside water line | $60.00 |
| Pool | $205.00 |
| Spa | $205.00 |
| Combo pool/spa (shared equipment) | $205.00 |
| Septic tank/pumping | $45.00 |
| Water softener | $50.00 |
| Well pump system w/ booster pump | $150.00 |
Coverage Exclusions
Some systems and appliances covered by Cinch Home Services contain exclusionary terms that you should be aware of. Here are some coverage specifics that detail these exclusions.
- Plumbing/plumbing pipes: The mechanical parts of a garbage disposal; shower and tub valves; toilet tanks; bowls; leaks; and breaks of water, gas, drain, waste, and vent lines within the perimeter of your home’s foundation are covered. If any plumbing work causes damage to the wall or ceilings, the company will cover the repair cost up to $1,000. Plumbing encased underground or in the foundation is not covered.
- Garage door opener: The drive trains, motor, receiver board, relays, switches, and sensors in a single primary unit are covered. Batteries or damage caused by door malfunctions or door assemblies are not covered.
- Household appliances: All components and parts responsible for the main mechanical function of the refrigerator, built-in dishwasher, built-in microwave, oven/range/cooktop, built-in trash compactor, clothes washer, and clothes dryer are covered, which can help enhance an appliance warranty plan. Racks, removable mini-tubs, rooftop exhaust units, rotisseries and probes, secondary units, shelves, and springs are not covered.
Always read through a sample contract before committing to a warranty plan to understand your coverage. You should also read our article about plumbing home warranty coverage for more information.
Long & Foster Home Warranty Pricing
Pricing differs across the three plan levels and will vary based on the following factors: location, property type, and the home warranty coverage you choose.
The average home warranty cost is $56 per month, according to our 2025 survey analysis. We found that Cinch plans are in line with what our survey respondents reported paying. Plans range between $28 and $68 per month, based on the service call fee you choose. There are three service fees available: $100, $125, and $150. Here’s a quick overview of Cinch Home Services pricing:
Pricing
| Plans | Deductible | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance | $100–$150 | $28–$51 |
| Built-in Systems | $100–$150 | $33–$58 |
| Complete Home | $100–$150 | $40–$68 |
Coverage Exclusions
Cinch Home Services will cover only the repair and replacement costs of systems and appliances that become inoperable due to normal wear and tear. The items must be in a workable state before the contract coverage begins.
The provider will also cover repairs and replacements if your system or appliance fails due to rust or corrosion, as long as the damage occurs after the contract activates. Additionally, the company will protect covered parts and components that stop working due to an unknown preexisting condition. These include issues with equipment that visually looks fine and passes a basic mechanical test.
Damage resulting from improper installation, incompatible items, mold, mildew, and rot isn’t covered. Additional exclusions comprise ductwork damage caused by pests, animals, or moisture and fees associated with getting access to a covered item.
Coverage caps are the maximum dollar amount a home warranty company will pay for the repair and replacement costs of specific systems or appliances. This cap is reset every time you renew your contract. Here’s a breakdown of Cinch Home Services’ coverage caps.
Coverage Caps
| System or Appliance | Coverage Cap |
|---|---|
| Mismatched systems | $250 |
| Improper installations, repairs, or modifications | $250 |
| Permits | $250 per occurrence |
| Code violations | $250 |
| Dishwasher (racks, rollers, baskets) | $50 |
| Septic tank system/Septic tank pumping | $500 |
| Sewage ejector pump | $500 |
| Plumbing system | $1,000 |
| Ductwork | $1,000 |
| Limited roof leak repair | $1,000 |
| Water heater Well pump Heating/Air Conditioning/Evaporative cooler | $1,500 $1,500 $1,500 |
| Pool coverage/spa equipment | $500 |
| The saltwater control unit, salt cell, and flow sensor for the saltwater chlorinator | $1,500 |
| Kitchen refrigerator | $1,000 |
| Additional refrigeration coverage | $1,000 |
How To Make a Claim with Long & Foster Home Warranty
When a home system or appliance protected under your plan malfunctions, you can file a claim by calling a Cinch Home Services representative.
Cinch will connect you with a prescreened independent contractor within two hours if the claim is placed within normal business hours. If you submit your service request after business hours, on the weekends, or during holidays, you can expect to be contacted by a contractor within 24 hours.
Note: Cinch Home Services will not reimburse you for any repair work done by unauthorized contractors. You must request Cinch’s consent to work with contractors outside the company’s private network.
Repairs and Replacements
If your appliance requires more than one repair, you’ll have to pay a service fee every time a technician comes out to repair the same appliance. You’ll pay this amount directly to the independent contractor during the scheduled appointment.
Additionally, Cinch Home Service may choose to replace a covered item instead of repairing it. The company may also offer you the option to receive repair or replacement credit or get reimbursed in cash instead of providing a repair or replacement service.
All work performed by authorized contractors comes with a 180-day guarantee. If the item fails for the same reason within that window of time, you will not be charged a repeat trade fee.
Long & Foster Home Warranty Reviews
Long & Foster Home Warranty is a Better Business Bureau (BBB)-accredited company and holds a B+ Rating. As with any good home warranty company, there will be a mix of positive and negative reviews.
Here are a few Long & Foster Home Warranty reviews from the BBB:
“My refrigerator was leaking and I called to place a claim. The agent was extremely helpful and friendly. She scheduled an appointment with Sears. The technician came out the same day, replaced the ice maker and blew out the clogged lines and repaired the refrigerator. I’m extremely happy with the service and how quickly the repairs were. I would definitely recommend this home warranty to all my friends and family.” —Wendy D., via BBB
“I am very disappointed with this company. We purchased our condo 1.5 years ago. We have had a HMS [Cinch Home Services] warranty since we purchased the unit. They have not covered any claim. We have only been successfully stripped of our deductibles. Absolutely nothing has been covered. We renewed our policy three weeks ago. Our HVAC unit stopped working two days ago. The problem was assessed this morning, once again the needed repairs were not covered. This company should not be trusted.” —Jonathan H., via BBB
Our Final Long & Foster Review
Long & Foster Home Warranty, now known as Cinch Home Services, is a provider worth considering. It has features that other providers don’t, such as their Premier Upgrade Package and Premium Appliances Option that enables homeowners to save on repair, replacement, and remodeling projects.
Additionally, with the homeowners insurance deductible reimbursement, you can get $500 reimbursed for a covered loss if you report your paid claim within 45 days, which isn’t typical of home warranty plans.
Cinch Home Services also offers a 180-day workmanship guarantee, which is rare in the home warranty industry. Most companies cap their guarantee period to 30–90 days. An extended repair guarantee is ideal for instances when your affected systems or appliances are old and prone to multiple malfunctions.
One drawback of the company is its high service fees. If the majority of your systems and appliances are prone to frequent repairs, we recommend opting for a coverage plan with a lower service fee, such as Liberty Home Guard. We recommend American Home Shield if you want more comprehensive protection for your home items.
FAQs About Long & Foster Home Warranty Coverage
Does Long & Foster Home Warranty cover old systems and appliances?
As long as the system or appliance is in working condition at the time coverage begins and is included in the plan you purchase, it will be covered. Cinch Home Services plans cover systems and appliances of all ages, makes, and models.
When does Long & Foster Home Warranty coverage begin?
Long & Foster Home Warranty coverage begins after a 30-day waiting period.
Can Long & Foster Home Warranty Plans be canceled?
Existing homeowners can cancel their home warranty contract within 30 days to receive a full refund of the contract fee as long as no claim has been filed. You will be charged a $25 fee if you cancel after 30 days, and you will also be charged a 10% per month penalty on your refund.
Our Rating Methodology
We use a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each home warranty company we review. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and running focus groups and homeowner surveys.
We use this information to score each provider in six comparison categories that we think are most important when choosing a home warranty. We rate each provider across 23 factors within those categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We convert the final scores to a 5-star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:
- Coverage (35%): This category looks at how comprehensive each provider’s coverage is, including whether it covers unique items. Companies that cover the most items and have higher annual limits received the highest scores. We docked points from providers that impose long waiting periods or have depreciation policies that decrease your payouts for aging items.
- Cost (20%): We looked at average monthly prices and service call fees. We gave the most points to companies offering pricing at or below the industry average that don’t impose any surcharges or extra fees.
- Trustworthiness (15%): To gauge reputation and reliability, we reviewed customer ratings across sites such as the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot, as well as companies’ responses to complaints. We also checked for National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) membership. Providers with the highest ratings and longest workmanship guarantees received higher scores. We deducted points for any ongoing legal issues.
- Plan transparency (10%): We read terms, policies, and disclosures in provided contracts and on each company’s website. Providers with transparent contract details and policies received more points.
- Customer support (10%): Companies with multiple claims filing options, fast response times, and accessible customer support scored well in this category.
- Flexibility (10%): We awarded more points to providers offering more plan options, larger add-on catalogs, the ability to choose your own technician, and customer-friendly cancellation policies.
