Do You Earn Rewards on a Home Warranty?

The short answer: Yes, at the base rate. A home warranty plan earns rewards like any purchase, but it codes as insurance or a service rather than a bonus category, so a flat-rate card earns the most. Service-call fees you pay when using the warranty usually earn at the base rate too.

How home warranties code

A home warranty company rings up under an insurance or services category code, outside the usual bonus buckets like dining and groceries, so most cards earn their base rate on the annual or monthly premium. It is similar to how other coverage is treated, as in paying insurance with a credit card. A card that rewards a broad set of recurring bills could do slightly better if you have one.

Service fees and repairs

When you file a claim, you typically pay a service-call fee to the technician, which also earns only the base rate. Any repairs beyond what the warranty covers would code as home services, also usually base rate. So the whole home-warranty relationship earns modestly, at your card’s base rate.

The best card for a home warranty

Since there is no home-warranty bonus, a strong flat-rate card earns the most on the premium and any fees. Set it to autopay and value the points at a flat 1 cent. Compare the flat-rate earners in best cash back cards.

Frequently asked questions

Does a home warranty earn credit card rewards?
Yes, at your base rate. Home warranties code as insurance or services, which is not a bonus category, so most cards earn the base rate.
Do home-warranty service fees earn rewards?
Yes, at the base rate. The service-call fee you pay when filing a claim codes the same way as the plan, with no bonus category.
What card is best for a home warranty?
A strong flat-rate card, since there is no bonus category. A card that rewards a broad set of recurring bills could do slightly better if you hold one.

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Bryce Casson

Written by Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. About the author and how we rank cards.