When you purchase a new smartphone or any gadget, it typically comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. These warranties can vary wildly in length and coverage inclusions. That is why you should read about the best cell phone insurance plans.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Smartphones and computers generally come with a manufacturer’s warranty that lasts anywhere from 90 days to one year.
- These factory warranties typically cover transit damage, faulty parts, and issues related to manufacturing errors.
- Manufacturer’s warranties tend to not cover loss, theft, water damage, or cracked screens.
What is a Manufacturer’s Warranty?
A manufacturer’s warranty is occasionally referred to as a factory warranty. These warranties are typically included with the initial purchase of a smartphone, gadget, item of furniture, and a wide array of other items. Note that manufacturer’s warranties and extended warranties differ when it comes to coverage, as well as lifespan.
Insider Tip
In the case of smartphones, manufacturer’s warranties generally last anywhere from 90 days to one full year.
How Long Does a Manufacturer’s Warranty Last?
This depends entirely on the manufacturer. The overall length of a factory warranty can range from 90 days to five years, depending on the type of item you have purchased. In the case of smartphones, manufacturer’s warranties generally last anywhere from 90 days to one full year.
Factory Warranty Coverage Inclusions
Generally speaking, a factory warranty only covers several predetermined issues, which we will list below. As a rule of thumb, be sure to read over the fine print to make sure all of your warranty-related questions have been answered. For insurance queries, you may be interested to know about the Verizon’s Protect program.
Transit Damage
As a matter of course, factory warranties should always cover accidental damage that occurred during initial transit. In other words, if your smartphone arrives broken, the manufacturer should replace it or fix it with no questions asked. This transit damage inclusion only refers to online purchases, however, so be wary when taking a newly bought smartphone home from a brick-and-mortar store.
Insider Tip
If your smartphone arrives broken, the manufacturer should replace it or fix it with no questions asked.
Faulty Parts
If your smartphone or gadget breaks during the warranty period to no fault of your own, then it should be fixed or replaced by the manufacturer at no cost to you. This is due to the fact that most factory warranties cover damage due to faulty components.
Manufacturing Flaws
If your phone becomes damaged due to a flaw in its initial manufacture, then the company should pony up for a replacement or repair. It is up to the company, however, to decide if the flaw is due to the manufacturing procedure or if it was caused by the consumer during everyday use.
Factory Warranty Coverage Exclusions
A manufacturer’s warranty does not cover a great many issues that could arise with your smartphone or related gadget, even if the problem arises during the warranty period. Manufacturers’ warranties do not typically cover cracked screens, water damage, or user-caused damage of any kind. Also, these warranties do not cover loss or theft. For coverage of these types of things, you will need smartphone insurance.
Warning
Manufacturers’ warranties do not typically cover cracked screens, water damage, or user-caused damage of any kind.
F.A.Q.S
What’s an extended warranty?
An extended warranty is a warranty offered by the manufacturer that extends the overall lifespan of the initial factory warranty.
What is smartphone insurance?
Smartphone insurance tends to offer coverage that goes well beyond factory warranties, including coverage for loss, theft, and general damage.
Do you need an extended warranty?
This depends on how reputable the company that manufactured your phone is. Be aware, extended warranties typically just extend the factory warranty lifespan. They do not offer the types of coverage that insurance tends to offer.
STAT: The average smartphone user will tap, swipe, and click their phone 2,617 times a day. (source)
