What is the Harbor Freight Warranty?

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Updated March 21, 2023

When looking at various insurance plans, you may want to learn about the Harbor Freight warranty. When you purchase a new tool from Harbor Freight, you also get a robust manufacturer’s warranty that typically lasts the full lifetime of the product, though some accessories and add-ons only get a 90-day warranty. These manufacturers’ warranties handle basic manufacturing errors, similar to a Ryobi drill warranty.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Harbor Freight’s robust limited lifetime warranty handles manufacturing errors and defective materials.
  • This manufacturer warranty does not cover accidental damage or broken tools caused by normal wear and tear.
  • For extended coverage, go with a Harbor Freight extended customer service plan or choose a third-party plan.

Do Harbor Freight Tools Come With a Warranty?

Yes, Harbor Freight provides customers with a robust manufacturer’s warranty that lasts the full lifetime of the tool or product, though certain accessories only get 90 days of coverage. This limited lifetime warranty covers manufacturing issues and defective materials, just like a standard Gearwrench Tools warranty. In other words, these lifetime warranties do not offer coverage for normal wear and tear or accidental damage.

Insider Tip

Be sure to hold onto your proof of purchase, receipt, and warranty card just in case you need them down the line.

Tips to Extend Harbor Freight Coverage

A lifetime warranty is a fantastic benefit to choosing Harbor Freight tools, but it is important to understand that this is a manufacturing warranty, so it just covers issues pertaining to shoddy workmanship and defective materials. If you want additional coverage for accidental damage, normal wear and tear, or theft, then you are going to have to look for other options. Luckily, you have a few places to look.

Harbor Freight Extended Service Protection

Harbor Freight is one of the world’s leading makers of power tools with plenty of experience in the industry, so they have a proprietary in-house insurance division. Shortly after buying a new tool from the company, you are given the chance to opt into an extended service protection plan. These plans throw on some traditional insurance coverage that handles damage due to user error or wear. The plans cost money, and these costs vary depending on the type of coverage you are going for and the tool you are covering.

Third-Party Insurance Plans

There are also plenty of third-party insurers out there ready, willing, and able to beef up your Harbor Freight tools coverage. Again, the prices here vary depending on what you are covering and what type of coverage you are looking for. Read the fine print and be sure to opt for a plan that covers accidental damage and normal wear and tear. Certain plans may even offer coverage in the case of theft, so go for one of those if possible.

STAT: In 1977, Eric Smidt and his father, Allan Smidt, started Harbor Freight and Salvage in a small building in North Hollywood, California. (source)

Harbor Freight Warranty FAQs

Do you need a receipt for a Harbor Freight warranty?

You do need a receipt or proof of purchase to access the benefits from a 3-year warranty or lifetime warranty. Hold onto your proof of purchase to ease the return process.

Can you return used tools to the company?

You can return used tools if you are enrolled in an extended warranty, such as a 3-year warranty period, and you have a legitimate issue with the product. Retain your packing slip or receipt for this issue.

Does the company give refunds?

If you encounter an issue with a Harbor Freight tool within 90 days of purchase and you are the original purchaser, you can get a full refund. Just retain the packing slip and contact customer service.
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