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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:
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 manufacturers’ 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.
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.
Generally speaking, a factory warranty only covers several predetermined issues, which we will list below. As a rule of thumb, read over the fine print to ensure all of your warranty-related questions have been answered. For insurance queries, you may be interested to know about Verizon’s Protect program.
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. However, this transit damage inclusion only refers to online purchases, so be wary when taking a newly bought smartphone home from a brick-and-mortar store.
If your smartphone arrives broken, the manufacturer should replace it or fix it with no questions asked.
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.
If your phone becomes damaged due to a flaw in its initial manufacture, then the company should pony up for a replacement or repair. However, it is up to the company to decide if the flaw is due to the manufacturing procedure or if the consumer caused it during everyday use.
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. This is why, before you buy any warranty or insurance, check into each one carefully.
Moreover, if you have any more questions regarding warranties, you might be interested in learning about the Magnuson-Moss warranty act, which discusses the purpose of warranties for specific consumer goods.
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.
If you’re interested in learning more about consumer rights to repair and laws, check out the John Deer right to repair law, what is SB605, and the IBM 1956 Consent Decree.
STAT: The average smartphone user will tap, swipe, and click their phone 2,617 times a day. (source)
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