In today’s world of digital living, our lives are very much intertwined with technology and the gadgets that we possess. In fact, our lives are so deeply connected with technology that a lot of people find it impossible to live without their mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras and computers.
But let’s face it, the world can be an unforgiving place and not all of our gadgets are built to withstand the forces of the elements. That’s why a lot of gadget retailers and even manufacturers are coming up with ways on how consumers (given the price is right) will be able to protect their devices.
One of the most obvious and accessible means of doing this is through purchasing an extended warranty. But do you really need it? Or is it just another gimmick that stores and manufacturers make use of in order to get extra cash from the unwary buyers? Here’s the 411 on extended warranties in case you have one but don’t fully understand it or if you’re thinking of getting one for your next dream gadget.
What We Know. In a nutshell, extended warranties are just upgraded versions of their OEM (Original equipment manufacturer) counterparts. The overall coverage of extended warranties differs among the entities distributing it. Some may provide additional protection to your gadgets compared to others, but for the most part, their basic function is just to prolong the effectiveness of the manufacturer’s warranty.
What’s not covered?
- Defects that are subject to manufacturer’s recall which makes sense since recalls are usually covered by the manufacturer.
- Manufacturer’s recommended routine maintenance, inspection cleaning, external adjustments
- Cosmetic damages - dents, cracks or chips on your gadget’s paint job are not included
- Damages due to software installation/upgrade, which means that if anything bad happens during a software upgrade or installation such as in the case of phones, tablets and computers. Furthermore, damages due to the installation of unauthorized software (jailbreaking for iOS and rooting for android) will definitely be not covered by the extended warranty
- Intentional physical damage. This is a little bit on the grey area as there is a thin line that separates accidental and intentional damage. I’ve heard of many stories where consumers have admitted of intentionally damaging their device so that the retailer can replace it with a new one. I am not sure on how retailers and manufacturers go about on detecting whether damage on a device is made accidentally or intentionally so I guess it’s advisable not to risk intentional damage to your beloved gadget.
- Spilled liquids and corrosion. To be honest, I was surprised to see this item in the exclusion list since most cellphone, digicam and computer damages are caused by liquid spillage. But if you think it over, this item just disproves the common connotation that about extended warranties acting as a form of gadget insurance.
- Burglary or theft. Again, extended warranties are not like comprehensive insurance that will protect your gadget from all the bad elements that the world has to offer. So it’s just common sense to accept the fact that stolen items will not be covered by the warranty.
- Damage due to unauthorized repair. Just like in the manufacturer’s warranty, any changes, repairs or alterations done on the device by unauthorized personnel will merit the automatic termination of the warranty, so the same goes with the extensions.
- Products with removed or altered serial numbers. This is a corollary to the previous entry since serial numbers acts as identification for our gadgets.
- When item is still covered by manufacturer’s warranty. This is possibly the best example of a misrepresentation of extended warranties. The warranty extension will only take effect after the manufacturer’s original warranty has expired (normally after one year), that means a 3-year extended warranty would only take effect in two years’ time.
- When item is used for commercial use (rentals). The logic behind this exclusion is that having the item rented or used for commercial purposes will increase the probability of it incurring damage. Manufacturers and retailers are careful about shouldering extra costs of repair due to mishandling; hence this item was excluded from the coverage of the extended warranty.
So is it worth it? When all things are considered, extended warranties is not such a bad investment, especially if money is not an option for you. However, if you’re the budget conscious technophile then you might want to consider ditching the additional cost of getting a warranty extension; unless of course you’re that clumsy and reckless tech savvy consumer who always forgets (or thinks) that his gadget is indestructible.
