Your Guide to Buying a Laptop Extended Warranty

A laptop is an expensive purchase and manufacturer’s warranties don’t last forever. We take a look at what you look from a laptop extended warranty.

Keyword(s): laptop extended warranty

You finally purchased the laptop of your dreams. You’ve bought the software you want, the case you love, and you’ve arranged your desktop in a way that feels simply perfect.

Before you start happily clicking away, you should consider the benefits of a laptop extended warranty. After all, your manufacturer’s warranty won’t last forever, and you wouldn’t want something to happen to your shiny new toy, right?

Let’s get into what you need to know!

Why Buy a Laptop Extended Warranty?

You shouldn’t drop tens of thousands on a shiny sports car only to “hope for the best” and not insure your vehicle, would you? Don’t take that same risk with your gadgets!

Extended warranties operate differently from standard warranties. Currently, most companies offer a complimentary warranty for parts and labor. The timeframe varies, but it’s usually about one year, which is fairly limited.

Furthermore, these warranties only cover malfunctions in parts. They won’t cover any accidents related to user-error (think: water damage, scraping, dropping, or loss/theft).

Some credit cards will extend the manufacturer’s warranty, but this depends on the particular credit card company and the store itself. Buying with cash, debit cards, or gift cards could negate and void this extension.

Extended warranties take place after the standard warranty concludes. In other words, it essentially pays for a more extended peace of mind.

Accidents and emergencies can and do happen all the time. If a single mistake ends up costing you thousands of dollars, you’re going to wish you had purchased that warranty.

What Should Extended Warranties Include?

Each company has its own set of standards and regulations for warranties. As a general rule of thumb, however, there are a few, necessary items you should consider.

Length of Coverage

Most warranties range between 1-4 years for electronics. Your contract will start at the conclusion of any manufacturer’s set warranty. If it’s a refurbished product, the contract typically begins on the date of purchase.

Types of Damage

If you’re looking to buy an extended warranty, you want one that will cover all the standard inside machinery. This means any slowing or breaking down. It also means any major or minor repairs.

However, you also want coverage that applies to accidents. As you probably know, humans aren’t the most, well, reliable when it comes to taking care of their electronics. After all, it’s so easy to spill coffee or accidentally drop your laptop.

Some plans will also cover theft or loss, so you should consider if that’s an option you’ll need when shopping around for plans.

Of course, it should be noted, that you won’t receive reimbursement from any company for intentional damage. But that’s just common sense, right?

Options for Repair

The warranty should state that if the company cannot repair your laptop, they will provide you with compensation for the current market value. This should be in the form of either a check or direct deposit.

Filing Claims

You can usually file claims a variety of ways depending on how the company sets up its customer service. Standard options include online file claim forms, calling, or sending in a mail form.

Know Yourself And Your History

Are you the type of person who’s ultra-cautious with all their electronics? Or, are you the person who always has to replace his phone and laptop due to damage or carelessness?

It’s important to think about how you use technology and what your electronic history has looked like in the past.

Of course, there’s no guarantee whether or not the extended warranty will be financially worth it, but certain risk factors make it a more viable option.

For example, if you have small children in the home, this could certainly pose as an issue. This is especially true if you allow them access to your technology. After all, we all know how kids operate, right?!

You can also consider adding up how much you have spent on out-of-warranty repairs or replacements in the past and compare it to the total price of an extended warranty. What’s worth it?

Understand the Deductible

Just like insurance plans, some companies require that you meet a deductible before receiving repairs and/or compensation.

It is essential for you to determine how this deductible works and if it’s the best option for you. It could make the difference between spending a little more every month versus getting slammed with a massive repair bill.

Don’t Forget Other Electronics

The average person spends 11 hours on various electronic devices. That’s a whole lot of time tapping, clicking, and watching away.

Whether you’re concerned about your own use or the rest of your family’s, don’t overlook the everyday technology you use to stay connected and entertained. This includes televisions, smartphones, tablets, and other computers.

Many companies will bundle products together. You will usually save money by ensuring various electronics within the same policy.

Again, only you can determine what is and what isn’t worth covering. If you can easily replace or afford to buy a new product outright, the policy may not be worth it. However, if you tend to buy the newest and latest gadgets, insurance can provide you with seamless protection.

Final Thoughts

If your laptop represents a fundamental part of your work or personal life, it’s essential that you provide it with the security and care it needs.

Don’t wait for an emergency to strike to take action! At Consumer Priority Service, we offer laptop extended warranty coverage for virtually all electronics.

Learn more about how we can provide you with peace of mind today.