What is an extended warranty?
When you purchase an item, there may already be an Australian warranty in place. This is where the manufacturer guarantees it will repair or replace the purchased item if it is found to be faulty within a certain period of time. It usually only lasts a matter of months or a few years.
If you make the purchase with your credit card, you may be eligible for extended warranty insurance. This is a benefit which extends the manufacturer's warranty on eligible purchases on your credit card. While it is offered through your bank, it is backed by a separate insurer like Allianz or Zurich.
The extended warranty does not affect your rights against a manufacturer in the event a law is violated under Australian legislation.
What are the types of extended warranty?
There is only 1 type of extended warranty, but it is the period of the warranty that differs.
- The extended warranty period will match the period of the manufacturer's warranty, starting from when the original warranty ends.
- There is often a maximum of 12 months' additional warranty, but some providers may offer up to 24 months.
- Extended warranty does not apply if the item already has a warranty of 5 or more years. This is also dependent on the provider; for example, Macquarie Bank does not offer buyer's advantage cover for existing warranties of more than 5 years.
For example:
If the manufacturer warranty period is: | You'll be covered for an additional: |
---|---|
30 days | 30 days |
90 days | 90 days |
6 months | 6 months |
1 to 5 years | 1 year |
Over 5 years | No cover |
How does extended warranty work?
If you are eligible, the extended warranty from your credit card will begin after the manufacturer's warranty ends. This may take place automatically, but you may also need to register your purchase with the card provider.
There are other factors to consider as well:
- There is often an excess for each claim you make under the extended warranty.
- The item must have been purchased with your credit card.
- You will need to show proof of purchase and your credit card receipt proving you used your card to pay for the item.
- If you purchased additional coverage, you need to show proof of that as well as the manufacturer's warranty.
- If you cancel the credit card you used to make the purchase, the extended warranty will also be voided.
- As well as the above, you will need to fill out a claims form that your credit card company will provide.
How to compare extended warranties
- Excess. You will most likely need to pay a certain amount for each extended warranty insurance claim. This isn't an additional fee charged by the insurer at the time of making a claim, but will be taken out of the amount paid out.
- Claim process. Insurers have similar processes for claiming extended warranty insurance, but some may be more complicated than others. When you apply for your credit card you can enquire with the provider about the steps involved with its extended warranty insurer.
- Limits. The liabilities for claims usually have a limit on the amount you claim within a year, or it has to match the purchase price of the personal goods that were purchased with your credit card.
Pros and cons of extended warranty
Pros
- Peace of mind. Nowadays you don't have to worry about buying a separate warranty if you are planning to pay for it with one of your credit cards.
- Easy to access. Many rewards and premium credit cards now come with complimentary extended warranty on eligible purchases. Many retail rewards credit cards come with this kind of offer.
Cons
- Only applies to Australian purchases. In most cases, the warranty will only apply when you buy an Australian-manufactured product. This means that if you try to shop overseas or online the warranty won't apply.
- Excess fees. Typically, you will need to pay an excess for each claim. This can be from a low of $100 up to $300, so you will need to decide if the claim is worth pursuing, depending on the original cost of the item.
Frequently asked questions
Images: Shutterstock
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