How Long Do “lifetime Warranties” Actually Last?
When you’re told a product comes with a lifetime warranty, you’d be forgiven for assuming that means you can get it repaired or replaced at any time—five days after purchase or five decades after purchase. And in some cases this is true, but in many cases it is not true at all . Here’s what you need to know about so-called “lifetime” warranties.
The laws regarding warranties are confusing and vague, meaning that a “lifetime” warranty means pretty much whatever the company says it is. If you’re choosing a product based on a lifetime warranty claim, read the fine print carefully: Companies can use the term as a marketing shortcut and then define “lifetime warranty” to be as long as they want. In other words, you can buy something with a lifetime warranty that lasts three years. Or three months. As long as it is clearly defined, it is perfectly legal.
Another reason to read the fine print? Even though a lifetime warranty does in some sense last a lifetime (see below), it may be voided for a number of reasons:
-
Failure to perform maintenance. This is very common with lifetime vehicle powertrain warranties. If you do not follow the manufacturer’s or dealer’s recommended maintenance schedule (and retain evidence of such service), your Lifetime Warranty will void.
-
Unauthorized use. Often a lifetime warranty will be voided if you use the product in a non-standard manner, which in some ways makes sense. If you’re using your kitchen refrigerator at an outdoor party and it’s raining, chances are no lifetime warranty will save you.
-
Literally anything else. The manufacturer or retailer may limit the lifetime warranty in any way, excluding factors such as normal wear and tear, acts of God or acts of God.
Whose life?
Aside from the tricky fine print, the meaning of a lifetime warranty usually boils down to what the term “lifetime” is applied to:
-
Client lifespan. Many people believe that this is what the word “lifetime” refers to: if you buy a product with a lifetime warranty, it covers it for as long as you own it, that is, as long as you live. This is actually quite rare in the world of lifetime warranties, but these types of lifetime warranties do exist . For example, Craftsman will replace any hand tool for any reason, at any time.
-
Product service life. The term “service life” can refer to the service life of a product, which in turn has a specific lifespan. You may get a lifetime warranty on the new roof you just installed, but the “lifetime” refers to the shingles themselves, which have a certain lifespan (usually 30 to 50 years). This is how long a shingle is expected to last under normal conditions—its “lifetime.”
-
Lifespan of the company. It’s obvious when you think about it, but even though a lifetime warranty literally means forever and beyond, if the company offering that warranty ceases to exist, so will your warranty. Unless the other company assumes legal responsibility and expressly maintains the previous warranties, the company’s cessation of business will generally terminate the warranty. This is important in sectors such as home improvement or construction: the builder or installer may offer a lifetime warranty on your home or replacement windows, and if they go bust, so will your warranty.
The key takeaway here is that the term “lifetime warranty” is often just a marketing term; If a lifetime warranty is part of your purchase motivation, read the fine print.