If you’ve ever purchased an electronic device, a major appliance, or a vehicle, chances are you’ve been asked if you also wanted to purchase an extended warranty or service contract. Extended warranties are offered by retailers for an additional cost to customers and provide repair or product maintenance for a specific period of time.
Selling extended warranties may be quite profitable for retailers. It’s an easy way for them to make money because they get to keep a percentage of what they charge for the service contracts.
Before you purchase an extended warranty, consider the following questions:
Does your purchase come with a manufacturer’s warranty? Many products already come with a warranty from the manufacturer that covers replacement or repairs within a certain time period. Even if the warranty period is short, manufacturers may offer low-cost repair or replacement of items if they are known to be defective, although there are no guarantees unless state or federal laws apply.
Will the manufacturer’s warranty overlap with the extended warranty? You may want to forgo purchasing an extended warranty if it will result in duplicate coverage.
If you’re using a credit card, does your card issuer automatically extend the manufacturer’s warranty? Some double the warranty period or extend it up to a year for products purchased using the card.
Do you plan on purchasing your product from a well-known manufacturer? Research online product reviews to gauge reliability and the potential for problems to occur before you spring for an extended warranty.
If the product you’ve purchased needs repairs, will they be costly? You should weigh the cost of the extended warranty against what it will cost to pay for the repairs out of pocket.
If you decide to purchase an extended warranty, read the terms carefully. Extended warranties contain coverage exclusions and limitations. In addition, some extended warranties may require you to pay additional charges to have a covered product serviced (e.g., deductibles, fees, and shipping costs).
If you have questions or need assistance, contact the experts at Henssler Financial:
- Experts Request Form
- Email: experts@henssler.com
- Phone: 770-429-9166
Disclosures: The following information is reprinted with permission from Forefield, a division of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. This article is meant to provide valuable background information on particular investments, NOT a recommendation to buy. The investments referenced within this article may currently be traded by Henssler Financial. All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and current, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The contents are intended for general information purposes only. Information provided should not be the sole basis in making any decisions and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional, such as a tax consultant, insurance adviser or attorney. Although this material is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with respect to the subject matter, it may not apply in all situations. Readers are urged to consult with their adviser concerning specific situations and questions. This is not to be construed as an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments. It is not our intention to state, indicate or imply in any manner that current or past results are indicative of future profitability or expectations. As with all investments, there are associated inherent risks. Please obtain and review all financial material carefully before investing. Henssler is not licensed to offer or sell insurance products, and this overview is not to be construed as an offer to purchase any insurance products.
