When you buy an expensive product such as a phone, laptop, television, appliance, or car, it may come with a warranty. A warranty can protect you if the product stops working or has a manufacturing problem.
Knowing warranty vocabulary can help you understand your rights and communicate with a store, manufacturer, or customer-service representative.
1. What Is a Warranty?
A warranty is a written promise from a manufacturer or seller to repair or replace a product if there is a problem during a specific period.
Example:
This laptop comes with a two-year warranty.
This usually means that certain problems may be repaired or covered during the first two years after you buy the laptop.
Warranty Vocabulary List
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| warranty | a promise to repair or replace a product | The phone has a one-year warranty. |
| manufacturer | the company that makes the product | Contact the manufacturer about the warranty. |
| retailer | a store or company that sells products | The retailer helped me with my warranty claim. |
| coverage | what the warranty protects | Water damage is not covered by the warranty. |
| warranty period | the amount of time the warranty is valid | The warranty period is two years. |
| expire | to officially end | My warranty expires next month. |
| valid | still legally or officially acceptable | Is my warranty still valid? |
| proof of purchase | evidence that you bought the product | You need proof of purchase to make a claim. |
| receipt | a document showing what you bought and paid | I still have the original receipt. |
| repair | to fix something | The company will repair the computer. |
| replacement | a new product given instead of the original | They offered me a replacement. |
| refund | money returned to the customer | The store gave me a full refund. |
| defective | having a problem because it was made incorrectly | The customer received a defective product. |
| malfunction | a problem that prevents something from working correctly | The machine has started to malfunction. |
| claim | a formal request for help under a warranty | I submitted a warranty claim. |
2. Common Types of Warranties
There are four warranty types: legal warranty, manufacturer’s warranty, extended warranty and limited warranty.
Legal Warranty
A legal warranty is a warranty provided by law. Unlike a manufacturer’s warranty or an extended warranty, you generally do not have to purchase it separately.
For example:
In some situations, you may have legal warranty rights even if the manufacturer’s warranty has expired.
Manufacturer’s warranty
A manufacturer’s warranty is provided by the company that made the product.
The manufacturer’s warranty covers parts and labour for one year.
Extended warranty
An extended warranty provides coverage for a longer period than the original warranty.
Would you like to purchase an extended warranty?
An extended warranty may cost extra, so it is important to understand what it covers before buying it.
Limited warranty
A limited warranty covers only certain problems, parts, or situations.
This product comes with a limited warranty.
Always check the warranty terms to find out what is included and excluded.
3. Covered and Not Covered
One of the most important warranty questions is:
What does the warranty cover?
If something is covered, the company agrees to provide the service described in the warranty.
Examples:
- The warranty covers manufacturing defects.
- Parts and labour are covered.
- The battery is covered for one year.
- Repairs are covered under the warranty.
However, some problems may not be covered.
Examples:
- Accidental damage is not covered.
- Water damage is not covered.
- The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear.
- Damage caused by misuse is not covered.
Useful phrase
Is this covered under the warranty?
This is a very useful question when speaking to customer service.
4. Normal Wear and Tear
Wear and tear means normal damage that happens when you use something regularly.
For example:
- The colour of a sofa may fade.
- Shoes may become worn.
- A phone case may become scratched.
- A car’s tires may become worn.
Many warranties do not cover normal wear and tear.
The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear.
5. Defective Products
A product is defective when it has a problem because it was made incorrectly or does not work as it should.
Examples:
- The headphones are defective.
- I think this appliance is defective.
- The product stopped working after two days.
- There appears to be a manufacturing defect.
Defect vs. damage
A defect is usually a problem with the product itself.
Example:
The washing machine stopped working because of a manufacturing defect.
Damage is usually caused by an accident, misuse, or another outside factor.
Example:
The screen was damaged when I dropped the phone.
This difference can be important because a warranty may cover a defect but not accidental damage.
6. Making a Warranty Claim
If your product has a problem, you may need to make or submit a warranty claim.
Common steps
- Find your receipt or other proof of purchase.
- Check whether the warranty is still valid.
- Check what the warranty covers.
- Contact the retailer or manufacturer.
- Explain the problem.
- Provide the requested documents or information.
- Wait for the company to inspect the product.
- The company may repair, replace, or sometimes refund the product.
Useful phrases
I’d like to make a warranty claim.
I’d like to have this product repaired under warranty.
The product stopped working.
I bought this six months ago.
I still have the receipt.
Is this covered under the warranty?
What documents do I need?
How long will the repair take?
Can you replace the product instead?
7. Warranty vs. Return Policy
A warranty and a return policy are not the same thing.
A return policy explains whether and when you can return a product to a store.
A warranty generally provides protection when a product has a problem during the warranty period.
Compare:
| Return Policy | Warranty |
| Usually applies to returning a product | Usually applies to product problems |
| Often has a short time limit | May last for months or years |
| May allow a refund or exchange | May provide repair or replacement |
| Rules depend on the store | Often provided by the manufacturer |
Example:
You buy a blender and decide that you don’t like it. You may need to use the store’s return policy.
The blender stops working because of a manufacturing defect six months later. You may need to use the warranty.
8. Important Warranty Questions
When buying a product, ask:
- How long is the warranty?
- What does the warranty cover?
- What is not covered?
- Does the warranty include parts and labour?
- Do I need to register the product?
- Do I need to keep the receipt?
- What happens if the product needs to be repaired?
- Can I get a replacement?
- Is accidental damage covered?
- Is there an extended warranty?
A useful conversation
Customer: How long is the warranty on this laptop?
Employee: It comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Customer: What does the warranty cover?
Employee: It covers manufacturing defects and repairs.
Customer: What about accidental damage?
Employee: Unfortunately, accidental damage isn’t covered.
Customer: I see. Is there an extended warranty available?
Employee: Yes. You can purchase an additional two years of coverage.
Practice
Practice 1: Match the Words
Match each word with the correct definition.
| # | Vocabulary Word | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | warranty | A. A new product given instead of the original |
| 2 | defective | B. The company that makes a product |
| 3 | receipt | C. A formal request for service under a warranty |
| 4 | coverage | D. A written promise to repair or replace a product |
| 5 | expire | E. To officially end |
| 6 | replacement | F. A document showing that you bought something |
| 7 | claim | G. Protection provided by a warranty |
| 8 | manufacturer | H. Having a problem because something was made incorrectly |
Answer Key:
- D
- H
- F
- G
- E
- A
- C
- B
Practice 2: Complete the Sentences
Use the correct word from the box.
warranty | defective | receipt | coverage | expires | repair | replacement | claim
- I still have the original __________ from the store.
- My laptop __________ next month.
- The company said that the product was __________.
- I’d like to make a warranty __________.
- The store offered me a __________ because they couldn’t fix the original product.
- Is accidental damage included in the warranty __________?
- The company will __________ the machine free of charge.
- This phone comes with a two-year __________.
Practice 3: Covered or Not Covered?
Read each situation. Decide whether the problem is likely to be covered or not covered by a standard manufacturer’s warranty.
- A new television stops working because of a manufacturing defect.
- You drop your phone and crack the screen.
- A new refrigerator stops cooling after three months.
- Your shoes become worn after two years of regular use.
- A new washing machine has a faulty motor.
- You damage your laptop because you spill coffee on it.
Write:
Covered / Not covered
Then explain your answer using:
I think this is covered because…
or
I think this is not covered because…
Practice 4: Choose the Best Answer
1. Your computer stopped working, and you want to know if the warranty will help.
A. How much is the receipt?
B. Is this covered under the warranty?
C. Where is the manufacturer?
2. You want to know how long your warranty lasts.
A. When does the warranty expire?
B. How much is the replacement?
C. Where is the damage?
3. The store asks you to prove that you bought the product. What should you provide?
A. A warranty claim
B. Proof of purchase
C. An extended warranty
4. The company cannot repair your product and offers you a new one. What are you receiving?
A. A refund
B. A receipt
C. A replacement
5. Your product has a problem because it was made incorrectly. The product may be:
A. defective
B. expired
C. refunded
Practice 5: Complete the Customer-Service Conversation
Fill in the blanks using appropriate warranty vocabulary.
Customer: Hi. I’d like to make a __________ about this coffee machine.
Employee: Certainly. What’s the problem?
Customer: It stopped working last week. I bought it about eight months ago.
Employee: Do you have your __________?
Customer: Yes, I have it here.
Employee: Good. Let me check whether it’s still under __________.
Customer: Is the repair __________?
Employee: Yes, manufacturing defects are covered. However, accidental damage is not.
Customer: I didn’t damage it. It simply stopped working.
Employee: In that case, we can send it for __________.
Practice 6: Rewrite the Sentences
Rewrite each sentence using the word in brackets.
Example:
The warranty ends next month.
(expires)
The warranty expires next month.
1. The company will fix the television for free.
(repair)
2. The warranty does not protect against water damage.
(cover)
3. I want to ask for service under the warranty.
(claim)
4. The company gave me a new phone because they couldn’t fix mine.
(replacement)
5. The product has a problem because of a manufacturing error.
(defective)
Practice 7: Speaking
Work with a partner. Student A is the customer. Student B is the customer-service representative.
Situation 1: Laptop
You bought a laptop six months ago. It suddenly stopped working.
Ask about:
- the warranty
- coverage
- repair
- how long the repair will take
- a possible replacement
Situation 2: Blender
You bought a blender three months ago. The motor makes a strange noise and sometimes stops.
Explain:
- when you bought it
- what the problem is
- that you have the receipt
- what solution you want
Useful expressions
I’d like to make a warranty claim.
The product stopped working.
I bought it about ___ months ago.
I have the receipt.
Is this covered under the warranty?
What does the warranty cover?
Can you repair it?
How long will the repair take?
Would it be possible to get a replacement?
Practice 8: Writing
Write a short email to a store or manufacturer about a defective product.
Include:
- what you bought
- when you bought it
- what the problem is
- whether you have proof of purchase
- what you would like the company to do
Helpful phrases
I am writing about a product I purchased…
Unfortunately, the product has stopped working.
The product is still under warranty.
I have attached a copy of my receipt.
I would like to request a repair or replacement.
Please let me know what I need to do next.
Quick Review: Key Warranty Vocabulary
Before you finish, make sure you can use these words:
warranty – protection for a product for a specific period
coverage – what the warranty protects
manufacturer – the company that makes the product
retailer – the company or store that sells the product
defective – having a manufacturing problem
repair – to fix something
replacement – a new product given instead of the original
refund – money returned to the customer
claim – a formal request for warranty service
proof of purchase – evidence that you bought something
expire – to come to an end
wear and tear – normal damage from regular use
extended warranty – additional warranty coverage for a longer period
Key Phrase
Is this covered under the warranty?
This is one of the most useful questions to remember when dealing with a warranty problem.
