How does the Visa extended warranty work?

Yes the hardware is covered. No external damage, dropping, water, evidence of abuse. It’s warranty extension not accident coverage.

Nearly all Mastercard, Visa and American Express credit cards provide an extended warranty benefit. However, a credit card’s benefits are up to the card issuer. For example, Citi has removed extended warranty benefits from nearly all its cards. Another major issuer, Wells Fargo, axed the benefit from all its cards, altogether.… read full answer

Best Credit Cards with Extended Warranty

How Extended Warranty Works

A credit card extended warranty will add at least 1 extra year to an existing U.S. manufacturer’s warranty. It covers eligible items purchased with the card. Extended warranties provide up to $10,000 in coverage per item. In most cases, there’s a $50,000 limit per account. Some of the best extended warranty policies do not set a maximum dollar amount per account.

Not all items qualify for the benefit. Non-covered items vary depending on the card. Most programs will not cover motorized vehicles, computer software, used items and medical equipment.

How to File a Claim

To file a credit card extended warranty claim, you’ll have to contact the card’s benefit administrator. You will typically need to do so within 90 days of an item breaking, depending on the card. You will then need to file a claim form along with any relevant supporting documentation, such as your credit card statement, store receipt and original warranty. You may also have to send a copy of a repair order, if applicable. Networks and issuers have varying deadlines for submitting the claim form and other documents. Refer to your card’s benefits guide for specifics.

If your credit card originally came with an extended warranty benefit, it may be worth checking with your card issuer to see if the benefit still applies. Citi isn’t the only card issuer to slash extended warranty benefits in recent years. For instance, American Express used to have one of the best credit card extended warranty programs on the market. However, Amex cut its former 2-year extended warranty down to 1 year in 2020, and removed the benefit completely from several no-annual-fee credit cards.

The Visa credit card benefits come in three tiers: Traditional, Signature and Infinite. Traditional benefits are standard on all Visa cards. They include emergency card replacement, roadside assistance and zero fraud liability.

Visa Signature cards have an additional layer of benefits. You’ll get extended warranties and year-end summaries. Plus, there’s travel and emergency services. They give you access to transportation assistance, ticket replacement, lost luggage location, medical and legal referral assistance, and more.… read full answer

The third tier of Visa credit card benefits, available on Visa Infinite cards, includes return protection, lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance and more.

Traditional Visa credit card benefits:

• Roadside Dispatch: Provides access to Visa’s pay-per-use roadside assistance program. Call (800) 847-2869, 24/7, for assistance with towing (up to 5 miles), jump starts, tire changes, locksmith services and up to 5 gallons of fuel. A $69.95 fee applies to all service calls.
• Zero Liability: Protects you against fraudulent use of your card. You’re not liable for any unauthorized purchases made on your card as long as you promptly report any suspicious charges.
• Lost or stolen card reporting: Replaces your lost or stolen Visa card at no charge and blocks your old card from additional use.
• Emergency Card Replacement: Visa will work with your issuer to replace damaged or unusable cards within one to three business days.
• Emergency Cash Disbursement: Visa will contact your bank to have cash made available to you within hours after the bank approves.
• Cardholder Inquiry Service: Call (800) 847-2911 with general inquiries on your card’s benefits. Customer service provides benefit information 24/7.
• ID Navigator: ID Navigator Powered by NortonLifeLock provides you with the tools to help keep you informed of potential threats to your identity so you can act quickly.

If your card is a Visa Signature, you’ll get all of the basic Visa credit card benefits but will have access to several more.

Visa Signature credit card benefits:

• Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: Access to numerous types of assistance to aid you when you travel. Services include emergency transportation assistance, ticket replacement, lost luggage location, medical and legal referral assistance and more. Available 24/7.
• Concierge Service: Provides 24/7 assistance with services such as hotel bookings, making travel arrangements, and reserving sports and entertainment tickets. Cardholders are responsible for the cost of any purchases.
• Year-end Summary: Provides a detailed report of your card’s spending for tax and financial planning. Transactions are organized into categories such as travel, restaurants, gas and medical expenses.
• All Traditional Visa benefits

Visa Infinite cards are the peak of Visa credit card benefits, and include some of the most valuable perks like travel insurance.

Visa Infinite credit card benefits:

• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Covers your rental vehicle against damage or theft, up to the vehicle’s full cash value. Coverage is good for rentals of up to 15 days in the U.S., or 31 days internationally. You must decline the rental agency’s coverage and charge the entire rental to your Visa card. Vehicles such as motorcycles and SUVs, among others, are not covered.
• Travel accident insurance: Insures you up to $500,000 if you’re disabled or suffer an accidental death as a passenger on certain licensed carriers. Includes airlines, trains, boats, buses and more.
• Trip Cancellation, Interruption Reimbursement: Provides reimbursement up to $2,000 per trip for the non-refundable cost of your fare. Coverage applies if you have to cancel or interrupt your trip. Instances typically not covered include pre-existing conditions and being under the influence of non-prescribed drugs or alcohol.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement: Pays up to $500 per ticket for reasonable expenses incurred if your flight is delayed by more than 6 hours. You’re also covered if the delay requires an overnight hotel stay.
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement: Covers up to $3,000 per trip for lost or stolen luggage ($2,000 in New York). Applies to checked and carry-on luggage and its contents. Some items, like medical equipment, are excluded.
• Extended Warranty: The Warranty Manager Service adds an additional year to existing manufacturer warranties of 1 to 3 years. Motor vehicles, computer software and medical equipment are among the items not covered.
• Return protection: Reimburses you for new, working items that you tried and failed to return to a store, up to $300 per item. Helps recover costs within 90 days of purchase.
• Purchase Security: Items purchased with your card that get damaged or stolen within the first 90 days are eligible for repair, replacement or reimbursement. Covers up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year. If the item is stolen, you must file a police report within 48 hours.
• All Visa Signature benefits

Some issuers may have similar higher-tier Visa credit card benefits on some lower-tier cards. Refer to your credit card’s guide to benefits or contact your issuer for terms and conditions and specific coverage amounts.