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Trust is good – insurance is better? Is it worth taking out a warranty extension for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X?
Hyperventilating fans, uncontrolled gamepad jerks, cryptic error codes, freezing screens: Fortunately, it doesn’t happen often, but of course game consoles can also give up the ghost – according to Murphy’s law, usually a few hours after the warranty expires.
You can protect yourself against such a GAU – with an extended warranty. But what does that actually mean?
First of all, it is very important between Guarantee and Guarantee to distinguish.
- The one required by law Guarantee is two years for newly purchased products. Always and fundamentally. The seller (usually the dealer) guaranteedthat the goods delivered by him are free of defects – assuming ‘normal’ use.
- If, contrary to expectations, a defect does occur, the dealer can either repair the product or deliver a replacement device.
- Often there is a dispute over the question of when exactly the defect occurred during the warranty. Within the first six months after purchase (from 2022: twelve months) the burden of proof lies with the retailer. Legislators and courts assume in favor of the consumer that the defect was present from the start.
- At a later point in time, i.e. between month 7 and 24, the customer must prove that the defect existed ex works and was not his fault – this is often hardly possible with electronic devices. In the best case, one can hope for the goodwill of the seller.
- With the voluntary Guarantee of a manufacturer, on the other hand, does not care when the fault occurs within the warranty period. In contrast to the legally regulated warranty, a guarantee is a volunteer power of the manufacturer.
- The manufacturer can repair or replace the console at its own discretion during the warranty period – Sony Interactive, for example, allows this decision up to 21 days after receipt of the defective product. Consumables and wearing parts, such as batteries, are of course excluded.
What warranty periods apply to popular game consoles?
- Sony PlayStation 5 – 12 months
- Microsoft Xbox Series S / Xbox Series X – 12 months
- Nintendo Switch / Switch Lite – 24 Months
Summarized: If you rely on the guarantee in the event of damage, you are on the safe side for a whole year with the consoles from Microsoft and Sony Interactive, provided you use the product ‘normally’ – with Nintendo it is even two years.
But what happens if the hard drive, drive, fan, circuit board or controller collapse after the warranty has expired? Or if you accidentally slip the console out of your hands? In this case, both dealers and some manufacturers offer an extended warranty.
What does an extended warranty cost for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X & Co.?
On average, you have to invest around 10 percent of the purchase price for a good night’s sleep – in the case of the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 we are talking about around 50 euros, with the Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series S it is around 30 euros. However, the insurance benefits and conditions of the individual dealers differ considerably:
Media market
The insurance coverage at MediaMarkt is called Plus guarantee* – the tariff depends on the purchase price.
Example for a 500 euro console: For a flat rate of 49.90 euros there is three years of additional protection. This covers damage caused by material and production defects, but also wear and tear of original batteries. However, costs due to accident, shock, water and moisture damage are not taken into account. If you live on the coast or in the desert: Sand damage is also not covered.
In the event of damage, the device will be repaired free of charge. If that doesn’t work, you will receive a refurbished console or a new device. There is no excess.
Saturn
Also at the MediaMarkt sister company Saturn is Plus guarantee*, which also covers material and production defects as well as wear and tear (e.g. of batteries). The prices are staggered in line with MediaMarkt:
- Purchase price up to EUR 300: EUR 29.90
- Purchase price up to 500 euros: 49.90 euros
- Purchase price up to EUR 800: EUR 79.90
GameStop
The extended warranty at GameStop is called “Console Protection”: The tariff extends the warranty by 24 months and is intended to provide protection in the event of damage or destruction due to production, construction or material defects. In total, the guarantee extends to a total of 36 months, i.e. three years.
The costs:
- 19.99 euros for consoles up to 200 euros
- 34.99 euros for consoles up to 400 euros (e.g. Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch)
- 44.99 euros for consoles up to 600 euros (e.g. Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5)
In the event of damage, consoles and accessories can be repaired free of charge – in the event of irreparable damage to the console, you will receive a replacement device of the same type and quality, i.e. a used device if necessary. If that is not possible either, you will be paid the corresponding current value.
The insurance does not cover scratches, scrapes and abrasion damage, wear parts, normal wear and tear or depreciation. The same also applies to accessories that “experience has shown that they have to be replaced several times during their service life. In other words: The included controller is explicitly not covered by insurance – GameStop confirmed this to us again upon request. Only if the console is defective will the customer receive the purchase price – including the gamepad – back.
Console Protection also does not apply in the event of loss, theft or external influences, regardless of whether it is a fall in the ground, unfavorable weather conditions or a reactor accident.
Otto
For a surcharge, Otto offers the so-called “Otto long-term guarantee”* at. Defects due to manufacturing and material defects are covered. If the replacement or repair is uneconomical, financial compensation will be made taking into account the useful life.
Example: An Otto long-term guarantee of 36 months is available for the Xbox Series S (purchase price: 289 euros) or for the Nintendo Switch (329 euros) for 29.99 euros each.
Euronics
When describing the respective product in Euronics Online-Shop* Different insurance variants are listed. The Euronics basic protection for 29.90 euros (“value guarantee”) offers three additional years of protection against repair costs due to material, construction and production errors. Anyone who opts for the comfort variant is also covered against costs in the event of fall / fall damage or improper handling.
The tariff depends on the purchase price: up to 500 euros, the basic tariff still costs 79.90 euros – for comfort protection, the price increases to 109.90 euros (3 years) or 139.90 euros (5 years).
Expert
Expert also works with the value guarantee provider: the customer can choose between “Plus 3 device protection” and a “5-year premium guarantee”.
“Plus 3 equipment protection” means: three additional years of protection against material, production and construction defects as well as the assumption of wages, spare parts, travel costs and any compensation in the event of a total loss. An Xbox Series S can be insured for 39.90 euros.
The “Premium Guarantee” with a term of three or five years offers significantly more extensive protection, for example against overvoltage or display breakage.
The “Value Guarantee Complete Protection” from Expert promises full coverage of repair costs in the event of electronic damage, improper handling, damage from falls and falls, as well as water and moisture damage. New devices can be insured for a maximum of two years for 5 euros per month (with a device price below 1,000 euros).
Amazon
The market leader among mail order companies offers device protection for some game consoles for a total of four years from the date of purchase. Accident damage is covered, but also all other mechanical and electrical failures that are not already covered by the manufacturer’s guarantee.
One Nintendo Switch* (Purchase price: 330 euros) can be insured for 27.99 euros.
Microsoft Complete
If you buy the Xbox Series X directly from the factory in the Microsoft online shop, you can opt for Microsoft Complete. The package costs 49 euros and covers accidental damage to the Xbox console and controller – but limited to a maximum of two accidental damage or three repairs. Duration: a maximum of 24 months.
Extended warranty for consoles – our tips
- Whether a warranty extension is worthwhile depends on your personal security needs. Converted to the validity period, the insurance coverage is comparatively cheap – on average, you get 2 to 3 euros per month.
- In the case of inexpensive, mature models such as the Xbox One or the PlayStation 4 in the price range of less than 250 euros, the additional insurance is dispensable because the potential damage is manageable.
- An additional guarantee will not save you from having to go without your console for several weeks in the event of damage. And: If hard disks or the entire console have to be replaced, the data stored on them will be lost.
- Check which services you really need. Damage to electronic devices caused by fire, tap water, storms, hail, burglary or vandalism is often already covered by classic household insurance.
- Be sure to keep the original invoice carefully. With some manufacturers you have to or should register online in order to meet all claims. If you buy a console on Ebay or from buddy, so should you always insist on the merchant’s invoice.
- Basically, our advice is to use both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X exclusively brand new and in its original packaging to acquire. In this way you will avoid being given a Monday device.
Here you can read the warranty conditions of the three major manufacturers:
All information has been carefully researched. Naturally, this is not legal advice, which is why we do not accept any liability for incorrect or outdated information. Please read the respective insurance conditions carefully before you take out a warranty extension. We are always grateful for experience reports, tips and hints – use the comment function or send us an email.
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