How does Nikon lens warranty coverage work, and what do third-party warranties add?
Asked 5/6/2013
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I’m considering buying a Nikon lens and want to understand the warranty. How long is Nikon’s lens warranty, and is the first year different from the extended coverage period? If a covered autofocus failure happens during the warranty term, is the repair fully covered or is there any deductible? Also, what do third-party plans like SquareTrade or Mack add compared with Nikon’s warranty, especially for accidental damage, theft, or loss?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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Nikon cameras and lenses are covered by a 1 year warranty. Lenses have a 4 year extension of that warranty. If you have an issue under warranty it doesn't matter if it's in the 1st year or the 5th, the coverage will be the same.
If a lens is repaired under warranty, there will be no charge for the repair - you will have to cover the cost of shipping the lens to the repair centre if you cannot drop it off.
Nikon's warranty only covers defects, but doesn't cover damage you've caused, like dropping the lens or getting it wet. Some Squaretrade and Mack warranties will cover accidental damage. They do not cover theft or loss.
I don't know who carries out the actual repairs for Squaretrade and Mack. I would be concerned about having gear handled by someone other than an authorised Nikon repairer, so you might want to ask them what their expertise is with Nikon gear.
I couldn't advise on what is best for drop/spill or theft/loss. If you have home/contents insurance, that is likely the least expensive option - depending on the cost of your gear it might be covered with no additional premium. I believe my contents insurance covers up to $1500 without needing to itemise it and pay an extra premium. There would be an excess (deductable) on contents insurance though, while SquareTrade/Mack would pay out the full amount.
I think paying $200-300 for a few years of coverage on a $1000 lens which already has a 5 year warranty by the manufacturer, and which is probably covered by homeowners insurance for theft and even droppage, is probably not a worthwhile investment.
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For Nikon lenses, the standard coverage described here is 1 year, with a 4-year extension for lenses, for a total of 5 years. The coverage is the same throughout that period if the problem is a warranty issue.
If the lens has a defect covered by Nikon’s warranty—such as an autofocus failure not caused by misuse—the repair should be covered at no charge. You may still need to pay shipping to send the lens to Nikon if you can’t deliver it in person.
Nikon’s warranty covers defects, not accidental damage. So drops, impact damage, or water/spill damage are generally not covered. Third-party plans such as SquareTrade or Mack may add accidental-damage coverage, which is their main advantage over Nikon’s own warranty.
However, based on the answers provided, those third-party plans do not cover theft or loss. One caution is that repairs under third-party protection may not necessarily be done by an authorized Nikon repair center, which some buyers may see as a downside.
If your goal is “zero worry” for defects, Nikon’s warranty is fine; if you want coverage for accidents, a third-party accidental-damage plan may be worth considering.
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