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Trust is good – insurance is better? Is it worth taking out an extended warranty for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X?

Update from May 20, 2022: Which manufacturer’s warranty applies to Xbox consoles – 12 or 24 months? Because of partly different information from retailers, we asked Microsoft.

Result: As originally mentioned, the manufacturer’s guarantee is 12 months from the date of original purchase. In addition, the statutory warranty of 24 months by the respective dealer applies. For more information on the specific differences, see the post below.

Message from November 25, 2021: Hyperventilating fans, uncontrolled gamepad twitches, cryptic error codes, freezing screens: luckily this 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 meltdown – with a warranty extension. But what does that actually do?

First of all, it is very important between warranty and warranty to distinguish.

  • The one required by law warranty 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 occurs, the retailer can either repair the product or supply a replacement device.
  • There is often a dispute about when exactly the defect occurred during the warranty period. 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 months 7 and 24, the customer must prove that the defect existed more or less at the factory and was not his fault – which is often hardly possible with electronic devices. In the best case, one can hope for the goodwill of the seller.
  • In the warranty For a manufacturer, on the other hand, it doesn’t matter when the fault occurs within the warranty period. In contrast to the legally regulated guarantee, a guarantee is one voluntary perfomance of the manufacturer.
  • The manufacturer may, at its discretion, repair or replace the console during the warranty period – Sony Interactive, for example, allows up to 21 days to make this decision after receipt of the defective product. Consumables and wearing parts, such as batteries, are of course excluded.

What are the warranty periods for common 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 invoke 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 if you use the product ‘normally’ – with Nintendo it is even two years.

But what happens when the hard drive, drive, fan, circuit board, or controller collapses after the warranty expires? Or if the console accidentally slips out of your hands? In this case, both dealers and some manufacturers offer a warranty extension.

How much does a warranty extension for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X & Co. cost?

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’re talking about around 50 euros, with the Nintendo Switch and the Xbox Series S it’s around 30 euros. However, the insurance benefits and conditions of the individual dealers differ significantly:

MediaMarkt

The insurance protection at MediaMarkt is called PlusGuarantee* – 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. Damage caused by material and production errors is covered, but also wear and tear of original batteries. However, costs resulting from accident, impact, 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 (‘Refurbished’) or a new device. There is no deductible.

Saturn

Also at the MediaMarkt sister company Saturn PlusGuarantee* offered, which also covers material and production errors as well as wear and tear (e.g. of batteries). The prices are staggered in the same way as at MediaMarkt:

  • Purchase price up to 300 euros: 29.90 €
  • Purchase price up to 500 euros: 49.90 €
  • Purchase price up to 800 euros: 79.90 €

GameStop

GameStop’s warranty extension is called “Console Protection”: The tariff extends the warranty by 24 months and is intended to offer protection in the event of damage or destruction due to production, construction or material errors. In total, the warranty 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, the repair of consoles and accessories is 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 damage caused by scratches, scrapes or abrasions, wearing parts, normal wear and tear or depreciation. The same applies to accessories that “experience has shown 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 once again when we asked. Only if the actual console is defective does the customer get the purchase price back – i.e. including the gamepad.

Console Protection does not apply in the event of loss, theft or external influences, regardless of whether it falls on 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 is paid 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 product in question Euronics online store* Various insurance options 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. Those who opt for the comfort variant are also insured 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 device protection” means: three additional years of protection against material, production and design defects as well as payment of wages, spare parts, travel expenses 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 much more extensive protection, for example against overvoltage or display breakage.

The “value guarantee complete protection” from Expert promises full repair costs in the event of electronic damage, improper handling, fall and fall damage as well as water and moisture damage. New devices can be insured for a maximum of two years for EUR 5 per month (if the device costs less than EUR 1,000).

Amazon

The market leader among senders offers device protection for some game consoles for a total of four years from the date of purchase. Accidental damage is covered, as well as all other mechanical and electrical failures that are not already covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

One Nintendo switch* (Purchase price: 330 euros) can be secured for 27.99 euros.

Microsoft Complete

If you buy the Xbox Series X directly from the Microsoft online shop, you can optionally 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: maximum 24 months.

Extended warranty for consoles – our tips

  • Whether a warranty extension is worthwhile depends on your personal security needs. Converted to the period of validity, the insurance cover is comparatively cheap – on average you pay 2 to 3 euros per month.
  • In the case of cheap, mature discontinued models such as the Xbox One or the PlayStation 4 in the price range of less than 250 euros, additional insurance is not necessary because the potential damage is manageable.
  • In the event of damage, an additional guarantee will not protect you from having to do without your console for several weeks. And: If hard drives or the entire console need 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 contents insurance.
  • Be sure to keep the original invoice carefully. With some manufacturers, you must or should also register online in order to maintain all claims. If you buy a console on ebay or from mate, you should too always insist on the dealer’s invoice.
  • Basically, our advice is, both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X exclusively brand new and in the original packaging to acquire. This way you avoid being foisted on a Monday device.

Here you can read the guarantee conditions of the three major manufacturers:

All information has been carefully researched. Naturally, this is not legal advice, which is why we assume no liability for incorrect or outdated information. Please read the relevant insurance conditions very carefully before taking out a warranty extension. We are always grateful for experience reports, tips and hints – use the comment function or send us an e-mail.

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