It is no secret that corporate offices have traditionally preferred HP products. Whether we talk about desktops, laptops or printers, HP has gained a reputation for offering sturdy, reliable products with relatively long lifespans. Additionally, HP also offers a wide range of printers, such as inkjets, laser printers and deskjets. Similarly, HP provides various laptop lines for different consumer segments; Chromebooks are ideal for students and Chrome fans, while Spectre and Envy models are high-end laptops, and are geared more towards working professionals and businessmen. For the average consumer, HP offers Pavilion laptops, which can be used by anyone.
HP is one of the most popular brands when it comes to laptops and printers, as the brand offers products that are extremely durable. That said, HP also offers excellent warranties, with its standard one year warranty covering damages to the products resulting from manufacturing defects or workmanship.
However, HP’s limited warranty does not cover accidental damages, which can range from accidental drops to spills. You can also protect your HP product by purchasing warranty extension, which can be done before the expiration of the brand warranty.HP also offers Care Pack services, which includes Accidental Damage Protection. However, considering the fact that you will have to spend anywhere between Rs. 3,000 – Rs. 7,000 to get a 2-3 year warranty extension.
So it is important to know if you should purchase an extended warranty, and how to make a calculated decision.
Factors to consider before opting for HP warranty extension
Product cost
One of the most important factors to consider before buying a warranty extension is the cost of the product. If you are buying an expensive product, whether it is an expensive HP laptop, or an expensive HP printer, then it makes sense to consider buying the warranty extension. You can purchase the extended warranty anytime before the brand warranty expires. For instance, if you own an HP Spectre laptop, which is a high-end device from the brand, you can either purchase an extended warranty from the brand (HP Care Pack), or from a third-party service provider, whoever offers the best extended warranty.
That said, what if the product doesn’t cost a lot? It doesn’t make much sense to spend around 25-30 percent of the cost of the device just to buy the extended warranty.
Weigh the risks against the reward
Another way to decide if availing the extended warranty is a good idea or not, is by weighing the risks against the reward. You can analyse the risk-reward ratio, by taking the best-case and worst-case scenarios into consideration.
For instance, the best-case scenario would be buying extended warranty for an expensive HP product, such as an HP Spectre laptop, and during the course of the three years, the laptop gets damaged a couple of times, and you use the warranty extension to get it repaired at zero cost. This ensures that the laptop remains operational, while at the same time, you are protected from spending exorbitant amounts because of the warranty extension.
On the other hand, the worst-case scenario is buying HP warranty extension, but the laptop runs without a hitch for three years. While it is helpful to have a contingency plan, paying a premium for no reward isn’t something we as consumers are willing to do.
Thus, as a general rule, it is always wise to invest in extended warranty only if the HP product is expensive. Otherwise, if the product is damaged after the expiration of the brand warranty, you can get it repaired for minimal cost at any service centre.
