Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
Does OtterBox have a warranty? Here's what you need to know
For many of us, smartphones play a crucial role in our lives, and it can be problematic when a case no longer offers the protection it’s built for. OtterBox of course is a well-known case brand, often one of the first to pump out accessories for a new device.
This article should provide a clear and comprehensive overview of OtterBox’s warranty policy. We’ll walk you through the specifics of their policy, and explain the step-by-step process to make a claim. Stick with us to find out if OtterBox has a lifetime warranty and how to ensure your device continues to be protected.
What is OtterBox’s warranty policy?
Put simply, OtterBox provides a warranty for its products against manufacturing, material, or craftsmanship defects under regular use as long as the products are purchased from an authorized dealer. The warranty does not cover any smartphones or devices not made by OtterBox.
OtterBox doesn’t have a lifetime warranty. There are different warranty periods depending on the type of product you purchased. This can be confusing since OtterBox uses language like “lifetime of the product,” but that doesn’t mean a lifetime guarantee. Here are the warranty periods:
- OtterBox Private Collection and Limited Edition/Specialty Products: 1 year (2 years in EMEA region) from the original date or delivery of purchase (whichever is later).
- OtterBox Outdoor Collection Products: 5 years from the original date of purchase or delivery.
- OtterBox Smartphone Cases and Tablet Cases: 7 years from the original date of purchase or delivery.
- OtterBox Mobile Accessories: 2 years from the original date of purchase or delivery.
If you miss the cut-off, you might not be out of luck. If you make a warranty claim within 60 days after the warranty period ends, OtterBox will, at its discretion:
- Repair the product using new or refurbished parts.
- Replace the product with a new or refurbished product.
- Replace the product with a similar product, depending on availability.
The warranty only applies to the original end-use customer and is not transferable.
How to claim an OtterBox warranty
To begin a warranty claim, visit otterbox.com/en-us/warranty or call 1-855-688-7269.
The website will take you through a five-step process to determine where you purchased the product, what the product is, and a description of issues. You may need to send a photo of the product to validate the claim or return the product to OtterBox for inspection.
Note that OtterBox may charge a shipping and handling fee for evaluating and fulfilling the warranty claim.
FAQs
Here’s what the warranty doesn’t cover:
- Normal wear and tear or aging.
- Cosmetic damage like scratches or dents.
- Improper use or maintenance.
- Failure to follow operating instructions.
- Accidents or damage caused by external factors.
- Unauthorized alterations or modifications.
- Damages caused by inadequate packing or shipping procedures.
- Loss of, damage to, or corruption of stored data.
- Damages caused by use with non-OtterBox products.
- Products that require modification to operate in a different country than they were designed for.
- Products purchased from unauthorized dealers.
There is no requirement to register your OtterBox case for warranty. However, you may need to provide proof of purchase from an authorized dealer when submitting a warranty claim. Keeping your purchase receipt or invoice for warranty is always a good idea.
OtterBox doesn’t offer a lifetime warranty for its products, despite what some of its marketing might imply. Periods vary depending on the product type. For example, their smartphone cases typically have a warranty period of 7 years.