You must have once purchased a phone with a warranty covering at least one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is a written statement that guarantees that the manufacturer will repair or replace your phone if it comes with a factory defect or damage within a specified time frame from the date of purchase.

However, any damage you are responsible for is usually not covered by your free warranty. So, what damages are not covered by a free warranty?

1. Damage From Water or Other Liquids

Water and electronic devices have never been the best of friends. And while you may think the chances of your phone landing in water are unlikely, you'd be surprised just how often it happens.

Every day, a mobile device is cycling in a washing machine, falling down the toilet bowl, or being exposed to rain or wet conditions. Luckily, the phone market is flooded with waterproof or water-resistant smartphones. However, there's always a caveat to the water resistance claim, such as a limit to the water depth or the length of time a phone can be protected from water.

If you exceed these limits, you risk damaging your phone permanently. Sadly, you might have to splurge money to get a new phone if your phone is unrevivable. Your manufacturer won't have your back if water damages your phone.

2. Physical Damage

Almost everyone has lost grip of their phone or tablet, feeling their heart run up their mouths at the potential damage to their screen colliding with the hard ground. On lucky days, there's an earpiece to save the day, and sometimes the impact from a fall may be so little that your phone comes out unscathed.

However, if lady luck is against you, your smartphone may suffer from a cracked screen, scratches, dents, or any physical damage that can hamper your phone's appearance or functionality. Sad as it might be, your free warranty doesn't cover physical damages. You would either have to buy additional insurance or cover the cost of repairs.

However, using screen protectors and protective cases on your phones and tablets can minimize the risk of physical device damage from unexpected falls.

3. Software Damage

We all like the idea of customizing and having control over our devices, which is possible by rooting or jailbreaking them, depending on the operating system. Rooting a phone means gaining unprivileged access to your phone's operating system and modifying the system files and settings the manufacturer would not normally allow you access. The iOS equivalent of this is called jailbreaking.

But rooting or jailbreaking your phone may result in a bricked phone. A bricked phone is about as useful as a piece of brick, hence the name. They don't respond or power on and are overall useless. And since your manufacturer had initially prohibited you from tweaking the operating system to your taste, they are not obliged to repair or replace your bricked device from rooting or jailbreaking.

Similarly, your free warranty won't cover damages related to installing unauthorized apps or downloading malware and affiliated repercussions.

4. Loss or Theft

Either of these cases can be very painful when it happens. We have established why many manufacturers don't cover the damages you inflict on your product, which makes sense when you think about it. But when incidents like having your phone stolen or losing it occur, why are they unwilling to replace it?

Since electronic devices such as laptops, smartwatches, and mobile phones are easy targets for theft, it would cost manufacturers an ocean of wealth to keep up with every claim on these grounds. So, you should take precautions to protect your devices from being stolen or lost by keeping them secure and using built-in tracking features like find my phone.

If, unfortunately, your phone is stolen or lost, you should report it to your phone carrier or local law enforcement immediately. They might be lucky to retrieve your phone for you in a short time. Furthermore, you may be able to claim for a lost or stolen device through your home insurance or similar, but not your warranty.

5. DIY Repair Damage

Repairing any damage on your device yourself is bound to nullify your warranty any day. However, fixing a factory-damaged phone yourself or taking it to a local phone technician is appealing when considering the cost and wait time for returning your device if you send it to the manufacturer for repairs.

However, you may further damage your phone by creating additional problems not present before the repair attempt. And since the new damage results from your actions, your phone manufacturer would assume that you intentionally did the damage (including the factory defect).

So, contacting your manufacturer before initiating self-repairs on your phone is the right thing to do.

6. Damage From Aging or Wear and Tear

There's a popular saying that "nothing lasts forever." Your phone is no exception. As you use your devices over the years, they will deteriorate in many areas.

Its battery capacity won't be as strong as new, it may pick up a few chips and scratches, and perhaps a button or two might get loose. You should expect these to happen to your phone after a few years, even with careful use. Your free warranty would have lapsed by then. And if it hasn't, sorry, your free warranty doesn't cover the wear and tear.

7. Damage From Power Outages, Surges, or Electrical Faults

Power outages and surges can damage your devices beyond repair. You can also damage your phone if you use a charger not recommended by your manufacturer or if your phone gets struck by lightning during a thunderstorm.

These events can wreak havoc on certain components within the device not covered under warranty. So, take the necessary precautions to protect your devices from power surges by using surge protectors. You should also unplug your devices during thunderstorms and use chargers recommended by manufacturers.

8. Misuse or Abuse

Sometimes we can feel our guts tell us when we are handling our phones in a way it shouldn't be handled. You should listen to your guts in those moments. Using your phone in a way that wasn't intended could cause it to sustain damage, which your manufacturer's warranty won't cover.

So, handle your devices carefully, and don't take unnecessary risks like throwing them or placing them at ridiculous heights where a fall can be disastrous.

9. Lack of Maintenance

Just as you need to take care of yourself by taking regular baths, eating healthy meals, and exercising regularly, the same goes for your phone. Of course, we do not suggest you bathe your phone, feed it with food, or put it on a treadmill. Rather, regularly update its software, protect it from moisture and extreme weather conditions, and use screen protectors and protective cases.

Neglecting or not maintaining your devices leaves you at risk of voiding your warranty and bearing the cost of fixing or replacing the phone yourself.

Should You Purchase Insurance For Your Devices?

As a reminder, free warranties only cover factory defects or point of assembly damages. Any damage from the abovementioned cases may require you to get a wider insurance policy. So, yes, you can purchase device insurance if you stand a high risk for accidental damage, theft, loss, or liquid damage to your phone. Your insurance policy may also come with additional benefits such as expedited repairs or replacement, coverage for accessories, and even worldwide coverage.

Conversely, suppose you are one person who is very careful and protective of your devices. You do not need to opt for insurance, as the cost of paying the insurance premiums may outweigh the potential benefits.

A Free Warranty Is Not a Free Phone Replacement

Don't be deceived; a free warranty does not mean you can subject your device to extreme conditions or careless use. It is only designed for a manufacturer to compensate for any defect or damage caused to your phone at production by repairing or replacing it.

However, if you are not ready to play by the manufacturer's rules of using your smartphone, be ready to pay the price of flaunting the rules by either paying out of pocket to pay for repairs or replacement. You could also opt for paid insurance if your phone is at risk of theft, loss, or accidental damage.