You’re buying a new item to customize your ride. Faced with fit, material, color, and other specifications, a warranty is the last thing on your mind.
Luckily, getting a WeatherTech warranty is simple: As long as you buy from an authorized retailer, you get it with the product. In fact, most people don’t even know that WeatherTech products come with a factory-backed warranty.
Knowing that a warranty covers your product isn’t enough. There are specific details that affect when and if your coverage is valid. Waiting until the need arises could mean incurring hefty costs simply because you’re unaware of the intricate details.
It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the warranty in case an issue arises.
Let’s start with the basics before diving into the specifics.
What Kind of Warranty Does WeatherTech Offer?
WeatherTech offers a limited lifetime warranty.
The manufacturer guarantees the product is free from defects in materials and quality for the life of the original buyer. The guarantee only applies to the original car in which you installed the product.
Let’s break this down further.
Limited means that the manufacturer is only liable to the extent specified in the warranty. In this case, they’re only responsible for defects in materials used or poor craftsmanship.
Lifetime refers to the period when the warranty remains valid, starting from the date you buy a product. For WeatherTech products, the lifetime is that of the original purchaser and the original vehicle the product was installed in.
What The Warranty Does (And Doesn’t) Cover
As mentioned earlier, the warranty only covers factory defects arising from a quality issue or sub-standard materials used. For example, if a floor liner folds at the edges too soon, the limited warranty may cover it.
The vital point to remember is that the warranty only applies when the manufacturer has made a mistake. The warranty, therefore, ensures that you don’t pay for the manufacturer’s errors.
Let’s look at what’s excluded from the coverage.
A common assumption is that the warranty applies to all products regardless of where you purchased them. However, this is far from the truth.
The fact is: the warranty only applies if you purchased the product from WeatherTech Direct LLC or their authorized dealers. Otherwise, your warranty is invalid.
The manufacturer isn’t responsible for defects that aren’t their fault. For instance, if the damage is caused by, among others, standard wear and tear, an accident, or lack of proper maintenance, then you can’t claim using the warranty. You’ll have to foot your repair bill.
Another exclusion that most people aren’t aware of is that the warranty doesn’t apply to car covers—such as Roll-Up Truck Bed Covers and AlloyCover Hard Tri-Fold Pickup Truck Bed Cover—because each one is customized to fit your specific vehicle.
Similarly, you can’t make a warranty claim if:
- The product defects were caused by wearing out after regular use
- A chemical such as bleach contaminated the product
- The product was destroyed during a car accident
- Incorrect installation of the product caused the defect
- You didn’t use the product in the manner intended—leading to a defect
- Severe abrasive conditions caused the damage
- The product’s original serial number has been replaced or defaced
Because many things can expose a defect in your WeatherTech product, these exclusions aren’t exhaustive. Contact the seller or manufacturer with your specific issue, and they’ll advise you accordingly.
How to Process a Warranty Claim
It’s helpful to know the steps you can take to claim using a warranty. If an issue arises, you’ll know exactly where to go.
Start by returning the product to the original seller, who’ll then contact the manufacturer. Alternatively, you can contact the manufacturer directly. Keep in mind that the warranty will only be honored if you bought the product directly from the manufacturer or an authorized dealer.
You’ll need to provide a receipt that proves that you paid for the product. Other documents that may prove you paid are credit card and bank statements. If WeatherTech can’t validate the item’s original purchase date and ownership, your warranty claim won’t be fulfilled.
If your warranty claim is accepted, the decision will either be:
- Replacement of the faulty product at no additional cost to you; or
- A discount to enable you to purchase a replacement for the defective item
In the unfortunate event that the claim is rejected, you’ll have to pay for product repairs or replacements out-of-pocket. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to minimize the odds of a denied warranty claim.
Steps You Can Take To Protect Your Warranty
The last thing you want is to submit your warranty claim only to find that it’s void. To protect your warranty coverage, follow these guidelines:
Purchase From Sellers Authorized By WeatherTech Direct LLC
Only shop for your vehicle from:
- Authorized dealers like PartCatalog
- WeatherTech’s official marketplace stores on Amazon and eBay
- WeatherTech’s factory store in Illinois
- WeatherTech’s official website
WeatherTech doesn’t honor the warranty on products purchased from unauthorized dealers—including resellers on eBay or Amazon. Moreover, by shopping from unauthorized dealers, you run the risk of purchasing substandard products.
Before you shop for your vehicle, check if a dealer is authorized.
Avoid Repairs Through Unauthorized Dealers
If your product needs repairs, take it to an authorized dealer. Unauthorized dealers may lack qualified personnel and approved replacement parts. They may even damage your product while attempting repairs.
Routinely Clean and Maintain Your Products
The manufacturer provides maintenance guidelines for its products. Stick to the recommended cleaning agents and tools to clean and maintain your products. Keeping your items in good condition should reduce the chances of claim rejections.
Note that, sometimes, maintenance has to be done by trained personnel found in authorized dealerships.
Seek Clarification From the Seller
If you don’t understand the terms in the warranty document, ask the seller to explain these to you before your purchase. Understanding your warranty coverage will keep you from being surprised with a rejection when you submit a claim.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a full and limited warranty?
It depends on the warranty details, but generally the key differences are:
| Full Warranty | Limited Warranty | |
| Coverage | Covers every type of defect with a few exceptions, e.g., normal wear and tear | Covers a limited number of defects |
| Person eligible | Anyone who owns the product during the warranty period | The person eligible is specified, e.g., the original buyer only |
| Charges | None. Warranty is provided free of charge | Customer bears some charges, e.g., shipping costs |
| What the manufacturer will do | If the manufacturer can’t repair the product, then they’re required to either provide a replacement or give a full refund —depending on the customer’s choice | Varies depending on the specific warranty |
How do I return products?
At PartCatalog, we have a 60-day return policy for purchases made through our website. Start the process by submitting a return request.
Other conditions for returns are:
- The items must still be in the original packaging and unused
- You must return the installation hardware
Note that you can’t return:
- Products that show signs of installation
- Products that have been used
What do I do if I have a warranty issue?
Contact us and provide as many details as possible about the issue. To help us understand your problem better, we may request that you send us relevant photos.
We’ll then evaluate whether your order is eligible for a warranty claim. If it is, we’ll get in touch with the manufacturer and try to resolve the issue.
If your order was placed with a different company, you will need to contact the company it was purchased from.
How long is the warranty on WeatherTech floor mats?
The mats come with a limited lifetime warranty. As such, the manufacturer guarantees the quality of the materials used for the life of the buyer as long as the floor mats remain in the original vehicle where they were installed.
Are warranties available for WeatherTech products sold by PartCatalog?
Yes, we are an authorized retailer. Every WeatherTech products we sell comes with the manufacturer’s warranty.
Featured Image from: thebluediamondgallery by Nick Youngson