The warranty guide
Garmin Warranty: What's Covered and How to File a Claim
Independent guide. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Garmin. Check Garmin's current warranty terms before you file.
Last checked
Is it covered? (quick verdict)
- Term: the Garmin consumer limited warranty text I could read covers non-aviation products for one year from the date of purchase S1. Terms for aviation and other categories: Not stated on the page I read.
- What is covered: defects in materials or workmanship under normal use S1.
- Remedy: Garmin chooses to repair, replace with a new or Garmin Recertified device, or refund the purchase price S1.
- After a repair or replacement: 90 days, or the rest of the original term if longer S1.
- Key exclusions: cosmetic damage, consumables such as batteries (unless a defect caused the damage), accidents, abuse, water or fire damage, unauthorised service or modification, and unapproved cables or adapters S1.
Before you file: checklist
- [ ] Receipt: the claim requires the original sales receipt or a copy from the original retailer S1.
- [ ] Purchase channel: online auction confirmations are not accepted for warranty verification S1. The page does not otherwise say auction purchases are excluded.
- [ ] Registration: Not stated by Garmin S1.
- [ ] Authorised-seller requirement: the receipt must come from the original retailer S1; a list of authorised sellers: Not stated by Garmin S1.
- [ ] Photos and serial number: Not stated by Garmin S1.
- [ ] Condition: first try the troubleshooting on support.garmin.com, which the warranty says to do before service S1. Check that no non-approved cable or adapter was used S1.
What a claim can cost
| Item | What Garmin says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping to Garmin | You pay | S1 |
| Return shipping | The customer is responsible for "any transportation cost"; the page does not separate outbound from return | S1 |
| Fees, deposits, card holds | Not stated by Garmin. | S1 |
| Parts and labour | Covered by Garmin during the term | S1 |
| Replacement vs repair | Garmin decides: repair, replace or refund | S1 |
| Service outside country of purchase | You may owe duties, VAT, shipping and other charges | S1 |
| Non-warranty repair charges | Not stated by Garmin. | S1 |
How to file, step by step
- Review the online help at support.garmin.com S1.
- If the device still fails, contact a Garmin authorised service facility in the country of purchase, or follow the instructions on the support site S1.
- In the United States the warranty text lists a phone number: 1-800-800-1020 S1.
- Garmin's claim form: not found. The support page that may hold the request steps was blocked to our fetcher (403), so check the brand's support site for the current form.
- The customer pays "any transportation cost" S1. Follow the shipping instructions you are given; the warranty text says it is designed for the country of purchase S1.
How long does it take?
- What Garmin states: Not stated by Garmin on this page S1.
- Customer reports, not verified: on a boating forum (posts dated June 2012), one owner who paid a flat rate for a refurbished unit said he shipped the unit on a Friday and received the replacement on the Monday [S2]. This report is old and for a specific product.
Common reasons claims are denied
- Missing receipt; online auction confirmations are not accepted for warranty verification S1.
- Cosmetic damage, water or accident damage S1.
- Service by someone Garmin has not authorised S1.
- Product used outside the country of purchase, which may limit parts or service S1.
Before you buy or if your claim is denied
Buy from a retailer that provides a proper receipt, and note that Garmin does not accept online auction confirmations as proof. Save your receipt where you can find it later. If a claim is denied, ask whether a flat-rate out-of-warranty repair is offered and compare it against replacement cost.
Sources
- S1 Garmin Consumer Limited Warranty (manual-hosted copy), https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-E72F728A-C9B4-4294-967D-EA17F5462A5C/EN-US/GUID-80997D2B-7430-427E-A14E-6115C8D079B6.html, accessed 2026-11-05 (brand page).
- [S2] Sailboat Owners forum, "Garmin steps up", https://forums.sailboatowners.com/threads/garmin-steps-up.142348/, posts dated June 2012, accessed 2026-11-05 (forum).