XPS Warranty Questions

Hey guys!
I purchased an XPS 1530 back in 2008, and so far have been super happy with the purchase. At the time, I purchased the 4 year total warranty package. (I forget the "official" name of it, but it covers hardware/software/on site support and accidental coverage for 4 years) I bought this because I intended for it to be my main use/abuse computer during the bulk of my time at college.

Fortunately, I've had no issues and don't plan on it, but I realized the other day that I don't know exactly how the warranties are handled with Dell.

My question is, should something go wrong with my computer that was irreplacable, or I managed to drop it and crack it into 100 pieces, what would my options be? Would I be able to choose something of equal value to replace it, or would they issue a refund, etc?

Also, are there any things that they tend to try and exclude from coverage in the accidental portion? Ie: water spills, etc?

Thanks for any and all information!

 

With Complete Care warranties (which I'm guessing is what you have) Dell will usually attempt to repair your system. If it is beyond repair, they will try to replace your system with something that is "like or better". If something "like or better" is not available, they sometimes will issue a refund of the purchase price, but they try to get you a system replacement first. As far as what damage is covered, obviously it must be accidental. The Complete Care warranty doesn't cover intentional damage, i.e. hammer marks, etc. Water spills, drops, surges, etc. are all covered.

In order for Dell to consider damage intentional, they must be able to prove that you damaged your system intentionally, which can be hard to do unless there is evidence of hammer marks, etc. Still, if someone purposefully damages a computer to get it replaced under their warranty, it is insurance fraud, and if they ever do manage to prove it, you would be responsible for the total cost of the replacement.

 

The only thing the complete care doesn't cover to my knowledge is theft and intentional damage.

Dell will usually repair or replace the broken system. In my experience it usually ends up being a replacement. They can't downgrade you so if you get a replacement system it should be the same specs or better than what you have now.

 

Someone looking for an upgrade, eh?

 

Man, that was WAY misinterpreted. I love this little notebook, you guys have me all wrong. I have several computers however, and my brother's old Dell 1705 finally burned out and I told him he could borrow mine until he bought a new one. However, he is a little less careful than I am with things, so I wanted to make sure I was covered.

I hold a resident insurance producer's license in Oklahoma. I'm pretty familiar with fraud. It's not worth me trying to damage something for a payout so trivial.

Thanks for the information though guys. I'll be sure to phrase any such questions in a different way next time.

 

@OP, here is some information on Complete Care direct from Dell: LINK

Some example of what is covered:
Liquid spilled on or in unit - Repaired or unit replaced4
Drops, falls, and other collisions- Repaired or unit replaced
Electrical surge - Repaired or unit replaced
Damaged or broken LCD due to a drop or fall - Repaired
Accidental breakage (multiple pieces) - Repaired or unit replaced
Stolen unit - Tracking, locating and recovering -
your stolen laptop is included with
the purchase of LoJack theft protection.

Not covered:
Damage caused by intentional acts, fire, theft or loss, is not covered under CompleteCare Accidental Damage Service1.

Data Sheet
CompleteCare Agreement (for catalog/consumer customers)

I used Complete Care once, the damage to my lappy was exhaustive to just replace with build parts, so after doing a bit of "Dell Due Diligence", they finally agreed to replace with new.

Cin...

 

I wasn't accusing you of anything! I just was giving you the information you requested, and one of the things Dell doesn't cover is intentional damage. Trust me, lots of people do just that to try to get a replacement. Wasn't insinuating you were one of them

 

Jus' pullin yer chain man

 

Haha.
No harm no foul.

I suppose that sort of thing is more rampant than I realized.
Better check the wool over my eyes, it's gettin a little foggy up there...