Mattress warranties – here’s what you need to know

It is one of the most eye-catching aspects when buying a new mattress. A ten or even a twenty-year warranty sounds absolutely wonderful, but unfortunately, they sometimes aren’t quite what they seem.

Mattress warranties for a new mattress are usually much more complex that you would believe. Often people assume that if mattresses break or are damaged during this period, mattress companies will automatically replace your mattress free of charge. I don’t want to burst the bubble too early here, but for a company to repair or replace a mattress, you need to be able to tick several boxes. These companies don’t make money by simply replacing mattresses willy nilly.

We’re going to be taking a look at some commonly asked questions relating to mattress warranties to clear up this rather murky area that we all like to assume we know everything about, but few actually do. Here’s what you need to know

What is a mattress warranty? 

I will tread carefully here. A mattress warranty essentially means that the manufacturer promises to replace the mattress within a certain period if they consider it has fallen below a specific standard or has a certain defect.

That sounds suspiciously wordy?

Well, it is supposed to be. Most people have a general idea of what a warranty is, but often don’t take the time to read the small print before making a purchase. And this isn’t just for mattresses. A warranty for a new watch might not cover it if, for example, you manage to drive over it in your car. Or if you drop it to the bottom of a swimming pool then leave it there for a few hours. Warranties are attractive for the consumer, but the manufacturer will try to get out of it if they can. 

Is this the same as a mattress trial period?

In short, no it’s not. A trial period is period of time when you can test out the mattress before fully committing to it. These might be 30 nights or up to 100 nights and are very different to a mattress warranty.

But most mattress companies provide both a trial period and mattress warranties. Think of trial periods like a tester and warranty as your safety net over the next few years.

So what does a mattress warranty cover?

Right, let’s get down to it then. A mattress warranty should cover damages that arise from manufacturing errors or faulty workmanship. If a spring suddenly snaps after 2 months and begins to point through the mattress this won’t be a problem to have it replaced. 

These are problems that can normally be objectively observed by a professional. Simply saying my mattress isn’t comfortable anymore just won’t cover it. 

What do mattress warranties not cover? 

Now here is where things get much more complex. First things first. READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Each manufacturer provides a set of rules and regulation relating to their warranties and whether you will be entitled to a replacement. The most important thing you need to know about mattress warranties is that normal wear and tear is not usually covered. If you’ve had a mattress for 10 years and have thoroughly worn it out in that, there is no guarantee you would be able to get a replacement even if you’re only half way through the warranty.  

A mattress will usually not be replaced if it has been soiled or subject to unfair wear and tear. I know what you’re thinking, what constitutes ‘unfair’? And that is a very difficult question to answer, but think of it as something outside the scope of normality. It is perfectly normal for a mattress to have some scrapes and scratches after a few years of use and these are most likely fine.

On the other hand, if you’ve been jumping up and down on it for a month then reported a fault, you might have a problem.

How do you void a mattress warranty?

You would be surprised how many rules and regulations are included in terms and conditions, so once again, make sure you read them even before you use the mattress as doing or not something could void a mattress warranty. This could range from not flipping the mattress as directed to excessive weight to excessive weight on it.

On top of this, you will most likely void a warranty claim if you lose your proof of purchase and remove any tags on the mattress that are supposed to stay on. Again, this should all be included in the written warranty. Just a quick note on tags before we move on. Mattress warranties are normally quite specific about the removal of tags from mattresses. By law, most, if not all tags have to stay on the mattress. These often give information regarding fire safety as well as legal mumbo jumbo and if you remove this tag, you will almost certainly void your mattress warranty.  

Is sagging covered under mattress warranties?

A smart question here. Without a doubt the number one issue that mattresses experience is sagging, essentially when the mattress begins to lose its shape and often slopes down in the middle. The problem is that every single mattress will begin sagging eventually, and this is perfectly normal. 

But what about memory foam I hear you cry! When I said every mattress I really meant it, it’s wild urban myth that memory foam mattresses don’t sag. Just like their pocket springed cousins, a memory foam mattress will also begin to lose their shape over time. Memory foam mattresses also sometimes suffer from irregular bunching which is when lumps appear in the memory foam, again this is quite normal over time and again, this is probably not going to be covered under a mattress warranty.

Most companies will include sagging but only if they deem that it has become too severe. And again, it will be the professional who inspects it who decides whether it is severe or not. Remember, manufacturers often don’t particularly want to replace mattresses, they actually want you to buy a new one.

How can I protect my mattress and my mattress warranty?

Technically speaking you don’t exactly need to protect your mattress – unless you’re particularly messy or perhaps have children. You can use either a mattress cover or a mattress protector to add an extra layer of protection.

A mattress protector certainly comes with plenty of benefits. They keep the mattress cleaner and protects them from stains as you can simply through the protector in the wash every now and again and some claim that they leave the mattress feeling newer for longer.

These are really optional add ons, but if you’re concerned about protecting your warranty claim while reducing the normal wear and tear, these are good places to start.

What is the process of claiming on a mattress warranty?

OK, so you’ve decided that your mattress has a fault, what next? If you bought the mattress online go back to the company’s website, read the terms and conditions and then most likely they will ask you to fill in a short warranty questionnaire. It’s important to be a truthful as you possibly can because most companies will send a professional to inspect the mattress and see whether it they can repair or replace the mattress under the current warranty and conditions. 

If you bought the mattress in person from a physical shop, it’s best to contact them directly first and inquire what their warranty procedure is.

How much will it cost me?

You might be a little taken aback that you often have to pay something to have a mattress replaced. It sounds completely unfair I know, but companies often sneak in small payments when you try to claim on a mattress warranty. These might range from shipping costs and removal fees to a certain percentage of the new mattress fee, which we’ll get to shortly.  

A company has to include this in the small print and if it’s not there, stand your ground. But also, don’t be the person who forgets to read the terms of the written warranty then rants and raves when the time comes to get a refund or a replacement and you’re hit with some fees.

Again, I’m going to tread carefully when I say this, but a lot of mattress companies will make it as complex as possible to claim on a long mattress warranties, especially if there are some loop holes the customer may have missed.  

A Long Warranty sounds perfect, is there a catch?  

You are catching on now. It’s not uncommon nowadays to see 10 years or 20-year warranties and there are usually a few catches to these. First and foremost, no mattress will last anywhere near twenty years. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but a mattress with a twenty-year warranty is likely to need replacing after less than ten years. That’s just the nature of mattresses. 

If you try to get a warranty after 8 years (which is the average age that experts recommend for a change in mattress) unless there are significant issues with the mattress it might be turned down. So yes, in a way there is a catch over long mattress warranties.

Prorated coverage vs non prorated coverage

Another issue with long warranties is that they sometimes come with prorated coverage, which means you will need to pay a percentage of the the total cost to replace your mattress – usually, around 20% but can be much higher. That might fly in the face of everything you’ve come to believe about mattress warranties, and it’s therefore vital you you know what kind of prorated coverage a new mattress warranty comes with.

Non prorated coverage mattress warranties mean that you won’t be reasonable for any of the costs involved in the repair or replacement of your mattress. I’m sure we can all agree that that sounds much fairer, but you probably won’t be surprised that non prorated coverage isn’t always particularly common.

Conclusion  

We can’t stress it enough. Read the terms and conditions before you buy, when you find a problem and go from there. As was mentioned earlier, mattress companies don’t really want to be giving out free mattresses. That’s not to say they are inherently doing something immoral, in fact, they are perfectly clear on what can and can’t be replaced. But just bear in mind that it might not be as easy as you are expecting. 

Makes sure that keep your proof of purchase and a copy of your written warranty.