When something breaks, the question is not whether you have a warranty, it is which one, and whether you kept the proof it needs. There are two kinds, they work differently, and both come down to the same thing: a receipt with a date. Get the filing habit right and a broken appliance becomes a claim, not a loss.
The legal guarantee comes free
In the EU, consumer goods carry a legal guarantee of conformity for two years from delivery. It is free, it comes from the seller (not the maker), and it covers faults that were effectively there from the start. You do not pay for it and you cannot be talked out of it; it applies by default.
The commercial warranty is a bonus
A commercial or manufacturer warranty is the extra one you are offered or sold. It is optional, its length and terms vary, and it sits on top of the legal guarantee rather than replacing it. Read what it actually covers, because the free legal route is sometimes the stronger claim.
What proof actually pays out
For either route, the proof is the purchase receipt or invoice showing what you bought and when. That single date decides whether you are inside the window. Snap a photo of every receipt for anything that could fail, file the date, and you are covered.
FAQ
What is the difference between legal and commercial warranty? The legal guarantee is a free, seller-backed right of about two years in the EU. A commercial warranty is an optional extra from the seller or maker, with its own terms.
What proof do I need to claim? The dated receipt or invoice. It establishes what you bought and when, which is what both routes rely on.
Which warranty should I use? Whichever is stronger for your case. The free legal guarantee is often overlooked but can be the better claim.
Keep the date, keep the claim
Log a product’s purchase or warranty date in LapseGuard and get reminded before cover ends. Add it in seconds. Free, on your device, no account.
Related reading: Stop tracking renewals in a spreadsheet and The real cost of forgotten subscriptions