Walmart Warranty & Protection Plans: Claims, Cancellation & Coverage

When something you bought at Walmart breaks, the answer depends on three things: the manufacturer's warranty that came with the product, whether you bought a Walmart Protection Plan, and a few Walmart-specific guarantees such as the one on car batteries. This guide explains each, based on Walmart's published policies and the official Walmart Protection Plans site. For returns within Walmart's normal windows, start with the Walmart return policy guide.

Manufacturer warranty vs. Walmart Protection Plan

Most products come with a manufacturer's warranty that lasts 90 days to one year from the date of purchase; if a covered problem happens during that time, you'll be referred to the manufacturer for service ¹.

Walmart Protection Plans are optional plans offered through Walmart Protection Plans by Allstate, a partner that makes protection plans available to Walmart customers ¹. The program is administered and serviced by SquareTrade, an Allstate company ¹. A plan's term begins on the purchase date, but it doesn't replace the manufacturer's coverage, and limitations and exclusions apply ¹.

Walmart explains the split this way: the manufacturer warranty covers the item itself being defective, while a protection plan covers defects, accidents and damage to the item, with repairs or replacements at no additional cost where applicable ⁵. Coverage starts on the date of purchase – not after the manufacturer's warranty runs out ⁵.

Standard Plan vs. Accident Plan

Walmart describes two plan types ⁵:

The plan site also lists coverage categories such as TVs, mobile phones, laptops, tablets, outdoor power equipment and patio, general merchandise, and jewelry and watches ¹. Full coverage details, limitations and exclusions are in the plan's terms and conditions ¹.

How to buy a plan

Plans are available for some products sold on Walmart.com ⁵. You can add one on the item page or at checkout for eligible items, and for online orders the plan must be bought during checkout ⁵. Missed it? You can buy a protection plan in a store within 30 days of your online order, with your receipt ⁵.

How to file a protection plan claim

1. Go online. Filing a claim online is the fastest option: go to Walmart Protection Plans by Allstate, select File a claim, then log in or set up an account and follow the prompts ¹⁵.
2. Have your receipt and the covered item with you ¹.
3. Get a decision. Many claims are approved instantly; in other cases a specialist guides you through next steps ¹.
4. Repair, replacement or reimbursement. The plan repairs your item; if it can't be repaired, you get a replacement or are reimbursed for one ¹.

To check on a claim you've already filed, log in to your account on the same site and follow the prompts to track it ⁵.

Receipts, registration and transfers

You don't need to register a Walmart Protection Plan, but your receipt is required to file a claim ¹. To keep it safe, take a picture of the receipt and text it to 202202, or create an account at Walmartprotection.com ¹. You can manage your plans online at any time ¹.

To transfer a plan, find it in your online plan list, open it and click "Transfer plan" in the Quick Links box ¹.

How to cancel a Walmart Protection Plan

• First 30 days, bought in a store: bring the plan receipt back to the store where you bought it, or visit Walmart.com/account ¹.
• First 30 days, bought online: visit Walmart.com/account ¹.
• After the first 30 days: cancel online through the plan administrator's site ¹.

Walmart's return policy lists Walmart Protection Plans among items with a 30-day return window ³. Protection plans may also be excluded from Walmart's extended holiday returns, which otherwise let most purchases made from October 1 through December 31 come back until January 31 ³.

Bought your plan before August 1, 2018? The current Allstate terms apply to plans sold as of that date; for older plans, you're directed to Asurion ².

Walmart's 90-Day Automotive Battery Guarantee

Car batteries have their own Walmart guarantee: if the battery tests bad within 90 days, the original purchaser can get a money-back refund or an exchange ³. After 90 days, the original purchaser can only exchange the battery under the warranty terms ³.

Appliances, PCs and other items that go to the manufacturer

Walmart's return policy hands some problems straight to the manufacturer's warranty:

• Major appliances: defects or damage discovered after the 2-day grace period must be handled through the manufacturer's warranty ³. For opened or installed appliances past the 2-day return window, Walmart also points you to the manufacturer warranty ³.
• PCs and PC components: after 30 days, contact the manufacturer for warranty help ³.
• Walmart private brands: items with a satisfaction guarantee or promise printed on the package aren't limited by the standard 90-day return period ³.

Walmart+ Road Hazard Warranty and tire repair

If you're a Walmart+ member – trial or paid – you get a Road Hazard Warranty on tires bought and installed at Walmart Auto Care Centers, for passenger cars, light trucks, minivans, small RVs and crossovers ⁴. When the tires are bought and installed, scan the QR code at the Auto Care Center to confirm membership, and keep the receipt showing the tires and the warranty benefit – you'll need it to make a claim ⁴.

The warranty stops applying once tread is no longer usable (2/32") or if its terms are violated ⁴. It doesn't cover tires bought or installed somewhere other than a Walmart Auto Care Center, utility or specialty tires, or tires for semi-trucks, farm equipment, large RVs, motorcycles or commercial vehicles, and it isn't available in New York ⁴. Members also get unlimited tire repair at Walmart Auto Care Centers ⁴. More on the membership itself is in our Walmart+ cancellation guide.

Quick tips

• Keep every receipt: claims under a protection plan require it ¹, and so do Walmart+ tire warranty claims ⁴.
• Text your plan receipt to 202202 right after purchase so it's on file ¹.
• Changed your mind about a plan? Canceling within the first 30 days is simplest – at the store or through Walmart.com/account ¹.
• For problems early in a product's life, check the manufacturer's warranty first; covered issues are referred to the manufacturer ¹.
• Compare coverage at other stores in our warranty guides, or see all Walmart guides.