Mattress Warranties Decoded: What's Actually Covered?

Understanding Mattress Warranties

Mattress warranties sound impressive. Ten years! Twenty years! Lifetime! But what do they actually cover? In most cases, far less than you'd expect.

What Warranties Typically Cover

Standard mattress warranties protect against manufacturing defects:

• Coils breaking through the surface. If a spring pokes through the fabric, that's a defect.
• Seams splitting. If the stitching comes apart on its own, that's covered.
• Sagging beyond a certain depth. Usually 1.5" or more of sagging is required, measured without anyone on the mattress.
• Foam breaking down prematurely. If foam deteriorates in ways it shouldn't, that can be covered.

What Warranties Don't Cover

This is where people get surprised:

• Normal wear. A mattress that softens over time is wearing out normally, not defectively.
• Comfort preferences changing. If you decide you want something firmer or softer, that's not a warranty issue.
• Body impressions under the threshold. A 1" body impression might feel like a problem, but if the warranty requires 1.5", you're out of luck.
• Stains. Most warranties are voided by any stain on the mattress, even if unrelated to the problem.
• Using the wrong foundation. If you don't use the mattress on an approved base, the warranty may be void.
• Damage from moving. Bend it wrong getting it through a doorway? No coverage.

The Stain Trap

Here's where many people lose their warranty protection without realizing it: stains. Spill coffee on your mattress three years ago? That stain voids your warranty, even if the current problem is a spring popping through on the opposite side.

This is why a mattress protector is worth the investment. A waterproof protector keeps stains off your mattress and preserves your warranty coverage.

Prorated vs. Non-Prorated Warranties

This matters more than the length of the warranty:

• Non-prorated: Full repair or replacement at any point during the warranty period.
• Prorated: You pay an increasing percentage of the replacement cost as time goes on. A "20-year warranty" might require you to pay 80% of the replacement cost in year 15.

A 10-year non-prorated warranty is usually more valuable than a 20-year prorated one.

Reading the Fine Print

Before you buy, ask to see the actual warranty document. Look for:

• The exact sagging threshold required for a claim
• Whether the warranty is prorated and when
• What voids the warranty (stains, wrong foundation, etc.)
• Who handles warranty claims (the store? the manufacturer?)
• Whether you pay shipping for replacements

What Actually Matters More Than Warranty Length

Build Quality

A well-made mattress from a reputable manufacturer will outlast its warranty. A cheap mattress with a long warranty might fall apart before you ever make a claim.

Return Policy

For the first few weeks, a good return or exchange policy matters more than the warranty. That's when you discover comfort problems. Warranties don't help with comfort.

The Store You Buy From

Filing a warranty claim through a store that's been in business for decades is easier than dealing with a company that might not exist in five years. Local stores have reputations to protect and often go beyond the warranty to keep customers happy.

Our Approach to Warranties

At Mattress Miracle, we sell brands with solid, honest warranties. We don't push products with inflated warranty numbers that look good but cover little. We also help with warranty claims when they come up, acting as an advocate between you and the manufacturer.

More importantly, we focus on selling quality mattresses that you won't need to make warranty claims on. The best warranty experience is never needing to use it because your mattress holds up.

Questions to Ask

Before buying any mattress:

• What specifically does this warranty cover?
• What voids the warranty?
• Is it prorated, and if so, how?
• Who do I contact if I need to file a claim?
• What's your return or comfort exchange policy?

Understanding warranties helps you make better decisions and avoid disappointment later.

Mattress Miracle is at 441½ West Street, Brantford. We're happy to walk you through warranty details on any mattress we carry.