Honestly, that happens to most of us.
During the sale, we’re focused on finding the best deal, checking out quickly, and not losing the price drop. Warranties are the last thing on our mind. But once the order is placed and the excitement settles, the practical questions start showing up: “Should I have added a warranty?” “Can I still get one now?” “What if something goes wrong later?”
Even if you already bought the product, you’re not too late. There are still a few clear, simple ways to get extended/ accidental coverage after the purchase; you just need to know where to look and what timelines apply.
Just keep in mind that these options don’t stay open forever. Most products only allow you to add protection for around 30 days, and in some cases you may get up to 90 days, but those are rare. If you want coverage, it’s better to check sooner rather than later.
So, if you're sitting here wondering how to protect the items you already ordered, here are the ways you can still get a warranty now.
Before you try anything else, just check whether the brand you bought from still allows you to add their official protection plan.
A lot of people don’t realize this, but many brands give you a small window after the purchase to upgrade to extended coverage.
Here’s how it usually works:
Most brands will ask for:
The main rule is simple: If the product still looks and works like new, there’s a good chance you can still add the brand’s official warranty. If your window is open, this is usually the easiest and cleanest option.
You can confirm this on the brand’s website, product registration page, or by contacting their customer support.
If the brand’s warranty window is already closed, the next place to look is the retailer you purchased from. Many large retailers allow customers to add a protection plan shortly after buying, but only within their set timelines.
Here’s how it usually works:
Amazon: Some Amazon purchases allow you to add a protection plan after checkout. The easiest way to check is to open your order details. If your item is eligible, Amazon usually shows an option on that page to add a protection plan. If you do not see the option, it typically means the window has closed or the item is not supported.
Where to check: Go to Returns & Orders, select your item, and look inside the order details for any available protection plan option.
Best Buy: Best Buy clearly allows customers to add Geek Squad Protection within 60 days of purchasing most products. If you are still inside this window, the option appears directly inside your Purchase History when you click on the item.
Where to check: Open your Purchase History on Best Buy’s website, select the product, and look for “Add Protection.”
Walmart: Walmart generally allows customers to add a protection plan within 30 days of purchasing eligible items. This can be done online through your account or in-store with your receipt if the item qualifies.
Where to check: Go to Walmart.com → Account → Purchase History, select your product, and see if the protection plan option is still available.
Most retailers will ask for:
Even if the brand or retailer no longer lets you add coverage, you still have a solid path. Third-party warranty providers offer flexible protection plans that can be added after the purchase, which is helpful if you only started thinking about warranties once your Black Friday or Cyber Monday orders arrived.
Here’s how it usually works:
Third-party plans are not tied to Amazon, Best Buy or Walmart timelines. As long as your item is still in good working condition, you can apply for protection even days or weeks after the original purchase.
Most providers will ask for:
These plans typically cover:
Many third-party companies also offer combined protection, which includes both:
This makes third-party plans a strong option when you want maximum flexibility and a wider range of coverage even after retailer or manufacturer windows have passed.
The overall idea is simple: if your product is still in good condition, you can still get long-term or accidental protection without relying on brand or retailer deadlines.
A lot of people don’t realize this, but some credit cards automatically add extra warranty protection when you use them to buy electronics, appliances or other high-value items. This isn’t something you have to sign up for, it’s usually included as a card benefit.
Here’s how it usually works:
Some credit cards offer extended warranty protection, which adds extra time to the manufacturer’s original warranty. For example, if your item has a one-year warranty, your card may extend it to two years. This applies to mechanical or electrical failures that the original warranty would normally cover.
Examples of credit cards that commonly offer extended warranty benefits include:
Most cards will ask for:
Where to check:
A quick note: extended warranty from credit cards usually does not cover accidental damage such as drops or spills. It only extends the manufacturer warranty, it doesn’t replace accidental coverage.
You already made the purchase, so this is simply about choosing the kind of protection that feels right for you. Before you forget about it completely, ask yourself: would having coverage make things easier if something went wrong later?
