Clear warranties need simple words as well as short, logical sentences. It is not condescending to use everyday language and structure. Even sophisticated customers appreciate clear, simple language.
To be clear, you should avoid difficult words and unnecessary technical terms, and explain terms that may confuse your customers. You can often replace typical warranty terms with simpler words. For example:
Don't use:
- as evidenced by (something)
- commence
- compensated
- effectuate repairs
- exclusions
- extended
- remediable
- retain
- secure (warranty service)
- upon receipt of
- warrantee
Do use:
- which (something) shows
- begin
- paid, repaid
- repair, make repairs, fix
- what is not covered
- given
- can be fixed
- keep
- get (warranty service)
- when (someone) receives
- you or the owner
Technical words commonly used in your business can detract from the clarity of your warranty if their meaning is not clear to your customers. For example, this section of a warranty uses a technical term that may be unfamiliar to many customers:
What is Not Covered
This warranty does not cover conditions that result from scaling.
You should explain unfamiliar terms in language that your customers will understand. The previous warranty provision could be made clearer by including an explanation of "scaling," such as:
What is Not Covered
This warranty does not cover conditions that result from scaling (the buildup of foreign matter inside the tubing).
If you use a term that may be ambiguous, make sure you clarify it. For example, if you describe your warranty as a "lifetime warranty" and are referring to any life other than that of the buyer, be sure to include information in your warranty that makes your meaning clear. here is how to do this when you are referring to the life of a product:
How Long Does the Coverage Last?
Your new Whisper Muffler lifetime guarantee lasts as long as your car does -- even if you sell it or five it away!
If the coverage lasts only as long as the original purchaser owns the product, titling the warranty "full lifetime warranty" is contradictory and possibly misleading. Here is a better way to describe the duration of coverage in the title of such a warranty:
Full Warranty on the AlpinTrek Backpack For as Long as You Own It
To be clear, you should avoid legalistic terms and sentence structure. most customers do not understand many legal terms. "Legalese" is intimidating, impersonal, and often just bad writing.
In addition, many legal terms are archaic and are not appropriate to use in warranties for modern products. Some legal terms you should avoid are:
- hereby
- herein/therein
- hereinabove
- hereunder
- incident to
- such, said, same (meaning "the," "this," and "that")
- thereto
Here are examples of "legalese" which have been rewritten using everyday language:
| Legalese | Everyday |
| ... warrants to the first purchaser thereof certain specified components in the [product] as is more fully set out herein. | ... warrants certain specific parts of the product described below. The warranty applies only to the person who first bought the product. |
| Damages which may inure to the buyer... | Damages which the buyer has to pay for... |
| ... XYZ Co. hereby warrants, subject to the conditions hereinbelow set forth... | ... we warrant the product with the following conditions... |
To be clear, you should explain any legal terms that you must use. Some legal terms cannot be changed. Examples are:
- merchantability
- express warranty
- implied warranty
- consequential damages
- incidental damages
If you must use a legal term, you can put an explanation in parentheses. For example:
This warranty does not cover consequential damages (the cost of repairing or replacing other property which damaged when this appliance does not work properly).
The implied warranty of merchantability (an unwritten warranty that the product is fit for ordinary use) is limited to one year.
Or you can use examples. Rather than using the term "incidental damages," for instance, you can give specific examples of what that term includes, such as:
This warranty does not cover transportation to and from the dealer or manufacturer to get warranty service, loss of time, loss of use, towing charges, bus fare, car rentals, or other incidental damages.
