Why Canon’s “CarePAK PLUS” Isn’t Like Other Extended Warranties

We’ll be honest — we usually don’t like extended warranties. However, Canon’s product, the CarePAK PLUS Extended Warranty, is quite different. It offers many useful and valuable features, is backed by Canon USA’s service and name, and is very reasonably priced (and sometimes free). We think it’s one of the best extended warranties available on the market — both in terms of features and value.

What’s included with the CarePAK PLUS Warranty?

• Extended Warranty Service by Canon USA. Your regular warranty period is extended to the length of your CarePAK PLUS plan (either 13-months, 2-years, or 3-years.) Any issues with your camera will be repaired by Canon USA service centers, just like during your 1-year standard warranty. Additionally, standard wear-and-tear issues are covered, including cleaning dust or dirt inside lenses or on camera sensors.
• Accidental Damage Replacement. After drops, spills, or any other damage that cannot be repaired by Canon, they will replace your camera or lens with either the same or a newer model. The replacement may be brand new or refurbished (at their discretion.) Please note a replacement is a “one and done” event — you only get one replacement per warranty, and it ends your CarePAK PLUS coverage. Even if you have coverage, don’t be reckless with your gear.
• Image Recovery. This feature is very unique — for cameras and camcorders on 2-year or 3-year CarePAK PLUS plans, Canon will recover lost image or video data from damaged memory cards. Data recovery is expensive, and one incident alone can cover the cost of the plan. You get up to three recovery claims during your warranty period.
• Priority Service. The average turnaround upon receipt of the equipment is one week at the Canon service center, and they ship the gear back to you with expedited shipping.
• Backed by the Canon Brand. The best part of this warranty is it’s backed by the Canon name and brand. You get a known, reliable quality of service that is the same as Canon’s regular warranty service; we also think it’s unlikely Canon will give you a runaround or a hard time on warranty or replacement claims.

How much do CarePAK PLUS Warranties Cost?

• 13-month CarePAK PLUS warranties on selected items is FREE! From October 29th 2017 through January 6th, 2018, when you purchase selected Canon bodies or lenses, brand new from a Canon USA authorized dealer, you receive a free 13-month CarePAK PLUS warranty. All you need to do is register within 30 days of purchase.
• 2-year and 3-year CarePAK PLUS plans are very affordably priced. The price is surprisingly reasonable on lenses — on an expensive lens like the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM the 2-year CarePAK PLUS plan is $77.99 and the 3-year plan is only $104.99 — about $35 per year. The plan is more expensive on camera bodies but still reasonable compared to other 3rd party warranty options: on the EOS 5D Mark IV it is $169.99 for the 2-year and $243.99 for the 3-year.
• Pay for 3-year and get upgraded to 49 months of coverage. During the free 13-month CarePAK PLUS promotion, if you purchase a 3-year plan on an item that has the free 13-month coverage, Canon will provide sequential coverage of 49 months.

As our street prices come from Canon USA authorized dealers (except where explicitly indicated), they are eligible for CarePAK PLUS purchases as well as the free 13-month promotion. For your convenience, we’re now including the 2-year and 3-year CarePAK upgrade prices when we reply to street price information requests. The free CarePAK also stacks with the mail-in rebate when you purchase two or more lenses.