A cracked or faulty smartphone display is annoying, and the question of who is responsible determines the cost: does phone insurance pay, does the manufacturer warranty apply, or is there a claim under statutory warranty? The three routes have different conditions, and not every route fits every kind of damage. This guide sorts them out using the Lower Saxony and Hamburg consumer advice centres. Whether insurance is worthwhile in principle is covered in phone insurance: is it worth it for students?.
In short: For display damage the route depends on the cause. A defect that existed at purchase falls under the seller’s statutory warranty (Gewährleistung), which for new goods usually lasts two years (Lower Saxony consumer advice centre, status 21 November 2025). The manufacturer warranty (Garantie) is voluntary and follows its own terms. Phone insurance follows its contract, including any excess. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points
- Statutory warranty: a claim against the seller, usually two years for new goods. You choose between repair and replacement.
- Burden of proof: if a defect appears in the first twelve months, it is presumed to have existed at purchase. Until the end of 2021 the period was six months.
- Manufacturer warranty: voluntary. The guarantor may largely set its own terms and exclude parts or types of damage.
- Phone insurance: it follows the contract. The Hamburg consumer advice centre considers cover against impact, drop and water damage generally not worthwhile.
- If there is a defect, do not let yourself be referred to the manufacturer, and think twice before agreeing to a goodwill repair.
What does statutory warranty cover for a display?
The warranty exists against the seller, your contracting party. According to the Lower Saxony consumer advice centre, the standard period for new goods is two years. For used goods, commercial sellers may shorten it to one year but must point this out separately. The seller must remedy the defect, that is, repair or replace, and the choice is yours. If that fails or is unreasonable, you can reduce the price or withdraw from the contract.
The warranty covers defects that existed at handover. A display that flickers, shows stripes or fails without external impact can be such a defect. A break after a drop, by contrast, is regularly damage from use and not automatically a defect. What matters is the cause, which has to be clarified in a dispute. If the defect appears in the first twelve months, the Lower Saxony consumer advice centre says it is presumed to have existed at purchase. The seller can rebut that presumption. After that you must prove that the defect existed from the start.
What does the manufacturer warranty offer?
A warranty (Garantie) is usually a voluntary service from the manufacturer and follows its terms. The legislator sets few requirements. According to the Lower Saxony consumer advice centre, the terms must be available to you in text form at the latest on delivery and be clearly worded. The guarantor may impose conditions and exclude parts, such as wear parts. Whether a display or drop damage is included is therefore set out in the warranty terms for your device. A warranty does not replace statutory warranty: you decide which claim to assert.
What does phone insurance offer for display damage?
Phone insurance follows its contract. In one example, the Hamburg consumer advice centre states that the insurer pays for the repair of display damage and an excess of 50 euros applies. The example comes from a page without a date and with an older device. The figure serves only as an illustration, and the excess differs by policy and device. Overall, the Hamburg consumer advice centre considers cover against impact, drop and water damage and theft generally not worthwhile and recommends a good protective case. How theft looks is shown in phone theft: what phone insurance covers.
Comparison: which route fits which damage?
| Damage | Statutory warranty | Manufacturer warranty | Phone insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display flickers or fails without external impact, device still new | Yes, if a defect existed at purchase | Yes, if the warranty terms cover the fault | Usually not needed, the defect lies with the seller or manufacturer |
| Display breaks after a drop | Generally no, no defect at handover | Only if the terms include drop damage | Yes, within the contract, excess possible |
| Display damage after two years | Period expired | Depends on the warranty term | Depends on contract term and conditions |
| Used device from a commercial dealer | Period may be shortened to one year | Depends on the manufacturer | Depends on the contract |
An example. Assumption: Your smartphone is eight months old and the display suddenly shows vertical stripes without having been dropped. You contact the seller and demand remedy. Because the fault appeared within twelve months, it is presumed to have existed at purchase. It is different if the device fell on tiles and the glass cracked: then insurance helps, if you have it, or you pay for the repair yourself.
A rough calculation on cost-effectiveness. Assumption: A policy costs 7 euros a month, so 168 euros over two years. A display repair costs 250 euros and the excess is 50 euros. If the damage occurs, the insurer pays 200 euros and you have spent 218 euros in total. Without a policy you pay 250 euros. If no damage occurs, you have spent 168 euros on the policy. Whether that balance suits you depends on the likelihood of damage and your savings.
What should you watch for with goodwill repairs?
The Lower Saxony consumer advice centre warns against being referred to the manufacturer in case of a defect. The warranty is directed against the seller. A goodwill repair can make later claims harder. So have it confirmed in writing on what basis the repair is carried out, and keep proof of purchase and correspondence. If you use insurance instead, clarify beforehand whether the insurer prescribes a particular workshop. For related questions see the guide on terminating phone insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Does statutory warranty pay if the display breaks after a drop?
Generally not, because it covers defects that existed at handover. A drop damage arises only through use. In case of doubt the cause decides.
How long does statutory warranty last?
Usually two years for new goods. For used goods a commercial seller may shorten it to one year but must point this out separately. Status of the information: Lower Saxony consumer advice centre, 21 November 2025.
Is the manufacturer warranty the same as statutory warranty?
No. The warranty (Garantie) is voluntary and follows the guarantor’s terms. Statutory warranty (Gewährleistung) exists by law against the seller.
Do I have to go to the manufacturer for a defect?
No. The Lower Saxony consumer advice centre recommends not letting yourself be referred to the manufacturer. The contact for statutory warranty is the seller.
Is phone insurance worthwhile only for display damage?
That depends on your risk and your savings. Check excess, term and exclusions and compare the premium with the repair costs you could bear yourself if necessary.
What to do now
- Clarify the cause: a fault without external impact, or a drop or knock?
- For a defect, check the purchase date and ask the seller to remedy it.
- Read the warranty terms for your device and check whether your damage falls under them.
- If you have insurance, check the excess, deadline and reporting route in the terms.
If you would like to go through your cover together, you can find personal advice via Academycon.
Related guides
- Insurance for students: the cover you really need (in German)
- Phone insurance: is it worth it for students?
- Phone theft: what phone insurance covers
- Terminating phone insurance: deadlines and steps
- Cyber insurance for private individuals
Sources: Difference between warranty and statutory warranty, Lower Saxony consumer advice centre, status 21 November 2025; Is smartphone insurance worthwhile? Hamburg consumer advice centre, retrieved November 2026, no date given on the page.
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
