By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
Several warranties, not one
A CCTV system is a set of products from different makers, plus labour. Each product has its own warranty from its brand, and the installer may give a separate warranty on workmanship. Knowing which is which — and what each excludes — avoids arguments when a camera fails in the second year.
Typical warranty layers
| Item | Who gives it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IP cameras | Brand, through its Indian distributor | Periods vary by brand and series; check the card or website |
| NVR | Brand | Often the same as cameras |
| Hard disk | Disk maker (for example Seagate or WD) | Surveillance disks have their own warranty, checked by serial number |
| PoE switch, UPS, accessories | Their own makers | Shorter periods are common for power supplies |
| Cabling and installation | Installer | Workmanship warranty, if offered, should be in writing |
What is usually covered
- Manufacturing defects: a camera that fails without external cause, a dead NVR port, a disk that stops spinning.
- Repair or replacement of the faulty unit, often with the same or an equivalent model.
- For installer warranties, faults from poor workmanship such as loose connectors or badly sealed joints.
What is usually not covered
- Lightning, power surges and voltage fluctuations.
- Water damage from poor sealing or cameras not rated for outdoor use.
- Physical damage, vandalism and tampering.
- Products bought from unauthorised or grey-market sellers.
- Units with removed or damaged serial labels.
- Labour and transport, unless the installer includes them.
Grey-market products and warranty
Cameras and disks imported outside the brand’s Indian channel may have no warranty in India at all, even if they are genuine. Always buy through authorised channels and keep the GST invoice with serial numbers.
Genuine vs grey-market cameras →How a claim works
- Report the fault to your installer with the camera location and symptoms.
- The installer checks whether it is a product fault or something else, such as a cable or power issue.
- Faulty units go to the brand’s service centre or distributor for repair or replacement.
- Replacement can take days to weeks; ask whether a temporary unit is available.
- The installer refits and reconfigures the replaced unit.
Warranty versus real-world uptime
A warranty replaces a faulty part; it does not keep your cameras recording while the part is away. For a shop or factory, a dead camera at the entrance for three weeks is a real risk. Ask your installer whether they keep spare units to swap while a claim is processed, and how quickly they respond. Surge protection, a UPS and good sealing prevent most failures that warranties exclude anyway.
Brand warranty periods
Warranty periods differ between brands, product series and even individual models, and they change over time. Rather than relying on general claims, ask for the warranty period of each quoted model in writing, and check the brand’s Indian website or warranty card. Hard disk warranties can be checked online with the serial number.
Keep these records
- GST invoice listing models and serial numbers.
- Installation date and handover report.
- Warranty cards or registration confirmations.
- AMC contract and service reports, if any.
After warranty: AMC
When warranties end, an AMC keeps the system checked and repaired. A comprehensive AMC includes parts; a non-comprehensive one covers visits and labour only. For businesses that depend on footage, an AMC is usually cheaper than calling for repairs one by one.
CCTV AMC checklist →Our warranty support
We handle warranty claims for systems we install — you call us, and we deal with the brand. Our quotes state product warranty periods and our workmanship warranty in writing.
CCTV AMC and support →Quick answers
Does CCTV warranty cover lightning damage?+
Usually not. Surge protection and insurance are the way to protect against lightning.
Is the hard disk covered by the camera brand?+
No. The hard disk has its own warranty from the disk maker.
Who do I contact for a warranty claim?+
Start with your installer, who can diagnose the fault and handle the claim with the brand.
Does warranty cover the technician’s visit?+
Brand warranties usually cover the product only; labour depends on the installer’s terms.
Do grey-market cameras have warranty?+
Often not in India. Buy through authorised channels.