Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
15 U.S.C. § 2301
Does Mattress Warranty Cover 1.5" Body Impressions?
Deconstructs the 1.5-inch innerspring warranty rule, Magnuson-Moss provisions, and photographic evidence kits.
Yes: Covered at >= 1.5 Inches
Direct answer summary
Yes, almost all traditional innerspring and hybrid mattress warranties explicitly cover body impressions once they reach or exceed 1.50 inches (38.1 mm) of unweighted depth. While depressions under 1.5 inches are excluded as normal settling, exceeding 1.5 inches triggers mandatory manufacturer repair or replacement under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The claimant must provide unweighted photographic proof with a straightedge and ruler.
Key points
Unweighted body impressions reaching 1.50 inches or greater qualify for warranty coverage.
Requires photographic proof using a rigid straightedge and vertical ruler.
Claims must also prove compliance with foundation slat spacing and center support rules.
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Warranty Fine-Print & Trial Policy Deconstruction
Calculate proration cliffs, test unweighted sagging ruler thresholds, and verify foundation slat gap compliance before submitting a claim.
Trial, returns and warranty: the fine print
Warranty Proration Cliff & Fine Print Analysis
Mattress warranties advertised as "25-Year" or "Lifetime" typically undergo an actuarial transition into a steep proration cliff after Year 10. Consumer defect claims require rigid straight-edge depth proof and strict foundation compliance.
$1,800
$800$2,000$3,500
Year 12 of 25
Year 1 (New)Year 10 (Cliff Edge)Year 25
Prorated Cliff Active
Warranty Law 1.5-Inch Standard · Friends for Life Limited Warranty
Customer Out-of-Pocket:
$900.00 (50%)
Manufacturer Coverage: 50% ($900.00)Customer Share: 50% ($900.00)
Proration Schedule Breakdown for Warranty Law:
- Years 1-10: 100% Non-Prorated. The manufacturer covers 100% of replacement or repair costs ($0 customer copay).
- Years 11-15: Customer pays 50% of the purchase price ($900.00 on a $1800 mattress).
- Years 16-20: Customer pays 75% of the purchase price ($1350.00 on a $1800 mattress).
- Years 21-25: Customer pays 85% of the purchase price ($1530.00 on a $1800 mattress).
- Round-Trip Freight Surcharge: Optional repair in Year 3+ incurs a mandatory $149 processing fee.
Specifications
Recorded specifications
Values and benchmarks recorded for this question.
| Specification | Measured value | Benchmark | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry Threshold Standard | 1.50 Inches (38.1 mm) Unweighted Depth | Innerspring Industry Standard | pass |
| Legal Redress Mechanism | 100% Free Repair or Full Replacement | Non-Prorated Window Obligation | pass |
| Exclusion Disqualification | Depressions < 1.5" Deemed Normal Settling | Contractual Safety Valve | warning |
| Required Evidence Kit | Straightedge Ruler Photos + Law Tag + Frame | Mandatory Submission Proof | pass |
Standards reference: Benchmarks derived from ASTM D3574 (flexible cellular foam), CPSC 16 CFR 1633 (open flame flammability), and clinical capillary closing thresholds (32.0 mmHg).
Checklist
Warranty Claim Diagnostic & Measurement Protocol
Unweighted ruler measurement and photographic documentation steps to avoid warranty claim denial.
- 01
Verify 1.5" Ruler Mark
Ensure the bottom of the straightedge aligns exactly with or past the 1.5" ruler tick.
Watch for: Submitting photos showing 1-3/8" will result in immediate rejection.
- 02
Inspect Perimeter for Sag
Check if edge coils have also bowed outward along the border.
Watch for: Broken perimeter coils strengthen warranty claims significantly.
- 03
Ensure Frame Has Center Legs
Photograph the center support beam and floor contact legs.
Watch for: Inspectors will blame the foundation if center support is missing.
Sources
Sources for this answer
Read the source documents behind the thresholds, measurements, and policy details used here.
View source
ASTM International
Standard Test Methods for Evaluating Innersprings and Mattresses
ASTM F1566