The Tervis warranty, branded as the “Made for Life” guarantee, covers confirmed manufacturing defects in the company’s classic double-walled plastic drinkware for the life of the product, and offers shorter time-limited coverage on its stainless steel lines. Accessories, cosmetic wear, and products bought secondhand are not covered. Every claim is handled by mail and depends on a physical inspection by Tervis.
Classic Plastic Drinkware: Lifetime Coverage
The lifetime guarantee applies only to classic double-walled plastic products that carry a Tervis logo molded into the bottom or side and appear on the current covered list: the 16oz Tumbler, 24oz Tumbler, Venture Lite Water Bottle, Mug, 10oz Wavy Tumbler, and 12oz Tumbler.1Tervis. Classic Insulated Lifetime Guarantee Older versions of the policy listed items like wine glasses, goblets, sippy cups, and ice buckets, but the current list is limited to those six.2Amazon. Tervis Guarantee Policy Document
Only three defects qualify, and Tervis must confirm them on inspection:
- Seal failure, meaning the inner and outer walls separate or moisture appears between them.
- Cracking around the opening or on the bottom of the drinkware.
- Decoration failure, where the decoration has detached from the tumbler.
There is no expiration date on the classic plastic policy, but replacement remains at the sole discretion of Tervis.3Tervis. Classic Insulated Lifetime Guarantee
Stainless Steel: Time-Limited Coverage
Stainless steel products do not get a lifetime guarantee. Which policy applies depends on when the product was made and how the logo is printed on the base.
DuraPrint Line (Two Years)
The newer Tervis Traveler and Tervis Venture drinkware carry a two-year guarantee from the date of manufacture. These products are identifiable by the “TERVIS” logo in all capital letters and a quiet, nonslip base marked “dishwasher safe.” Eligible sizes are the 20oz, 30oz, and 40oz Traveler and the 26oz and 36oz Venture Water Bottle.4Tervis. DuraPrint Stainless Steel Limited Guarantee Coverage is limited to confirmed loss of thermal performance and failure of the DuraPrint finish to resist chipping, peeling, or fading under normal use and proper care.5Tervis. Made for Life Terms and Conditions
Legacy Line (Five Years)
Older stainless steel products, marked with a lowercase “tervis” logo on the bottom, fall under the Legacy Stainless Steel Limited Guarantee for five years from the date of manufacture. The line covers various pre-2023 tumblers, slim can coolers, and wide-mouth bottles, and coverage is limited to confirmed thermal performance failures.6Tervis. Stainless Steel Limited Guarantee
What’s Not Covered
The exclusions are broad and apply across all product lines:
- Normal wear and tear on classic products, including fading, scratching, film, fog, staining, and heat distortion. On stainless steel, this also covers denting, chipping, and scratching from drops.7Tervis. Classic Insulated Lifetime Guarantee
- Lids, straws, handles, and any other accessories, which are not guaranteed under any line.8Tervis. Lifetime Guarantee
- Damage from improper care, misuse, or intentional damage.
- Discontinued, close-out, and limited edition items like bowls and specialty releases.9Tervis. DuraPrint Stainless Steel Limited Guarantee
- Drinkware bought at yard sales, acquired for resale, or used commercially.7Tervis. Classic Insulated Lifetime Guarantee
- Any product not on the current covered list for its category. Items that don’t qualify are recycled rather than returned.
Tervis also reserves the right to refuse or limit replacements based on a customer’s return history or warranty abuse.7Tervis. Classic Insulated Lifetime Guarantee
What You Get if a Claim Is Approved
When Tervis confirms a covered defect on a classic product, there are two options. The first is a digital gift card for the current retail price of a similar product, redeemable on tervis.com; shipping is not included in the credit, and the original item is recycled.5Tervis. Made for Life Terms and Conditions The second is a decoration transfer: if the classic product has an emblem or wrap, Tervis can move it to a new tumbler for $12.50 per product. Decorations that are wet, discolored, stained, or made with glitter, confetti, fishing flies, or vinyl lettering can’t be reused.10Tervis. Made for Life Terms and Conditions
If a design has been discontinued, customer service can confirm eligibility and work out the closest available alternative.11Tervis. Lifetime Guarantee
How to File a Claim
Claims are handled entirely by mail. Tervis does not process warranty replacements in stores.12Tervis. Classic Insulated Lifetime Guarantee The steps:
- Contact customer service at customercare@tervis.com or 1-866-886-2537 before shipping anything, to confirm the product qualifies.13Tervis. Lifetime Guarantee
- Fill out the Guarantee Replacement Form on tervis.com with the design, size, material, and specific issue. Up to six products can be submitted per form.
- Print the completed form and include it inside the package. Handwritten changes won’t be processed.
- Pack the item in a box or padded envelope and mail it, at your own cost, to Tervis at 928 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229.14Tervis. Tervis Guarantee
Processing takes about 30 business days from the date the package arrives at the facility.13Tervis. Lifetime Guarantee Products that Tervis determines are not covered will be recycled and not returned.
The guarantee pages do not require a receipt or proof of purchase. Tervis relies on physical inspection and the molded logo to verify eligibility. Because secondhand items are excluded, though, buyers of used Tervis products shouldn’t count on coverage even without a receipt requirement.15Tervis. Classic Insulated Lifetime Guarantee