Before you purchase any electronic, you want to know what the warranty covers.  This gives you a heads up from the start if you need to purchase additional coverage on the item, iPods included.  Apple's basic iPod warranty covers the unit for one year from the date of purchase.  It offers 180 days of shipping support which means they will cover shipping costs to and from an Apple service center if you cannot bring it to a retail location.  Accidental damage is not covered by their warranty but any other hardware defects are.  Software defects, such as jailbreaking the device, are not covered and void the warranty in its entirety.

Apple offers additional coverage for iPods under their AppleCare program.  AppleCare extends the duration of the warranty to two years.  It provides tech support over the phone for Windows and Mac users as well as protects all included accessories with the device, such as the headphones, battery and clips.  AppleCare also offers technical support with issues connected to iTunes and iPod connectivity whereas the basic one year warranty does not.  AppleCare offers comprehensive coverage should just about anything happen to your iPod.  Taking the time to weigh the pros and cons of such additional coverage is necessary to keep your iPod working in the future should something happen to it beyond your control.

If you do not purchase an additional warranty through Apple or a third party retailer, such as Best Buy, you cannot renew the basic warranty that comes out of the box with the iPod. However, if you invest in AppleCare or an extended service plan, you can renew them through either Apple or the retailer.  These packages vary depending on the time of purchase, length of plan and iPod bought.  Once you are close to your original extended warranty expiration date, you will be contacted by Apple or the retailer to renew.  You can also be proactive and contact either one to renew no more than six months before the plan expires.