What is the primary function of a warranty in a contract?

The primary function of a warranty in a contract is to provide a non-essential assurance regarding certain aspects of the agreement. A warranty acts as a promise that certain facts or conditions about the contract are true, which gives the other party confidence in the transaction. Even though a warranty is significant, it does not constitute a fundamental term of the contract whose breach would automatically allow for termination. Instead, if a warranty is breached, it typically provides grounds for a claim for damages rather than terminating the entire contract.

The assurance offered by a warranty serves to protect the parties involved, enabling them to have faith in what is being promised within the contract, without making it an essential element for the contract's validity. This means if a warranty is found to be breached, the injured party can seek remedy through damages, but the overall contract remains in effect.

In this context, the other options do not accurately capture the purpose of a warranty. A warranty is not intended to serve as a vital term whose breach would lead straight to a contract’s cancellation. Likewise, it does not permit changes to contract obligations directly nor does it inherently allow for termination of the contract, as its role is more about assurance than enforcement of primary responsibilities within the agreement.