That's an upgrade option now? It used to be standard, I think even suggested that you remove your drive before sending in your thinkpad. Granted, the last time I had to do that was 2009 or so.
It sometimes is included in the warranty depending on how you buy it
I know when we were RMAing drives as a company there was an $8 option to not return the drive. As it was free shipping to return it we’d just send it back - no sensitive data.
If you really need to be secure you encrypt AND shred. But you have to encrypt before it fails of course.
