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Its called the Geek Squad Black Tie Protection Plan!
Its only $10 a month and provides unlimited replacements for your device if it is damaged due to dropping it, water, etc. Now thats one heck of a case and you can't even feel it when its on the phone!
But seriously, I usually put cases on my phones because I am worried about damage. But for $10 a month (the cost of 2 drinks at a coffee house) you can stop worrying about getting a case for your device and just use it as the companies intended: naked. This was an offer I just couldn't pass up.
Has anyone else gotten the protection plan from Best Buy?
On a side note, when I was picking my device up from Best Buy the sales person said "What, you want me to price match AT&T? OK!" I didn't even ask him but he just said that and did it for me anyway, saving me $30! Usually the people at Best Buy are annoying crabby stuck-up brats but this guy was very helpful and saved me some cash.
uberamd said:
Its called the Geek Squad Black Tie Protection Plan!
Its only $10 a month and provides unlimited replacements for your device if it is damaged due to dropping it, water, etc. Now thats one heck of a case and you can't even feel it when its on the phone!
But seriously, I usually put cases on my phones because I am worried about damage. But for $10 a month (the cost of 2 drinks at a coffee house) you can stop worrying about getting a case for your device and just use it as the companies intended: naked. This was an offer I just couldn't pass up.
Has anyone else gotten the protection plan from Best Buy?
On a side note, when I was picking my device up from AT&T the sales person said "What, you want me to price match AT&T? OK!" I didn't even ask him but he just said that and did it for me anyway, saving me $30! Usually the people at Best Buy are annoying crabby stuck-up brats but this guy was very helpful and saved me some cash.
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I have it, too, but there is a downside - at least there was with my iPhone 3GS when I had to use the protection plan. During the first 30 days of owning a phone they'll replace it in-store. After 30 days, at least for the iPhone, they gave me a crappy dumb-phone loaner, and it took almost a week to get a replacement in.
I still have it on my captivate, but hope I don't have to use it. Having a plain phone for a week after being used to something better is a hard transition.
will they replace it if it still works but just looks fugly?
systoxity said:
will they replace it if it still works but just looks fugly?
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Yeah, you could throw it on the ground and shatter it to pieces and get it replaced.
And about the dumb phone, I have a Nexus so I can always fallback to that.
do you have to buy the phone through them to qualify?
This couldn't possibly sound like more of a paid advertisement.
Its not advertisement. I have it. Though i did get my captivate on release date from them so as far as i know u have to buy phone from them. May be wronge because.it is a monthly pay service i dont see why where u get the phone mattering.
Only thing sucks is it is another bill. U can't have taken out ur cell bill.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
nammyczc said:
do you have to buy the phone through them to qualify?
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Yes you need to buy from them just like any warranty that is purchased through a store.
k2snowboards88 said:
This couldn't possibly sound like more of a paid advertisement.
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Er, its not. I hate Best Buy with a passion. I never shop there unless its something like a cell phone where you can't find it for less anywhere else. I'm simply saying that their cell phone protection plan is better than any one I have ever seen. Unlimited replacements for $9 a month is a heck of a deal.
I could argue that 99% of the posts here about people drooling over their devices sound like advertisements. Maybe I just like the service offered?
chvybeatsford said:
Its not advertisement. I have it. Though i did get my captivate on release date from them so as far as i know u have to buy phone from them. May be wronge because.it is a monthly pay service i dont see why where u get the phone mattering.
Only thing sucks is it is another bill. U can't have taken out ur cell bill.
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It does suck that you need to pay for it separately but oh well, its automatically deducted from my checking via by debit card.
Isn't the accidental insurance thought AT&T like $6 / mo?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
k2snowboards88 said:
This couldn't possibly sound like more of a paid advertisement.
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That's exactly what I thought when I read this.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I think you need to pay like 100 or 150 dollars to replace with ATT.
This is not about cases! but stupid insurance.
your post amused me.
YellowGTO said:
I think you need to pay like 100 or 150 dollars to replace with ATT.
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it's $125 deductible. i got that insurance from ATT, and for 5 a month for 2 years and 125, it would be like paying the "discount" 200 for another brand new phone! which isn't too bad if i kill it within the first few months
I got mine from BB 2 days ago and I am thinking on getting the insurance indeed...this things are awesome but oh so delicate but I want to get ALL the details before commiting.
douglastheduke said:
it's $125 deductible. i got that insurance from ATT, and for 5 a month for 2 years and 125, it would be like paying the "discount" 200 for another brand new phone! which isn't too bad if i kill it within the first few months
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True, and the BestBuy deal is not much better. $10 per month for 2 years is is $240. The only reason these insurance plans are worth it at all, is because you can't go buy a new one at the subsidized price again - not until about month 18. And at month 18 you can get anything you want for $200.
It is gambling - they are betting you won't break the phone, and you are betting you will. They win most of the time, or they wouldn't be offering this insurance.
SquareTrade covers smartphones for $6 per month with a $50 deductible if your claim is damage related. No deductible for other claims.
Me, I use Amex card to buy my phone. I get double the warranty and 90 days accident coverage. Oh, and cash back too. Good enough for me.
uberamd said:
Its called the Geek Squad Black Tie Protection Plan!
Its only $10 a month and provides unlimited replacements for your device if it is damaged due to dropping it, water, etc. Now thats one heck of a case and you can't even feel it when its on the phone!
But seriously, I usually put cases on my phones because I am worried about damage. But for $10 a month (the cost of 2 drinks at a coffee house) you can stop worrying about getting a case for your device and just use it as the companies intended: naked. This was an offer I just couldn't pass up.
Has anyone else gotten the protection plan from Best Buy?
On a side note, when I was picking my device up from Best Buy the sales person said "What, you want me to price match AT&T? OK!" I didn't even ask him but he just said that and did it for me anyway, saving me $30! Usually the people at Best Buy are annoying crabby stuck-up brats but this guy was very helpful and saved me some cash.
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You coulda saved more cash if you had to pricematch walmart. I got mine for 100 and some change.
$240 instead of $20... Makes sense to me!
TexUs said:
$240 instead of $20... Makes sense to me!
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Lets see, a $20 case makes your phone larger, doesn't give it 100% protection against dropping it, or damaging it with water. Or for $10 a month (which I can cancel at any time) I can get protection from dropping my device, spilling water on it, or "accidentally" throwing it under a car to get it replaced due to bricking the device. Hm, seems like my $120 a year (which is nothing if you think about it being as it is paid at $10 a month) goes a lot further than your $20 case which *may* protect your device from damage while at the same time adding bulk and not really being a guarantee.
Yeah, I'll take my $10 a month insurance. Did you cancel your car insurance and instead just cover it with a thick foam too?
BTW, I'm still annoyed you never answered me in that previous thread about how much of an iFanboy I am
alphadog00 said:
True, and the BestBuy deal is not much better. $10 per month for 2 years is is $240. The only reason these insurance plans are worth it at all, is because you can't go buy a new one at the subsidized price again - not until about month 18. And at month 18 you can get anything you want for $200.
It is gambling - they are betting you won't break the phone, and you are betting you will. They win most of the time, or they wouldn't be offering this insurance.
SquareTrade covers smartphones for $6 per month with a $50 deductible if your claim is damage related. No deductible for other claims.
Me, I use Amex card to buy my phone. I get double the warranty and 90 days accident coverage. Oh, and cash back too. Good enough for me.
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With the Best Buy plan you pay $10 a month, no deductible, and cancel at any time. So I could destroy the device in 3 months and get it replaced and in the end it will cost me $30. I can also then cancel my contract with them. Seems like a $30 well spent when you consider that this device is $500 out of contract.
I'm wondering if it's worth buying insurance for this phone (or any phone for that matter). SquareTrade is supposed to be good...
In my opinion no, u got a warranty for a year anyways... just treat your phone with upmost care always have a case, if ur gonna go drinking DONT BRING IT WITH YOU haha
I would say YES, unless can guarantee that you will "treat your phone with upmost care always have a case, [and] if ur gonna go drinking DONT BRING IT WITH YOU" ...and of course no one ever steals it and you'll never accidentally drop it.
Lets talk about worth... $5 or $6 a month... versus you losing your phone, it getting stolen, you getting shoved into the pool with it in your pocket, etc etc etc...
Would you rather pay $5/6 a month and then $129 to replace the phone, or $499 to replace it?
JWhipple said:
Lets talk about worth... $5 or $6 a month... versus you losing your phone, it getting stolen, you getting shoved into the pool with it in your pocket, etc etc etc...
Would you rather pay $5/6 a month and then $129 to replace the phone, or $499 to replace it?
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Unless of course that SquareTrade service is as good as it claims... I'd take that over 2 years with a $50 deductible on accidentals instead of the T-Mo insurance I'm paying for.
It's 2 years of coverage for $51.99.
"WHAT IS COVERED:
Mechanical and electrical failures that occur during normal use of your item. Your item is covered for up to the full purchase price of your item (tax and shipping are excluded).
Some examples of covered issues include computer hard drive failures, iPod batteries that stop charging, cell phone keypads that get stuck, and digital camera sensor failures."
SquareTrade Inc. information.
xzxxzx said:
It's 2 years of coverage for $51.99.
"WHAT IS COVERED:
Mechanical and electrical failures that occur during normal use of your item. Your item is covered for up to the full purchase price of your item (tax and shipping are excluded).
Some examples of covered issues include computer hard drive failures, iPod batteries that stop charging, cell phone keypads that get stuck, and digital camera sensor failures."
SquareTrade Inc. information.
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That's EXTENDED warranty, not insurance.... insurance is when a phone gets lost or stolen.
funkadesi said:
That's EXTENDED warranty, not insurance.... insurance is when a phone gets lost or stolen.
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Whoops my bad. I kept seeing the squaretrade insurance pop up
i pay tmobile for my insurance. small price to pay for them just incase moments. i bought my phone outright so it was my best option. without it, i might be a little nicer to my phone. but with insurance lol, i just use it.
Insurance is a money pit
Guys insurance for a phone is a money pit I will show you.
I am very delicate with my phones like I know many of you are. I buy a case and screen guard and I have dropped one phone. So I dont buy insurance. Tmo insurance is 5.99/mo and the average length people keep the phone is about a 1yr some maybe 2yrs.
If you make a claim you have to pay a deductible which is usually around 125-150
so 5.99*12months= $71.88+$150=$221.88
If you have insurance for 2yrs: $5.99*24monts+$150=$293.76
Plus Tmo knows that less than 80% the people that get insurance will never use it, thats why they offer it cause they make money on it.
Now what if I self insur and pay myself 5.99 a month and save for a deductible. I can buy the same phone or a better one on craigslist or ebay. Therefore I dont buy insurance on any phone anymore cause we never used it we always bought phones off craigslist or ebay cheaper than our deductible. Just a little FYI
personally i have had insurance on my phones for 4 years, i have never had to use it(broke a G1 but since they couldn't get me a G1 i upgraded) yeah in the long run you might be paying a little more but i always compare it to car insurance. yeah i don't like paying an extra $150 a month for insurance on my car, but if i decide i don't want insurance and then i wreck the car i'm out a car(and in my state my license). or i can keep the insurance, pay the money, pay the deductible, and play it safe. in the end it's your choice but unless the phone is glued to your hand, and you live in the desert, then something could happen and end up costing you the price of the phone.
on the craigslist point: you don't always know where the phone you are buying off CL has been so there is no guarantee that you aren't buying a stolen device, i would rather pay retail for a phone that i know isn't stolen and comes with the box and everything in it, and the phone is in perfect condition
Well does anyone have any experience with square trade cause i was considering doing this as well
if you have access to the latest issue of Business Week (cover says Be Evil), there's an article talking about the company Asurion, who is the backer of cellular insurance for all of the big wireless companies around the world. chances are if you have the insurance, the replacement you get will be a refurb/used, which can usually be had for cheaper price. don't expect to be compensated with a brand new phone of equal value if yours goes bad.
I have the option to purchase squaretrade insurance/warranty for $99 since I bought from letstalk (instead of $124 by going directly to squaretrade).
I still don't understand how this works. Do you just pay the $99, then you can get a new phone even if you get something as simple as a small scratch on your current phone? Do you have to send the old phone back or can you just sell it for parts (assuming it's damaged).
I've never had phone insurance before, but I'm highly considering it because of the dust issue on the HTC sensations.
If you guys know of any other insurance, please let me know too. I've only had the phone 6 days so I have plenty of time to purchase insurance from anywhere.
brian85 said:
I have the option to purchase squaretrade insurance/warranty for $99 since I bought from letstalk (instead of $124 by going directly to squaretrade).
I still don't understand how this works. Do you just pay the $99, then you can get a new phone even if you get something as simple as a small scratch on your current phone? Do you have to send the old phone back or can you just sell it for parts (assuming it's damaged).
I've never had phone insurance before, but I'm highly considering it because of the dust issue on the HTC sensations.
If you guys know of any other insurance, please let me know too. I've only had the phone 6 days so I have plenty of time to purchase insurance from anywhere.
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Read my thread about TMO's premium handset protection. It also covers malfunctions(warranty replacements)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1135836
brian85 said:
I have the option to purchase squaretrade insurance/warranty for $99 since I bought from letstalk (instead of $124 by going directly to squaretrade).
I still don't understand how this works. Do you just pay the $99, then you can get a new phone even if you get something as simple as a small scratch on your current phone? Do you have to send the old phone back or can you just sell it for parts (assuming it's damaged).
I've never had phone insurance before, but I'm highly considering it because of the dust issue on the HTC sensations.
If you guys know of any other insurance, please let me know too. I've only had the phone 6 days so I have plenty of time to purchase insurance from anywhere.
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Squaretrade does nothing if your phone gets lost or stolen. They cover just about everything else with a $50 deductible and roughly a 5 day turnaround.
The insurance t-mobile uses is Asurion and I have used them in the past. If you have a claim, you will need to go through Asurion for the claim and it takes 1 business day (T-mobile is not involved). Personally, I did receive my replacement on a Saturday after I filed a claim at 9PM on a Friday night. The big problem with Asurion is you only get 2 claims per 12 months and the Sensation has a deductible around $150 (it's still not listed on Asurion's site) plus a $5 fee.
The nice thing about Asurion is you get a replacement phone no matter what. Not to mention all they want back is the phone. You get to keep the accessories and battery from your old phone. They also will let you keep your old phone, but they charge another $250+ and it may be considered insurance fraud.
You can see the details on T-Mobile's site: http://support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm23694.xml
mycomputerisjunk said:
Squaretrade does nothing if your phone gets lost or stolen. They cover just about everything else with a $50 deductible and roughly a 5 day turnaround.
The insurance t-mobile uses is Asurion and I have used them in the past. If you have a claim, you will need to go through Asurion for the claim and it takes 1 business day (T-mobile is not involved). Personally, I did receive my replacement on a Saturday after I filed a claim at 9PM on a Friday night. The big problem with Asurion is you only get 2 claims per 12 months and the Sensation has a deductible around $150 (it's still not listed on Asurion's site) plus a $5 fee.
The nice thing about Asurion is you get a replacement phone no matter what. Not to mention all they want back is the phone. You get to keep the accessories and battery from your old phone. They also will let you keep your old phone, but they charge another $250+ and it may be considered insurance fraud.
You can see the details on T-Mobile's site: http://support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm23694.xml
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It's $130.00 deductible for the Sensation.
Anyone here suggest having it from T-Mobile?
It's $7.99 a month...
Is it worth it? I don't get my phone stolen or lost... I always take care of my phones..
Input before bashing!
it's completely user preference.
Ask yourself this when trying to decide: "is $ worth it to me in the event that something unfortunate happens to my phone? Do I want to spend $$$ to buy a new one if the problem is not covered by the original warranty?"
Some people have horror stories in dealing with asurion others no problem at all... And remember, the plan does not specify that you'll get a brand new, unused phone, just a comparable phone....so you could end up with a refurbished phone after you're deductible...and who knows if it was ever fixed in the first place!
For me personally, I go with the middle tier insurance (4.79/month+130ded) for the first year because chances are that if I start having problems after that, I'm just gonna go in and get new phone and renew my contract at that point.
I got it but that's b/c i work for t-mobile and I've heard so many unfortunate stories
I take care of my phone as well but it's technology...anything can happen
Have a look at SquareTrade. Way cheaper and covers damages. If they can't fix it, they'll pay you the price you paid for the device. They charage a $124 fee for 2 years of coverage, zero deductible.
Search around online, you probably can find a coupon code to help you get 20-30% off the regular price SquareTrade would charge you for coverage.
Asurion's deductible alone is about as much or more than Squaretrade, plus you'd have to pay Asurion $8/month on top of that.
SquareTrade's protection is also transferable if you sell/give the device to someone else. (Sure to help your resale value on Ebay . )
But ultimately, if you don't have a history of damaging devices, you could save more by simply not buying insurance you don't need. The device does have a 1 year manufacturer's warranty. And there are many cell phone repair shops these days that don't charge much.
So it's up to you. Good thing is that you have plenty of options to choose from.
Asurion is NOT good insurance! You pay a monthly fee of around $8 and then a $100 (or $150 not sure which) deductible to actually get the phone replaced and they CAN still send you a refurbished phone as a replacement. So you pay for the phone twice and still may get a used POS! Don't waste your money. The standard warranty is a year with just about the same coverage (you just can't be at fault for any damages to get fixed).
I haven't checked out squaretrade yet, but imo a comprehensive insurance is a must. No matter how well u take care of ur phone accidents can happen and so can theft. To my knowledge, warranty only covers manufacturing defects, not incidental damage/theft.
Check your house insurance, mine is covered up to £700 for loss or damage, no excess to pay....
jdelforge5684 said:
I haven't checked out squaretrade yet, but imo a comprehensive insurance is a must. No matter how well u take care of ur phone accidents can happen and so can theft. To my knowledge, warranty only covers manufacturing defects, not incidental damage/theft.
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I would not say a "must". But worth considering if you have a history of issues. I used to buy it all the time, and after almost 10 years of never using it I stopped buying it and still was going just fine without it. I did get it on my Sensation though, because I got a very good deal from SquareTrade when I brought the Sensation through Ebay. The deal I got was <10% of what I paid for the Sensation, which is a price less than replacing it with a used one 2 years from now and less than I'd have to pay a repair shop to fix most any issue. So I'll get the insurance when I can get get a very cheap deal on it. Otherwise, I'll self insure, as in not buy it.
I'd certainly never use Asurion though. They got enough of my money in the past. In a year $8/month is $96 + $100(or higher) deductible = ~$200. So to pay about $200 or so for a refub of the same device is pretty terrible of a deal IMHO.
My old HD2 is the first device I've had that broke do to issues from drops over time, it's SIM slot broke after 16 months of ownership, that would have costs me about $225+ through Asurion, just to get a refub HD2 to replace it. I can get a nearly brand new HD2 for that price off Ebay tonight. But I didn't even want another HD2 16 months later, I wanted something new, so I sold the used broken HD2 on Ebay. The HD2 and it's SIM card with the Transformers movie fetched me almost $150 which went torwards Sensation accessories and more than paid for the SquareTrade coverage. I could have used that money to buy an HD2 in better condition if I desired, or paid less to get the broken HD2 repaired. But in no way does the math ever work for me to use Asurion ever again. If car insurance or home owners insurance were 50% of the price of the device new or 100% of replacement with a used version of the same, people would cry it was fraud.
kjt57 said:
Check your house insurance, mine is covered up to £700 for loss or damage, no excess to pay....
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For the vast majority in the USA, they won't cover a cell phone. And usually if they do, the deductible is as high as the price of the phone if not higher.
GET IT. I have it over 5yrs since I had my tmobile wing & even if you take care of it something could happen example my hd2 messed up when the electricity went out in my house the phone was connected to the tv and after that phone kept getting random boots. Just get it best investment you could do for your phone.
DEDUCTIBLE IS $130 for the Sensation according to Asurion website and literature.
I gladly pay $8 a month knowing that each year I can have my phone replaced twice. Lost, stolen, damaged no questions asked. Each time I have paid my $130 deductible I have received a brand new in box device. I have used it about 4 times now. They even send u a Sim card and it usually arrives the next day after u male the claim. But I will look into this other company u guys r talking about
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App
Your right $0 deductible for squaretrade but once Ur care plan is considered fulfilled you need to drop another x amount to cover you new device...
So to me that's the same as paying Asurions deductible.
Not to mention I paid a subsidized price for my sensation and if I was to buy another one I couldn't get it for that price again. So does that mean I'm screwed?
Coverage Amount For replacement payments:
You are covered up to the maximum value you paid for the item. Once we pay out that amount, your Care Plan is considered fulfilled. If you would like coverage on your new item, you need to purchase a new warranty for it.
For Repairs:
The Care Plan is good for multiple repairs, up to the maximum value of your item. Once the cost of repairs meets the full purchase price of the item, your Care Plan is considered fulfilled.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App
I saw some other threads and figured I'd share a new discovery of mine. Not sure if anyone has heard of them:
http://www.worthavegroup.com/
Very affordable insurance and beats out SquareTrade, I think.
Just finished a claim on my EVO 4G with SquareTrade and they closed the warranty once they reimburse me. So essentially, once they pay you for a new phone, your warranty is considered fully used regardless of how many years of coverage you have left. Worth Ave has unlimited claims and includes theft and loss and all that cool stuff for a good price. $50 deductible for $599 coverage for my new Epic 4G Touch (iPhones have different coverage but other devices like Android phones are the same essentially). Roughly $60 bucks a year flat fee. I did my research on them before hand and I've only read good things.
Just thought I'd share!
-Rip
Do they reimburse you or just send you a "refurbished" phone? I like the fact that SquareTrade reimburses you so you can go out and buy any new phone on the market and yes, then you do have to buy a new warranty but it is a totally "new" phone.
frodoboy said:
Do they reimburse you or just send you a "refurbished" phone? I like the fact that SquareTrade reimburses you so you can go out and buy any new phone on the market and yes, then you do have to buy a new warranty but it is a totally "new" phone.
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SquareTrade reimbursed me to the EVO's current market value ($450). They do not give out refurbs and I believe Worth Ave is the same. They are not actual repair shops so they are not entitled to give you a replacement or refurb. Either they pay for repair at an authorized/licensed repair depot or they reimburse you with good old cash to buy another phone at current market value.
Insurance
Hello,
I don't know about in the US but my mobile is covered under the "accidental damage" portion of my home insurance policy, sure it might cost me my excess but I will only pay it if I damage the phone which may not happen.
regal_beaver said:
Hello,
I don't know about in the US but my mobile is covered under the "accidental damage" portion of my home insurance policy, sure it might cost me my excess but I will only pay it if I damage the phone which may not happen.
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Usually homeowner's policies have pretty high deductibles, usually $500 or more and that basically leaves you without coverage on all phones.
I think this is covered in some other threads. But check with your home owners insurance. I can get a rider for mine that costs $18/year. It is $18/year for up to $5000 of computers, cell phones, software, peripherals, etc. Not $18/device. Just $18/year!
It is all risk coverage. So it covers theft, loss, damage (like dropping it). $50 deductible.
So check with your insurance carrier is you have home owner's insurance (or apartment insurance).
a case is my insurance policy.
These always have deductible, take a couple of days and get a refurb old phone.
With the way tech changes, always feel its just better to trade up to a new phone if you lose/break.