Is it worth buying Applecare for the iPhone 5 ? I'm in the UK, so we don't get Applecare+ . I'm thinking of getting Applecare and insurance... is that too much ?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple care + Insurance = ?
- Thread starter Superman041
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Well.....
a iPhone can be a steep investment. To my knowledge, AppleCare is for problems with the hardware/software, reparations and so on. An insurance would cover loss and another kind of damage, I suppose. So for assurance for the investment, the more you can afford, the better, IMHO
a iPhone can be a steep investment. To my knowledge, AppleCare is for problems with the hardware/software, reparations and so on. An insurance would cover loss and another kind of damage, I suppose. So for assurance for the investment, the more you can afford, the better, IMHO
Insurance includes a monthly fee, and that lost or stolen claim carries a deductable with it. Here in the US, insurance through a carrier is $10/month for the length of your 2 year contract. $10x24months=$240+$200 deductable=$440 vs $99 for Applecare & the free Find my iPhone feature. It's a no brainer imo.
Insurance includes a monthly fee, and that lost or stolen claim carries a deductable with it. Here in the US, insurance through a carrier is $10/month for the length of your 2 year contract. $10x24months=$240+$200 deductable=$440 vs $99 for Applecare & the free Find my iPhone feature. It's a no brainer imo.
Except A+ doesn't cover loss or theft like the $10/month carrier insurance does. A+ also has a deductible, although it's $49 rather than $199. For me, that makes it a head scratcher rather than a no brainer - unless you can see into the future and know you won't lose or have your iPhone stolen.
Do you have contents insurance for your home? With a decent provider? It's often cheap to add items you take out of your home - I'm covered for £2500 total, with £1000 per item and £50 excess. Covers loss, accidental damage and theft. Added about £40 to my annual quote, and obviously covers more than just an iPhone.
Call your home insurance first and ask them what is covered.
...vs $99 for Applecare & the free Find my iPhone feature. It's a no brainer imo.
I think "Find my iPhone" is excellent when you lost your phone somewhere in your home, or at some friends place. If it is stolen, getting it back might prove tricky.
My rule of thumb is to never insure a rapidly depreciating asset. The reason insurance of this type is so lucrative is that the seller knows from statistics that they will most likely not have to pay out. So if your homeowners or renters insurance covers your handset, great. If not, I wouldn't spring for extra insurance besides perhaps an Otterbox.
I would add to this wisdom the rule of thumb to not insure items that you can readily afford to repair or replace on your own. Extended consumer product warranties and insurance policies are pushed heavily by manufacturers and retailers because they are very profitable.
thanks for the advice.
I have heard with AppleCare the genius's in the sop are more likely to go further to help you . As in terms of them taking away a product to fix... ?
I have heard with AppleCare the genius's in the sop are more likely to go further to help you . As in terms of them taking away a product to fix... ?
All excellent points. Apple Care for a $199 phone is a waste of money.
----------
Not correct. But it seems like you have already decided to get AppleCare and you are looking for people to talk you into it.
If you want it fine. And you'll find lots of stories on here about how AppleCare "saved" them. You don't hear about the countless number of people who bought AppleCare and never used it once so they wasted money.
Fair enough. Then that is a subjective question. If you think the "peice of mind" is worth the price, then you should get it. But the likelyhood that something goes wrong with your phone outside of the 1 year warranty period is quite small.
Another thing to consider is that many credit card companies automatically double the manufacturer's warranty as a perk to customers.
I thought in the UK you are covered for 2 or 3 years by law. If that is the case what does Applecare offer that the law doesn't besides phone support?
You have statutory rights. After more than six months, it is up to you to prove that a device was defective when purchased. And if you bought any product for example from Comet, good luck with statutory rights.