AppleCare+ vs. VZW Warranty vs. Geek Squad. vs. SquareTrade - Page 4

willmtaylor · Sep 14, 2012, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhanna

I am getting the iPhone 5 for my kids (on Sprint). Based on past experience, they are more likely to lose the phone than damage it. Since AC+ does not cover lost phones can anyone suggest where to go for lost/stolen coverage? Thank you.

Someone on another thread recommended Worth Ave Group. I had never heard of 'em, but they seem legit.

And don't forget to enable iCloud and the Find My iPhone feature.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by meganator

Don't forget that after the first year apple won't replace or fix non-accidental issues either. I had to pay $200 for a refurb phone when my two month out of warranty iPhone 4 just quit charging. In addition to the two accidental replacements you get regular warranty service for the full length of the contract.

It's a bit much to just say they won't. There of plenty of stories, from myself included, of people taking in Apple devices, including iPhones, that are out of warranty and walking out with a repair or refurb. without paying a dime.its just that they don't have to. One has to catch the right person at the right time.

boomhower · Sep 14, 2012, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhanna

I am getting the iPhone 5 for my kids (on Sprint). Based on past experience, they are more likely to lose the phone than damage it. Since AC+ does not cover lost phones can anyone suggest where to go for lost/stolen coverage? Thank you.

If your kids are that prone to losing their phone don't buy them a $700 phone until they are more responsible.

mslederer · Sep 14, 2012, 11:04 PM

So, I am getting ready to take the iPhone plunge and get 4 for our family. Seems like maybe getting insurance is a waste of money. Here are my questions.

- If you get a replacement through AC+ are you getting a new or refurbished phone? What about through Square Trade? These seem like the only two reasonable options unless you need loss coverage.

- Yes, my teenagers should wait to get the iPhone until they're responsible enough to not lose it. But.... Things happen. They will have to pay for their own insurance, but what is the best option? Worth Ave says they only pay for theft (with a police report). VZW is outrageous and a pain. Any other options?

Rigby · Sep 14, 2012, 11:47 PM

In case you have a Wells Fargo credit card, check whether you are eligible for their Cell Phone Protection. Just use the card to pay your cell phone bill, and you will have coverage up to $600 for accidental damage and theft.

Gjwilly · Sep 15, 2012, 12:15 AM

Didn't see it mentioned yet but Square trade also provides refurbished replacements.
And they're not even Apple refurbs. They just come in a plain black box from whichever repair center they're currently contracting with.

edtorious · Sep 15, 2012, 12:16 AM

I used my Discover credit card to pay for my iPhone 5 and according to Discover, they will extend another year of my manufacturer's warranty. So my question is since Applecare is included and Discover will only extend it for a year but if I lost or my iPhone 5 is stolen, my Discover will not cover it correct? Discover will only extend and cover per Applecare condition right?

Gjwilly · Sep 15, 2012, 01:01 AM

AppleCare (not the same as AppleCare+) does not cover accidental damage so the additional year that Discover will add doesn't really get you a whole lot.

jkeb · Sep 15, 2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gjwilly

AppleCare (not the same as AppleCare+) does not cover accidental damage so the additional year that Discover will add doesn't really get you a whole lot.

Agreed. The free automatic extended warranty is a great service from Discover but if you're looking for AppleCare+ level protection, this isn't it. It just double's the length of the manufacturer's warranty on defective parts and labor.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Gjwilly

Didn't see it mentioned yet but Square trade also provides refurbished replacements.
And they're not even Apple refurbs. They just come in a plain black box from whichever repair center they're currently contracting with.

I have a lot of stuff warrantied with SquareTrade but their current $35 off coupon is really lame. Their every day price for an iPhone warranty is $99, even if they say the regular price is $124.99. It's been $99 forever because it was the price when I was considering it for my iPone 4S a year ago. When you apply the $35 off coupon, the price becomes $89. That's $10 off, not $35 off. You can't offer the same reduced price forever and then offer $35 off the full price that you never charge to begin with. Does that make sense?

AlvinNguyen · Sep 15, 2012, 12:23 PM

Any of you guys experienced Square Trade? I'm wondering is better since they give 4 accidental repairs whereas AppleCare only gives 2. This is pretty much the only difference. Both of them give refunds if you get a new phone and wants your $ pro-rated and put it towards your new protection plan.

lorenwade · Sep 15, 2012, 12:36 PM

I have square trade for this very reason. It's better in every way. AppleCare+ used to cover theft/loss but I don't see that it has that anymore (ST doesn't offer this) so otherwise they're exactly the same.

AlvinNguyen · Sep 15, 2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorenwade

I have square trade for this very reason. It's better in every way. AppleCare+ used to cover theft/loss but I don't see that it has that anymore (ST doesn't offer this) so otherwise they're exactly the same.

I'm thinking the same thing - gonna cancel my applecare+

rnizlek · Sep 15, 2012, 07:13 PM

I've had a good experience with Squaretrade in the past, so I went with Squaretrade for my 5. The fact that they offered me the service for $89 in a promotion a few days before the release of the 5 helped also...

Boiler · Sep 15, 2012, 07:14 PM

Sounds like square trade over apple care

But I prefer no warranty insurance for cost savings
Hoping that my accumulated savings can pay for emergencies
I'm careful and haven't dropped an iPhone or needed replacement
*knocks on wood

mattopotamus · Sep 15, 2012, 07:14 PM

I don't see how these companies replace lost/stolen phones....that is the easiest way to commit insurance fraud.

Gjwilly · Sep 15, 2012, 07:18 PM

Apple gives out refurbs that are Apple certified.
The Squaretrade refurbs have no pedigree. Just phones assembled by various contracted repair centers.

TB07-NJ · Sep 15, 2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gjwilly

Apple gives out refurbs that are Apple certified.
The Squaretrade refurbs have no pedigree. Just phones assembled by various contracted repair centers.

With ST you still can go to Apple and get their "official" replacement for $150 or whatever it is then ST will reimburse you. You don't have to have them "repair" it.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mattopotamus

I don't see how these companies replace lost/stolen phones....that is the easiest way to commit insurance fraud.

Most don't because they don't cover lost or stolen phones. The one (or two) that do require you to file a police report for lost or stolen and a notorized affidavit that it was stolen. Filing a false police report can land you in jail.

Gjwilly · Sep 15, 2012, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TB07-NJ

With ST you still can go to Apple and get their "official" replacement for $150 or whatever it is then ST will reimburse you. You don't have to have them "repair" it.

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.

Don't they still tack on the $50 deductible?

Spink10 · Sep 15, 2012, 07:34 PM

What is the official $150 apple replacement?

What would be the different between an applecare replacement and a ST replacement done at the apple store?

kevink2 · Sep 15, 2012, 07:37 PM

I may have made the mistake with ordering Applecare+. But with the home button problems I had with the 4 (though I was lucky and able to finally fix it with alcohol), I decided that I wanted at least 2 years of coverage.

The mistake might be because I decided to buy a case that is more robust than my previous one. So hopefully I don't ever need to use the Applecare.

boomhower · Sep 15, 2012, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TB07-NJ

With ST you still can go to Apple and get their "official" replacement for $150 or whatever it is then ST will reimburse you. You don't have to have them "repair" it.

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Most don't because they don't cover lost or stolen phones. The one (or two) that do require you to file a police report for lost or stolen and a notorized affidavit that it was stolen. Filing a false police report can land you in jail.

You can't file a police report for a lost phone. There is no crime against losing something. I have people wanting to do it all the time. It's surprising how difficult of a concept that is for some folks to grasp.

dontwalkhand · Sep 15, 2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomhower

You can't file a police report for a lost phone. There is no crime against losing something. I have people wanting to do it all the time. It's surprising how difficult of a concept that is for some folks to grasp.

My department allows you to, I don't know why yours doesn't. They won't really do anything, but it gives you something to give to your insurance to get a new phone.

boomhower · Sep 15, 2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dontwalkhand

My department allows you to, I don't know why yours doesn't. They won't really do anything, but it gives you something to give to your insurance to get a new phone.

It's not that the department won't allow us, it's just not possible. Very first thing is what crime is committed. What crime was committed? There was none. An incident report is a report of a crime, it's just not possible to write one without a crime. Not to mention neither the city council nor the state would care for us making something up that increases crime statistics so phones can be reported as lost.

Typically we'll just type up a log that says joe came and said he lost his phone. All that prints out is a sheet with a time/date on it that says just that. Don't know how the insurance companies react to them.

phil1995 · Sep 15, 2012, 08:28 PM

I have had ST on my Iphone 4 and have never filed a claim with them. But I can tell you this. If they promise you anything promotional, make sure it is written on your paperwork.

When I bought my warranty, they had a promotion going that they would buy back the phone at the some percentages that Best Buy was offering with the purchase of a warranty.

I called them this week to see what the value of my phone was, and everyone there suddenly had amnesia about the buy back promotion. I even did a Google search and showed them article after article from last March detailing the buy back program. They refuse to acknowledge that the program ever existed.

I no longer trust them with anything they tell me.

Arnezie · Sep 15, 2012, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boiler

Sounds like square trade over apple care

But I prefer no warranty insurance for cost savings
Hoping that my accumulated savings can pay for emergencies
I'm careful and haven't dropped an iPhone or needed replacement
*knocks on wood

Can't wait to read your I dropped my new iPhone 5 opening the box thread

appswipe · Sep 15, 2012, 08:41 PM

I got AppleCare+ on my iPhone 4S and iPad and SquareTrade on my MacBook Air. hat I learned is this.

AppleCare+
+ Geniuses seem to treat you better when you use AppleCare
- Doesn't extend to peripherals like with Macs (My smart cover fell apart and Apple refused to cover)
- No prorated refund (Using iPhone 4S w AC+ for trade in to 5 but it just goes to waste since they value it as $0)

SquareTrade
+ Cheaper, more incidents
+ Prorated refund. Sold my Air after 6mo and got most of my SquareTrade cost back
- I'm always scared of reimbursements. What if they deny it?

I'm not sure which I'll do with the iPhone 5 but I'm leaning on going SquareTrade.

Sep 15, 2012, 12:16 AM	#81
edtorious macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Diego, California	I used my Discover credit card to pay for my iPhone 5 and according to Discover, they will extend another year of my manufacturer's warranty. So my question is since Applecare is included and Discover will only extend it for a year but if I lost or my iPhone 5 is stolen, my Discover will not cover it correct? Discover will only extend and cover per Applecare condition right? __________________ The new iPad 64GB Black Wifi 64GB White iPhone 5 27" iMac Quad Core 2.8ghz i5 "Excellence I try to achieve, Perfection is 's business..."
	0

Sep 15, 2012, 12:23 PM	#84
AlvinNguyen macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2010	Square Trade vs AppleCare+ ? Any of you guys experienced Square Trade? I'm wondering is better since they give 4 accidental repairs whereas AppleCare only gives 2. This is pretty much the only difference. Both of them give refunds if you get a new phone and wants your $ pro-rated and put it towards your new protection plan.
	1

Sep 15, 2012, 12:36 PM	#85
lorenwade macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2008	I have square trade for this very reason. It's better in every way. AppleCare+ used to cover theft/loss but I don't see that it has that anymore (ST doesn't offer this) so otherwise they're exactly the same. __________________ 13" MacBook Pro 64gb White iPhone 5
	0

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Sep 14, 2012, 11:04 PM	#78
mslederer macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2012	So, I am getting ready to take the iPhone plunge and get 4 for our family. Seems like maybe getting insurance is a waste of money. Here are my questions. - If you get a replacement through AC+ are you getting a new or refurbished phone? What about through Square Trade? These seem like the only two reasonable options unless you need loss coverage. - Yes, my teenagers should wait to get the iPhone until they're responsible enough to not lose it. But.... Things happen. They will have to pay for their own insurance, but what is the best option? Worth Ave says they only pay for theft (with a police report). VZW is outrageous and a pain. Any other options?
	0

Sep 14, 2012, 11:47 PM	#79
Rigby macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Jose, CA	In case you have a Wells Fargo credit card, check whether you are eligible for their Cell Phone Protection. Just use the card to pay your cell phone bill, and you will have coverage up to $600 for accidental damage and theft.
	1

Sep 15, 2012, 12:15 AM	#80
Gjwilly macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2011	Didn't see it mentioned yet but Square trade also provides refurbished replacements. And they're not even Apple refurbs. They just come in a plain black box from whichever repair center they're currently contracting with.
	0

Sep 15, 2012, 01:01 AM	#82
Gjwilly macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2011	AppleCare (not the same as AppleCare+) does not cover accidental damage so the additional year that Discover will add doesn't really get you a whole lot.
	2

Sep 15, 2012, 07:13 PM	#87
rnizlek macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Burlington, VT	I've had a good experience with Squaretrade in the past, so I went with Squaretrade for my 5. The fact that they offered me the service for $89 in a promotion a few days before the release of the 5 helped also...
	0

Sep 15, 2012, 07:14 PM	#88
Boiler macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2009	Sounds like square trade over apple care But I prefer no warranty insurance for cost savings Hoping that my accumulated savings can pay for emergencies I'm careful and haven't dropped an iPhone or needed replacement *knocks on wood
	0

Sep 15, 2012, 07:14 PM	#89
mattopotamus macrumors 601 Join Date: Jun 2012	I don't see how these companies replace lost/stolen phones....that is the easiest way to commit insurance fraud.
	2

Sep 15, 2012, 07:18 PM	#90
Gjwilly macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2011	Apple gives out refurbs that are Apple certified. The Squaretrade refurbs have no pedigree. Just phones assembled by various contracted repair centers.
	0

Sep 15, 2012, 07:34 PM	#93
Spink10 macrumors 68020 Join Date: Nov 2011	What is the official $150 apple replacement? What would be the different between an applecare replacement and a ST replacement done at the apple store?
	0

Sep 15, 2012, 07:37 PM	#94
kevink2 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2008	I may have made the mistake with ordering Applecare+. But with the home button problems I had with the 4 (though I was lucky and able to finally fix it with alcohol), I decided that I wanted at least 2 years of coverage. The mistake might be because I decided to buy a case that is more robust than my previous one. So hopefully I don't ever need to use the Applecare.
	0

Sep 15, 2012, 08:28 PM	#98
phil1995 macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2008	I have had ST on my Iphone 4 and have never filed a claim with them. But I can tell you this. If they promise you anything promotional, make sure it is written on your paperwork. When I bought my warranty, they had a promotion going that they would buy back the phone at the some percentages that Best Buy was offering with the purchase of a warranty. I called them this week to see what the value of my phone was, and everyone there suddenly had amnesia about the buy back promotion. I even did a Google search and showed them article after article from last March detailing the buy back program. They refuse to acknowledge that the program ever existed. I no longer trust them with anything they tell me.
	0

Sep 15, 2012, 08:41 PM	#100
appswipe macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2012	I got AppleCare+ on my iPhone 4S and iPad and SquareTrade on my MacBook Air. hat I learned is this. AppleCare+ + Geniuses seem to treat you better when you use AppleCare - Doesn't extend to peripherals like with Macs (My smart cover fell apart and Apple refused to cover) - No prorated refund (Using iPhone 4S w AC+ for trade in to 5 but it just goes to waste since they value it as $0) SquareTrade + Cheaper, more incidents + Prorated refund. Sold my Air after 6mo and got most of my SquareTrade cost back - I'm always scared of reimbursements. What if they deny it? I'm not sure which I'll do with the iPhone 5 but I'm leaning on going SquareTrade.
	1