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Let's talk insurance/warranty plans...

cynics said:
They also only give you the charged amount back also. So if you buy on contract you are SOL.

You might say "Well then I'll take the phone back to Apple and get an out of warranty replacement and use Amex refund to cover most of it".

But that won't work because Amex wants the phone after they pay you for it. They send you a pre paid shipping package.

Its great coverage but just not that great for a smartphone bought on contract IMO. The 90 purchase protection is nice though, my Amex covers lost items too with the purchase protection (Blue, Cash cards don't).
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They very seldom ask for the phone back
 
I went with AC+ again this year. Although I have never used it, I do feel better knowing that my expensive purchase is protected should something happen to it in the future.
 
Fant said:
I usually dont get insurance since its like betting that you will break it. However if i was getting the 128gb 6 Plus which would cost what $1000 to replace, i'd probably pay the $99 for insurance.
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No, it's not like betting you'll break it. It's buying peace of mind.
 
If you have a squaretrade warranty you can bring damaged phone to apple store pay for replacement and squaretrade refunds what you paid.

I don't see any advantage to AppleCare plus unless you don't have an apple store nearby.
 
nippyjun said:
If you have a squaretrade warranty you can bring damaged phone to apple store pay for replacement and squaretrade refunds what you paid.

I don't see any advantage to AppleCare plus unless you don't have an apple store nearby.
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How about not dealing with reimbursements?? Keeps it a lot simpler. Seems like an advantage to me
 
Does Squaretrade or AppleCare+ give you a brand new replacement iPhone? What if I have Squaretrade or AC+ and drop / shatter/ damage my iPhone 6. Can I then go to an Apple store and get a new one? How much would I have to pay out of pocket (including the yearly fee) to get a brand new iPhone 6? Trying to see if it's worth it. This way I can go naked.
 
The first iPhone I got (3GS) I had zero insurance/warranty. For my next one (4) I opted for square trade. I performed a claim near the end of the 2 years, and it was very smooth: pre-approved through ST, go into Apple and get a refurb. The cost minus my deductible was sent to my paypal account.

When I got my 5, I decided to go AC+. Never used it, but I'll always do AppleCare. Here's why:

Every time I've had a MacBook Pro (3 different models now), I've had to use AppleCare for repairs. Not that it's bad hardware--quite the opposite. Best computers I've ever used. But something always fails on me. Last MBP I had kept having issues with video. By the 3rd repair, Apple just decided to give me a new laptop, because I had already been inconvenienced enough. Best. Customer. Service. Ever.

So, AppleCare+ for me. No theft protection, but I'm not worried about that.
 
I bought applecare plus for the first time when I got my iPhone 5 on launch day. I'm so glad I did. I had to replace 3 phones in the last two years. I didn't initially realize it, but buying applecare plus extends your normal warranty in addition to accidental. When I went in my first time for a button problem, they replaced the phone. I figured I was going to be hit with a $50 replacement... nope. Only on accidental. I'm gonna do it again on my new iPhone 6 that is coming.
 
I personally think applecare is great. I have it on my ipad but a phone is more likely to be stolen than an ipad (but it can happen - particularly since I commute with my mini) so I like to have something that covers theft. Will be relying on Amex first and adding on another insurance which includes theft.
 
The only problem with square trade is it's truly set up as an extended warranty not insurance. Once you have to use the warranty with them to replace the phone your contract with them is over. If you want them to continue to warranty the phone you have to pay them again to set up a new warranty. With AC+ you pay them one time for 2 years and pay a deductible only if there is a replacement. This is my understanding. If I'm wrong please correct me.
 
Square Trade

Called ST about 6+ warranty, and they offers a discount on the phone, $84 for two years, and I am able to cancel when i need for a pro rated refund!

great deal
 
For AppleCare, when does the $79 service fee come in to play?

Is it everytime you come in for a repair? Or does it depend on the severity of the damage (and repair)? I've read posts where people pay no fee, and others who do.
 
TimothyB said:
Thank you for explaining how the deductible lowers over time, never knew that. Though, when I bought the 5s at att on launch, they quoted me $10 a month, which has been what I'm paying. I now see the insurance premium has always been $6.99, but been charged a separate $3 fee for extra protection not really needed :( They never offered the 6.99 only price, even when I hesitated.

Does the good standing lower deductible carry over with a phone upgrade, or does it reset to $199?
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I just found this out the other day. Was looking to remove the insurance from my line and saw two separate charges. $6.99 & $3.00. After a little research I discovered that $3.00 charge was a service that is not needed by anyone.
http://mobiliaconsulting.com/caution-for-atts-mobile-protection-plan/
I was only told the insurance was $9.99 and was not told they were signing me up for two different services. I called att yesterday and they removed both services and credited me $72. $3x36 months without any hassle for the extra service.

----------

Went with Squaretrade this time. $99 for two years and $75 deductible. It doesn't cover theft unfortunately though.
http://www.squaretrade.com/iphone-warranty
 
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I had a phone insurance through the carrier (AT&T) but I just stopped the insurance, because they do charge you $200 for a replacement.

After doing some research on Apple Care Plus, you get 2 replacements at $79.00 for both and of course extended warranty. Anyways I got the Applecare Plus.

Sure, Applecare Plus doesn't cover lost/stolen, but so far of all the phones I have owned, I have never lost my phone (knock on wood). So I'm not that concerned, and I never take my phone out in general public area anyways.
 
I'm considering getting AppleCare for my oh's iPhone 6, she's a bit clumsy lol. But before I do, does anyone have any experience with protectyourbubble they could share?
 
TrueBlou said:
I'm considering getting AppleCare for my oh's iPhone 6, she's a bit clumsy lol. But before I do, does anyone have any experience with protectyourbubble they could share?
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protectyourbubble seems overpriced for what it offers. That's about as much as insurance through AT&T is, but at least AT&T offers coverage for theft as well. Seems like Applecare+/Squaretrade is a much better choice.
 
nippyjun said:
Squaretrade for 3 year plan with accidental damage.
That's what I'm getting. Only $30 more for the extra year.

You can bring phone to apple store for repair/replace and squaretrade pays you what you paid apple very fast.

Also, I think you can get as many claims as needed up to the value of the phone, which would probably be 3-4 times. Applecare allows 2.
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That is correct. Plus if you're always getting a new iphone every year, you can cancel the plan online and they refund you. With AppleCare+, you can cancel but you have to phone in and that could take a while to get a hold of someone especially during iphone launches.
 
edlex said:
The only problem with square trade is it's truly set up as an extended warranty not insurance. Once you have to use the warranty with them to replace the phone your contract with them is over. If you want them to continue to warranty the phone you have to pay them again to set up a new warranty. With AC+ you pay them one time for 2 years and pay a deductible only if there is a replacement. This is my understanding. If I'm wrong please correct me.
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You're wrong. You can file claims up to the replacement value of the phone. Example iP6+ 128gb is $950 at full retail price. An iP6+ so you can get 2 full replacements and still have some "credit" to use.

With Applecare you're only allowed two replacements. But with them, say your microphone stops working but the phone is in perfect condition, then it doesn't count against your replacement. With Squaretrade it will since it's based upon per claim.
 
My bank offers free phone insurance with our account, and I'll add AppleCare+ on top of that when my phone arrives. In the UK AppleCare+ is only £79 so it's worth it for any warranty issues that may occur, plus the excess is lower than my bank so I get 2 cheaper repairs for accidental damage as well.
 
Gxray said:
protectyourbubble seems overpriced for what it offers. That's about as much as insurance through AT&T is, but at least AT&T offers coverage for theft as well. Seems like Applecare+/Squaretrade is a much better choice.
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Thanks, I'm in the UK so can't relate to AT&T but we do have the other services.

My bank also gives me phone insurance but the excess for the iPhone 5s was £100, god knows what it'll end up being for the 6 so I think a different policy might be worthwhile.
 
Take a look at securranty.com too. I got covered for my iPhones for the past few years. I only had to use them once for a broken screen, and I got the phone repaired from the Apple store with NO deductible. I payed Apple for the repair, and Securranty refunded the money after a few days.
 
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