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AppleCare+ or Squaretrade for your Iphone X?
- Thread starter amyangel
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Get a copy of the terms and conditions for iPhone and make sure there is no $ limit. This would be a change from my understanding. You are saying, 4 repairs a year for the term of the contract. No limit on cost of repairs. Just 99 for each claim...correct?
Put the money in a savings account and pay yourself. If you have no claims you profit, not the insurance company. If you do this over multiple phones you will make money unless you intentionally are breaking things.
Yes this is what the rep told me on the chat. And he even said it covers the iPhone X. Let me know if you find anything different.
There is a monetary limit to SquareTrades policy. They will only pay for repairs totaling the original cost of the phone. Source: http://help.squaretrade.com/help/helparticles/How-many-claims-can-I-file
So since Apple charges $549 for "Other" repairs you would only get one full replacement then be on the hook for $98 for your second repair if it required the entire phone to be replaced. With screen replacements Apple charges $279. Lets do some math.
Total Phone Replacement (assuming 2 full phone replacements/repairs)
SquareTrade:
Claim Balance: $1000 (original purchase price) - $549 (1st incident repair fee from Genius Bar) - $549 (2nd incident repair fee from Genius Bar) = -$98
$129 (2 year plan) + $99 (1st incident deductible) + $99 (2nd incident deductible) + $98 (out of pocket difference) = $425
AppleCare+:
$199 (2 year plan) + $99 (1st incident deductible) + $99 (2nd incident deductible) = $397
Difference: AppleCare is cheaper by $28
Screen Replacement (assuming 4 screen repairs are required)
SquareTrade:
Claim Balance: $1000 (original purchase price) - $1116 (4 X Screen replacements repair fee from Genius Bar at $279 ea.) = -$116
$129 (2 year plan) + $396 (4 X incident deductible at $99 ea.) + $116 (out of pocket difference) = $641
AppleCare+: $199 (2 year plan) + $58 (2 X incident deductible at $29 ea.) + $558 (2X Out of pocket screen replacement at $279 ea.) = $815
Difference: SquareTrade is cheaper by $174
So I really guess it comes down to how many times you plan to break you screen as the full phone replacement is almost a wash.
So since Apple charges $549 for "Other" repairs you would only get one full replacement then be on the hook for $98 for your second repair if it required the entire phone to be replaced. With screen replacements Apple charges $279. Lets do some math.
Total Phone Replacement (assuming 2 full phone replacements/repairs)
SquareTrade:
Claim Balance: $1000 (original purchase price) - $549 (1st incident repair fee from Genius Bar) - $549 (2nd incident repair fee from Genius Bar) = -$98
$129 (2 year plan) + $99 (1st incident deductible) + $99 (2nd incident deductible) + $98 (out of pocket difference) = $425
AppleCare+:
$199 (2 year plan) + $99 (1st incident deductible) + $99 (2nd incident deductible) = $397
Difference: AppleCare is cheaper by $28
Screen Replacement (assuming 4 screen repairs are required)
SquareTrade:
Claim Balance: $1000 (original purchase price) - $1116 (4 X Screen replacements repair fee from Genius Bar at $279 ea.) = -$116
$129 (2 year plan) + $396 (4 X incident deductible at $99 ea.) + $116 (out of pocket difference) = $641
AppleCare+: $199 (2 year plan) + $58 (2 X incident deductible at $29 ea.) + $558 (2X Out of pocket screen replacement at $279 ea.) = $815
Difference: SquareTrade is cheaper by $174
So I really guess it comes down to how many times you plan to break you screen as the full phone replacement is almost a wash.
Please read the first sentence at the link you sent me.
Plans for smartphone and iPhone include up to four successful claims over the life of your plan.
This does not matter as we own one from the above sentence: FOR OTHER ITEMS, you’re covered for all repairs or reimbursements up to the purchase price of your item. What does that mean? Say you originally paid $400 for your item. A year later something goes wrong, you file a claim, and we repair your item. If it the repair cost $100, your plan will have $300 of protection remaining. We’ll continue to repair or replace your item until the total amount for all repairs and reimbursements reaches $400.
Note I also verified that with chat support. There is no $ limit. Only 4 successful claims. Anymore then 4 your on your own.
I was about to purchase ST but I looked at some of their reviews on BBB and there are many negative reviews. I’m not willing to risk getting a denied claim and having to pay big money for fixing my phone. I’ll just take the safe side and go with AC for the extra $70.
thats crazy because ive had ST since my iPhone 4s and have had about 8 cases , and got reimbursed every single time
So which would be cheaper?
Screen Repairs
Summary
After Repair 1, they end up being the same price. After repair 2, SquareTrade is now $70 more expensive.
So AppleCare+ is cheaper long term after 2 repairs but SquareTrade allows you to continue having 2 additional repairs.
Other Reapirs
Summary
This time around, it flips and AppleCare+ is immediately more expensive after the first repair by $70.
Conclusion
So now the answer to the cheapest warranty is...it depends
If you crack your screen, go with AC+ for only 2 chances.
If you tend to break the motherboard and other internals, go with ST.
Am I missing anything?
Screen Repairs
Code:
Initial Cost Repair 1 Repair 2 Repair 3 Repair 4
AppleCare+ 199 +29 (228) +29 (257) Full Price Full Price
SquareTrade (2yr) 129 +99 (228) +99 (327) +99 (426) +99 (525)
SquareTrade (3yr) 159 +99 (258) +99 (357) +99 (458) +99 (557)Summary
After Repair 1, they end up being the same price. After repair 2, SquareTrade is now $70 more expensive.
So AppleCare+ is cheaper long term after 2 repairs but SquareTrade allows you to continue having 2 additional repairs.
Other Reapirs
Code:
Initial Cost Repair 1 Repair 2 Repair 3 Repair 4
AppleCare+ 199 +99 (298) +99 (397) Full Price Full Price
SquareTrade (2yr) 129 +99 (228) +99 (327) +99 (426) +99 (525)
SquareTrade (3yr) 159 +99 (258) +99 (357) +99 (458) +99 (557)Summary
This time around, it flips and AppleCare+ is immediately more expensive after the first repair by $70.
Conclusion
So now the answer to the cheapest warranty is...it depends
If you crack your screen, go with AC+ for only 2 chances.
If you tend to break the motherboard and other internals, go with ST.
Am I missing anything?
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So which would be cheaper?
Screen Repairs
Code:Initial Cost Repair 1 Repair 2 Repair 3 Repair 4 AppleCare+ 199 +29 (228) +29 (257) Full Price Full Price SquareTrade (2yr) 129 +99 (228) +99 (327) +99 (426) +99 (525) SquareTrade (3yr) 159 +99 (258) +99 (357) +99 (458) +99 (557)
Summary
After Repair 1, they end up being the same price. After repair 2, SquareTrade is now $70 more expensive.
So AppleCare+ is cheaper long term after 2 repairs but SquareTrade allows you to continue having 2 additional repairs.
Other Reapirs
Code:Initial Cost Repair 1 Repair 2 Repair 3 Repair 4 AppleCare+ 199 +99 (298) +99 (397) Full Price Full Price SquareTrade (2yr) 129 +99 (228) +99 (327) +99 (426) +99 (525) SquareTrade (3yr) 159 +99 (258) +99 (357) +99 (458) +99 (557)
Summary
This time around, it flips and AppleCare+ is immediately more expensive after the first repair by $70.
Conclusion
So now the answer to the cheapest warranty is...it depends
If you crack your screen, go with AC+ for only 2 chances.
If you tend to break the motherboard and other internals, go with ST.
Am I missing anything?
The thing is I was hoping to not break it at all, if anything hopefully not more then once. In the last few years i have had apple care I didn’t even use it. So if I keep that trend hopefully I’ll save $70 overall.
I did btw decide to go with ST but still a little skeptical because I haven’t tried them before. However many of you seem to have had positive results with ST so I’m going to give them a try. Also had positive results when I asked the rep a ton of questions, they checked each box I had asked.
What did all of you decide to go with?
[UPDATE] Sorry, I read "intentional damage" as "internal damage." You can skip this post.
This is interesting..and could be a bit worrisome with ST
Has anyone dealt with ST around something like this?
https://www.squaretrade.com/smartphone-warranty
This is interesting..and could be a bit worrisome with ST
So a short circuit/drop that doesn't break the screen, as unlikely as it is, is making me think twice about ST.
Has anyone dealt with ST around something like this?
https://www.squaretrade.com/smartphone-warranty
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I think people are more missing the fact that while Squaretrade lets you take it to an Apple store for repairs, you must pony up the money $279/$550 to Apple and get paid back that by Squaretrade via a claim, minus the $99 deductible.
Applecare walk in and pay the $29/99 deductible and out with a fixed phone.
So while the price may be similar, you have to lay out your own money with Squaretrade; between $275 and $550 of it, which definitely isn't mere pennies.
Applecare walk in and pay the $29/99 deductible and out with a fixed phone.
So while the price may be similar, you have to lay out your own money with Squaretrade; between $275 and $550 of it, which definitely isn't mere pennies.
If you read above you will see that many have claimed ST is works well and that they have been reimbursed quite fast. I guess I will try them out. Also ST covers everything except lost or stolen device. Or anything caused by a natural disaster. Read some previous pages for more info.
Yes this is true. I see it as a chance to get paid back with credit card rewards lol. And yeah the claims are higher for a cracked screen with ST. You can also file a claim and they claim within a day they will respond to your claim and give you options, one of which you can choose to go to Apple to repair and they will reimburse you. So another words your already guaranteed to get paid back, but yes you have to put up front the money first.
I live 5 minutes from an Apple store, so I have always gone with AppleCare+. I have taken phones in for battery issues and they have given me a new replacement phone each time. I went in one time to ask a general question and the Genius looked at my phone without me asking and he said your phone screen has a color defect and arrange for a new phone on the spot. I have had great service overall, so I cannot complain about AppleCare.
I think CHASE Business INK is also a great option.
This protection is subject to a $100 deductible per claim and a maximum of three claims per 12-month period. The maximum benefit limit is $600 per claim and $1,800 per 12-month period. The protection covers damage and theft.
This protection is subject to a $100 deductible per claim and a maximum of three claims per 12-month period. The maximum benefit limit is $600 per claim and $1,800 per 12-month period. The protection covers damage and theft.
That’s true I’ve had good experiences with apple care as well which is why I am considering going with them now as well. I currently signed up for ST but have 30 days to make sure it’s what I really want. With ST they also reimburse you for any services or replacements needing to be done on your phone. I’m always going through Apple as well as I don’t trust anyone else working on my phone especially with the new X.
I just got AC+ today. The ease of replacement if something goes wrong, the quick screen fix, low deductible, and a benefit in terms of helping when I go to resell next year, it was a no-brainer. I couldn't care less about the phone support, I don't even know why they harp on that as some sort of benefit that's worth money.
To be honest though, as much as I hate it, AC+ was mostly for the piece of mind. The first 2 days that I used the X i was more scared about dropping it and breaking the screen than enjoying the phone and all it has to offer. I decided i did not want to spend the next year feeling like that, so here we are.
To be honest though, as much as I hate it, AC+ was mostly for the piece of mind. The first 2 days that I used the X i was more scared about dropping it and breaking the screen than enjoying the phone and all it has to offer. I decided i did not want to spend the next year feeling like that, so here we are.
FYI, I've had ST on iPads and iPhones before and have had no issues getting pro-rated refunds from them when cancelling a year or two after purchase. All my interactions with ST have been good. This is anecdotal, of course, so take it with a grain of salt.
Another huge and less discussed benefit of AppleCare is that Apple seems to take a very different approach with your issue when you’re an AppleCare holder. I’ve been in the store at times with an issue and a device not covered by AppleCare and feel like the reps are not as inclined to make things happen for me. When I go in with AppleCare, I rarely am disappointed with the resolution.
Good point. I can't say that I've noticed a difference, but I've only had AppleCare+ on one device vs. multiple others without. I've probably taken a total of 5 devices in for one reason or another. Definitely something to take into account, though.