AppleCare vs GeekSquad vs SquareTrade vs renters insurance vs OTHERS?

[vmv89]

I purchased 13" MacBook Pro from Apple.com and decided not to get AppleCare that was offered to me.

I will be traveling a lot with MacBook so there is very high risk of accidental damage and theft. Can anyone recommend any insurances and possibly at the same time warranty extenders for the MacBook Pro? I have read about these options, but need more recommendations in each to decide. Thanks!

1). AppleCare
-In my opinion would work best for warranty extension since it is Apple itself that will be fixing computers
-Do I have to purchase now, or it can be purchased within the year when 1 year warranty is about to expire?
-BIG CON: NO ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE AND NO THEFT PROTECTION

2). Geek Squad
-I used them for less expensive items like headphones/ipods. They gave me new items, without even asking what the problem was with old ones. But I do not think it will be that easy with MacbookPro.
-Can I buy insurance form them even if I purchased laptop from Apple.com?
-No Theft protection?

3) SquareTrade
-Need more information , never heard of them
-Prices seem to be expensive

4). Renters Insurance
-Learned about this option fromm this forum
-I guess it is the only option that covers theft and accidental damage...what about warranty extension in case laptop breaks in 2 years?
-Do I have to have home insurance to insure a laptop, or is it a separate plan? If so, which company do you recommend?

5). Please recommend OTHER available options

I would really appreciate if you can list the pros/cons for any of the options.
Your recommendations will really help me.

Thank you very much everyone!

 

[deconstruct60]

...
I will be traveling a lot with MacBook so there is very high risk of accidental damage and theft.

1). AppleCare
-In my opinion would work best for warranty extension since it is Apple itself that will be fixing computers

AppleCare doesn't require that Apple do the work. Any Apple certified shop can do the "normal" failures. (failed drives , etc. ). Certified shops don't have to be like the small Mall retail stores Apple has which don't have space or parts to do fixes.

All AppleCare is in your context is Warranty Extension. It works best because that is all it really is. [ there is support consultative services too ].
It doesn't cover demand you inflict on the system or it being stolen.

If think the storage drive , screen , etc will go bad in 3 years Apple care has merit, but it isn't insurance in the more general sense.

2). Geek Squad
....
-Can I buy insurance form them even if I purchased laptop from Apple.com?
-No Theft protection?

Again support service is different that theft/damage insurance. BestBuy is also not an authorized Apple service location. [ Yes it is odd because they have embedded Apple stores in many locations but this is even smaller and less resources than the Apple Mall cubbys. ]

If the Mac had commodity parts that fail Geek Squad might make sense but if have Mac with primarily proprietary Apple parts in it there isn't much they can do.

Geek squad sells damage support plans... http://www.geeksquad.com/
Typically it is just for a subset of the computers that Best Buy sells.

http://www.geeksquad.com/protection-plans/geek-squad-protection/computing.aspx
"... Purchase with any qualifying products at Best Buy® locations or anytime within the product's return period. ..."

3) SquareTrade
-Need more information , never heard of them
-Prices seem to be expensive

Frankly anything that covers accidental and theft of a laptop is going to be expensive. There is a relatively high likelihood of having to pay off so the premium is going to be high.

4). Renters Insurance
-Learned about this option fromm this forum
-I guess it is the only option that covers theft and accidental damage...

Renters/Homeowners accidental damage? Not generally. Wind blows tree over and crushes laptop is an "act of God" accident. That may be covered. You back your car over your laptop is not.

what about warranty extension in case laptop breaks in 2 years?

Some credit cards have warranty extensions built in.

-Do I have to have home insurance to insure a laptop,

Generally both Renters and Homeowners insurance cover personal property. The difference in Renters is that the personal property doesn't cover the dwelling itself ( because the Renter doesn't own it and the property owner is probably not insuring the renters personal property comprehensively. ).

 

[campyguy]

I use both AppleCare and renter/homeowner insurance; homeowner for my my house and rental for my unit I live and work in away from home.

AppleCare suits my needs, and can be found online at a discount - for my rMBP the price is $349 at Apple and $244 at B&H.

Living space insurance also works for me, covering theft and damage while in my space. And - I'm with State Farm - adding homeowner/rental insurance caused my auto insurance to drop considerably. Adding renter's insurance, for instance, was cheap for $100k coverage and my aggregate cost for coverage went down $15 when compared to just my auto insurance. Go figure - more coverage for less money.

I considered other options, but the discounted property insurance and AppleCare suits me perfectly.

 

[Hookemfins]

Yes you can purchase AC with in the first year. Apple will warranty any computer, iPad or iPhone for the first year. You get 1 year repairs and 3 months phone support.

I get AC no matter the product.

No, if you didn't purchase from Best Buy unless you purchase firm them.

Both my Mac Mini and MBPr where purchased at BB and I went for AC. Apple knows their products more than the geek squad does.

I believe if you purchase using American Express they extend the warranty but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[diggy33]

I go for AppleCare as well, I only wish that they offered accidental damage coverage

 

[campyguy]

Yes you can purchase AC with in the first year. Apple will warranty any computer, iPad or iPhone for the first year. You get 1 year repairs and 3 months phone support.

AC for Macs and Apple Displays gets you 2 years extra coverage, for a total of 3 years. And, it extends the phone support from 90 days to 3 years as well. An additional "benefit" is that other items without AC of their own (like the Airport Extreme I own) are covered by a Mac's AC plan.

 

[vmv89]

Living space insurance also works for me, covering theft and damage while in my space.

So State Farm will only replace a MacbookPro if accidental damage or theft happened in the house you living? What if it happens on the train or any other public place? What proofs I/they will need?

----------

An additional "benefit" is that other items without AC of their own (like the Airport Extreme I own) are covered by a Mac's AC plan.

So if I purchase Apple Care at the end of my one year apple warranty, it will cover MacBook Pro as well as any other apple minor devices?

I plan to buy a Time Capsule 2TB in a few months, so am wondering if Apple Care that will be purchased for MacBook will also cover Time Capsule? Or the two items have to be purchased at the same time?

 

[campyguy]

So State Farm will only replace a MacbookPro if accidental damage or theft happened in the house you living? What if it happens on the train or any other public place? What proofs I/they will need?

So if I purchase Apple Care at the end of my one year apple warranty, it will cover MacBook Pro as well as any other apple minor devices?

I plan to buy a Time Capsule 2TB in a few months, so am wondering if Apple Care that will be purchased for MacBook will also cover Time Capsule? Or the two items have to be purchased at the same time?

State Farm will cover theft in my living spaces under that insurance or from my car under that insurance. As for anywhere else, no. But, I'm 6'7" (2.03 meters) and 255 pounds (115kg), and from New York City - I haven't had anybody seriously threaten me in 30 years. But, outside the house and car, YMMV. A police report would suffice, along with a receipt of the product(s) damaged/stolen.

As for peripherals, yes, that TC you referred to would be covered under that Mac's AC, and they don't have to be purchased at the same time (or place). If the TC were to fail, Apple would ask you for your Mac's AC number (which you're registered when it was purchased from Apple or followed the instructions if you've bought it from a reseller - B&H included instructions of what to do in the box they sent to me). I bought my rMBP from Apple and my Extreme from Best Buy - no problems.

 

[benvh]

Adorama is offering AppleCare free as a bundle with a new mac computer with a coupon code. Check out appleinsider.com for details. I actually returned a new rMBP to BB today and ordered the same machine from Adorama so I could save the $244. Not a bad deal.

Ben

 

[vmv89]

State Farm will cover theft in my living spaces under that insurance or from my car under that insurance. As for anywhere else, no. But, I'm 6'7" (2.03 meters) and 255 pounds (115kg), and from New York City - I haven't had anybody seriously threaten me in 30 years. But, outside the house and car, YMMV. A police report would suffice, along with a receipt of the product(s) damaged/stolen.

As for peripherals, yes, that TC you referred to would be covered under that Mac's AC, and they don't have to be purchased at the same time (or place). If the TC were to fail, Apple would ask you for your Mac's AC number (which you're registered when it was purchased from Apple or followed the instructions if you've bought it from a reseller - B&H included instructions of what to do in the box they sent to me). I bought my rMBP from Apple and my Extreme from Best Buy - no problems.

Thanks! I will definitely buy Apple Care when my original warranty will be expiring. But why people buy Apple Care together with their computers; don't you lose one year of protection that way since original warranty and Apple Care warranty are active at same time? Or if I will purchase it at the end of original warranty, I will only get 2 yr of extension and not 3 years?

By the way, I am also from Brooklyn,NYC but currently in Philadelphia. Will be moving back to Brooklyn in a few months.

So shout out to all NYC Applepeople!

----------

Adorama is offering AppleCare free as a bundle with a new mac computer with a coupon code. Check out appleinsider.com for details. I actually returned a new rMBP to BB today and ordered the same machine from Adorama so I could save the $244. Not a bad deal.


Ben

Thank you.
That is a great deal.
But I used Apple Educational Store for some discounts as well as have the MacBook delivered to the Delaware Apple store, so will be saving on taxes since they are tax-free.
But I will keep Adorama in mind for next purchases.

 

[Hookemfins]

Thanks! I will definitely buy Apple Care when my original warranty will be expiring. But why people buy Apple Care together with their computers; don't you lose one year of protection that way since original warranty and Apple Care warranty are active at same time? Or if I will purchase it at the end of original warranty, I will only get 2 yr of extension and not 3 years?

No, you get 3 years regardless of when you purchase AC, whether it's on day 1 or day 364. It's three years from your purchase date. If you get AC early you get the advantage of getting phone support for 3 years, extending from original 90 days.

 

[ckeck]

Buy your SquareTrade warranties at Costco for $99 for any Apple. Covers the full-cost of the item (no "coverage limit" like their standard warranties purchased elsewhere).

 

[vmv89]

Buy your SquareTrade warranties at Costco for $99 for any Apple. Covers the full-cost of the item (no "coverage limit" like their standard warranties purchased elsewhere).

Thanks!
But I bought laptop at Apple.com. Can I still buy just warranty from costco?
If the benefits are the same as on the official site, and the price is lower,I am definitely getting it!
Costco shopping tomorrow!

 

[vmv89]

Just checked the website; I think the laptop has to be purchased from Costco.
Says it in the middle of the picture attached.

 

[ColdCase]

My homeowners theft insurance covers replacement value of personal property less a deductible as part of their base package. My daughter had a laptop stollen while on a trip to Puerto Rico and we were reimbursed for the purchase of a new one including the accessories. For some home owner policies you have to purchase a rider or option.

Damage is not included, however, unless its part of a covered event like a house fire or car theft. Most insurance companies offer coverage for that as an option.

 

[campyguy]

Thanks! I will definitely buy Apple Care when my original warranty will be expiring. But why people buy Apple Care together with their computers; don't you lose one year of protection that way since original warranty and Apple Care warranty are active at same time? Or if I will purchase it at the end of original warranty, I will only get 2 yr of extension and not 3 years?

By the way, I am also from Brooklyn,NYC but currently in Philadelphia. Will be moving back to Brooklyn in a few months.

So shout out to all NYC Applepeople!

Agreed with hookemfins on the warranty issue, sounds like you're heading in the right direction for coverage.

If you're heading back to the City and you opt to buy from B&H, just stop in at the Superstore, it's at 420 West 9th, and they've got off-street parking. You're from Brooklyn, I'm from Northport, raised on LI, lived on Scudder just off the Harbor - mom's from Staten Island and dad's from Da City. I go back for friends and real food - I need a Canarsie and egg creme fix soon... Cheers!

 

[nostresshere]

What exactly are trying to cover?

Malfunction? Something goes wrong, cost hundreds or more to fix?
Theft?
Damage from dropping?

All different issues that different folks have varied tolerance.

 

[vmv89]

What exactly are trying to cover?

Malfunction? Something goes wrong, cost hundreds or more to fix?
Theft?
Damage from dropping?

All different issues that different folks have varied tolerance.

Mainly I am trying to be protected from accidental damage no matter whether at my house or outside or in other public places. (Drop, spills, screen cracks, etc...).

Then I also want to be covered in case MacBook is stolen. I know here I am more in control because it's up to me to some extent whether I allow it to be stolen.

And of course malfunction coverage is my concern, but I figured this one out I think; Apple Care will work well for malfunction protection.

 

[SarcasticJoe]

First of all, there's a very clear difference between an extended warranty and insurance. An extended warranty, like AppleCare, only covers breakdowns in normal use. So if you drop it, spill something on it or have it stolen, you're out of luck.

The good thing about AppleCare and Apple's standard 1 year warranty is that they're global, so you can take in to any apple certified service center around the world and Apple will pick up the tab. However, as I said, it only covers breakdowns, so if you drop or spill something on it, you're going to have to pay out of pocket.

Thus the absolutely best option would be some kind of traveller's or home insurance as those things tend to not only cover accidental damage and theft, also regular breakdowns after the warranty has run out.

Personally I'm using a 100€/year "Youth Insurance" that acts as cheap home insurance, accidental insurance, legal insurance and even travel insurance for trips shorter than 90 days. When I dropped my Macbook off a table in 2011 the insurance covered for a replacement (minus a 100€ "self risk") without any kind of complaints and I even got to keep the (cosmetically damaged) old one.

Another option could also be the traveller's insurance you get off having a Diner's Club card. My mother has one and she never buys traveller's insurance because of it. When they went to Mexico a couple of years ago and she ended up dropping her DSLR off Chichen Itza on the Yucatan Peninsula, she got it fixed problem free when she got home.

 

[vmv89]

First of all, there's a very clear difference between an extended warranty and insurance. An extended warranty, like AppleCare, only covers breakdowns in normal use. So if you drop it, spill something on it or have it stolen, you're out of luck.

The good thing about AppleCare and Apple's standard 1 year warranty is that they're global, so you can take in to any apple certified service center around the world and Apple will pick up the tab. However, as I said, it only covers breakdowns, so if you drop or spill something on it, you're going to have to pay out of pocket.

Thus the absolutely best option would be some kind of traveller's or home insurance as those things tend to not only cover accidental damage and theft, also regular breakdowns after the warranty has run out.

Personally I'm using a 100€/year "Youth Insurance" that acts as cheap home insurance, accidental insurance, legal insurance and even travel insurance for trips shorter than 90 days. When I dropped my Macbook off a table in 2011 the insurance covered for a replacement (minus a 100€ "self risk") without any kind of complaints and I even got to keep the (cosmetically damaged) old one.

Another option could also be the traveller's insurance you get off having a Diner's Club card. My mother has one and she never buys traveller's insurance because of it. When they went to Mexico a couple of years ago and she ended up dropping her DSLR off Chichen Itza on the Yucatan Peninsula, she got it fixed problem free when she got home.

Can you give me some links to Youth Insurance? I would like to read about it.
Thank you for your help!

 

[SarcasticJoe]

Can you give me some links to Youth Insurance? I would like to read about it.
Thank you for your help!

The problem is that it's a local company here in Finland that offers it, so unless you live in Finland, you can't get it.

Also about the Geeksquad thing, stay as far away from BestBuy and Geeksquad as you can. They're absolutely clueless and won't bat an eye in ripping you off. This doesn't come just from people who have been ripped off or witnessed incompetence, it comes from people who have actually worked at Geeksquad/BestBuy and seen it pretty up close and personal.

 

[vmv89]

The problem is that it's a local company here in Finland that offers it, so unless you live in Finland, you can't get it.

Oh never mind. But I got the idea of what I need. Thank you once again!

 

[more fps]

The problem is that it's a local company here in Finland that offers it, so unless you live in Finland, you can't get it.

Also about the Geeksquad thing, stay as far away from BestBuy and Geeksquad as you can. They're absolutely clueless and won't bat an eye in ripping you off. This doesn't come just from people who have been ripped off or witnessed incompetence, it comes from people who have actually worked at Geeksquad/BestBuy and seen it pretty up close and personal.

I had my previous macbook pro 13 replaced by them with store credit since the cost of fixing it was so much. So its not that bad.

 

[Sifinity]

go checkout adorama's leaf plus warranty , its accidental damage and repairs for unto 5 years for $250 for laptops unto $3000 , you can probably get a cheaper for a 13'

 

[vmv89]

go checkout adorama's leaf plus warranty , its accidental damage and repairs for unto 5 years for $250 for laptops unto $3000 , you can probably get a cheaper for a 13'

I checked their website and they have some AMAZING deals.

Their AppleCare is cheap.

And their Accidental Damage Protection FOR 5 YEARS is $119.95 (laptop up to $2000). Too good to be true?

How reputable and reliable are they? Not a scam?
And hopefully they have good reviews.
I never heard of them, but if they do have good reviews, I might even get both- Apple Care and their accidental protection plan.

Thanks!