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AT&T to Begin Offering iPhone Insurance on June 6th? $13.99 Per Month Plus Deductible

If I am to understand the terms of the contract correctly, if you don't pay the monthly insurance, someone comes and breaks your phone for you.
 
Apple's Policy

SO first off if you come across liquid damage on your iphone or any type of accidental damage, apple will replace the phone and put it back under warranty for 199, regardless of model and size. That's why insurance on the iPhone is not needed. If you are worried about losing your iphone or it getting stolen then maybe you should reconsider buying a 600+ dollar phone. IF you are one of those who is careless about your high priced electronics then a 3rd party insurance company like sqauretrade is a much better and cheaper solution. AT&T and all the other large cell phone companies are not your friend nor do they care about your experience. This is why apple fought so hard to have tech support handled through apple and not the service provider.
 
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That's pretty awful, but I can't see how having the option is worse than having no option at all, which has been the case so far.
 
dukebound85 said:
Is that for all master card cc's? couldn't tell right away. I have a MC cc through Citi...does it have the same benfits?
Click to expand...

There are different levels of MasterCards. The benefits are dependent on the issuer.

My credit card is a "World Elite" class card from Citi (Premier Pass brand) and that has these benefits.

With the amount that people are putting on their credit card, anytime anything breaks, your CC should be your first source of insurance coverage. You'd be surprised what is covered.


Buy something and you end up not liking it and the retailer won't let you return it? Look at MC's Satisfaction Guarantee

Buy a shirt from Macy's and spill coffee on it the first time you wear it? Look at the Purchase Assurance Program

Bought a iPhone last week and now Walmart is offering it for cheaper? Look at the Price Protection Program

Don't pay for AAA or rental car's roadside assistance when your Mastercard has Roadside Assistance Benefit

You fly to Vegas and your luggage is delayed by a day? Buy a change of toothbrush, razor, hair gel, underwear, change of clothes and have Mastercard pay for it.
 
The UK, in store iPhone insurance is £15 a month. £270 over the life of the phone. well, was when it was offered to me. how many takers do you think there was for that!?
 
MacPhilosopher said:
Extortion, not protection. A little too steep to make it worthwhile.
Click to expand...

It's not really extortion because it's optional.

But yeah, it is way too expensive for anyone who isn't highly careless.
You will pay the cost of a replacement minus decutable in around three years of premiums (looking at the number for 32GB 3GS)... might as well self-insure.
 
3goldens said:
ATT is hands down the worst company in the world.
An evil empire.
What kind of scoundrels blatantly do this kind of thing, one would have to be insane to buy into this!
Click to expand...
Most people that buy it will probably do so not realizing there is a $100 to $200 deductible. I'm sure AT&T is going to make a killing of these people that don't realize what they are signing up for.

No thanks!!
 
No More Proof Required

to justify waiting until the iPhone is available with multiple carriers.

Right now AT&T is a monopoly and they are rubbing our noses in it.

I will bide my time.......:cool:
 
danielwsmithee said:
Most people that buy it will probably do so not realizing there is a $100 to $200 deductible. I'm sure AT&T is going to make a killing of these people that don't realize what they are signing up for.

No thanks!!
Click to expand...

it's not AT&T it's a third party insurance company....Verizon has the same ridiculous insurance policies with the exception that none are for iPhones
 
dukebound85 said:
that is expensive. my motorcycle insurance, like the poster above, is less than that and it is full coverage
Click to expand...

Where do you guys live?!!!??

I have full coverage (liability/collision/comp) on my ~$3000 2001 Honda and it's about $66/mo.
I do live in DC, which may be the 2nd most expensive in the country, so that could be it.
Phooey!

(apologies for the off-topic comment)

As for the iPhone insurance, that is really high and crappy that we can't retroactively buy it. Not that I would, but that it's only available for new purchase. You'd think that you could bring your in-good-condition-working phone to an AT&T store and qualify.
For $35, I'm very happy with Incase Slider.
 
3goldens said:
ATT is hands down the worst company in the world.
An evil empire.
What kind of scoundrels blatantly do this kind of thing, one would have to be insane to buy into this!
Click to expand...

Your comment was, hands down, the most uneducated in the world.

Kinda stinks that current users won't be able to take advantage of this. But I see why... Everyone would be trying to get rid of their scratched iPhones.
 
tk421 said:
Yeah, that's bad. So with a two year contract, on 32GB 3GS, you pay:
$335.76 if NO replacement is needed
$534.76 if you DO use the service

Compared to without insurance:
$0 if NO replacement is needed
$699 if you DO need a new phone

That's a tiny, tiny benefit for the unlikely scenario that you need to use it.
Click to expand...

This post puts this service in perspective. No way I'm paying for this.
 
Wow, if you have this plan for two years you will have paid $336. And if you broke your phone then you pay the $199 deductible making it $535. By that time you would be able to get a replacement 3GS off of craigslist for cheaper.

The only way this makes sense is if you are likely to break your phone in the next year. And even then, only if you break it by dropping it, not water damage which can be replaced by Apple for $199.
 
dukebound85 said:
Is that for all master card cc's? couldn't tell right away. I have a MC cc through Citi...does it have the same benfits?
Click to expand...
Citibank offers a number of different cards ("products") with different benefits.

You have to read the fine print to learn about the benefits for your specific card. If you threw away the pamphlet that came with your card, you should be able to find it online.
 
People knock on AT&T for their high-price brackets. Guess what? If people stopped paying for all these optional items, then perhaps they'll consider lowering prices. I don't complain about the price because even if it was $3.99 a month, I still wouldn't get it. If insurance is something you want, look for other options and don't complain. The options are out there, just look for them, people! 
 
jclardy said:
Wow, if you have this plan for two years you will have paid $336. And if you broke your phone then you pay the $199 deductible making it $535. By that time you would be able to get a replacement 3GS off of craigslist for cheaper.

The only way this makes sense is if you are likely to break your phone in the next year. And even then, only if you break it by dropping it, not water damage which can be replaced by Apple for $199.
Click to expand...
The policy also covers loss and theft.

I've heard far more stories of people who misplaced their phones (iPhone or other) than who accidentally damaged or destroyed them. Cellphones aren't indestructible, but then again, they're not crystal wineglasses either.
 
AT&T would be better served to offer this insurance for far less per month & much less on the deductible as an incentive JUST to keep customers happy because of their horrible service.
 
azsprty said:
Personally I don't see the point. You can pay the same deductible to apple to replace water damage. Just more money for AT&T I guess....blah
Click to expand...

But what if you lose the iPhone or if it is stolen? Applecare or the water-damage warranty won't cover that.

Why all the negative comments? This is an optional service. Get a life folks.
 
Why the high cost?....

....because they are too many dishonest people out there who would intentionally break or "lose" their iPhone (because of a scratch) just to get a new one.

That's why there is a high deductible too. It's no different than auto insurance.
 
Humph...

I rather go to Best Buy and pay a one-time charge for the same protection AT&T is offering...
 
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