Did anyone get SquareTrade for their new MacBook?

[amitdoc2b]

I'm thinking of getting SquareTrade for my new MacBook mainly for the accidental insurance. Considering I sometimes eat or drink next to it, and even take it to the park, work, and coffee shops it might be good protection especially for spills. Unfortunately, AppleCare doesn't offer protection against accidental damage (which is my #1 concern) for the MacBook otherwise I would have purchased their warranty for sure. So is anyone else getting SquareTrade or has already gotten it for their MacBook?

I see that for the 1.2/512 version that falls in their $1500-$1999 range, the plan would be $210 with a $75 deductible per incident for two years. They also have a no deductible $280 plan for two years. The two years is the sweet spot for me because I will probably upgrade in 2017, as there should either be an extra port, a 14" screen or at least a faster processor with better battery life if not the other features.

I'm hoping I will never have to submit a claim, so if I claim 1 or 0 claims it seems more favorable with the $75 deductible because I will save $70 (for 0 claims, paying $210 instead of $280) and at most lose $5 (for 1 claim, paying $285 instead of $280). Obviously, I will lose an additional $75 for every additional claim after 1, but it seems the chances of more than 1 claim are unlikely in a two year period based on my past history and care for Apple computers. On top of that, I have heard that they will only insure up to the cost of the laptop and at that point I would need to purchase new insurance anyways.

Please post your experience, suggestions, and insight regarding SquareTrade insurance for the new MacBook and whether or not it is worth it when considering the potential out-of-pocket costs for repair of the new 1.2/512 MacBook. Even if there's a discount, promotion, or better price for the insurance it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[ZipZap]

Each claim deminishes the value of the policy. When your claims equal the insurance limit your policy ends. Even if 2 or 3 years have not passed.

Your first year is 100% repair coverage except for accidental damage.

So with a 2 year policy you are paying for year 1 accidental damage and year 2 product failure and accidental damage.

A 3 year Applecare policy will cost around $175....and covers all repairs in that 3 year period except for accidental damage.

Worth Avenue has policies that are paid yearly that cover accidental damage and theft. Breakdowns are not covered. Linky

 

[amitdoc2b]

Your first year is 100% repair coverage except for accidental damage.

So SquareTrade insurance for the new MacBook only covers accidents the 2nd year of the policy and not the 1st year? In other words, if I spill anything on my MacBook and it gets damaged I'm out of luck if its the first year even with SquareTrade? I'm not sure if I am reading this correctly, thanks for your help.

 

[magbarn]

So SquareTrade insurance for the new MacBook only covers accidents the 2nd year of the policy and not the 1st year? In other words, if I spill anything on my MacBook and it gets damaged I'm out of luck if its the first year even with SquareTrade? I'm not sure if I am reading this correctly, thanks for your help.

Nope you get accidental damage for both years. It's just that you rely on the standard Apple warranty for non-accidental warranty issues for the 1st year. (This won't reduce your coverage as you're using Apple's money and not Squaretrade). In year 2 either accidental or warranty issues (for example if the SSD died) will be covered under square trade, but it will take it out the remaining total coverage (which is your original purchase price of the rMB).

For example:
During the 1st year:
1. SSD dies - go to Apple - square trade is not involved
2. Drop rMB and crack the screen - go to Apple and pay $500 for screen replacement - Call Squaretrade and they will reimburse the $500, but will then take $500 off the original $1599 insurance policy (the original purchase price)

2nd year
1. SSD dies - Take it to Apple for a logic board replacement - $300 or so - Squaretrade picks up the tab and $300 is taken off the original policy
2. Crack the screen - same as above

 

[amitdoc2b]

Nope you get accidental damage for both years. It's just that you rely on the standard Apple warranty for non-accidental warranty issues for the 1st year. (This won't reduce your coverage as you're using Apple's money and not Squaretrade). In year 2 either accidental or warranty issues (for example if the SSD died) will be covered under square trade, but it will take it out the remaining total coverage (which is your original purchase price of the rMB).

For example:
During the 1st year:
1. SSD dies - go to Apple - square trade is not involved
2. Drop rMB and crack the screen - go to Apple and pay $500 for screen replacement - Call Squaretrade and they will reimburse the $500, but will then take $500 off the original $1599 insurance policy (the original purchase price)

2nd year
1. SSD dies - Take it to Apple for a logic board replacement - $300 or so - Squaretrade picks up the tab and $300 is taken off the original policy
2. Crack the screen - same as above

Thanks, I understand. Actually, that makes better sense anyways because logically even as a customer you would want to have it covered under AppleCare the first year if possible to not reduce your overall SquareTrade money, right? That seems to be more of a positive than negative. Now I do have one more question, will they cover me for up to $1999 or just $1599? I ask this because the insurance option is for laptops between 1500-1999 dollar range, it didn't specifically ask me the price of my laptop. And will SquareTrade let me take it to Apple for accidental repair if I request it or will they make the decision for me to have it sent to them or Apple if they're unable to fix it?

 

[tbc417]

i got square trade for mine. totally worth it. If you break the computer in anyway that is not covered the repairs for this computer will be outrageous. I got a 3 year. I remember i broke just the screen on my 5 year old macbook air and it was something like 700 bucks to fix that from apple (ended up getting it fixed elsewhere for 300 but the screen way way ********)

 

[amitdoc2b]

i got square trade for mine. totally worth it. If you break the computer in anyway that is not covered the repairs for this computer will be outrageous. I got a 3 year. I remember i broke just the screen on my 5 year old macbook air and it was something like 700 bucks to fix that from apple (ended up getting it fixed elsewhere for 300 but the screen way way ********)

Did you do the deductible or no deductible, and what was your reasoning behind your choice?

 

[tbc417]

Did you do the deductible or no deductible, and what was your reasoning behind your choice?

i did the deductible 3 year plan. I chose that option because i plan on having the computer for at least 3-5 years. Given how light this computer is and my track record with previous macs (have broken multiple screens) its worth picking up for me. If I only need to use it once to cover one screen its well worth it even with the deductible. Im guessing (have no idea the true cost) that a replacement macbook screen is going to be close to 1k. Also its nice to have the security after the one year that apple covers it.

 

[amitdoc2b]

i did the deductible 3 year plan. I chose that option because i plan on having the computer for at least 3-5 years. Given how light this computer is and my track record with previous macs (have broken multiple screens) its worth picking up for me. If I only need to use it once to cover one screen its well worth it even with the deductible. Im guessing (have no idea the true cost) that a replacement macbook screen is going to be close to 1k. Also its nice to have the security after the one year that apple covers it.

Do they cover accessories that come in the box too (i.e. charger)? Thanks.

 

[ZipZap]

i did the deductible 3 year plan. I chose that option because i plan on having the computer for at least 3-5 years. Given how light this computer is and my track record with previous macs (have broken multiple screens) its worth picking up for me. If I only need to use it once to cover one screen its well worth it even with the deductible. Im guessing (have no idea the true cost) that a replacement macbook screen is going to be close to 1k. Also its nice to have the security after the one year that apple covers it.

$274ish for that policy. One repair adds $75. So $325.
The policy cannot exceed what you paid for the device so the limit is $1599.
Each claim lowers the limit.
Lose it, or if its stolen you get nothing.

Using your 1 break scenario and $1000 to fix, after the repair your policy has $599 left on it.

 

[tbc417]

$274ish for that policy. One repair adds $75. So $325.
The policy cannot exceed what you paid for the device so the limit is $1599.
Each claim lowers the limit.
Lose it, or if its stolen you get nothing.

Using your 1 break scenario and $1000 to fix, after the repair your policy has $599 left on it.

yep, the plan is to not even break it. Worst case scenario I break it once and that policy more then covers it. If i spill water on it or something and ruin the whole computer I have paid a total of 325 to get a brand new $1600 computer.

 

[amitdoc2b]

yep, the plan is to not even break it. Worst case scenario I break it once and that policy more then covers it. If i spill water on it or something and ruin the whole computer I have paid a total of 325 to get a brand new $1600 computer.

How are you getting it for $274, I thought it's $299 for the 3-year? It'll be $350 even with the quoted price though which is a good deal as you said for a whole new computer that has water damage. But if you spill on it within the first 2 years and require a whole new computer, then your policy doesn't become any better than mine it seems because the 3rd year won't be covered anymore. That being said, as you said, the goal is not to break it so if you go without issues first 2 years then you will have 1 extra year over me.

One more question I have is about my address. I currently live in an area that is not taxed by SquareTrade, but if I move in a few months to a taxable state and update my address are they going to tax me for my original insurance policy that they didn't tax originally? Will the change in address or location impact my MacBook insurance at all if my address no longer matches the original mailing address?

 

[ZipZap]

How are you getting it for $274, I thought it's $299 for the 3-year? It'll be $350 even with the quoted price though which is a good deal as you said for a whole new computer that has water damage. But if you spill on it within the first 2 years and require a whole new computer, then your policy doesn't become any better than mine it seems because the 3rd year won't be covered anymore. That being said, as you said, the goal is not to break it so if you go without issues first 2 years then you will have 1 extra year over me.

One more question I have is about my address. I currently live in an area that is not taxed by SquareTrade, but if I move in a few months to a taxable state and update my address are they going to tax me for my original insurance policy that they didn't tax originally? Will the change in address or location impact my MacBook insurance at all if my address no longer matches the original mailing address?

There is a coupon floating about for $25 off. I am not sure if service is taxed. But if it is and you service the unit in a state that charges tax, you will be taxed.

Also, I believe the Worth Avenue plan remains in effect. So you can break it multiple times. They are not tracking the expense.

 

[batman75]

I will be getting Worth Ave Group Insurance. Also covers theft.

 

[ZipZap]

I will be getting Worth Ave Group Insurance. Also covers theft.

Just not breakdowns.