iPhone 4 warranty SquareTrade Vs Appelcare Vs Credit Card Extended Warranty

[ansabakhan]

So I guess it's either Squaretrade or my Renters insurance, can I return my Applecare to an AT&T store or do I have to ship it back to them?

you can do it over the phone , you can return AppleCare for a refund, but you won't get your full purchase price back. Instead, you'll get a pro-rated refund based on how long you've had the plan before returning it (in your case you should get full refund if you have not used it at all).

If you decide you want to return your AppleCare plan, call 1-800-APL-CARE and ask to speak to someone about an AppleCare return (you may have to dial the operator for this, as there's no clear option for it in the phone menu).

The person you speak to will ask for your information - including information from your receipt, so have it handy - and then will transfer you to a specialist who will confirm the return. Expect to see your refund check anywhere from a few weeks to a few months later.

 

[gouda272]

so bascially you are paying $99 + $50 = for a replacement if the phone is broken.

how about if they cant fix the phone ? would they still pay you $600 or what ever the retail is and let you hold your warranty with them without making you pay another $99 like they would with a damaged phone?

If they end up paying you cash to replace your phone, the warranty is fulfilled and thus no longer active. you have to re-buy the warranty on the new phone.

If you need to buy 2 warranties and their site does not give you the discount on the 2nd phone, just call them, they will honor the discount pricing.

Quote from squaretrade:

**In case your iPhone can't be repaired, SquareTrade will give you a cash reimbursement - up to a maximum of $599 - for what it will cost you to get an iPhone with a new 2 year contract. The warranty will be considered fulfilled upon cash-out.

**Please note that unlocked iPhones are not eligible for coverage from SquareTrade. Unlocking an iPhone after purchase will void a SquareTrade warranty.** (don't ship in an unlocked phone)

**No deductible: If your iPhone fails because of a mechanical or electrical problem during normal use, there is NO deductible to claim.
Battery: If the iPhone battery life drops below 50% of the original, it's eligible for a replacement. **

Someone mentioned you can file one claim per year: i could not find that on their site. I think i'm going to call to ask about that.

 

[g000]

from apple.com :
Every iPhone comes with one year of hardware repair coverage through its limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary support

nice thanks!

 

[ansabakhan]

If they end up paying you cash to replace your phone, the warranty is fulfilled and thus no longer active. you have to re-buy the warranty on the new phone.

If you need to buy 2 warranties and their site does not give you the discount on the 2nd phone, just call them, they will honor the discount pricing.

Quote from squaretrade:

**In case your iPhone can't be repaired, SquareTrade will give you a cash reimbursement - up to a maximum of $599 - for what it will cost you to get an iPhone with a new 2 year contract. The warranty will be considered fulfilled upon cash-out.

**Please note that unlocked iPhones are not eligible for coverage from SquareTrade. Unlocking an iPhone after purchase will void a SquareTrade warranty.** (don't ship in an unlocked phone)

**No deductible: If your iPhone fails because of a mechanical or electrical problem during normal use, there is NO deductible to claim.
Battery: If the iPhone battery life drops below 50% of the original, it's eligible for a replacement. **

Someone mentioned you can file one claim per year: i could not find that on their site. I think i'm going to call to ask about that.

so if they cant fix it and replace the phone the warranty is gone! but in applecare case you still only pay $69 for 2 years regardless of number of times the replace or fix your phone.

 

[pirateRACE]

If you drop and crack your screen it has been $199 to fix. Water damage is more.

Drops I would assume are the most common claims on iPhones. If the $199 screen repair stays the same you will save $50 if you do drop it. Just like all warranty and insurance, they always win because most won't need it.

That being said versus AppleCare, Square Trade is the better value, IMO.

 

[gouda272]

Just spoke again to a Squaretrade rep and this is interesting information:

When you buy a warranty it has a value to it. Say it is 600.00

say you have a cracked screen and they repair it and it was 100.00 in repairs. Now your warranty value is 500.00

say you now break your phone in 2 pieces and they have to give you the cash to replace it. They only give you 500.00 at that point and not the 600.00

THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE AMOUNT OF CLAIMS you can file, unless it surpasses the warranty value. Once the warranty value is surpassed the warranty is fulfulled and won't be active.

This is where the Best Buy warranty probably differs. I think you have unlimited claims with them and it is not value based.

 

[8mpg]

You guys are crazy to depend on your homeowners insurance for a warranty. I used to sell insurance and I will tell you, if you make a claim on your homeowners policy over something like a cell phone, you are nuts. Not only will they more than likely jack up your rates for the next year due to a claim, but they might dump you as a client. Homeowners insurance rates are on the rise and when you show up looking for new insurance with a claim on your record...IF they write the policy for you...its going to be expensive.

Save yourself the money and hassle and just get something like Squaretrade. Thats who Im going with. The reviews are great and I have them for my Tivo and TV. Couldnt beat the Tivo deal...got a refurb Tivo with 1 year warranty... Squaretrade extends refurb stuff for 2 years on top of the manufacturer warranty...so 3 years of coverage for $13 with a code.

 

[ansabakhan]

You guys are crazy to depend on your homeowners insurance for a warranty. I used to sell insurance and I will tell you, if you make a claim on your homeowners policy over something like a cell phone, you are nuts. Not only will they more than likely jack up your rates for the next year due to a claim, but they might dump you as a client. Homeowners insurance rates are on the rise and when you show up looking for new insurance with a claim on your record...IF they write the policy for you...its going to be expensive.

Save yourself the money and hassle and just get something like Squaretrade. Thats who Im going with. The reviews are great and I have them for my Tivo and TV. Couldnt beat the Tivo deal...got a refurb Tivo with 1 year warranty... Squaretrade extends refurb stuff for 2 years on top of the manufacturer warranty...so 3 years of coverage for $13 with a code.

ifs that true then home insurance for iphone is a bad idea!

 

[ajsnow6234]

You guys are crazy to depend on your homeowners insurance for a warranty. I used to sell insurance and I will tell you, if you make a claim on your homeowners policy over something like a cell phone, you are nuts. Not only will they more than likely jack up your rates for the next year due to a claim, but they might dump you as a client. Homeowners insurance rates are on the rise and when you show up looking for new insurance with a claim on your record...IF they write the policy for you...its going to be expensive.

Save yourself the money and hassle and just get something like Squaretrade. Thats who Im going with. The reviews are great and I have them for my Tivo and TV. Couldnt beat the Tivo deal...got a refurb Tivo with 1 year warranty... Squaretrade extends refurb stuff for 2 years on top of the manufacturer warranty...so 3 years of coverage for $13 with a code.

Are you saying that based on absolutely no personal experience? Two of the home owner's insurance companies that I know of guarantee ZERO effect on the overall policy if the electronics amendment is used.

 

[stockcerts]

I'm considering SquareTrade. I found a coupon code that brought it down to $93-, but I think better offers become available. I like the fact that Squaretrade covers things like spills.

I'm picking up my phone on the 24th like many of you. If I decide to go with SquareTrade I assume I would place my order for coverage at that time.

 

[8mpg]

Are you saying that based on absolutely no personal experience? Two of the home owner's insurance companies that I know of guarantee ZERO effect on the overall policy if the electronics amendment is used.

Of course not...I have no experience. I only sold insurance and help people with setting up claims, their policies and their rates.

You can add a clause to your policy with a separate deductible, but you will still have a claim on your record.

Id like to see that guarantee that there is no effect on your rating in writing.

 

[maggie2101]

what is the detectable ?

The deductible is $50 for accidental damage--otherwise, no deductible. I don't remember the coupon code, but there are plenty of them out there.

 

[ajsnow6234]

I've actually processed a claim when I previously had it on my renter's insurance and the following 2 years my insurance rates went down. Now adding this to my home owner's insurance policy, I was assured that this separate amendment and deductible would not effect the overall policy.

This might not be true for all insurance companies, but I have no reason to not trust USAA. I did also actually talk to someone who handles the claims and she said the same thing. If I find something in writing I'll be sure to post it though. Out of curiosity, what insurance company did you work for?

 

[8mpg]

I've actually processed a claim when I previously had it on my renter's insurance and the following 2 years my insurance rates went down. Now adding this to my home owner's insurance policy, I was assured that this separate amendment and deductible would not effect the overall policy.

This might not be true for all insurance companies, but I have no reason to not trust USAA. I did also actually talk to someone who handles the claims and she said the same thing. If I find something in writing I'll be sure to post it though. Out of curiosity, what insurance company did you work for?

An independent insurance agency. I sold with many companies including Hartford, Safeco, Progressive, Travelers, etc...

Just double check and I really would see about something in writing. You can add a clause...just make sure that clause is not dependent on your homeowners.

 

[outphase]

American Express for me. No extra fees with the purchase and automatic coverage.

 

[lorenwade]

which one would you get and why?

None. From my research, I think the best deal is actually going with your home owner's insurance. It's cheaper than SquareTrade, MobileProtect, Apple Care, etc. I did a comparison chart a few days ago... but I'm not gonna go through the effort of finding it. There's a bunch of recent threads on insurance plans/warranties for the iPhone 4. I recommend looking them up and reading them. They have good info there.

 

[gouda272]

I'm considering SquareTrade. I found a coupon code that brought it down to $93-, but I think better offers become available. I like the fact that Squaretrade covers things like spills.

I'm picking up my phone on the 24th like many of you. If I decide to go with SquareTrade I assume I would place my order for coverage at that time.

You can actually buy from squaretrade right now, which is what I did. I bought 2 policies. When you get your receipt from Apple/ATT you upload it to their website and it will make the coverage not start until 6/24/10. i did this because I wanted Day1 coverage and wanted to avoid any issues on the launch day.

 

[lorenwade]

Don't forget about your renter's/home owner's insurance. Check with them, they may have much cheaper, full coverage insurance available. I checked with mine (USAA) and they do not have a low liability ($700) but I was able to purchase a $3000 policy add on for electronics to cover my Macbook Pro and iPhone. If anything at all happens to the iPhone they will cover the full price.

$9 for an entire year, but I would have to pay $250 deductible. $250 might sound crazy, but to me it's worth not having to buy extra coverage (it covers the MacBook Pro too).


There's a thread that covers this pretty well already, Lorenwade had a few good posts:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/936286/

Thanks for posting that and referring me. I didn't wanna go through the effort of finding it.

And guys, this is just my own thinking, research, and logic, if you find something better for your needs or even better than my suggestion, I'm open to be corrected. I just think your own insurance is usually a cheaper option. Next is SquareTrade. I may end up doing both myself, as squaretrade does do a $6 a month plan which I think is great.

 

[gouda272]

Thanks for posting that and referring me. I didn't wanna go through the effort of finding it.

And guys, this is just my own thinking, research, and logic, if you find something better for your needs or even better than my suggestion, I'm open to be corrected. I just think your own insurance is usually a cheaper option. Next is SquareTrade. I may end up doing both myself, as squaretrade does do a $6 a month plan which I think is great.

I think all homeowners is different. I have a computer/tech policy on my homeowners but I have a 1000.00 deductable so thats not gonna help me any.

 

[lorenwade]

I think all homeowners is different. I have a computer/tech policy on my homeowners but I have a 1000.00 deductable so thats not gonna help me any.

It also depends on the type of plan. My insurance has an actual plan for a "personal phone" that you should ask for. The lady I talked to actually had to open book to find it. She did, was very helpful, and was able to get me a plan for $25 a year and a $50 deductible.

Worth a try, no?

 

[dread]

I just got AppleCare for my 3GS from amazon for $38 shipped. It works for all iPhones. Not sure how they do it so cheap but it did register correctly with apple.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

anyone worried about squaretrade's ability to fix your iphone properly? I mean will they have all the knowledge and parts that they need? In particular the new things like the crazy awesome glass, retina display, A4, etc...

 

[ansabakhan]

I just got AppleCare for my 3GS from amazon for $38 shipped. It works for all iPhones. Not sure how they do it so cheap but it did register correctly with apple.

really ? was it amazon seller by it self o some seller on amazon?

 

[acrafton]

You guys are crazy to depend on your homeowners insurance for a warranty. I used to sell insurance and I will tell you, if you make a claim on your homeowners policy over something like a cell phone, you are nuts. Not only will they more than likely jack up your rates for the next year due to a claim, but they might dump you as a client. Homeowners insurance rates are on the rise and when you show up looking for new insurance with a claim on your record...IF they write the policy for you...its going to be expensive.

Save yourself the money and hassle and just get something like Squaretrade. Thats who Im going with. The reviews are great and I have them for my Tivo and TV. Couldnt beat the Tivo deal...got a refurb Tivo with 1 year warranty... Squaretrade extends refurb stuff for 2 years on top of the manufacturer warranty...so 3 years of coverage for $13 with a code.

+1 You are correct. Most insurance agents won't tell you this or don't understand it, but ANY rider you add to your homeowners is attached to your homeowners policy. It may have a different deductible, etc. but a claim on it goes against your homeowners policy and will make you subject to increased premiums or cancellation. It is foolish to make a claim on a homeowners policy (even with a rider) for a $600 phone.

Find a different company (chubb for instance) that offers something like a "valuable articles policy" that provides the same coverages but is not tied to your homeowners.

 

[ansabakhan]

+1 You are correct. Most insurance agents won't tell you this or don't understand it, but ANY rider you add to your homeowners is attached to your homeowners policy. It may have a different deductible, etc. but a claim on it goes against your homeowners policy and will make you subject to increased premiums or cancellation. It is foolish to make a claim on a homeowners policy (even with a rider) for a $600 phone.

Find a different company (chubb for instance) that offers something like a "valuable articles policy" that provides the same coverages but is not tied to your homeowners.

yes i think ataching your phone insurance to your home insurance is a big gamble , why do this if you can get a decent insurance under $100!