Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

surfer99

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 30, 2006
253
1
VA
I read on this forum somewhere that USAA insures iPhone's as a mobile computer which includes accidental damage and loss so I decided to call USAA and I just got off the phone with them and they told me that the iPhone is not considered a computer and that the insurance on it would not cover accidental damage or loss like it would with my laptop.

Does anyone have any advice as to who to call in which insurance would cover the iphone from accidental damage/loss and obviously theft?

Thanks in advanced,
 
you have several choices...
apple care > damage, defects -best coverage but may be most restrictive

some people are actually covering it under their homeowners insurance, which would work. But i know in NJ, id rather not make a claim against my homeowners insurance over a $600 cell phone, opening up a can of worms with insurance company.

lastly and probably what your looking for is look into SquareTrade or Compcoach.
http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/


I purchased apple care and compcoach for my 3g. Compcoach USED to cover lost stolen phones in addition to damaged ones. Compcoach changed their terms, although they allow you to transfer coverage if you upgrade they NO longer cover lost stolen phones. I believe Squaretrade will cover lost phones (im not 100% sure!), which makes them better than compcoach.

both companies will fix, replace your phone quickly for about 60 bucks a year (or less) and cover it for accidental damage.
 
I was the one who mentioned USAA covered Iphones as part of a computer insurance endorsement on your homeowners policy. I put it on last Th or Friday for $8.00/year but you got me concerned that maybe the rep was wrong so I called this morning and another rep. said Iphones were not covered. I called again and the 3rd rep. said they were and read me the language that specifically said iphones were covered. She said they did not use to be covered and the language was just added as of may 13th 2009. She also said that she would call claims on Monday to verify that iphones are truely covered and call me back. She said the 1st rep who put the computer endorsement on my policy had been at USAA a very long time and the rep who said that Iphones were not covered was new. She also put notes on my policy stating that she told me that the iphone was covered. I will update this after I get a return call on Monday. Stay tuned.
 
I covered mine with State Farm. It is a separate policy from my homeowners, and a claim will not effect my homeowners policy.

It covers loss, theft, damage, ...
 
I covered mine with State Farm. It is a separate policy from my homeowners, and a claim will not effect my homeowners policy.

It covers loss, theft, damage, ...

The problem with State Farm is that the iphone coverage varies state by state. My State Farm agent told me in Texas, this policy isn't available. :(
 
The problem with State Farm is that the iphone coverage varies state by state. My State Farm agent told me in Texas, this policy isn't available. :(

My family has been with Statefarm for 30 years and sadly in Maryland, they don't cover the Iphone. My agent told me that they used to, but no longer. I bought Squaretrade and will cover the difference if I am not able to do an early upgrade. After using the Iphone for a week, I doubt I will every leave Apple phones.

My reservation with Applecare is that they won't cover water damage. And from others on this forum, it seems that the moisture sensors can be tripped without spilling or dropping it in water.
 
I believe apple care does cover a one time water damage replacement. I think they hit you for 2 bills though.

but when you think about it, squaretrade or similar is 60, plus replacement deductible 100, your just 40 bucks shy of just getting it straight from apple.... tough call.
 
but what about theft/loss?

i believe state farm has the best deal, but not for Texans..
 
State Farm covered my iPhone under a renter's insurance policy, no extra policy needed.

Ok, here is everything you wanted to know about State Farm coverage:

1. It is automatically covered under your homeowners or renters insurance. HOWEVER, it is subject to your deductible, which in my state the minimum is $500. Under these policies, it is Named Peril coverage only, meaning that it has to be stolen. Accidental damage is not covered, so if you drop it, forget it.

2. If you are lucky enough to be in a state that still allows you to add cell phones to a Personal Articles Policy, you have hit the jackpot. You can add the iPhone for about $40 per year and it covers it for any kind of accidental loss. This means that if you lose it, you drop it, or just sit on it, it is covered. In my state of Colorado, we can NOT add them, which is a bummer.

I am a State Farm agent, so trust me, I know what I'm talking about!
 
Ok, here is everything you wanted to know about State Farm coverage:

1. It is automatically covered under your homeowners or renters insurance. HOWEVER, it is subject to your deductible, which in my state the minimum is $500. Under these policies, it is Named Peril coverage only, meaning that it has to be stolen. Accidental damage is not covered, so if you drop it, forget it.

2. If you are lucky enough to be in a state that still allows you to add cell phones to a Personal Articles Policy, you have hit the jackpot. You can add the iPhone for about $40 per year and it covers it for any kind of accidental loss. This means that if you lose it, you drop it, or just sit on it, it is covered. In my state of Colorado, we can NOT add them, which is a bummer.

I am a State Farm agent, so trust me, I know what I'm talking about!

Same thing my long time agent told me. :)
 
I just got off the phone with USAA. I signed up for a $3000 computer replacement coverage. The minimum deductible is $250. After double checking, she says that the Iphone is NOT covered under this policy. With a $250 deductible it would not be worth it for just the iPhone anyway but it does cover all computers and can be purchased in $1000 increments up to 10K. Hcpilot, if you get confirmation that the iphone is in fact covered by this USAA policy, please post the documentation for the rest of us. Thanks.

Edit: You can only add the computer rider to your policy when you renew the policy, not mid policy.
 
Might not help you, but for Canadians.. I just insured my iPhone through meloche monnex (sp?), for $27/year w/ a $25 deductible... and it covers everything, good deal IMO!

~$2/month to cover any damage/theft is well worth it!
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.