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I am pretty sure they cover the cost of the unsubsidized phone...not just the two year contract price. I could be wrong.

I actually wrote up a comparison yesterday:


Exactly. It's still the cheapest option, even if your premiums go up. Why? Because SquareTrade will cover your phone for $100 up front, $50 deductible, but will not cover the entire price of the phone. Your insurance company is not going to charge you the difference in price. Let me explain.

This example assumes you will have your phone for two years and want coverage for two years, make one claim, have a 32gb iPhone, and don't renew your contract when replacing your phone.


Via SquareTrade, at the bottom of the page.

SquareTrade
  • $100 for 2 Year Plan
  • $50 Deductible
  • $100 extra to replace - (Since SquareTrade covers up to $599, you have to pay another $100 for a 32gb phone if it can't be fixed.)

$250 total for one claim.

Your Insurance (assuming the worst)
  • Average $20-$30 a year.
  • $50 deductible

$110 total for one claim.

Difference: $130.

Phone completely replaced. Will your premiums go above the difference of $130 for one claim?

And will your only make one claim? Obviously if you make two claims, your insurance company would be much cheaper if your premiums don't go up very much.

Of course, this situation may not be for everyone. You'll have to evaluate the situation for yourself. Call your insurance company and find out how much your premiums would go up. Investigate and decide for yourself.

In my case, my own insurance is best.
 
Thanks for posting that again Loren, I believe I saw that and it was why I was sure the covered more than just $199. I obviously don't have the iPhone 4 yet, but I am going to call USAA right now and get a quote. I'll probably try to add my MacBook Pro too, even though I have AppleCare
 
Thanks for posting that again Loren, I believe I saw that and it was why I was sure the covered more than just $199. I obviously don't have the iPhone 4 yet, but I am going to call USAA right now and get a quote. I'll probably try to add my MacBook Pro too, even though I have AppleCare

No problem! Sounds like a plan. I actually love Square Trade because they will try to "fix" your phone first. That's one thing my insurance won't do. Even then, it's the same $50 deductible. It's just a matter of whether your premiums would go up or not.
 
OK, so with USAA:

I just amended my policy to include a high value electronics addition.

This will cover my Macbook Pro and both iPhones---up to $3000.

I will pay $9 per year, but the bad news is the deductible. I will have to pay a $250 deductible should anything happen. It will cover spills, drops, theft or really anything. I am always a little hesitant to believe whatever the representative on the phone says so I asked to talk to a claims person for good measure. She was extremely nice for me just wanting to "chat" and said that she has seen claims for iPhones specifically and a variety of expensive laptops. She said that what they do with iPhones is once you "claim" that it's broke, they contact AT&T to verify there was service and then basically take your word for it...cut a check for the full amount of replacement. On a related note, she mentioned that someone had just done a claim for a laptop accident where they dropped it on concrete...all she said that happened was she verified the person owned it and then had the customer get an invoice from a computer repair shop (geeksquad?) saying that it was beyond repair...cut a check.

sorry for typing so dang much!

Short of it:

Macbook Pro and/or iPhones covered: $3000

Cost per year: $9

Deductible: $250

The deductible stinks, but being that it covers the Macbook pro as well, i'm ok with it. They did not have an option for electronics coverage below $3000. I would rather pay $9 a year and if need be pay $250 for a new replacement than pay $100 + $50 for the chance something might happen.

I'm not taking away from the deal that is squaretrade though...that's a good plan too.
 
So if I don't have home owners insurance, is there any way to get this type of insurance coverage for the phone? I am sure auto insurance doesn't cover this. Would renters insurance be the way to go?
 
OK, so with USAA:

I just amended my policy to include a high value electronics addition.

This will cover my Macbook Pro and both iPhones---up to $3000.

I will pay $9 per year, but the bad news is the deductible. I will have to pay a $250 deductible should anything happen. It will cover spills, drops, theft or really anything. I am always a little hesitant to believe whatever the representative on the phone says so I asked to talk to a claims person for good measure. She was extremely nice for me just wanting to "chat" and said that she has seen claims for iPhones specifically and a variety of expensive laptops. She said that what they do with iPhones is once you "claim" that it's broke, they contact AT&T to verify there was service and then basically take your word for it...cut a check for the full amount of replacement. On a related note, she mentioned that someone had just done a claim for a laptop accident where they dropped it on concrete...all she said that happened was she verified the person owned it and then had the customer get an invoice from a computer repair shop (geeksquad?) saying that it was beyond repair...cut a check.

sorry for typing so dang much!

Short of it:

Macbook Pro and/or iPhones covered: $3000

Cost per year: $9

Deductible: $250

The deductible stinks, but being that it covers the Macbook pro as well, i'm ok with it. They did not have an option for electronics coverage below $3000. I would rather pay $9 a year and if need be pay $250 for a new replacement than pay $100 + $50 for the chance something might happen.

I'm not taking away from the deal that is squaretrade though...that's a good plan too.

They should be giving you a different plan for the phone, not rolling them into the same plan/deductible. In your case, I'd definitely get SquareTrade... they do offer a $6 a month plan instead of $100 up front. ;)
 
So if I don't have home owners insurance, is there any way to get this type of insurance coverage for the phone? I am sure auto insurance doesn't cover this. Would renters insurance be the way to go?

Auto insurance won't cover it you're right, but if you rent...and you don't have renter's insurance, you should. I don't mean that in a condescending way either, it is REALLY cheap and it will cover you for a lot of unexpected things. When I had renter's insurance I did have the same coverage for laptops, and the deductible was way cheaper. you should look into it.
 
Auto insurance won't cover it you're right, but if you rent...and you don't have renter's insurance, you should. I don't mean that in a condescending way either, it is REALLY cheap and it will cover you for a lot of unexpected things. When I had renter's insurance I did have the same coverage for laptops, and the deductible was way cheaper. you should look into it.

I guess I didn't realize that. Hmm. SquareTrade is still a good deal guys! Not knocking it.
 
Auto insurance won't cover it you're right, but if you rent...and you don't have renter's insurance, you should. I don't mean that in a condescending way either, it is REALLY cheap and it will cover you for a lot of unexpected things. When I had renter's insurance I did have the same coverage for laptops, and the deductible was way cheaper. you should look into it.

Cool, thanks for the heads up. Any companies that you would recommend?
 
They should be giving you a different plan for the phone, not rolling them into the same plan/deductible. In your case, I'd definitely get SquareTrade... they do offer a $6 a month plan instead of $100 up front. ;)

Sure, maybe they should have but I asked, and they don't have coverage less than $3000. Either way, I'm happy with this. I'll be careful with my phone and if the chance that something accidental happens, it will be $250 to replace it. Can't really beat less then $1 a month and it's wrapped into my mortgage, so I don't have to pay an extra bill. Who knows, maybe my phone will land itself in the toilet two years from now when the next update occurs... :eek: Just kidding of course!
 
Cool, thanks for the heads up. Any companies that you would recommend?

I've been in the military for 6 years and have only known USAA. I do hear great things about State Farm and All State. Wouldn't hurt to do some online quotes...they're free!
 
Thanks for posting that again Loren, I believe I saw that and it was why I was sure the covered more than just $199. I obviously don't have the iPhone 4 yet, but I am going to call USAA right now and get a quote. I'll probably try to add my MacBook Pro too, even though I have AppleCare

Will you post what you find out please? I have USAA and emailed using the contact link on the website. I had two questions. They answered the first but not the second which was inquiring about insurance for my iphone.
 
Your insurance rates will probably go up if you use your home/renters insurance for this. You will pay one way or the other.

In my experience, its a bad idea. SquareTrade or other insurance will be better.
 
Your insurance rates will probably go up if you use your home/renters insurance for this. You will pay one way or the other.

In my experience, its a bad idea. SquareTrade or other insurance will be better.

That was one question I asked and for USAA anyway, they said that specialized policy additions like electronics do not affect overall policy if used. I'm not really worried about it.
 
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