Is Apple Care worth it on an Apple watch?

[zipur]

I just picked up a series 4. I never thought I needed one, it was a gimmick, fade ...
Well I'm pretty impressed with just how useful it is! So to you long term users;. Is it worth the money to get Apple Care. I'm worried about scratches and a broken glass.

 

[Closingracer]

Yes I would get it . To fix one outside of warranty issues is $299 and with Apple care is $69 ( or $79?)

 

[tromboneaholic]

I just picked up a series 4. I never thought I needed one, it was a gimmick, fade ...
Well I'm pretty impressed with just how useful it is! So to you long term users;. Is it worth the money to get Apple Care. I'm worried about scratches and a broken glass.

Have you worn a watch in the past?
If so, did it get beat up or look fairly new after a couple of years?

 

[musicpenguy]

I’m pretty sure body scratches aren’t actually covered - correct me if I’m wrong!

 

[Closingracer]

I’m pretty sure body scratches aren’t actually covered - correct me if I’m wrong!

No but if you really hated it you could just smash the screen. Not worth using a claim or the money but it’s your money so meh

 

[44267547]

No but if you really hated it you could just smash the screen. Not worth using a claim or the money but it’s your money so meh

Yes, that’s an option, but that’s not something I would condone doing and I don’t think Apple would either. You have to remember, it’s situations like those are taken advantage of, that cost the consumer more in the long run.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Yes, that’s an option, but that’s not something I would condone doing and I don’t think Apple would either. You have to remember, it’s situations like those are taken advantage of, that cost the consumer more in the long run.

Agreed. Apple specifically states they will not proved services

"(d) to repair damage caused by reckless, abusive, willful or intentional conduct, or any use of the Covered Equipment in a manner not normal or intended by Apple;"

Intentionally damaging it, and claiming it was an accident would be considered fraud.

 

[Closingracer]

Yes, that’s an option, but that’s not something I would condone doing and I don’t think Apple would either. You have to remember, it’s situations like those are taken advantage of, that cost the consumer more in the long run.

I never said I condone it or anything but just making a statement of an option if he so desired. I agree it’s taking advantage but it would be naive to think nobody has ever done that before ?

 

[44267547]

I never said I condone it or anything but just making a statement of an option if he so desired. I agree it’s taking advantage but it would be naive to think nobody has ever done that before ?

You’re right, many actually do take it advantage of smashing the device to have it replaced by Apple care. I just think it really shouldn’t be discussed, that way it doesn’t give the idea or concept for those who are not aware of this ‘alternative’ method. I don’t condone it, and I certainly would not tell anyone about using this form of process.

 

[Closingracer]

Agreed. Apple specifically states they will not proved services

"(d) to repair damage caused by reckless, abusive, willful or intentional conduct, or any use of the Covered Equipment in a manner not normal or intended by Apple;"

Intentionally damaging it, and claiming it was an accident would be considered fraud.

Well how can you prove that it was intentional or not with no video proof or an Apple employee seeing it? If you “accidentally” dropped it at home on your hard wood or tiled floor how can you tell. I am just playing devils advocate here and just asking m a hypothetical question. By no mean do I suggest doing it or condone it but it’s possible somebody has done it before

 

[tromboneaholic]

Well how can you prove that it was intentional or not with no video proof or an Apple employee seeing it? If you “accidentally” dropped it at home on your hard wood or tiled floor how can you tell. I am just playing devils advocate here and just asking m a hypothetical question. By no mean do I suggest doing it or condone it but it’s possible somebody has done it before

I agree it would be difficult or impossible to prove. It just depends on an honor system I suppose.

 

[akash.nu]

For a device that’s exposed 24/7, I didn’t hesitate for a second before getting Apple care.

 

[staggerlee41]

$79 is a small price to pay for what basically is an insurance plan on your tech. To me, it's worth the peace of mind.

Yes, that’s an option, but that’s not something I would condone doing and I don’t think Apple would either. You have to remember, it’s situations like those are taken advantage of, that cost the consumer more in the long run.

Several years ago I had some LL Bean waders used for fishing. They were leaking after 4 years of use. I contacted them and the CS encouraged me to return them. I couldn't do it, I had put 4 seasons of use on them and it just didn't seem right, despite the fact that I had the option to do so. LL Bean's guarantee was legendary, they would take literally anything back if the customer wasn't satisfied at any time and within the past couple of years they changed their guarantee because many customers took advantage of their policy.

To your point, if Apple discovers consumers are taking advantage of their policy, you can be absolutely certain they'll pass on the increased costs to us.

 

[zipur]

Have you worn a watch in the past?
If so, did it get beat up or look fairly new after a couple of years?

New, I have a screen protector on it,. Thinking about bumpers also.
I've had my MacBook, iPad and iPhone all look perfect and all have some type of external cover/protector

 

[page3]

In the UK it’s £90 plus £49 excess.

I had cover on my original Apple Watch, but at this price it isn’t such an obvious choice.

 

[caelius]

Didn't get it on my S0 and pretty much regretted it as it isn't that much of an additional cost, especially if you plan to use the watch for more than one year. When you're doing annual upgrades, I wouldn't mind, though.

Regarding the "just smash it if it's scratched and get it replaced": It isn't something you should do or encourage someone else to do, but I'm pretty sure Apple already takes such things into consideration when it comes to determining a price for AC+. People probably have been doing it for as long as AC+ exists and I think that's pretty much why the "two incident" limits is in place. Long story short: it may be a dick move, but I'd be surprised if Apple doesn't calculate with such behavior.

 

[page3]

In the UK many get “gadget insurance “. It generally covers multiple devices and includes theft. For example, the insurance I have covers 10 devices as long as they were less than three years old when I took out the policy. It costs £50/year with a £50 excess.

That’s a huge amount less than Apple Care.

It isn’t as quick though - my son recently cracked the screen on his iPad Pro and it took about two weeks from my initial call to receiving it back repaired.

However we cover my Apple watch, three iPhones, three iPads and two wireless headphones all for £50.

No idea if this sort of policy is popular in the US?

 

[KrisLord]

In the UK it’s £90 plus £49 excess.

I had cover on my original Apple Watch, but at this price it isn’t such an obvious choice.

For me it’s the other way around. On my S0 and S1 the watch cost around £300 and so if the worst happened I’d replace it.

Now the S3 and S4 being more expensive each time it feels more logical to ensure a £529 device.

 

[BenCO]

In all my years of buying hardware this is the first purchase I have ever insured. This is my first watch, and it just feels super exposed. I’ve been wearing a watch my entire life and I really scratch them up good. I’m not concerned with some minor scuffing, I rather expect it, however it’s the catastrophic smash that I fear.

That being said, I’ve never actually used such a service, so I hope it’s worth it should I actually need it!

 

[akash.nu]

In all my years of buying hardware this is the first purchase I have ever insured. This is my first watch, and it just feels super exposed. I’ve been wearing a watch my entire life and I really scratch them up good. I’m not concerned with some minor scuffing, I rather expect it, however it’s the catastrophic smash that I fear.

That being said, I’ve never actually used such a service, so I hope it’s worth it should I actually need it!

I’m the opposite. All my watches are in pristine condition, including a GShock Mudman. I still got Apple Care because I hate to be that person with a broken watch.

 

[musicpenguy]

Well how can you prove that it was intentional or not with no video proof or an Apple employee seeing it? If you “accidentally” dropped it at home on your hard wood or tiled floor how can you tell. I am just playing devils advocate here and just asking m a hypothetical question. By no mean do I suggest doing it or condone it but it’s possible somebody has done it before

With the sapphire screen it may look pretty intentional depending on how you do it - I accidentally dropped a sledgehammer on my watch - darn it!

 

[dstew201]

YES!! Take it from me! I babied my Hermès series 3, for 10 months, not a scratch! Took it to the apple store for trade in, and dropped it on the floor cracking the screen!!!

Can you transfer the remaining portion of coverage to new watch? I don’t normally keep watches or phones for more than a year (at most).

It’s still functional, but was unable to get the 225 for it! Anyone interested in a slightly cracked screen (can’t really notice it), I’ll throw in the sport band!

 

[srshaw]

This is always the question with insurance. I usually buy AppleCare for more expensive Apple items (Watch/phone/computer) but not iPods etc.

 

[tl01]

I think it is!

 

[automan98]

This is always the question with insurance. I usually buy AppleCare for more expensive Apple items (Watch/phone/computer) but not iPods etc.

I agree with this approach. I have AppleCare on my Macbook Pro, but not on devices like an Apple Watch. Keep in mind that there's a fee for seeking a repair under the accidental damage. I don't judge people who get it. I get that. I'm just not one to get in on it.