Question About AW4 & AppleCare+

[Roy Biggins]

Hello.

I've had my AW4 for just under 2 years. My AppleCare+ coverage expires soon. Last summer while gardening out in front of my home I swung my arm without thought and it rubbed up on a metal plant hanger that sticks out from my wooden fence. You could hear the scratch in slow motion (you know the sound of something nice being scratched). Made me sick. The Spigen bumper was no match.

So my screen has had a big ugly scratch on it for 8 months. I've always wanted to get it fixed. Truth be told, I'd rather have a refurbished 4 than my watch with a new screen. My battery isn't great anymore. I think a refurb would perform more as new than mine does.

If I send it in or take it into an Apple Store, wouldn't they just put a new screen on it? Do I have to option to ask for a refurb regardless of the damage? Or to get a refurb does it have to be damaged beyond repair. I've never used my AppleCare coverage on previous items before, so I don't know how it works.

Any answers or tips would be appreciated

Thank you.

 

[wilberforce]

You can try, but Applecare+ does not cover "cosmetic damage not affecting the functionality of the Covered Equipment."
Scratches are considered cosmetic. Perhaps if it is a very severe scratch it affects the functionality (like you cannot read it).

Anyway, if you can get it covered by AppleCare+, you can request Express Replacement Service, which provides you with a new/refurb replacement.

Apple Watch Express Replacement Service - Apple Support

We know how much you rely on your Apple Watch. With Express Replacement Service, you receive a replacement right away, so you don’t have to go without.

support.apple.com

 

[waw74]

it will be covered under the accidental damage portion, you'll pay, but not as much as you would if you didn't
I believe it's $69, by might vary depending on your watch, it shouldn't be too much different though.
You can do this twice every 12 months


call apple, give them your credit card
They'll charge you the fee for accidental damage.
if you've got room on the card, and you approve, they'll put a hold on your card for the amount of a new watch.
They'll then ship you a "new" watch, and possibly a box to return your old watch.
(you might use the same box to return that the new one came in)
once they get the old watch back, they'll remove the hold on your card.

If you don't have room on your card for that hold,
they'll ship you a box
you return yours in that box
once they receive your old watch they'll ship you a replacement.

 

[nattK]

Here are some options:

1) If your watch's battery health is under 80%, you can request for a battery repair instead. This is free under AppleCare+ and you'll get a refurbished unit (Apple usually replaces the whole watch instead of just swapping out the battery or screen).

2) If your watch's battery health is above 80%, then you can claim accidental damage as part of your AppleCare+ as mentioned by waw74. You'll be subjected to a small fee and you'll get a refurbished unit in return.

3) Even if the 2-year AppleCare plan you paid upfront expires, you can choose to extend AppleCare+ coverage indefinitely by switching to monthly payments. You can do that by going to Settings > General > About, then tap AppleCare+ Coverage Available and follow the onscreen instructions once your current AppleCare plan expires. You can purchase the new monthly coverage within 30 days of the end date of your current coverage.