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iMas70

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 4, 2012
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MA
I usually get Applecare on most of the expensive Apple products I buy. I recently got my kids iPhone 13 Pros for Christmas. Each is in an Otterbox case and they have good screen protectors. It wouldn't be as bad to pay $200 to put it on one phone but doubling that for two phones is more of a hit. I start thinking about other things I could use it for. I'm not new to this so I know anything can happen, or not happen so it's a roll of the dice. So what would you do?
 
I guess a lot depends on how careful your kids take care of their iPhones. AppleCare + can be expensive but one incident of major damage to one of those phones will pay for itself. As stated above, it's insurance.
 
Pay monthly, that’s what I do. I chose the theft and loss option. I have AppleCare on all of my devices. Paying monthly is the best option if you upgrade each year. Taking a damaged iPhone directly to an Apple store is also best when it needs repair or replacement, you get a new one that day. Go to settings, general, and you will see the AppleCare option there, you have 60 days from the purchase / activation date to buy it.
 
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For most adults, I would roll the dice. But for kids? You might find it's worth the investment. My daughter always tried her best to take care of the devices we bought her, but they just naturally got rougher treatment than how my wife and I treated ours.
 
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I usually get Applecare on most of the expensive Apple products I buy. I recently got my kids iPhone 13 Pros for Christmas. Each is in an Otterbox case and they have good screen protectors. It wouldn't be as bad to pay $200 to put it on one phone but doubling that for two phones is more of a hit. I start thinking about other things I could use it for. I'm not new to this so I know anything can happen, or not happen so it's a roll of the dice. So what would you do?

Use $4 to buy 2 cases is safe enough
 
I usually get Applecare on most of the expensive Apple products I buy. I recently got my kids iPhone 13 Pros for Christmas. Each is in an Otterbox case and they have good screen protectors. It wouldn't be as bad to pay $200 to put it on one phone but doubling that for two phones is more of a hit. I start thinking about other things I could use it for. I'm not new to this so I know anything can happen, or not happen so it's a roll of the dice. So what would you do?
As long as you have otterbox and tempered glass SP, save the apple care
 
Wow was in same situation as you, got the otterbox and saved on applecare. How about for your own device ?
 
Hmmm i raised 3 kids, one more conscientious than other two, and I’d suggest doing it for the theft/loss coverage alone regardless of Otterbox. Things happen and kids have a lot going on in their schedules. Life happens, sometimes even when we’re careful. Otterbox also a great case to prevent damage.
 
It wouldn't be as bad to pay $200 to put it on one phone but doubling that for two phones is more of a hit. I start thinking about other things I could use it for.
An alternative is to self-insure. Stick some money, up to the full value of two replacement phones, in a savings account. Use the money if the phones are lost or damaged. If nothing happens to either or both phones during their lifespan, you can roll over the money plus whatever earnings have accumulated to self-insure again. Or put the funds towards the purchase of new devices.
 
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I have AppleCare+ on my daughter’s iPhone 11, which I don’t regret. She needs her cracked screen replaced and that’ll just cost $29. I’m going to pay $99 for a replacement device so that she can have a bee battery as well. I have theft and loss protection for her phone, which is beneficial as she lost a phone before and I didn’t feel like paying the full cost for a replacement.
 
Good suggestions here. I’m still kind of torn but leaning towards hoping their Otterbox cases and screen protectors protect them. i have Applecare to cover their iPads that are more likely to be damage. Even with smart covers. I also have coverage for my own devices.
 
it might be more cost effective to have your devices protected under your home contents insurance (if you already have it). Some plans have add-ons for lost/stolen/damaged items outside the home. For me it was an extra £2 ($2.80) a month to cover all our phones, tablets and Apple Watch.
 
I’ve added AppleCare+ With Theft and Loss to the phones in my household including my child’s (first phone). I pay for it monthly. Children can be a lot rougher with their phones and are also more likely to lose them or it be stolen. I have LifeProof Frē cases on them, but things still can happen.

I always get AppleCare+ (first year for theft/loss). It has proven to be useful a few times already as I’ve ran into software issues after the limited warranty expired in the past. If you have insurance with your carrier (make sure theft is included) then that would probably suffice, but I’ve had a far better experience with Apple.
 
only buy insurance on depreciating assets if you need it.
If you drop your phone and crack the screens its not the end of the world. You can always pay for it then. Or maybe never.
 
only buy insurance on depreciating assets if you need it.
If you drop your phone and crack the screens its not the end of the world. You can always pay for it then. Or maybe never.

Depends on the damage and the timeframe. Sometimes phones can be damaged beyond repair and need to be replaced. If someone depends on that phone for personal or business reasons they wouldn’t want to be without it for long. Also paying full price for a new phone may not be in their budget at that time. At least with insurance or AppleCare+, the cost to repair or replace would be a lot more manageable.
 
Depends on the damage and the timeframe. Sometimes phones can be damaged beyond repair and need to be replaced. If someone depends on that phone for personal or business reasons they wouldn’t want to be without it for long. Also paying full price for a new phone may not be in their budget at that time. At least with insurance or AppleCare+, the cost to repair or replace would be a lot more manageable.
If you can't afford to replace your phone if it gets damaged i would argue you couldnt afford the insurance policy. An insurance policy is not free. You're spending more to buy that coverage.
 
If you can't afford to replace your phone if it gets damaged i would argue you couldnt afford the insurance policy. An insurance policy is not free. You're spending more to buy that coverage.

I'd buy another $1100 iPhone if I really had to but... I wouldn't be happy about it unless I was replacing it with an upgrade. For me, I have twins so I'm kind of like Noah when it comes to buying gifts. I have to buy two of most things. And with me being into Apple products, they each have their own collection.
 
I've never bought Apple Care of any kind on iOS devices. Even the most expensive are in the $1000 range to replace, so I feel comfortable with "self-insuring". That said, I don't have any small kids or teenagers to muck things up ?

The only Apple product I buy Apple Care for are my iMacs. On a premium vs. insured value metric, it is a much easier decision. And, we are talking about $3000 devices. Even then, I just get regular Apple Care, not the + version.
 
Do you have the option of purchasing some kind of electronics insurance in connection with your personal insurance? I have an insurance policy that covers all electronics in my home in the event of a breakdown. It also covers my Apple equipment.
 
Do you have the option of purchasing some kind of electronics insurance in connection with your personal insurance? I have an insurance policy that covers all electronics in my home in the event of a breakdown. It also covers my Apple equipment.

I'm going to look into that tomorrow.
 
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