SquareTrade $50 deductible

[ZipZap]

The differences between Applecare+ and Squaretrade:

1) Applecare only has a deductible on damage replacement. Square trade on every single claim.

2) Apple treats customers with Applecare better than those without it for service. For example, I got a replacement and it did not go against my 2 replacements. With ST, you may not get the same.

3) If your phone is repairable then Apple will fix it. You don't just get a $299 replacement because you feel you are entitled. So, break the glass with square trade and you pay that repair plus $75. The phone has to be totally non-functional to get it replaced.

4) Use up all the repair value and your square trade warranty is gone.

Here are ST's exact limit statement:

7. LIMIT OF LIABILITY:
The total amount that We will pay for repairs or replacement made in connection with all claims that You make pursuant to this Protection Plan shall not exceed the Coverage Amount. In the event that We make payments for repairs or replacements, which in the aggregate, are equal to the Coverage Amount, or if We provide a cash settlement reflecting the replacement cost of a new item of equal features and functionality, then We will have no further obligations under this Protection Plan.

This is sufficiently vague and it could be construed that if you get a $299 replacement the warranty is over.

You should ask them specifically.

I see nothing in the terms about a limit of 4 repairs.

 

[mightyjabba]

Thanks to the person who mentioned canceling a plan to get a refund. I had a 3-year plan with SquareTrade on my iPad mini with retina, but I decided it was really not needed since the way you use an iPad makes it a lot less likely that it will get broken than a cell phone. So I cancelled that plan and the refund more than covered the cost of a 2-year plan on my iPhone 6 Plus. The coverage amount is listed at $999.99, by the way.

I might have tried AppleCare+, but I have no Apple Stores anywhere near me, which makes the extra service one might get through them a moot point. Plus, I was pretty pleased with how SquareTrade handled my claim on my camera before.

 

[dmweinst]

I purchased the square trade warranty with the $50 deductible and 4 incident coverage and then I realized the following:
1. AppleCare only charges per incident of accidental breakage. There is no deductible for any other repairs or replacements. SquareTrade will charge you $50 every time it is repaired or replaced even if it is not due to accident.
2. AppleCare only limits you to 2 incidents of breakage. There is no limit to the number of incidents of repair or replacements for detects. Square Trade limits you to 4 incidents total.

So it seems to me that AppleCare is a much better deal. I have the piece of mind that I can walk into an Apple Store near my house any time during the next 2 years and get my phone repaired or replaced for free and only pay if I drop it.

So I cancelled it and went with AppleCare.

 

[mightyjabba]

I'm having trouble envisioning the kind of situation that would involve replacing the phone without damage being involved. If it's some kind of defect, the manufacturer's warranty would still apply for the first year.

 

[dmweinst]

I've had Apple replace a number of iPhones inder warranty because of things like not holding a charge, Buttons stop working etc. If this happened after year 1 you'd be paying Square Trade a deductible. It's a judgement call by the genius whether to charge you the deductible. With square trade apple is highly likely to charge you for the repair and you'd pay the square trade deductible.

 

[J4B3]

One more thing to add to the 'yearly upgrade' crowd. Most states have laws in place that require insurance companies to provide pro-rata refunds for unused portions of insurance coverage.

In the AppleCare+ terms, you can cancel your policy after a year and receive a refund for the unused balance. The key is, how difficult it would be to cancel. For AppleCare+ you have to send in a written notice of coverage cancellation and then you wait for a snail mail game of cat and mouse.

For SquareTrade, you can login into your online account, select the policy you wish to cancel, click the 'cancel policy' button, and a screen pops us showing the amount to be refunded on the credit card you used to pay. A bit easier.

Can anyone comment on the ease of cancelling an AppleCare+ policy after the 30 day grace period?

 

[mac.cali]

One more thing to add to the 'yearly upgrade' crowd. Most states have laws in place that require insurance companies to provide pro-rata refunds for unused portions of insurance coverage.

In the AppleCare+ terms, you can cancel your policy after a year and receive a refund for the unused balance. The key is, how difficult it would be to cancel. For AppleCare+ you have to send in a written notice of coverage cancellation and then you wait for a snail mail game of cat and mouse.

For SquareTrade, you can login into your online account, select the policy you wish to cancel, click the 'cancel policy' button, and a screen pops us showing the amount to be refunded on the credit card you used to pay. A bit easier.

Can anyone comment on the ease of cancelling an AppleCare+ policy after the 30 day grace period?

ST is easier to cancel since it's done online. With AC+ you have to phone in to cancel. But if you're canceling around when an iPhone is launched, we know how difficult it can be to get ahold of someone. Maybe on a yearly upgrade cycle, ST is the better bet?

 

[linkgx1]

I don't really like messing with 3rd party warranties unless they work DIRECTLY with the company. For my TVs, yes because they'll send sound out a Panasonic certified technician. But it gets very weird if you try to get work done via Apple but with ST footing the bill. I just don't....trust it 100%.

 

[cbronfman]

Purchased AC yestterday

The differences between Applecare+ and Squaretrade:

1) Applecare only has a deductible on damage replacement. Square trade on every single claim.

2) Apple treats customers with Applecare better than those without it for service. For example, I got a replacement and it did not go against my 2 replacements. With ST, you may not get the same.

3) If your phone is repairable then Apple will fix it. You don't just get a $299 replacement because you feel you are entitled. So, break the glass with square trade and you pay that repair plus $75. The phone has to be totally non-functional to get it replaced.

4) Use up all the repair value and your square trade warranty is gone.

Here are ST's exact limit statement:

7. LIMIT OF LIABILITY:
The total amount that We will pay for repairs or replacement made in connection with all claims that You make pursuant to this Protection Plan shall not exceed the Coverage Amount. In the event that We make payments for repairs or replacements, which in the aggregate, are equal to the Coverage Amount, or if We provide a cash settlement reflecting the replacement cost of a new item of equal features and functionality, then We will have no further obligations under this Protection Plan.

This is sufficiently vague and it could be construed that if you get a $299 replacement the warranty is over.

You should ask them specifically.

I see nothing in the terms about a limit of 4 repairs.

I've used ST on my iPad 2 and on my iPhone 5s. I've never had a claim, but everything you all say makes sense - particularly "1) Applecare only has a deductible on damage replacement. Square trade on every single claim." I've had AC on ever iPhone except the 5S. AND had very good problem free results with them. I'll be upgrading next year (since I'm on the NEXT plan) and AC will just transfer over (the pro-rated amount) and I'll pay the difference.

If feels good to have made a decision that just feels with. AND yes, I'm an Apple fan. They're not perfect, but I've had their products since my very first computer (1988) before many of you were born. Hey - they're family even though it's not quite as intimate as it used to be.

Thank you all for your comments. They helped.

 

[tongefactor40]

How would this work with an at&t next plan?