iPhone SE (2016) Tmobile protection plan vs AppleCare for Tween's 1st phone?

[ericg301]

I just got my tween her first iPhone (new SE) and am wondering what sort of protection/coverage I should get for her.
I've never bought or needed AppleCare for any of MY Apple devices. I use this Wells Fargo protection plan https://www.wellsfargo.com/credit-cards/features/cell-phone-protection/ which covers damage as long as I pay my TMO bill with my WF credit card. I've used it to replace a screen before and it works great. It does not cover "loss" unless there's a police report.

My biggest concern is that this new phone will "disappear" once she goes back to school. She's a mature, responsible kid (otherwise she wouldn't have gotten a phone), but that doesn't mean someone else would rifle through her backpack when she's not looking.

The $13/mo for Protection 360 seems like quite a bit (with what looks like a $99 deductible). But is also includes AppleCare. Or I could get AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss for $179 (or $7.99/mo), but then there's the $229 deductible too. Considering the phone itself is "only" $399 (yeah I know), I'm not sure if it's worth paying the extra for loss coverage.

Curious what others have done or think?

 

[now i see it]

If I had to make the choice, (glad I don't) I wouldn't buy any insurance and would tell the giftee that if she loses the phone - that's it. She'll be out of a phone. No replacement.
That oughta strike a bit of fear & reponsibulity in her. You can bet she'll be extra careful with it— probably the best lesson to learn.

Risky? Yeah. But if she pulls it off (and doesn't lose it or wreck it) it'll be a great experience for everyone involved.

 

[boswald]

If I had to make the choice, (glad I don't) I wouldn't buy any insurance and would tell the giftee that if she loses the phone - that's it. She'll be out of a phone. No replacement.
That oughta strike a bit of fear & reponsibulity in her. You can bet she'll be extra careful with it— probably the best lesson to learn.

Risky? Yeah. But if she pulls it off (and doesn't lose it or wreck it) it'll be a great experience for everyone involved.

I like the way you think!

 

[mhdena]

This is what hand me down phones are for.

 

[Steven-iphone]

Active Lock screen, case, and screen protector.

Have her deposit money with you monthly in case something happens to this phone - then she will have a vested interest, and not just a look what I got from my parents.