Verizon Lowering Cracked Screen Repair Fee to $29 for Customers Enrolled in Total Mobile Protection

[MacRumors]

Verizon today announced it is lowering its deductible for cracked screen repairs for customers signed up for its Total Mobile Protection plan. Starting on Thursday, October 19, the fee will be reduced from $49 to $29. Total Mobile Protection itself costs $11 per month for smartphones and $9 per month for tablets.

Enrolling in Total Mobile Protection is typically only allowed within 30 days of activating a new account or upgrading to a new device, but Verizon is offering an open enrollment period between tomorrow and Friday, November 17 for any existing customer with a functional device less than two years old.

Verizon said customers who need repairs have the option of bringing their device to one of its 296 carry-in locations across the United States, while technicians are also available to meet customers at home, office, school, or during travel in 152 cities. Verizon allows up to three claims per year per enrolled device.

Total Mobile Protection also includes expert technical support called Tech Coach and other perks like the potential for same- or next-day device replacements.

Article Link: Verizon Lowering Cracked Screen Repair Fee to $29 for Customers Enrolled in Total Mobile Protection

 

[Spaceboy88]

Does VZW repair these devices with OEM screens?

 

[roncron]

It’s not really “Total Protection” is you have to pay for screen repair, is it?

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

So they lowered it to be the same price as AppleCare. I'd rather pay the one-time fee for AppleCare than the ongoing fee for Total Protection. Depending on how long you keep your device, Total Protection could end up being hundreds of dollars more expensive.

 

[macTW]

Still not sure if this is worth it over Apple care.

 

[Xavier]

The age old question of coverage insurance. Should I pay for a service that I may never use?

I'll stick to Apple Care on iPhone upgrade program.

 

[lsbuffs]

I think one of the benefits of this over Apple Care is it provides coverage for lost devices, while Apple Care does not.

With Total Mobile Protection Multi-Device, you get:

• Coverage for loss, theft, damage (including water damage), and post-warranty defects
• As soon as same-day screen repair* or next-day delivery (in most cases) and 24/7 claims service, so you won't be without a device for long
• Tech Coach for all devices on your account, which provides answers to your toughest questions about your device and virtually everything it connects to
• The Tech Coach app** so you can connect with a live Tech Coach expert within 30 seconds at the touch of a button

*Same-day screen repair available in select locations on select smartphones.
**May not be available for all devices.

 

[iamaydo]

It’s not really “Total Protection” is you have to pay for screen repair, is it?

Where did you read “deductible-free protection?”

Total Protection is more about the other services offered.

 

[WarHeadz]

Does VZW repair these devices with OEM screens?

I own a repair shop and often times when customers bring in phones that were repaired or refurbished by carriers, they use aftermarket screens, which are garbage.

 

[techwhiz]

So they lowered it to be the same price as AppleCare. I'd rather pay the one-time fee for AppleCare than the ongoing fee for Total Protection. Depending on how long you keep your device, Total Protection could end up being hundreds of dollars more expensive.

Total protection also includes loss and theft.
Not quite the same.

 

[Beck Show]

Still not sure if this is worth it over Apple care.

It might be if you lose your device or it is stolen.

 

[Solomani]

It’s not really “Total Protection” is you have to pay for screen repair, is it?

Well, think of it as a "comprehensive health insurance" for your phone. The $29 is simply a measly Co-Pay.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Total protection also includes loss and theft.
Not quite the same.

Anyone with a homeowners or renters insurance policy can claim the loss of theft of a phone.

In the end these programs aren't generally beneficial to the buyer. There's a reason these companies offer them and push them. They're incredibly profitable and they have to pay out very infrequently (less than 1 in 1000 buyers ever uses the insurance).

Given the differences between the programs, AppleCare is still the better deal as it doesn't continue to cost the buyer on an ongoing basis.

 

[Jim165]

Total protection also includes loss and theft.
Not quite the same.

Unfortunately, the insurance is provided by Asssssurion, which are known for sending garbage, malfunctioning refurb phones with junk parts as replacements.