Buying a New iPhone? Don't Forget the "Insurance"

[Michael Essany]

These days it's possible to insure just about anything. So it probably makes sense that the iPhone now joins the long list of insurable objects that, for a fee, can be "protected" with a comprehensive insurance policy. In case you're wondering, no, this program isn't a little known weird provision of healthcare reform. Instead, AT&T is behind the new insurance plan for iPhones aptly dubbed "Mobile Protect."

BGR is reporting this weekend that AT&T is hoping you will opt to insure your new 4th generation iPhone for $13.99 per month. If you think this is another rumor, think again. "Mobile Protect," in fact, rolled out yesterday - another sign that the new iPhone will be available within a month. You see, "Mobile Protect" requires you to enroll in the plan within 30-days of purchasing a new iPhone.

Chances are, within the next month or so, there will be lots and lots of new iPhone purchases. And AT&T is all over the potential buyer market for this program like white on rice. AT&T is even hyping the insurance program with the tag line: “Lack of iPhone insurance is a leading source of iPhone related customer complaints.”

While it isn't yet clear how iPhone owners will respond to the availability of the insurance program, so far many who have heard about it are not only balking at the $13.99 monthly fee, they're also a bit displeased with the deductible scale, which runs between $99 to $199 depending on your model of iPhone insured.

So... anyone planning to insure their new - or current - iPhone?

image via BGR

[gafu]

But maybe not worth it if you're jb.Good thought though

[Squeaky369]

Totally worth it; since if you damage your phone, break the screen or whatever, you can always flash it back to stock, and have it replaced.


This is very good...

[joshuo]

Wow this is such a ripoff! i actually wish I came up with it...
For 14 bucks a month over a 2 year contract you might as well buy a spare phone.
And what's the deal with the crazy deductible?
That's like putting a $10,000 deductible on a $30,000 car!

Seriously, they know where they can shove their precious 'mobile protect' scam...

Totally worth it

Pardon me good sir, have you even looked at the numbers?

[bobburns1]

I understand the frustration, but for the rest of the demographic that is clumsy and probably had to replace an iPhone in the past, I'm more than willing to fall on this grenade @ $14.00 a month.

[mikerlx]

I have squaretrade on my iPhone.

[vegassteven]

aften ten months you have paid $139.99 for insurance.
depending on the iphone model you have and how new your contract is, a phone will run between $199-$299

so consider if its worth it.
even if your phone broke 23 months into your contract that insurance cost you $321... and the cost of a new phone? well by the time that two years has passed you will definately just want a new phone for the max of $199 with the 2 year renewal.

so i cant say its worth it really.

and what is applecare? free for a year and then $59 the next year?

hmm.

[billmilo]

Not worth it. Anybody with any mechanical skill can replace almost anything on the iPhone.

[p3eps]

and what is applecare? free for a year and then $59 the next year?

Phone insurance has been available in the UK for about 10 years now. It gets more and more expensive every year.
Applecare will cover the phone warranty - ie. hardware failure...
But phone insurance will cover you against loss and theft too.

Its all very well saying you can buy another phone for the price of insurance after a year or two - but you'd have to buy the phone SIM Free which would be much more expensive.

I haven't had insurance on my phone for the last 3 years, but always had it prior to that. I'll be taking it on my iPhone 4G / HD - as if I drop it, I can claim for a new one.

[thetoothfairy]

If you insure it threw your home owners it only cost like $25.00 a year the only draw back is they won't cover software damage. I think this is ridicules! And once you pay for this insurance just what will they cover and what not? I am sure there is a catch to it just like Verizon and Sprint.....

[drloco149]

its a ripoff if you take care of your phone you shouldn't need insurance, ive had my phone for over a year and its still in like new condition.

[reggie6801]

I won't be getting this insurance, just another way for AT&T to rip people off. There's no way getting this insurance will be beneficial ton the majority of people with iPhones.

[sLevin1fo]

Insurance Fraud will prob have their own iPhone Department. How easy do you think it would be to rip them off?

[Garland106]

Totally not worth it, just buy a good case and msot likely
your screen won't shatter, But i can understand for like, if your battery dies or u drop it in water, then just go to a phone repair shop its cheaper

[kiddjones]

OR if you break your phone or it gets liquid damaged, you could just go to the Apple store and they will replace it for $199. Never touch your contract. No questions asked. Screw $14/month and $199 deductible.

[CaptainChaos]

What's with squaretrade? How much is it? My phone is covered under my homeowners policy right now.

[dq13]

it is worth for some and a total rip off for others. it all depends on the user, some people are very (VERY) clumpsy and drop their phone in water very often and drop it or lose it more than once... for all of them, this might be good since they don't have to pay 400 every 5 months when they brake/lose/water their device.

For others like me, it's a rip off, I have not yet lost a phone in 10 years or dropped it in water (knock on wood) so I would not get it even if it was $5 bucks

[daorigin]

SquareTrade Insurance

WorthAve Grp

better insurance deals on ur fav iphone n ipadz

[eballesq]

$14 x 24 = $336 over the life of the contract. How many of you have broken more than one iPhone over the course of two years?

Rip. Off.

[thevmax]

OR if you break your phone or it gets liquid damaged, you could just go to the Apple store and they will replace it for $199. Never touch your contract. No questions asked. Screw $14/month and $199 deductible.

I agree 150%...just another way for ATT to extract MORE MONEY from YOU!