Insurance question

[Kali]

Is it normal to have a deductable of 50% of the cost of replacement? I am talking about a policy on a new cell phone. Paid $99 for the phone - cracked the screen and it is unreadable, called about the matter and was informed I needed to pay $50 right now in order to process the claim. (or $100!!! depending on the model - I didn't get that far in the conversation when I heard those were the deductable amounts)

That isn't a deductable, that is a discount (or rebate!) on a new phone.

Am I insane? I used to pay $3/month with another company for ins and they sent a new phone no questions (well, send the broken one back if you had it) - I don't think they even charged shipping, much less a 50% deductable.

:mad: :mad: :mad:

[mitchleary]

1. Companies

have really cracked down on things like this. Most will not insure cell phones anymore for example under personal articles policies. Too many claims.

[Kali]

7. I can sort of see that, I suppose.

And I guess on reflection I can understand the deductable, but I think somebody should have been a little more explicit about it when they were pushing the sale.

[DawnIsis]

2. Every time my cell phone contract is up (2 years) they give me a free phone or a mega discount off

a high-end phone to renew for another 2 years. You gotta demand it cuz they don't just offer.

It's not worth taking out insurance on such a cheap phone. I suggest you apply the pressure to your provider with threats not to renew your service with them if they don't replace your phone for free.

[Kali]

4. ironically this is a brand new phone - after something like 3 years!

After I finish being mad and seeing what that gets in terms of results from the cell company, I will probably accept the deal (what choice do I have, really?) and then yeah no more premiums to them for sure!

[DawnIsis]

5. Just be sure to mention to them you won't be renewing your contract when it's up

because of this situation. I bet they will wave at least some of the 50%. If the customer service person won't do it ask to speak with her supervisor.

[Kali]

9. I am already fighting with them over another matter as well.

Bought a phone at a local vendor because I saw on their website it had a $100 rebate. Stupid me, didn't read carefully or understand that it might not apply because I didn't order it off the website. So when I went to download the forms all I got was a $50 ticket.

ok I can take some responsibility for not comprehending that, BUT the next week the deal changed and the rebate went to the full $100 for ANY purchase. So I try to see if they can do something for me (because we are talking a 5 day difference on the sales receipt) and their solution was take the phone back get a refund and buy it again and start over. This after a week of passing the number around and getting it programmed for the person and all. Not worth time, aggravation or the $50 (also don't live in town so there is a drive involved) but do they cut any slack or try to do anything to keep me as a customer after all this time and 1000's of dollars they have made off me? hell no.

Rebates. another huge scam - how complicated and rediculous can we make this procedure? And ever try to get a rebate when you live in the sticks and get your mail at a PO Box? No you have to have a street address to get rebates. Its 1000 times worse than stupid grocery store cards. Why can't these businesses just offer a reasonable product/service at a reasonable price and be consistant and clear about policy - I would gladly stay loyal and pay a premium for that. I thought I was - Alltel was actually pretty straight up about things when we started with them - it was the first time that dreaded first cell phone bill wasn't a total shock. (always assume that first bill will be at least 3 times what you could possibly imagine it will be)

[wtmusic]

3. IMO most of those policies are scams

Ditto for the "maintenance contracts" -- they make it more trouble than they're worth

[Kali]

6. well, I never do extended warranties or maintence contracts, but

years ago and another company had good service in this area so I got suckered, I guess. sheesh - and I sure as hell don't recall any mention of this ridiculous deductable at the time of the sale either - that also got mentioned in my complaint.

I had been pretty happy with these guys for a while and always gladly gave them my recommendation when folks asked. Not anymore. Alltell, by the way.

[JenniferJuniper]

8. Don't buy cell phone insurance...

It's a total scam and a waste of money.

Yesterday's cell phone is obsolete tomorrow. That's why the deductible is so high.

The purpose of insurance is to cover you for the loss of something that you could not afford to repair or replace yourself. Take your chances that nothing will happen to your $99 phone and skip the scam.

[donco6]

10. If your TV breaks, will cable pay for it?

Probably not.

Seriously, tho, cell companies are really cutting back on even the phone offers they used to have.

[Kali]

11. If they were the ones that sold it to me.

I might expect something.