Do you buy insurance for your costly Iphones or Android cell phones?

[hlthe2b]

Android/Iphone Users: any thoughts on insurance plans?

Ok, I was made an offer I couldn't refuse and finally got a great deal on an iphone 4, which I've always wanted, but couldn't justify until I could qualify for a business related discount on service. Now, I have this sucker that would cost me more $699 to replace if I lost it or totally decimated it (my gawd!) Unless there is some sympathy clause that I don't know about where apple would work with you on a refurbished model if your phone couldn't be repaired after an accidental disaster....:shrug:

So, yeah... I have this very nice 32 GB iphone4 that I will fully protect with the usual face shields and case. But, what about insurance?

Assurian is the usual route, but it is ungodly expensive for the iphone and doesn't seem to offer much, so that doesn't seem like a good prospect. So, there's SquareTrade, Safeware, AppleCare (if one isn't worried about accidental damage, theft or other uncovered service), insureappleiphone.com, Worthavenuegroup.com and undoubtedly others--or if you can talk your home/rental insurer to carry, or you can just take the risk.

Your thoughts appreciated.

[hobbit709]

1. I have a $15 Tracfone and don't worry about that.

[hlthe2b]

4. Yup... I've had four years on a beat up cell phone that I couldn't

care less about and never worried. So, I know where you are coming from...

But, while this is a luxury, it is also meant to be a useful tool that I don't want to take a chance with. I'll never again own a brand new car or any of the other crap that people waste so much $$ on, so this is my one splurge. ;)

[ejpoeta]

2. for one of those phones it is a good idea. my sis has the insurance

and it would still be $200 to replace her phone... but it would be full price to buy a new one.

[sailor65]

3. Definitely

The 6 bucks a month is worth it.....I've had to use it twice already!

[hlthe2b]

5. Assurian sucks for iphone/android-- $12/month and $200 deductble

but there are other plans out there.... Maybe they all suck. :shrug:

[sailor65]

6. I only paid 50 to do an Android....

I wonder if it varies by carrier????

You're right, 200 is nuts.

[wtmusic]

7. From someone who has crunched a $500 Droid

Yes. Absolutely. By all means. :blush:

[Dappleganger]

8. Applecare for iPhones, Squaretrade for everything else.

Keep an eye on slickdeals.org for coupon codes for Squaretrade.

[hlthe2b]

11. Apple care doesn't cover accidental damage, though does it?

So maybe Squaretrade for the iphone instead? Admittedly, I'm more worried about a bad drop then anything. I am pretty good (knock on wood) about not losing phones.

[pipi_k]

17. Butterfingers...

that's my middle name. I drop everything, so I know what you mean about that.

Which his why I got one of those Otterbox Defender cases. It's double protection. Looks like you could throw it off a moving bus and the phone would be OK. Not that I would do it, but at least ordinary drops wouldn't lead to iPhone murder.

[hlthe2b]

18. Hmm... I'll look into those cases... thanks!

;)

[emulatorloo]

9. I'd suggest talking to your homeowners insurance people and see what they say.

I know there is a computer equipment coverage in our policy.

I don't have an iPhone, but I usually recommend getting Applecare to people who are getting laptops. Just because laptops get knocked about so much. It is a pretty good service.

I have an iPod touch, I just hope for the best. I have dropped it several times, doesn't seem to bother it. I would expect the iPhone is as well built.

[hlthe2b]

13. Yes... I guess I'd just not want my HO policy to get jacked up...

just because of an iphone claim... Hopefully they aren't as prone to do so as many car insurance companies are. :shrug:

[Shagbark Hickory]

10. True life experience via my father. Droid in the toilet...

Daddy-o got a droid with me through a bogo plan (don't do that- more on that in a bit)
First night out of the box, his phone slips out of his pocket into the toilet.

He didn't discover that had happened til the next day.

The sales rep at local vzw store hinted that he should sign up for the assurian plan (it wasn't too late), wait a week then report what had happened. They sent him a refurbished phone that didn't work properly. It would overheat and eat through data. With tech support's help they could not diagnose any problem other than it being defective. So assurance sent then sent him out a brand spankin new one, not refurb because the vzw tech pulled some strings.

To buy a new one, the lowest price was $550.

Now one thing I would do is pay for it with an AMEX card as they have warranties for things such as this.
Unfortunately because this was a BOGO offer, technically $0 was paid for that handset and because of the whole ESN issue, that could be easily proven.

So last I heard he still is paying the $6 a month for the insurance but he's planning on canceling I think.

[hlthe2b]

12. I'd be more likely to drop it in a snow drift--but the effect is the same...

I guess it comes down to whether I want to insure enough to at least save some $$ if the worst happens-- or put the equivalent in $$ aside each month as my own "pre-paid" insurance plan. :shrug:

I've never paid more than $7/month for the wireless Asssurian plans, so it caught my breath when I saw it was $12 for iphone. Sheesh.

[Zephie]

14. Well, I have an android phone, so I really can't speak for iphones but...

My android phone has held up like a true champ. It's fallen in the toilet, been intentionally dropped into a filled sink, carried around by a slightly possessive dog when I made the mistake of putting a dog teaser app on it, and dropped from many, many high places on a regular basis, and it's still working like a charm, and has nearly no damage to the original shell or screen. I don't have insurance for it, but these things are resilient as all get out. I have a history of destroying phones in terrible, terrible ways and this one has bucked every accident that's come its way. Yay droids!

[TheKentuckian]

15. Mine is $6 with a $125 deductible for loss, accident, or theft and I think free for equipment issues

so, I think it is kinda worth it. It is a large investment for me and pretty easily damaged due to use, size, and portability.

[Codeine]

16. I pay a bit each month to T-Mobile to insure my Blackberry.

When the trackball conked out they replaced it no charge. Worth it.