Is Insurance worth it

[zerozed]

So far nobody has posted any details about Squaretrade. I've never used them, but they are very highly rated (9.86/10 on Reseller Ratings). They charge $144 for 2 years of coverage on "premium" smartphones. You can cancel your insurance and be refunded the unused portion or you can transfer the insurance if you sell the phone.

They don't cover lost or stolen phones, but they do cover water damage. Accidental damage incurs a $50 deductible, however mechanical/electrical damage has zero deductible.

Limits on the service seem to be that you have to ship them the device for repair, etc. so you will be without a cell for a day or so. You have to purchase this insurance within 90 days of buying the phone. If the phone is still under the manufacturer warranty, they will refer you to Sprint for the repair in order to preserve your insurance coverage.

If any of you guys are familiar with this service, please share experiences as I'm moderately interested.

 

[dandm4life]

How is it only $84 if you're on contract with the phone for 2 years? I don't think judging prices for one year is a fair comparison, unless you know you're going to ditch the phone after only one year (which actually seems to be the going rate for me - does sprint allow for a subsidized price phone upgrade after 1 year?)

If you are the only customer on an account with an evo then you will be eligible for upgrade after one year.

 

[backdown]

Its totally worth it. I tend to have problems with my phones for some reason, and paying 7$ a month isnt bad compared to if your phone goes bad, and you have to pay 2-300 for a used one.

 

[ejpyle]

How does Sprint's insurance compare to a product replacement plan (e.g. Best Buy)?

BB's Black Protection Plan does not cover lost/stolen but covers everything else.
You can get insurance though Assurance (sprint equipment protection) which will give you the ability to get a replacement for a small fee if it were lost/stolen.

 

[Painkillaz]

when i had the touch pro i got it replaced 3 times without paying a cent...i have the $7 a month. When i got my blackberry i had to replace it once and i had to replace the battery once as well and didnt have to pay anything. I believe the 50-100 deductible is for lost/stolen or water damage. I for sure think its worth it...i basically got 3 phones for free with the amount of times i replaced them (not including initial purchase of the phones)...and i for sure would not mind paying 50-100 if i lose my phone or it gets stolen or falls in water rather than having to pay $3-400+ out of contract...so IMO $7/month or $84/year is absolutely worth it And necessary for the clumsy / absent minded people out there

 

[Bic101]

I mentioned this here too but I think your credit card would cover you for double the normal manufacturer's warranty (up to a year).

It'd probably be a bigger hassle with a few more strings, but it's something to consider since it's free and automatic.

Yes, I called my credit card company and they extend your warranty one year and cover theft and accidental damage for the first 90 days at no extra charge if you purchase with their card (both AmEx and MasterCard in my case). But it doesn't cover losing it.

 

[Bic101]

So far nobody has posted any details about Squaretrade. I've never used them, but they are very highly rated (9.86/10 on Reseller Ratings). They charge $144 for 2 years of coverage on "premium" smartphones. You can cancel your insurance and be refunded the unused portion or you can transfer the insurance if you sell the phone.

They don't cover lost or stolen phones, but they do cover water damage. Accidental damage incurs a $50 deductible, however mechanical/electrical damage has zero deductible.

Limits on the service seem to be that you have to ship them the device for repair, etc. so you will be without a cell for a day or so. You have to purchase this insurance within 90 days of buying the phone. If the phone is still under the manufacturer warranty, they will refer you to Sprint for the repair in order to preserve your insurance coverage.

If any of you guys are familiar with this service, please share experiences as I'm moderately interested.

You can only use it once though if stolen or damaged beyond repair. They will send you a check to cover the cost of a new one, but only once. If you get a new phone, you have to buy new insurance. If you are a premier member you can always buy a new one after one year, for almost the same amount as this insurance + deductible. No insurance is worth it unless you have the habit of breaking it, getting it stolen, losing it more than once a year.

 

[Fubie]

Is it still possible to get the insurance from Sprint if you purchase the phone from Best Buy?

 

[MisterEd]

Go off topic much? My questions wasn

 

[MisterEd]

Is it still possible to get the insurance from Sprint if you purchase the phone from Best Buy?

Yes. Best Buy is only a reseller like Radio Shack.

 

[Fubie]

Yes. Best Buy is only a reseller like Radio Shack.

Thank you MisterEd!

 

[bwillie007]

Insurance is never worth it if you don't need to transfer part of the risk to someone else and you have the funds to self insure the replacement cost. They offer it because, as a whole, it makes money. Since they don't really rate you on how much of an idiot or how forgetful you are, it might be good for you if you wouldn't be able to find your willy if it wasn't attached

 

[EVO1]

Certain Phones have a deductible even with insurance. You bet the farm the EVO has at least a $100 deductible w/ insurance. The cheaper phones have none.

I have been with Sprint for the past 9 years. Every time there has been an issue with my phone, whether its software or hardware, they have replaced the phone for a *refurbished* model. The refurbished model has always looked brand new, really, so I never really cared about getting an actual new one. Yes, I pay the $7 a month.

ALso, Ive never been asked to pay a deductible.

For what its worth, Ive never done the exchange over the phone via sprint. Ive always taken it to an actual Sprint retail store.

 

[HTCeasar]

Peace of mind is worth $7 a month to me. Lose or break your Evo and just pay the $100 deductible you get a brand new one (if u lose it which is what I always say even if it's only broke). Insurance is always worth it.

 

[GaryColeman]

I posted about this before, but sprint's $7 plan is actually two $4 plans in one. One is a service insurance and the other is the damage, theft insurance. You can get the latter without the former. Imo, this is a much better deal.

So the Total Equipment Protection ($7 per month) is two plans combined:
1) Equipment Service & Repair ($4/mo on its own): Coverage for failure from normal wear and tear and out-of-warranty mechanical and electrical failure.
2) Equipment Replacement Program ($4/mo on its own): Coverage for devices that are lost or stolen or have liquid or physical damage.

So does the Equipment Service plan cover anything extra the standard one year manufactures warranty would not cover anyway? If not, then I guess the only benefit is for equipment service issues beyond one year. But if you use a credit card that doubles the manufacturers original warranty, wouldn't you be covered the second year already? I guess the one extra benefit may be that it would be easier to file a claim with Sprint than your credit card company.

Phone Protection Solutions

It's difficult to get much info on the manufactures warranty on the Sprint site so I can't tell if Sprint covers more in year one.

I'm tempted to just go with the Equipment Replacement program for $4/mo and rely on the manufacturers warranty and credit card company (if needed for 2nd year, but by then I will be sporting an Evo 2 with snapdragon dual core).

 

[MisterEd]

So the Total Equipment Protection ($7 per month) is two plans combined:
1) Equipment Service & Repair ($4/mo on its own): Coverage for failure from normal wear and tear and out-of-warranty mechanical and electrical failure.
2) Equipment Replacement Program ($4/mo on its own): Coverage for devices that are lost or stolen or have liquid or physical damage.

So does the Equipment Service plan cover anything extra the standard one year manufactures warranty would not cover anyway? If not, then I guess the only benefit is for equipment service issues beyond one year. But if you use a credit card that doubles the manufacturers original warranty, wouldn't you be covered the second year already? I guess the one extra benefit may be that it would be easier to file a claim with Sprint than your credit card company.

Phone Protection Solutions

It's difficult to get much info on the manufactures warranty on the Sprint site so I can't tell if Sprint covers more in year one.

I'm tempted to just go with the Equipment Replacement program for $4/mo and rely on the manufacturers warranty and credit card company (if needed for 2nd year, but by then I will be sporting an Evo 2 with snapdragon dual core).

#1) Most credit cards EXCLUDE cell phones from the extended warranty. Both my AMEX cards exclude it. Read the actual policy, do NOT go by what a CSR says. I was told it was covered but when I needed it they pointed me to the policy which is posted online.

#2) Yes, the manufacturers warranty is the same as the 1st years ESRP. You get nothing except the privilege of paying for the 2nd year. There is a way around it from what I understand. Swap with an el-cheapo phone then back to the EVO. You can then add the ESRP in year 2.

 

[R1_Rydah]

when I think 84 per yr, 168 for 2yrs.. the ins seems a lil over priced... so I psych myself out, and say its only 23

 

[Android 17]

So, what exactly does the manufacturer's warranty cover?

 

[MisterEd]

So, what exactly does the manufacturer's warranty cover?

Anything that goes wrong with the phone due to manufacturing defect. Does not cover loss, theft, water damage, dropping, broken glass. Just like any warranty on any electronic device like a radio or ipod or toaster.

 

[BetterMost]

Should I get insurance for evo?

what are pros and cons

I see the only con being 7 dollars a month??! help me decide. thanks

I would say yes get it at least for the first 6 months or so. People in the Incredible forum have been dropping there Incredibles and MANY have broken. I would get the policy up front and wait and watch the forum to see how many people have problems with broken dropped handsets then decide to keep it or not. The Incredible forum had several broken within the first 48 hours some with what sounded like minor drops.

 

[pcsperson]

Peace of mind is worth $7 a month to me. Lose or break your Evo and just pay the $100 deductible you get a brand new one (if u lose it which is what I always say even if it's only broke). Insurance is always worth it.

Is it new or refurbished?

 

[R1_Rydah]

I didn't pre-order, but I did ask the guy at Sam's club if he could hold one for me, and he agreed... so I spoke with him today, and he said they are offering Ins. for $100 for 2yrs, with no deductible... covers everything except lost or stolen, I think I will go this route...