Insurance only works once?

[steveo41733]

I have insurance through sprint, well I thought it was through sprint....I have read a few things on this forum that have prompted me to ask this... If I have to use the insurance to get a new phone because something happened to mine ie..damage or so, then the phone that they give me as a replacement is NOT covered any longer????

Any help is appreciated.
Steve

 

[ocnbrze]

as long as your paying insurance for your phone whether it is your old evo, new evo, or replacement evo, you are still covered.

 

[BenChase7]

as long as your paying insurance for your phone whether it is your old evo, new evo, or replacement evo, you are still covered.

This is true. However, you can only have 3 or 4 claims per year.

 

[badankles]

you don't sound sure insurance is through sprint. is it? they farm it through a 3rd-party company called Assurance. if yes, then what's been said above are all true.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

Keep in mind you have to pay a $100 deductible each time you use insurance, so insurance comes at a cost.

Personally I just have another Android phone as back up, and avoid paying for insurance because mathematically it really makes no sense to pay for it.

 

[Knewz]

2 claims per year per line

 

[steveo41733]

Thanks for the infoe, very helpful..I think I will start looking for a backup EVO and drop the ins.

 

[dan330]

if in the past you are the type of person that damages/misplace your phone often and always use your insurance once a year...

yes.. you should get it.

but for most of us that dont use the insurance but maybe 1 every 5 yrs or more. why bother..

with $8 a month and $100 deductible.
and craigslist.org.. i have never had insurance.

you know what? i feel like i just jinxed myself!

 

[jallp82]

Keep in mind you have to pay a $100 deductible each time you use insurance, so insurance comes at a cost.

Personally I just have another Android phone as back up, and avoid paying for insurance because mathematically it really makes no sense to pay for it.

Depends on what your claims are for when it come to the $100. I made two claims on my EVO 4G just this year and paid nothing either time. First was cracked screen other was processor burnt out.

So at $84 for insurance for one year I got a $35 dollar screen replacement and a total phone replacement $400 as a opposed to buying two $200 used ones a piece.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

Depends on what your claims are for when it come to the $100. I made two claims on my EVO 4G just this year and paid nothing either time. First was cracked screen other was processor burnt out.

So at $84 for insurance for one year I got a $35 dollar screen replacement and a total phone replacement $400 as a opposed to buying two $200 used ones a piece.

Not sure about your cracked screen, but the processor burn out is a warranty issue and should be covered by HTC, and thus you shouldn't have to pay a deductible at all.

Some here have had screens replaced even without insurance.

I have a relative who just had gotten a brand new WP7 phone (HTC Arrive) to replace a crappy Touch Pro 2 after bitching at Sprint for a few weeks...without any TEP. Free $199 phone, didn't affect his upgrade status, no contract renewal...

 

[ovrrdrive]

It used to be once per year but they revamped the program a while back and now they allow 3 replacements per year. I don't bother with it.

Protection Solutions

 

[falconey]

Not sure about your cracked screen, but the processor burn out is a warranty issue and should be covered by HTC, and thus you shouldn't have to pay a deductible at all.

Some here have had screens replaced even without insurance.

I have a relative who just had gotten a brand new WP7 phone (HTC Arrive) to replace a crappy Touch Pro 2 after bitching at Sprint for a few weeks...without any TEP. Free $199 phone, didn't affect his upgrade status, no contract renewal...

The issue with warranty claims is that sprint is no longer honoring them if you don't have insurance. You have to work directly with HTC. I hate paying $16 a month, but peace of mind sometimes ain't cheap and neither are these devices at regular retail prices.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

The issue with warranty claims is that sprint is no longer honoring them if you don't have insurance. You have to work directly with HTC. I hate paying $16 a month, but peace of mind sometimes ain't cheap and neither are these devices at regular retail prices.

You're right Sprint is not covering them. Sprint previously helped with warranty claims as a favor to the subscribers, but now are having you go to the manufacturer directly.

$16 per month is a lot of money - that's $192 per year, and add in another $100 or $200 in deductibles if you use it, it's the retail price of a phone!

 

[falconey]

You're right Sprint is not covering them. Sprint previously helped with warranty claims as a favor to the subscribers, but now are having you go to the manufacturer directly.

$16 per month is a lot of money - that's $192 per year, and add in another $100 or $200 in deductibles if you use it, it's the retail price of a phone!

Well the $192 per year is covering 2, $500($1000 total) phones and you only pay the deductibles for things like stolen phone or water damage. Deductibles are now only $100. Even still if someone steals my phone then the day after I get my replacement I drop it in the water I've only spent $200 plus the $96 for the year. I also have the convenience of taking my device in for repairs for basically any issue with the phone even after the one year warranty period expires. With no insurance I'd have to come out 400+ for the first replacement.

Scenario 1 - I'm out of pocket ~$300 for two replacements; $96 of this amount is paid in installments
Scenario 2 - I'm out of pocket ~$400 plus for one replacement.

With that said my bill comes out to $140 per month including taxes for two 4G capable phones with unlimited data and 1500 anytime minutes. I see no problem with the logic in not getting the insurance, but like I said, peace of mind sometimes isn't cheap. I wish Sprint would at least discount the second line's insurance on one plan.

 

[dan330]

you forget scenario 3...

dont have insurance... like more than 50% of phone users.. that dont damage/loose their phones... we save $$$.

insurance companies.. dont do it for free or for the goodness of it.

 

[falconey]

you forget scenario 3...

dont have insurance... like more than 50% of phone users.. that dont damage/loose their phones... we save $$$.

insurance companies.. dont do it for free or for the goodness of it.

I didn't forget scenario 3. I haven't lost a phone or damaged a phone in quite some time. When I had a BB Curve that I could replace on craigslist for 80 bucks I didn't have insurance. So I understand the logic of not getting the insurance, but it's insurance so your scenario 3 is already implied. As I stated I am paying for peace of mind and convenience in regards to repair work. When someone without insurance drops their 3VO and I drop mine I guarantee our reactions/emotions would be different regardless of the outcome of said drop.

 

[K4KAI]

This is true. However, you can only have 3 or 4 claims per year.

Isn't that kind of like saying "You will die, but only once or twice" in a lifetime.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

I didn't forget scenario 3. I haven't lost a phone or damaged a phone in quite some time. When I had a BB Curve that I could replace on craigslist for 80 bucks I didn't have insurance. So I understand the logic of not getting the insurance, but it's insurance so your scenario 3 is already implied. As I stated I am paying for peace of mind and convenience in regards to repair work. When someone without insurance drops their 3VO and I drop mine I guarantee our reactions/emotions would be different regardless of the outcome of said drop.

If you understand that you're paying a lot of money for this "peace of mind" then go for it, you don't need our permission.

For the rest of us, we understand it's not the best use of money to purchase this insurance. All financial guru's recommend staying away from insurance that are too specific, especially for depreciating assets like a phone or TV, PC, etc.

 

[falconey]

If you understand that you're paying a lot of money for this "peace of mind" then go for it, you don't need our permission.

For the rest of us, we understand it's not the best use of money to purchase this insurance. All financial guru's recommend staying away from insurance that are too specific, especially for depreciating assets like a phone or TV, PC, etc.

Well I'm not sure who the 'rest of us' is. Sprint doesn't have their insurance just for me, lol. And I wasn't trying to get anyone's permission. You don't have the insurance and are in a thread giving advice about the insurance. You gave incorrect information about deductibles and made it seem as if warranty claims are covered by sprint without the insurance. My comments about why I have the insurance were in direct response to you calculating my costs per year and telling me how expensive it is not about permission.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

Well I'm not sure who the 'rest of us' is. Sprint doesn't have their insurance just for me, lol. And I wasn't trying to get anyone's permission. You don't have the insurance and are in a thread giving advice about the insurance. You gave incorrect information about deductibles and made it seem as if warranty claims are covered by sprint without the insurance. My comments about why I have the insurance were in direct response to you calculating my costs per year and telling me how expensive it is not about permission.

I paid for insurance when I first got my Samsung Moment, but I don't see how it is relevant whether I have insurance or not to be able to comment on the mathematical benefits of paying for insurance.

Like I said above, if you want insurance, great. However, it's a sucker's bet to be paying for insurance in the long run, for a mobile phone, unless you are extremely unlucky or clumsy with your phones. Warranty claims with Sprint have changed, and if you want to pay for insurance for Asurion / Sprint to handle potentially YMMV situations that may be handled directly by the manufacturer, that seems like an expensive way to do it.

Most of the people buying insurance will pay far more than without it. That is why Sprint offers the insurance, because it is a huge money maker.

 

[falconey]

I paid for insurance when I first got my Samsung Moment, but I don't see how it is relevant whether I have insurance or not to be able to comment on the mathematical benefits of paying for insurance.

Like I said above, if you want insurance, great. However, it's a sucker's bet to be paying for insurance in the long run, for a mobile phone, unless you are extremely unlucky or clumsy with your phones. Warranty claims with Sprint have changed, and if you want to pay for insurance for Asurion / Sprint to handle potentially YMMV situations that may be handled directly by the manufacturer, that seems like an expensive way to do it.

Most of the people buying insurance will pay far more than without it. That is why Sprint offers the insurance, because it is a huge money maker.

I totally agree it's a money maker for them. I wish it were a cheaper product, but it isn't.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

I totally agree it's a money maker for them. I wish it were a cheaper product, but it isn't.

I'm glad you agree with that.

Again, it's not just my personal opinion that phone insurance is generally a bad idea.

If you read the opinions of any well known financial gurus - Suze Orman, Dave Ramsey, Jonathan Pond, etc etc... they all point to the foolhardy nature of buying insurance for things other than term life insurance (if you have spouse/kids), disability insurance, car insurance (mandatory), home insurance, and long term care insurance if you're at an older age.

I try to do things that are financially beneficial in the long run, and following the advice of these well known financial advisers generally have saved me lots more money than going against their advice.

 

[momentoid]

I'm glad you agree with that.

Again, it's not just my personal opinion that phone insurance is generally a bad idea.

If you read the opinions of any well known financial gurus - Suze Orman, Dave Ramsey, Jonathan Pond, etc etc... they all point to the foolhardy nature of buying insurance for things other than term life insurance (if you have spouse/kids), disability insurance, car insurance (mandatory), home insurance, and long term care insurance if you're at an older age.

I try to do things that are financially beneficial in the long run, and following the advice of these well known financial advisers generally have saved me lots more money than going against their advice.

... so does Clark Howard on HLN (may be the only useful show of HLN).

 

[sikclown]

Just to put things in perspective, over the last 7 years I have had insurance for a total cost of 588.00. I have had four phone replacements in that time for various reasons but all with a deductible so there is another 100.00. All 4 phones I replaced had a no contract price of between 399.99 and 599.99 so we will say average of 500.00. So that would have cost me roughly 2000.00 to replace those phones but actually cost me 988.00. So for me insurance has worked out. Along the same lines my Dad has been paying the same amount over 7 years and has never replaced a phone so he has spent 588.00 for piece of mind. Insurance is a money maker for the insurance companies no matter what the coverage because of this exact same scenario, more people don't use it than do or only use x amount of claims over the life of their policy. For me the insurance is worth the extra 7.00 per month.

 

[falconey]

... so does Clark Howard on HLN (may be the only useful show of HLN).

I'm from Atlanta and have been listening to Clark Howard for probably 20 years. First off he wouldn't even buy a superphone because he's too cheap. Last time I heard him talk about phones he was on MetroPCS. Second off I've never heard his opinion on cell phone insurance, but he is against insurance for most electronics. The reason is because those items depreciate. Phones may depreciate as well, but in the year or two most people have their phones the depreciation isn't that great. Plus you won't see too many ppl carrying around TV's everywhere they go like they do cell phones(increasing the chance of issues). If a TV is stolen from a home, house/renters insurance will cover it. If a TV needs repair the only inconveince is lack of TV. Not lack of email, text, phone communications. So based on those few facts cell phone insurance is a different animal and to me is valuable for certain scenarios. Sikclown gave two scenarios that exhibit both ends of the spectrum.