Sprint vs Best Buy's insurance

[cesjr02]

At Best Buy this morning the rep tried to talk me into BB's insurance over Sprint's offering.

BB is more expensive 10 dollars vs 7. But there is no deductible and she made it sound like you can file a claim as much as you want. (Unlikely) Problem is they don't protect again lost or theft. Now I'm really not concerned with someone stealing my phone but everyone knows when I get a few drinks in me, I lose things!

Sprint's insurance didn't seem to be as hassle free, plus you have the 100 deductible. (Not a huge deal to me.)

So lets get away from the sales pitch and get down to some honest opinions. What do you guys think, experience with one or the other, pros and cons?

 

[lyons238]

sprint protects loss and theft. im pretty sure u can make 3 claims a year, maybe 2 im not sure but still good either way. thats what i got.

and the deductible is only in certain situations if the sprint rep that was talking to me was correct

 

[Dutch54]

I got BB's insurance mostly because this is a first run device...it's more likely to break than get jacked..at least in my opinion. And I have years of face time with the nearest BB to me and none with Sprint. So I can lean on them a little, and I have in the past for other things there.

 

[dhinez]

I have Sprint's insurance on my phone. I didn't get insurance for the fact that I'm clumsy or careless. I got it for those "just in case moments". I been with Sprint for almost 2 years now. I lost a total of 3 phones and one damaged. Three were stolen (2 Instincts and 1 Hero) and one had a cracked screen (Rumor). Two were stolen at my house when I threw a get together (can't trust friends or family) and the other was stolen when I went to a junk yard (long story). The one that was damaged, I accidentally sat on .

No one plans on things to happen. I definitely wasn't planning on my phones being stolen which put a damper on my week but the insurance was there to help me out. If you don't plan on losing your phone no time soon, get the BB insurance. Good luck with your choice.

 

[tolu]

Get the sprint im pretty sure that htc evo is going to stand out like a sore thumb trust me people will want to steal it and if it breaks just happen to "lose it" and call sprint they have helped me all the years i lost my phones

 

[cesjr02]

Yep, I ended up going with Sprint because of that very reason. I'm fairly careful with my phones so it's not really damage that I'm worried about, more theft and losing the device somewhere.

 

[nzo]

When I asked the BB employee who setup my account what the difference is he basically said the BB plan was more comprehensive as its no questions asked they'll replace the phone. Hopefully I never have to find out how truthful he was.

 

[danj1111]

I thought that the sprint insurance didn't cover water damage and the bb did? that not true?

 

[gt33]

u don't need to worry about theft so much if you install mobile defense, that app tells you where your phone is exactly down to the house

 

[Dutch54]

I got BB's insurance mostly because this is a first run device...it's more likely to break than get jacked..at least in my opinion. And I have years of face time with the nearest BB to me and none with Sprint. So I can lean on them a little, and I have in the past for other things there.

Since my original post on launch day about this choice we have, we've unfortunately been witness to a variety of problems with the Evo, as I said, a first run device. I've been lucky to not have gotten one of those with what apparently are design and construction flaws. But I went into this purchase fully aware that this could happen to a virgin device like this.

And thats the primary reason I went with BB on insurance...to get it fixed through them. I cant even imagine allowing a situation where it could be stolen or lost.

Just my 2 cents

 

[sean76]

The main difference with them is, Best Buy gives you a brand new In the box device, where as Sprint sends you a refurbished one. Choice to me was easy, Best Buy all the way!

 

[sagedil]

Well that and, again, Best Buy does not ensure against lost or stolen phones. You have to show them the phone. With Sprint, onecan always just say it was lost and get a new phone without ever having to show how stupid you were.

 

[jay2thab]

It really has to do with choice. I use sprints now but I wouldn't be against bb. the thing is that no matter what your gonna have ship your phone out with bb and wait. So it comes down to price...and since I have a aversion to paying things that haven't happened yet.the sprint insurance is cheaper..and refurbished phones don't bother me. In the end we are talking about a luxury item that can be replaced.

 

[Caloy]

I chose Best Buy simply because it protects against any damage including water damage, there is no deductible and you will get a new one and not a "replacement" phone.

The only advantage that Sprint has is the lost/theft protection. And that is with a $100 deductible.

 

[stangtech]

I chose Best Buy simply because it protects against any damage including water damage, there is no deductible and you will get a new one and not a "replacement" phone.

The only advantage that Sprint has is the lost/theft protection. And that is with a $100 deductible.

Sprint covers water damage i have returned 4 phones with water damage and have had no problem i even told the rep and was still sent a new phone back.

best buy will only give you a new one until they start getting low on stock then you will get a used phone back. this happened to a buddy of mine.

 

[ramonini]

When I asked the BB employee who setup my account what the difference is he basically said the BB plan was more comprehensive as its no questions asked they'll replace the phone. Hopefully I never have to find out how truthful he was.

THEY all lie .. I had it for my hero .. Man what a pain . They first had to send it for repair .. Then when it was junked out they tried to give me a Samsung Moment or the blackberry curve .. I was piss off lol and made the manager give me a Blackberry 9650 which i traded it for a brand new evo .. Don't get the bestbuy black tie .. Not worth it .

 

[Selfdestruct]

i got both


i will hold BB for the first couple months for the defect shakedown to finish (so i can just exchange for a new run one if my screen separates during the hot summer or any other of the issues crop up in the meantime) then cancel and hold TEP for about 6 months to a year then drop that too depending on phone condition

 

[ramonini]

you know Best buy will try to fix your phone first than give you a new one right away . And if your lucky they wont ask you for the $150 deposit for a loaner phone ... If i was you I ask your bestbuy mobile sales people about what their plan covers and anything they tell you they will do or promises you . To give it to you in writings ..

 

[SolApathy]

I got BB insurance... dealing with Sprint is a hassle & I have never lost a phone.

 

[edlex]

You guys should really consider squaretrade. It doesn't cover lost or stolen but does cover water and accidental damage. Warranty stuff has no deductible and accidental is $50. Never give you a refurb either, either brand new phone or cash. If you decide to remove the insurance you get back the prorated amount of the premium. Check them out. Oh and turnaround is just a couple of days usually. BB can take weeks sometimes because they actually send the phone out to try to get it repaired first.

 

[stevent76]

The main difference with them is, Best Buy gives you a brand new In the box device, where as Sprint sends you a refurbished one. Choice to me was easy, Best Buy all the way!

This isnt true. When i was getting my Evo at Best Buy, a women was getting a refurbished iPhone. She was pissed because she was told she was getting a new phone as well. They told her it would act the same as new. All this happened right before they asked me if I wanted their protection plan.

 

[tonyguy2000]

u don't need to worry about theft so much if you install mobile defense, that app tells you where your phone is exactly down to the house

Is that the exact name of the app, because I can't find it. Thanks

 

[tsipa]

I have the Sprint insurance because my phones have a history of suffering from hardware failure. As long as it is a manufacturer defect, Sprint will give you a replacement on the spot when you go to the store without the deductible. Yes, they do give you a refurb but as long as it works, I couldn't care less.

 

[tsipa]

Is that the exact name of the app, because I can't find it. Thanks

I have that app also. It is called Mobile Defense but I couldn't find it in the market just now...

 

[hambonewc]

dont go with BB insurance! trust me! i dont want to get into the whole story but a friend of mine had it for his instinct. best buy took his phone to repair it and didnt give him a replacement until 2 and a half months later. he only got it back because he recorded his conversation a rep who stated "if the phone cant be repaired in 30 days we will replace it" he played this to the regional manager of BB over the phone. she freaked out and he had a new phone an hour later.

that is a very condensed version of a story that is even more ridiculous.

sprints insurance is awesome. ive used it many times. deductible only applies if its damaged or theft/loss. any defect of the phone is covered with no deductible.

you will jump through many hoops to get your phone repaired/replaced with BB insurance