Smartphone Insurance: Is It Worth Paying?

Most of us have been there. You’ve been going about your day and drop your phone, shattering the screen. Or maybe you leaned over a little too far to reach something in your kitchen, only to knock your phone into the sink? Been rushing to get to work and dropped your phone in a puddle?

It’s nearly impossible to find someone who has never accidentally damaged their iPhone or Android device these days. Our smartphones are a huge part of our daily lives, so it’s only natural to expect they might become damaged at some point.

But is spending money on smartphone insurance in Warsaw, Indiana really worth it?

The Details On Smartphone Insurance In Warsaw

On its surface, smartphone insurance is just like any other type of insurance policy you purchase. You buy a plan and either pay a monthly fee or an upfront annual cost. The idea is if something happens to your phone, you’ll get reimbursed for the cost after meeting your deductible.

The most common plans are offered by phone manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, and Google. Basic plans should cover manufacturing defects in your phone, battery replacement, and loss or theft. There are also options through your cell phone service provider such as Verizon, T-Mobile, etc).

It’s important to realize that you can often only receive these benefits after meeting a deductible. That means not every repair will be completely covered and you’ll likely need to pay some amount out of pocket.

If you need to send your phone to the manufacturer to fix it, it can take anywhere from 3-10 business days in most cases. If you buy phone insurance from a third-party provider you might get a refund for your phone instead of a replacement if they can’t fix the problem.

Manufacturer Warranties

Remember that manufacturer warranties are not the same as phone insurance. Your warranty usually only covers phone defects, so if you drop your phone or lose it, your warranty won’t help.

Decide If Phone Insurance Is Worth The Cost

Before you decide to spend your hard-earned money on smartphone insurance, take a few minutes to ask yourself a few questions:

• Who is using the phone and what type of device is it?
• What plans are available and at what cost?
• What will insurance cover?
• Is an alternative to insurance a better choice?

Example

You own the latest iPhone, which will automatically put you in the highest cost for an out-of-pocket deductible. But, iPhones are expensive, so you may want to protect your investment.

6 months after you bought your phone, you drop it and crack the screen and the backglass shatters. AppleCare+ can be a decent deal for iPhone users, but you are usually limited to 2 accidental damage repairs and you will still need to pay out of pocket.

If you don’t have an Apple store nearby (like those of us in the Warsaw, IN area), you’ll be facing days or even weeks without your phone if you need to mail it in for repairs.

Trust The Lab With Your Phone Repairs In Warsaw, Indiana

One of our most popular services at The Lab is our iPhone back glass repair. It’s a repair that a lot of people put off because it’s expensive and inconvenient for Apple to fix. Apple usually charges anywhere from $349 – $599, since it doesn’t fall under their standard “screen replacement” repair.

We use Warsaw’s only state-of-the-art laser machine specifically designed to repair your iPhone’s back glass. The best part is that the repair only takes 4 hours and usually costs $130 – $150 (+tax) depending on the model.

From screen repairs to battery replacements and more, The Lab is often your most cost-effective solution for phone repairs. 

If you’re buying a new phone and aren’t sure whether it’s worth buying phone insurance, give us a call and we’ll be happy to walk you through your options. We’re always ready to create smiles through our outstanding customer service!