So, you've got a new phone. While figuring out the difference between cell phone insurance and a cell phone warranty isn't exactly as fun as picking out your new device, protecting your new tech is just as important. In this article, we'll explain the difference between cell phone insurance and an extended warranty – that way you can make the best choice for your situation.
What's the difference between phone insurance and a warranty?
Many wireless carriers offer phone insurance and warranty options for their customers. Now that we have a baseline for what each term means, let's get into what makes them different – it comes down to what they cover.
What is a manufacturer's warranty?
A manufacturer's warranty is when you buy something, and the manufacturer issues a promise to repair or replace your purchaseif necessary – within a specific timeframe. For example, if you were to buy a new phone, the manufacturer's warranty is usually for one year starting after the purchase date – depending on the manufacturer.
An extended warranty allows you to receive the same amount of coverage issued by the manufacturer for a longer period of time. Typically, you pay upfront (at the time of purchase) for 1 or 2 years of additional coverage and may be eligible for additional fees later if you need service.
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What does a phone extended warranty cover?
In most cases, phone extended warranties cover malfunctions like electrical failures and mechanical failures from a manufacturing defect after the manufacturer's warranty expires. To put it simply, it covers situations where the phone does not fulfill its intended purpose. For that reason, extended warranties do not cover lost or stolen phones.
What is phone insurance?
Cell phone insurance is a protection plan for your phone that covers situations where it's lost, stolen or damaged. With most insurance programs, you pay month-to-month as long as your coverage continues. If you decide to discontinue your coverage, you can cancel at any time.
What does cell phone insurance cover?
Similar to a warranty, cell phone insurance covers electrical and mechanical failures – but that's where the similarities end. Cell phone insurance also covers if your phone is lost, stolen or damaged — even liquid damage. Looking at you July 4th, the most dangerous month for your phone.
Accidental Damage from Handling or ADH is a subcategory under damage that includes drops, spills and cracked screens. Cell phone insurance designates three subcategories of damage: liquid damage, Accidental Damage from Handling and comprehensive damage, which is all other damage beyond AHD.
Note: Phone warranties don't cover accidental damage, theft or loss. For broader coverage, there's phone insurance, and it can -- depending on the plan -- cover your phone if it's lost, stolen or accidentally damaged.
Note: Phone warranties don't cover accidental damage, theft or loss. For broader coverage, there's phone insurance, and it can -- depending on the plan -- cover your phone if it's lost, stolen or accidentally damaged.
Warranties cover the repair or replacement of construction defects in workmanship/materials, delivery portions of systems (wiring, piping, and ductwork), and structural components of a home. Insurance covers the medical and legal costs related to construction defect claims that involve bodily injury or property damage.
First, many insurance policies won't cover natural wear and tear that happens over time. Your cell phone insurance policy also isn't likely to cover you if you've made changes to your phone. For example, after-market modifications or DIY repairs may disqualify you from coverage, even if the damage is unrelated.
For other damage, Upsie representatives will collect a small deductible before the repair to your phone can be made. Comparatively, the amount you pay is a small fraction compared to the typical cost for fixing a device without cell phone insurance.
What's Not Covered? Accidental Damage: Most standard phone warranties do not cover accidental damage, such as a cracked screen from a fall. You may need to purchase additional phone insurance or a specific protection plan for this type of coverage. Loss and Theft: Phone warranties typically do not cover loss or theft.
Manufacturer's warranties are designed to protect against defects and malfunctions, but they do not cover damages caused intentionally by the user. Any deliberate damage inflicted on a product, such as physical alterations, dismantling, or unauthorized repairs, will void the warranty.
Standard car insurance can pay to repair or replace your car if it gets damaged, stolen, or destroyed through a covered event. Car warranty coverage only applies to car parts that break due to wear and tear, manufacturer defects, and some other non-accident causes, usually within one to three years of purchasing a car.
Meaning of warranty in English. a written promise from a company to repair or replace a product that develops a fault within a particular period of time, or to do a piece of work again if it is not satisfactory: The warranty covers the car mechanically for a year, with unlimited mileage.
Is cell phone insurance worth the money? For the majority of people, it is. Most plans can come in handy if your device breaks, gets lost, or is stolen. They can help you avoid paying the full price of a replacement and protect you from accidents related to liquid damage and cracked screens.
While warranties differ, they typically promise to repair, replace or refund the purchase price of a device that is found to have mechanical, electrical or software defects. They don't cover damage caused by accidents (like dropping your phone) or abuse/neglect (leaving your computer in the hot sun, for example).
Phone insurance provides cover for your phone, and can typically be bought as part of a contents insurance policy. Depending on the policy you purchase and where you get it from, phone insurance can cover any of the following things: accidental loss or damage, such as dropping it into water.
Phone insurance protects your phone should something happen to it that's described on your policy. This can take the form of replacement, repair or payout if your claim is successful.
The claims form will require you to provide details of the incident, including the date, time and location. You'll also need to provide a description of the damage or loss and the estimated cost of repair or replacement.
Is cell phone insurance worth the money? For the majority of people, it is. Most plans can come in handy if your device breaks, gets lost, or is stolen. They can help you avoid paying the full price of a replacement and protect you from accidents related to liquid damage and cracked screens.
Device Protection+ is more than just device insurance. When the unexpected happens, Device Protection+ has you covered - and fast. Get a replacement device as soon as the same day when your phone is damaged, lost, stolen, has an out-of-warranty malfunction, or a cracked screen.
A typical manufacturer's warranty lasts one year, though you may find ones for as short as 90 days or as long as 24 months. While warranties differ, they typically promise to repair, replace or refund the purchase price of a device that is found to have mechanical, electrical or software defects.
Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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