Do you need AppleCare+, insurance, or something else to protect your new iPhone? Here's the deal!
If you get a new iPhone 7, you may want to protect that investment. Everyone from Apple to carriers and big box retailers to credit card companies offer some type of protection plan or extended warranty on purchases. AppleCare+ is comprehensive — and included in the iPhone Upgrade Program — but you might have loyalty programs or even credit card offers that provide at least some coverage for less. Here are some options!
AppleCare vs. AppleCare+

Every iPhone you purchase, whether it's sold by Apple or another retailer, comes with a 1-year limited warranty called AppleCare . This coverage costs you nothing and is automatically activated the day you purchase your iPhone. Here's what it offers:
- 1-year limited warranty against defects
- 90 days complimentary phone support
The basic version of AppleCare, however, does not protect against any kind of accidental damage. That's where AppleCare+ comes into play.
AppleCare+ costs an additional $129 and must be purchased either at the same time, or within 60 days of purchasing your iPhone. It will extend the standard one year warranty to two years and give you phone support for those full two years — as opposed to the 90 days after purchase that comes standard. That means if you ever run into an issue with your iPhone, you can dial 1-800-MY-APPLE and ask for AppleCare, or you can call 1-800-APL-CARE directly.
What's more, if you break your iPhone or drop it in water, you've got some addition options: AppleCare+ gives you two incidents where, for a $99 deductible, you can exchange your broken iPhone for a replacement on the spot.
The only thing AppleCare+ does not protect you against is theft or loss.
Of course, to get the most value out of AppleCare+, it helps if you live close to an Apple Retail Store. If not, you'll need to mail your iPhone out to get it serviced. Unless you have a backup phone laying around, going without for a prolonged period could be problematic for many.
Best Buy will also let you add AppleCare+, including on a monthly $7.99 installment plan.
Credit Card benefits

Some credit cards offer warranty extensions as well as programs that protect against breakage and even theft. Requirements can vary based on providers, but typically require that you have an account in good standing and paid for your iPhone completely on the card in question.
Premium cards, like gold or platinum, often have additional benefits that go with their higher membership fees. Check the material that came with your credit card, or visit your providers web site for more information.
SquareTrade insurance

SquareTrade offers warranties similar to AppleCare, but are not affiliated with or licensed by Apple. SquareTrade covers you for drops, spills, and malfunctions, and while the company doesn't have retail outlets for in-store fixes, it does offer free two-way shipping.
1-year, 2-year, and 3-year plans for $89, $149, and $179 respectively. All of them automatically renew for $89 a year thereafter.
There's a $99 deductible on claims, similar to AppleCare+.
On top of accident coverage, SquareTrade will also reimburse you for Genius Bar appointments, offers next day replacements, and even covers same day repairs through local service shops in your area. This alone can make it appealing to people that don't live near an Apple Store but may travel near them on occaision.
Why carrier and big box retailer insurance plans are almost never a good idea
Carrier insurance offerings vary greatly based on what carrier you have, what kind of contract you have, and many other factors. We're hesitant to recommend them over AppleCare+ and other options simply because there are typically exorbitant monthly fees plus ever-changing deductibles involved, often on the high side.
Some carrier insurance plans do offer protection from theft and loss. Those are both rare occurrences, statistically speaking, and may already be covered under your home owners insurance or another personal or work policy.
Who should buy AppleCare+?
AppleCare+ is great for anyone who isn't terribly accident prone and plans on keeping their iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus for more than 1 year.
For $129 you get the peace of mind in knowing that if you do break your iPhone, you only have to pay $29 for screen damage and $99 for other damage.
Who should purchase insurance from SquareTrade?
If you're particularly accident prone or don't live within close range to an Apple Store, Square Trade may be your best option.
Who should buy carrier insurance?
If you're extremely unlucky and accident prone, don't live close to an Apple Store, can't use Square Trade, and don't have any kind of protection through credit cards, then maybe it's worth considering carrier insurance. Still, probably not.
Still not sure?
If you still aren't sure what insurance plan, if any, is right for you, jump into our iPhone forums and ask any additional questions you might have.
Made your choice? Let us know what you went with!
Reader comments
Should you get AppleCare+ or insurance for your iPhone?
Fairly slanted article in favor of Apple care. I'd point out the carrier insurance is the ONLY one to offer theft and loss protection. You kind of glazed over that point but it's a pretty important distinction. Also, there is no claim limit to SquareTrade whereas AppleCare+ limits you to two claims during those two years. Another pretty important distinction. Carrier insurance typically offers 3 claims per year. It's also important to remember the AppleCare+ is only covering damage. Without applecare+ you'll be paying $129 for damage on an iPhone 6. WITH AppleCare+ you're paying $100 in addition to the $129 you paid to have AppleCare+. Is that worth it? The biggest advantage to AppleCare is the free support for 2 years (Which I've personally NEVER used).
There is a lot of information missing from this article to allow your readers to make an informed decision.
>Without applecare+ you'll be paying $129 for damage on an iPhone 6
Really?
Yup. That information is directly on their website. And I've also done it myself. My wife had a shattered screen on her iPhone 6. Took it to the Apple Store, paid $129, and was out the door.
They changed it recently and brought the price down to just $29 for a cracked screen.
https://support.apple.com/iphone/repair/screen-damage
Actually no, that is completely incorrect. If I were to get AppleCare plus protection for my iPhone 6s plus it would cost me $120 for two years of protection. The deductible can run anywhere from $79 to $99 depending on what damage is done to your phone. You most likely will not have to pay a deductible if it is mechanical damage not done by personal use. So no, with an iPhone 6 you would not be paying that much, you would actually be paying less than the numbers I quoted for the 6s plus model. The numbers I quoted is for the iPhone 6s plus 128 gig and that does make a difference. The prices differ between models. I just got an iPhone SE for my daughter and the applecare+ protection through Best Buy on the monthly plans. If you go through a place like Best Buy it will cost you $7.99 for any iPhone but if you go directly through Apple and pay for the two years up front the prices will differ and it will be lower on lower models and even the new SE.
Carrier insurance is also expensive per month, and has ridiculous deductibles.
my verizon insurance is $5 per month, and i lost my phone on a travel trip. the insurance overnighted me a new device for $199 and I was back in business within 24 hours of reporting the loss. i say it's totally worth it
This is true but it doesn't change the fact that it's one of the only options that offers theft or loss protection. Definitely the only option of the ones outlined in this article.
This has all changed now. Screen repair deductible is $29 on top of initial AppleCare+ price.
More damage to repair means more money to pay.
My son dropped his iPhone 6.
We had $10 insurance a month for last 15 months. Called T-Mobile thinking deductible was reasonable. NOPE. $175 deductible.
So $150 paid so far plus $175 for a broken screen = $325 !!!!!!
No warranty iPhone 6 screen repair $129. Guess my $150 already paid accounts for zero.
Good thing I never sent it T-Mobile yet. Save myself $195
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For me all I ever need on my iPhone is otter box defender case. Since the 3GS model -the 6s Plus it has always kept me safe. I lost my iPhone 5s and after using find my iPhone it was returned to me by a total stranger who found it and responded to my SoS.
Carrier insurance blows. Pay $11 per month for a refurbished iPhone that doesn't even have genuine Apple parts and yea also pay a $200 deductible for that. Obviously if you are prone to loosing your phone or getting it stolen maybe it's a good deal.
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I've broken my phone a few times, the best way to get your iPhone repaired is through repair shops that offer discounts, I used this site http://www.useprotection.me. These guys partner with repair shops in your area to provide you the lowest cost repair through their app or if you sign up for their insurance plan its only half the cost of repair, pretty good deal IMO.
For reals using a sturdy case like some spigens that are even rated military specs can save u big bucks incase of a drop.
I'm an insurance agent for a well known company. I have my iPhone 6s insured on my homeowners policy for $38 per year with a $0 deductible. Everything is covered except "wear and tear".
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An iPhone 5 I had several years ago took a bath. I filed a claim, got a check,walked into Target and got an iPhone5s!
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The big problem using your home owners insurance on such a very small claim for an IPhone is not a good idea and I will tell you why. That claim will remain on your insurance records for 5 years and could effect your insurance premium or get you denied if you decide to change home owners insurance. I had an appliance insurance policy that covered stuff like refrigerators stub, stove, dishwasher, water heater and AC unit, microwave oven. When my water heater blew up, I filed an appliance insurance claim that was separate from home owners insurance. They $800 dollars to the plumber on a Sunday which they happen to charge extra on a weekend job. Paid a $150 deductible which was worth it. What I didn't know was that since the appliance claim was honored it was put in an nationwide insurance data base. When I wanted to change my home owners insurance, this appliance claim popped up in their data base. One insurance company denied me insurance cause of that. Think about it, I never used my home owners insurance with State Farm, this appliance insurance was just a separate add on which effected me. I still had my appliance insurance active. But when I tried two other home owners insurance companies they said sure we will insure you, but you have to pay a higher premium monthly. WTF ! This was like getting into a fender bender in a car accident without no accident forgiveness. It didn't matter if you had paid your premiums on time and had a prior clean record, they wanted to punish you for even using an appliance claim. You will find out dcbratteon that filing that IPhone claim on your home owners insurance will later give you a black mark on your clean insurance record for 5 years. You should know this being an insurance agent. Granted some insurance companies might not care about the small claim, but it will still be on your record for 5 long years.
Which company?
Or don't get any insurance, put the money in the bank and just post for a repair if something happens. Everyone's deductible is way too high to make any of them worth it. Even if you extremely accident prone, the limits of use aren't going to make it worth it. If you keep your phone more than a year, then maybe you add the carrier $1.95 extended warranty at the end of that first year which all the carriers will allow you to do. All of these companies are in the business of making a profit. A little math easily shows where that profit comes from.
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Among the "other options" that are available, Wells Fargo's Visa credit card provides FREE insurance for your smartphone, with ONLY a $25 deductible, AND it covers theft, which AppleCare does not. The card has no annual fee, and the only requirement for coverage is that you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the credit card.
https://www.wellsfargo.com/credit-cards/features/cell-phone-protection/
AppleCare is very convenient (for covered incidents), but it's not exactly a great deal.
It says up to $600. I guess it will not cover an iPhone 7 plus
Since the Apple Official site says repair costs are $149 for screen repair and $349 for everything else, i think it would indeed cover the Iphone 7 plus.
Square trade only for me. My boxer got ahold of my iPhone 6s and chewed the glass up and bent the frame. Square trade sent me a new one overnight and even allowed me to change the color I got cause I wanted to try a new one. I've used it about three times, every time, next day, no problems.
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'90 days complimentary phone support'
This should read 'complementary'.
Nope! Complimentary is the correct spelling.
just for the information IMORE team is 29$ replace broken screen with apple care +
I have gotten apple care for my last two iphones and it was worth the piece of mind. My dropped my iphone 5 we took it to apple no questions asked received a refurbished phone. I would highly recommend it to anyone. I am not accident prone, but stuff does happen it life over two years.
I personally don't like carrier insurance, you have to jump around to finally get a new phone and it could take at least a week to get. Apple I walk into the store a few hours after the accident and walk out with a working phone that day. (Some people don't live in a city with four apples stores in a 30 mile radius, so apple care may not fit their needs)
Major advantage of Apple care is if you do the resale and update route the value is higher and sells easier.
Another benefit to AppleCare+ is that if you sell your iPhone after a year, you can get a refund on the unused portion.