Jimellow

Generally, cellular phone insurance/protection is an added fee per month that one pays with the understanding that if it is lost or broken, the phone will be replaced (an additional fee may be required).

Do you have any form of insurance/warranty/protection on your cell phone? What type, and is it worthwhile?

I'm taking the plunge and getting a cell phone, and am going back and forth on whether to spend $4.99 a month for protection that would cover a lost, stolen, or malfunctioning phone, and allow a replacement to be sent when necessary.

Do you have coverage? Do you recommend it? Is it a waste, or is it worthwhile?

When I do the math it comes out to: $4.95 x 24 (cost x 2 years of coverage) + $50 (deductable) = $168.80

That's how much it would cost with Verizon, who I am planning on signing up with.

That's a lot of money, but paying for a new cell phone at the full price might be even more than that, so I'm undecided about what to do..

Thanks!

ARTelevision

Yeah sure. The kind you are considering has got to be worth it, considering how easy it is to lose or break the thing and replacement cost. I have it.

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maleficent

If you have apartment insurance or home owners insurance, check into that and see if the cell phone could be covered under that.

For malfunctioning phone, what's the actual warranty on the phone?

Over the years, I've had many many many cell phones, they get replaced every 2 years or so, (that's about when the battery no longer holds long charges) I've had one cell phone stolen I fell asleep on a NY to Washington train and the phone was on the seat next to me -

Then again, I've lived in this apartment for 3 years, and wouldn't consider living here without insurance, even though I've never had anything happen. It's probably worth it in the long run...

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splck

Never had it and can't see myself ever buying it. Phones are dirt cheap now, so I couldn't be bothered.

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cliv

I have lost count of how many cell phones I have broken. After the first few I purchased the insurance. Of course, now that I have the insurance, I have not broken a single phone.

macsmith230

I've never lost or broken a phone, and like Splck says, they're so cheap these days that it wouldn't be worth it for me. I guess it depends on whether you're getting a really nice phone or a cheap one.

DDDDave

Jimellow,

Consider what type of phone you are going to get. If it is one that they basically 'give' you for signing up, you can probably buy one for $75. or so. If it is a nicer one, those will run at least $150. or so if you have to buy it without buying a plan. Don't think about how much it will cost for two years. Imagine you lose it or drop it in 6 mos. Guess what, you win.
That insurance sounds expensive too, but that's Verizon for you. I pay $3.95 with a $35. deductible.
I have had a cell phone for close to 20 years and have used the insurance probably 5 times.
I have a Treo600 now and you better believe that baby is insured.


Good Luck.

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rfra3645

well alott of you say phones are cheap yes thats true but it only covers a small portion of them.. alott more phones are expensive mine was 300 got it for 150 to a small self employed guy like me too much not to have the insurance the one 1 i want next is 350 will proly buy on ebay for 200. i used to think i didnt want to pay the 5 bucks a month till i ran mine over yeah that didnt work to well. so now i pay the 5 bucks a month and will pay 50 when i need a new one. i say worth it. i also pay 90 a year on my laptop with 0 deductable really i hate insurance i have car auto work life ( my wife makes me 40 a month im only 25 ( thats a bunch by the time im 90)) phone laptop kid evreyone notice no health ( way to expensive) i still think kerry sucks. ok so touched on evrey subject lol im such a nerd.

ShaniFaye

I have cingular and mine is 3.99 per month with a 50 dollar deductible and with the phones we have....thats less per year than replacing them

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boredom

Wow that seems like such a ripoff, tho my cell phone was free so i currently dont know the value of one.

spindles

There ain't no such thing as free. The cost of the phone itself is included in the plan you signed up for.

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Dant0007

As a college student I don't have the extra cash to insure mine.

Grancey

I have my cell phone through Verizon, and I did get the insurance. I have not had to replace it yet..... It's that Murphy's law thing. If you don't have it, you need it.

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HockeyGuy

Nope, never have had. Although *TOUCH WOOD* i'm not the sort of person to drop/have unfortunate accidents with my phones etc. thus far...
Also phones over here in the UK are VERY cheap (my video phone was free on a years contract) so i suppose that plays into it for me!

mosha

if you're going to be paying that much I would make sure you "lose" your phone when a newer/better version is available

Jimellow

Thanks for the replies!

I actually ended up going with the "Total Equipment Protection" which is basically $5.99 and includes an extended warranty. When I do the math, the cost and deductable is still cheaper than buying a new phone, and it's a nice feeling to know that if something goes wrong, I'm covered.

Also, I've read rumors online that the phone may be discontinued due to it's price being so low, and I figured if that's the case it might be a good idea to make sure I can get a hold of a replacement if something goes wrong. However, I am not sure if that rumor is in fact valid or not.

rfra3645

sounds like sprint.. lol.. if they discontue your phone they will upgrade it to the next closest thing they have.... for instance the sanyo 8100 turns in to the 8200 ect ect insurance a good idea

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if you cant read my post i dont want to hear about it move on. thanks

iccky

One thing to keep in mind is that while the phone might be cheap when you first sign up for a plan, it will be much more expensive to replace. Since they already have you signed to a contract, they won't give you the very steep discounts they give new subscribers and will instead charge the infladed "regular" price.

My POS phone was $30 when I signed up, but would now cost $160 to replace.

I almost dropped the insurance until I saw my boss lose two blackberries in a month. Got me thinking.

thisGuyIsCool

i got kicked off my insurance for replacing 2 phones in 4 months of some BS like that. plus there is a $50 deductable every time you replace it in additiont to the monthly fee. focking scam i tell ya.

merkerguitars

Or if you want to get a phone for that nice looking low price they will renew your contract and you will be stuck with that company if you get the phone for that low price. So insurance is worth it.

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thisGuyIsCool

yea because you're usually stuck with the same phone too.

MSD

I got the Radio Shed service plan, so I get a new battery every six months, plus they fix or replace my phone every time I do stupid shit to it and it stops working. I swear that the people at their service center are either the most gullible or the most apathetic people ever.

LIMilf

I currently dont have a warranty on my phone, but thats because I got it for free. I suppose if I got a really good phone, with like a camera, internet, tv, microwave on it, I would get it insured. But something like a small Nokia that just dials and places calls, I probably wouldnt be intrested in the warranty.

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nothingx

Don't forget that your new phone probably already comes with a manufacture's 1 year warrenty. The last phone I had ended up dying exactly one month before the warrenty expired and Sprint replaced it for me, free of charge, no questions asked. Then I got a brand new picture phone, and wouldn't you know it, that one died too. This time they had to upgrade me because my model was discontinued.

All in all, I'd say you definately need a 1 year warrenty, just check if you already have one before handing out for the 'extended' stuff.

JaySpencer

I have a cell that new would have cost $200 to replace and my wife has one too. You can bet your belly button they are both insured. In addition, when the phone is no longer made, perhaps in a year or two, I think I may lose this phone, and cash in on the insurance or just utilize the insurance to upgread for free.