AT&T to add iPhone models to standard insurance plan on July 17
AT&T has announced that, effective July 17, newly activated or upgraded iPhones will be eligible for the company's standard mobile insurance plan, which costs $4.99 a month.
The wireless carrier has done away with its iPhone-specific insurance plan, folding optional coverage into its standard insurance offering, as first noticed by MacRumors.
"Effective July 17, 2011, the Apple iPhone (all models) will be eligible for coverage with the AT&T Mobile Insurance program (formerly Wireless Phone Insurance)," the company said. "Enrollment restrictions apply. Customers can only enroll within 30 days of a new activation or upgrade, prior activations or upgrades outside of 30 days are not eligible."
AT&T's Mobile Insurance program carries a $4.99 a month premium and covers loss, theft, accidental damage and mechanical or electrical failure after the manufacturer's warranty period has expired. The plan's deductible runs $50 or $125 per approved claim, depending on the device, and only two claims are allowed within any consecutive 12 months.
As Apple's original carrier partner for the iPhone in 2007, AT&T chose not to offer wireless insurance on the device. In 2010, AT&T added a separate insurance option for iPhone customers, though the plan was nearly twice as expensive as third-party warranties.
Rival carrier Verizon Wireless, which began carrying the iPhone 4 in February, also offers insurance for the iPhone, though the handset's plan is more expensive than those of other devices. The company's Total Equipment Coverage for the iPhone costs $10.99 a month per device, with a $169 deductible for the 16GB model and $199 for the 32GB model. Standard wireless insurance from Verizon costs $6.99 a month for non-iPhone devices, with competing smartphones from HTC, Motorola and Research in Motion carrying a cheaper $99 deductible.
The wireless carrier has done away with its iPhone-specific insurance plan, folding optional coverage into its standard insurance offering, as first noticed by MacRumors.
"Effective July 17, 2011, the Apple iPhone (all models) will be eligible for coverage with the AT&T Mobile Insurance program (formerly Wireless Phone Insurance)," the company said. "Enrollment restrictions apply. Customers can only enroll within 30 days of a new activation or upgrade, prior activations or upgrades outside of 30 days are not eligible."
AT&T's Mobile Insurance program carries a $4.99 a month premium and covers loss, theft, accidental damage and mechanical or electrical failure after the manufacturer's warranty period has expired. The plan's deductible runs $50 or $125 per approved claim, depending on the device, and only two claims are allowed within any consecutive 12 months.
As Apple's original carrier partner for the iPhone in 2007, AT&T chose not to offer wireless insurance on the device. In 2010, AT&T added a separate insurance option for iPhone customers, though the plan was nearly twice as expensive as third-party warranties.
Rival carrier Verizon Wireless, which began carrying the iPhone 4 in February, also offers insurance for the iPhone, though the handset's plan is more expensive than those of other devices. The company's Total Equipment Coverage for the iPhone costs $10.99 a month per device, with a $169 deductible for the 16GB model and $199 for the 32GB model. Standard wireless insurance from Verizon costs $6.99 a month for non-iPhone devices, with competing smartphones from HTC, Motorola and Research in Motion carrying a cheaper $99 deductible.
Comments
Apple only charges $199 for an iPhone replacement out of warranty. The only time you can't do that is if the phone is in pieces.
Verizon's plan is just plain ridiculous, but even with AT&T's you're just throwing away money.
I don't know why anybody who has basic math skills would pay for phone insurance with the carrier.
Apple only charges $199 for an iPhone replacement out of warranty. The only time you can't do that is if the phone is in pieces.
Verizon's plan is just plain ridiculous, but even with AT&T's you're just throwing away money.
These insurance plans are modern versions of line insurance the Telco scammed back in the day, out of every one.
I don't know why anybody who has basic math skills would pay for phone insurance with the carrier.
Apple only charges $199 for an iPhone replacement out of warranty. The only time you can't do that is if the phone is in pieces.
Verizon's plan is just plain ridiculous, but even with AT&T's you're just throwing away money.
What about if your iPhone is lost or stolen?
I don't know why anybody who has basic math skills would pay for phone insurance with the carrier.
Apple only charges $199 for an iPhone replacement out of warranty. The only time you can't do that is if the phone is in pieces.
Verizon's plan is just plain ridiculous, but even with AT&T's you're just throwing away money.
Unless your phone is lost or stolen.
I have insurance for my daughter's phone because she's young enough that there's a risk that it will be lost - or one of her classmates will take it.
You are right that it's not a great deal for most people (especially with the high deductibles), but it's not hard to do the math and figure out "if the chances of this phone being lost during the 2 year contract period is greater than x%, then the insurance makes sense".
I wonder when we'll be able to get reasonably-priced service plans that don't continue to rip you off after your contract is up? Or a GoPhone plan that includes data.
Well, wonders will never cease. AT&T has finally realized that it no longer has an exclusive on iPhone and has to compete, even if just a little.
I wonder when we'll be able to get reasonably-priced service plans that don't continue to rip you off after your contract is up? Or a GoPhone plan that includes data.
Probably not until Apple lowers the price of the phone. The subsidy AT&T and Verizon give for the iPhone is the highest among smartphones so that's why they feel they have an excuse to nickel and dime iPhone customers.
it makes a lot of sense, i broke 3 iphones and lost 1 with in a 15 month period, that insurance would have come in handy then.
But for MBPs I get Applecare and it has been worth it
Unless your phone is lost or stolen.
I have insurance for my daughter's phone because she's young enough that there's a risk that it will be lost - or one of her classmates will take it.
You are right that it's not a great deal for most people (especially with the high deductibles), but it's not hard to do the math and figure out "if the chances of this phone being lost during the 2 year contract period is greater than x%, then the insurance makes sense".
Before you throw your money at AT&T you should look into insuring it through whomever you get home or auto through. All State for example I believe insures your iPhone for $10 a year (might be off on that but I know it's dirt cheap). Hardware malfunction isn't covered but then that is what an AppleCare plan is for, still cheaper than a years worth of coverage through AT&T.
Before you throw your money at AT&T you should look into insuring it through whomever you get home or auto through. All State for example I believe insures your iPhone for $10 a year (might be off on that but I know it's dirt cheap). Hardware malfunction isn't covered but then that is what an AppleCare plan is for, still cheaper than a years worth of coverage through AT&T.
Is there a deductible on this? That might alter the equation.
But not enough to favor the AT&T plan - that's robbery.
Arent Extended Warranties the biggest scams in any industry, you know like Apple Care. Over the last 10 years, of all the Apple products I have bough only the original Nano screen went dead. By then, a new generation came out.
I don't like cases because they take away from the esthetic of the phone and I always hold the phones in my hand, so I break , drop, lose them on a much faster rate than most people