$169 deductible for Vzw iPhone insurance, alternatives?

[Lyfer]

Just got the phone a few days ago with Vzw's $9.99 insurance. Got it instead of AppleCare since AppleCare doesn't cover lost/stolen. Are there better options without a fat deductible that I can still enroll in?


machos gustos!

 

[KLin]

http://www.Squaretrade.com They let you enroll within 30 days of buying your iPhone.

 

[ElFenix]

put the $169 and the $10 a month in the bank, after a year you have $289. self insurance ftw.

 

[OS]

seriously, what a ripoff

 

[Lyfer]

http://www.Squaretrade.com They let you enroll within 30 days of buying your iPhone.

Doesn't look like they cover lost/stolen unless I missed something.

 

[Lyfer]

put the $169 and the $10 a month in the bank, after a year you have $289. self insurance ftw.

Retail is $650 though.

 

[wedi42]

Insurance rule of thumb:
don't buy insurance for things you can afford to replace on your own.

my rule of thumb:
if you can't afford to replace a lost iPhone, you shouldn't buy one.

 

[Lyfer]

Insurance rule of thumb:
don't buy insurance for things you can afford to replace on your own.

my rule of thumb:
if you can't afford to replace a lost iPhone, you shouldn't buy one.

Good reasoning to live on but shit happens which you can't control. I rather pay $169 than put put $650 on my debit card. I can understand no insurance for a cheap phone but not for a smartphone. Its just lame the iPhones deductible is $70 more than android phones.

 

[ponyo]

Insurance rule of thumb:
don't buy insurance for things you can afford to replace on your own.

my rule of thumb:
if you can't afford to replace a lost iPhone, you shouldn't buy one.

Amen.

 

[JS80]

Retail is $650 though.

6-12 months down the line if you lose your phone they won't give you a new one - they'll send you a refurbished. You should be able to get a used one on CL for a little more than the money you've saved from self-insurance. If you can't afford it even then, then you shouldn't have such a luxury item.

 

[Lyfer]

6-12 months down the line if you lose your phone they won't give you a new one - they'll send you a refurbished. You should be able to get a used one on CL for a little more than the money you've saved from self-insurance. If you can't afford it even then, then you shouldn't have such a luxury item.

I've worked in retail and I understand it's a refurb. The fact is the insurance has helped me before in the past (go camping a lot with the family). I'm looking for an alternative to Vzw's insurance that covers lost/stolen. And yes I can afford the retail, but why should I pay $650 when keeping the service active for two years gives me a $450 discount.

Also I don't want to have the hassle of findIng one on CL. $169 is a luxury I rather pay than dealing with it. Plus Vzw has been really good on sending out replacements next day in the times I did file a claim.

 

[podspi]

Also I don't want to have the hassle of findIng one on CL. $169 is a luxury I rather pay than dealing with it. Plus Vzw has been really good on sending out replacements next day in the times I did file a claim.

Yes, time isn't free. VZW will send you a replacement quickly, and you don't have to meet them in some parking lot somewhere.

 

[boomhower]

For lost/stolen that is about your only option. Look at your homeowners or renters insurance as many have electronics riders you can add for cheap and most have a $0 deductible.

 

[Oyeve]

Nm

 

[Kenmitch]

Most likely its your only option. If it makes you feel secure then go for it. I wouldn't worry what others think about the cost of peace of mind

I fly without and don't think twice about it.

 

[QueBert]

find an iPhone 4/4s on CL for close to $169? LOL tell me the city where this happens and I'll go there today and buy every single one. Hell out here $200's about the going rate for ones with cracked screens.

 

[JS80]

If you lose your phone just break your contract and pay the early termination fee.

 

[Lyfer]

If you lose your phone just break your contract and pay the early termination fee.

$350 termination fee plus $199 for the new phone is a lot smarter than paying $169. I get it! Seriously it's peace of mind for me that I choose to pay. You may not need it, but i do (considering anything can happen on two years). After reviewing all the reputable options Verizon's coverage is the route I'll have to take. Thanks for all the responses that did address my original question!

 

[JS80]

Do the game theory man...$10/mo for 24 months + $169 deductible = $409. For $409 you can probably get a replacement on CL or eBay. Even if there is a 100% chance that you lose your phone, you should not buy the insurance.

BTW the early termination fee is $350 minus $10/mo after each month. If you lose your phone after 1 year = $240 ETF + $200 new phone = $440. You are STILL better off!

 

[Strk]

Do the game theory man...$10/mo for 24 months + $169 deductible = $409. For $409 you can probably get a replacement on CL or eBay. Even if there is a 100% chance that you lose your phone, you should not buy the insurance.

BTW the early termination fee is $350 minus $10/mo after each month. If you lose your phone after 1 year = $240 ETF + $200 new phone = $440. You are STILL better off!

pretty much

And it's not that phones don't get stolen/lost, but my big concern is accidents. While I've dropped my phone(s) plenty of times, I've lucked out in that the only one that broke was a cheapo dumb phone (split right in half). Plus, people can't seem to leave their smartphones for more than a few seconds.

Applecare+ is a pretty good deal for insurance, to me anyways. But carrier stuff is pretty bullshit.

 

[uli2000]

Safeware is $100/yr, $50 deductable. I personally went with squaretrade because my 2 year old is much more likely to dunk my phone in a glass of water or the toilet than me losing it.

 

[AstroManLuca]

So you complain about the high price of insurance, but when people propose reasonable alternatives such as saving that money in a "replacement phone fund," you defend yourself and claim that you can afford it and the peace of mind is worth it.

Why are you even discussing this? You're making yourself look like a spoiled child.

 

[goobernoodles]

This is why moving forward, I'm not getting insurance on any of our smart phones that we're getting. ~$10/mo and increasing deductibles. With that said, in my case I have the luxury of lines consistently being ready for upgrade, so getting phones on a one off basis is comparatively cheap.

 

[Lyfer]

So you complain about the high price of insurance, but when people propose reasonable alternatives such as saving that money in a "replacement phone fund," you defend yourself and claim that you can afford it and the peace of mind is worth it.

Why are you even discussing this? You're making yourself look like a spoiled child.

I was looking for alternatives to insurance/extended warranty service that covers with a lower deductable than verizon's. Not used replacement alternatives from some random guy on ebay/craiglist who might be selling a stolen phone (and other random hassles). But anyway regarding the issue I called verizon up this morning and a rep was able to get me enrolled in applecare for only $70 rather than $100 thru apple directly. Now i just need to pray the device doesnt get lost/stolen until the next upgrade on one of the lines come up next july. (knocks on wood)

 

[ImDonly1]

find an iPhone 4/4s on CL for close to $169? LOL tell me the city where this happens and I'll go there today and buy every single one. Hell out here $200's about the going rate for ones with cracked screens.

$250-275 is normal for a iPhone 4. The VZW iPhones are usually cheaper than the ATT ones. So under $250 is possible, not the most common price, but possible. That or they are all stolen. And people were assuming that OP loses his phone in 5 months or more, which would cause iPhone prices to drop more by then.

I bought my iPhone 4 (ATT) for $275 a little while ago.