well, as it goes, credit cards actually have protection. i have a mastercard, so i looked it up. they cover theft for a little bit, like 90 days. and they double the warranty on the camera. for extended, i'm not sure how it works, but for regular, like, instead of 1 year it's 2. and obviously when you buy with a credit card it's free.
but anyway, relevant to a good deal for the u20, you can get 20% off at goodguys online. um, that works out to be a lot cheaper, cause online you pay no tax and shipping. sorry, i can't post the coupon code, but you know where to find it.
as for a small camera, sony has actually come out with an even smaller one. you wouldn't believe the dimensions. nor the price. look it up. it's called the qualia (i'm just saying this for kicks. it'd be unrealistic for you to buy one).
and let me give you so info for the compusa extended service plan. cause i just bought one myself. so, it's a one-time deal, cause you only get 1 replacement.
technology assurance plan exclusions: cosmetic damages-they don't take care of these.
"The Plane applies only to the operation or use of the covered product under conditions for which it was designed, and does not cover loss or damage resulting from external causes such as dropping the product, collision with an object, burglary, theft, vandlism, environmental conditions, fire, flooding, corrosion, sand, dirt, windstorm, hail, earthquake, or damage from exposure to weather conditions, misuse, abuse, neglect or accidental damage or damage resulting from improper use of any electrical power source."
hope that helps