Top 5 iPhone 4S Warranty Options Compared
For iPhone 4S preorder buyers, the iPhone 4S will soon be in your hands. That means enjoyment, but it also means that you might drop your iPhone 4S and break it.
While the iPhone 4S might only cost $199 when you buy it, the actual price is much higher. When you sign a two-year contract, your carrier covers part of the cost because it can make it up from data plans and other extras. If your iPhone 4S breaks, you’ll have to pay full price unless you have some type of coverage.
We’ve rounded up several iPhone 4S warranty, insurance and protection plans to help you decide how to protect your iPhone 4S. Don’t forget to hit up the bottom of the post for an easy comparison chart.
Read: iPhone 4S Case With a 1 Year Warranty Included
If you don’t have some form of protection, you might end up with a broken iPhone that looks like this one, without an affordable fix.
Broken iPhone 4, Still Working.
AppleCare+ – $99
The most common form of iPhone 4S protection will be AppleCare. New with the iPhone 4S is a more consumer friendly version of protection called AppleCare+. This protection is $99 for two years, and it covers hardware issues and support.
New with AppleCare+ is coverage for two accidental damage. This means if you drop your iPhone or spill water on it, you can get it replaced for a $49 deductible, but only twice.
This is a nice addition from previous years, but doesn’t cover every possible issue you might have with your new iPhone, such as loss, theft or damage in a fire or earthquake.
Also, AppleCare+ needs to be purchased at the same time as your iPhone.
Purchase with MasterCard or American Express – Free
If you have an American Express or MasterCard with the Extended Warranty protection, you can double the Apple warranty, giving you two years of hardware coverage. This is a free benefit of purchasing with your participating card. Many Platinum and gold cards have this as a free benefit, to be sure, call the 1-800 number on the back of your card.
You will need to pay for the full iPhone 4S with your credit card, keep your receipt and a copy of the original warranty. If something goes wrong after your one year Apple warranty is finished, you can call up your credit card and get the ball rolling. You will have the repair done at a place of your choosing, usually an Apple Store, and the company will send you the check. You cannot cancel your credit card if you want to use this.
Also, it is worth noting that this is only free if you pay off your credit card before the next billing cycle.
Carrier Insurance AT&T and Verizon – $6.99-11 a Month
If you purchase your phone through AT&T or Verizon, you can add extended warranty options to your account. These services incur a monthly charge of $9 to 11 bucks, or about $240 over the course of your iPhone 4S ownership.
On AT&T you need to choose the Mobile Protection Pack $9.99 a month, which includes coverage for lost, stolen and damaged devices. In order to get a new device, you need to pay a $199 deductible, and can only make two claims. AT&T also offers a 6.99 insurance plan, but it is not showing up as an option if you preorder the iPhone 4S. If you want to save $3 a month, you’ll need to call in and hope for the best.
Verizon iPhone 4S protection plans
On Verizon, you can choose between a Total Equipment Coverage or Wireless Phone Protection Plan for $9.18 or $10.99 a month. Verizon lists the deductibles at $169 for a 16GB iPhone 4S and $199 for the 32GB iPhone 4S, but lists no pricing for the 64GB iPhone 4S.
Sprint has chosen not to offer carrier protection.
These plans are very pricey, with a total cost including one replacement at over $440. I would suggest looking for another plan, or just putting some money back in case of a failure.
SquareTrade – $99 for two years
SquareTrade is a popular company for iPhone protection, and right now is offering 2 years of iPhone 4S protection, including drops and spills, for $99.
The Squaretrade iPhone 4S plan is available within 30 days of purchasing your iPhone 4S, and also covers manufacturer defects.If you need to use the Spill/Drop protection you must pay a $50 deductible.
If you need to file a claim, you can have your phone sent in to SquareTrade or take it into the Apple store and be reimbursed for the repair costs. There is a 5 day turnaround guarantee, if your phone is gone for longer, you can get your warranty cost refunded.
If your iPhone is older than 30 days when you want your warranty, you can use the SquareTrade iPhone app and pay a higher fee.
Worth Ave. Group – $89 a year
Another option is Worth Ave. Group iPhone 4S insurance. I have covered 5 reasons insurance is better than an extended warranty before, but in short it covers more.
With insurance, you get coverage for loss or theft and all sorts of random disasters large and small – in addition to protection from accidents.
Worth Ave. Group doesn’t currently show an iPhone 4S ordering option on their website, but Customer service says coverage is coming.
iPhone 4S Warranty and Protection Options
When it comes to picking the best warranty, you’ll need to figure out what you need most. While accidental coverage is easy to come by, protection from loss or theft is more expensive. Here’s a handy IPhone 4S warranty protection chart to help you make your decision.
| iPhone 4S Protection Plans | 2 Year Price | Deductible | # of Claims | Accidental? | Loss/Theft | Disaster |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AppleCare+ | $99 | $49 | 2 | Yes | No | No |
| Credit Card | $0 | $0 | 1 per purchase | No | No | No |
| AT&T or Verizon | $168-$260 | $169 to $199 | 2 | Yes | Yes | No |
| SquareTrade | $99 | $50 on Drop Spill | up to $599 coverage | Yes | No | No |
| Worth Ave Group | $174 | $50 | 1 – $600 Coverage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Best Value
The best value in iPhone 4S protection for most users will be AppleCare+ or SquareTrade. Both of these plans offer low entry price and a low deductible. While there is no loss or theft coverage, it is still a great value.
The worst value is buying through Verizon or AT&T. By the time you factor in 24 monthly payments and one deductible, you’re only $200 off the off contract price of an iPhone 4S. If you have to choose between carrier coverage and no coverage, I’d put some money in savings and take my chances.
Do you purchase iPhone insurance or an extended warranty? Which option is your favorite?
I just got the AT&T plan iam going to claim it lost and sell my iPhone 4s so fuck AT&T iam get my money back >:-/ lol
Insurance Fraud…Not a smart move!
I sense some sarcasm in your post, but in case you were serious- if you report the phone is lost/stolen, the carrier will block it on their network, so it can’t be re-activated. do you intend to also f**k the person you sell it to?
[...] or the Better Business Bureau to check out any company names before making a warranty purchase. Some warranties can only be bought at the time the device is purchased, so ask your sales clerk for [...]
What about safeware insurance? I had it for my iPhone 4 and when it was stolen from me I was reimbursed for the new phone. Is it good for the 4S
http://www.esurranty.com is the best bet for iPhone 4s insurance. $0 deductible for mechanical malfunction, $50 deductible for cracked screen and $150 to get the phone replaced if its lost or stolen. Backed by Starlight Insurance which is a A+ rated company. Esurranty.com is the best!
I just returned from Apple Store in ATL area today. Bought 3 Iphone 4s for Christmas on 12/6/11 from Verizon and went in to get AppleCare+ today (12/8/12) Cost me 99$ for each phone and was also told by the Genius that it was good I came in now as I only had 30 days to get the insurance option.
I think it is the Square trade with flexible features and higher user satisfaction in terms of service. What about Best buy and Ensquare?
http://www.eexploria.com/easy-tips-to-select-the-best-iphone-insurance/
I bought the AppleCare+ because I plan to keep my phone for 2 years. I got the unlocked iPhone 4S. I think it’s worth it.
GoCare is another alternative. Their coverage protects against: Drops, spills, cracks, liquid submersion, mechanical failure. They have a $50 deductible (2 year plan). They cover used or new phones with 24/7 Support.
More Benefits
Data RecoveryTechnical SupportOpt. Loaner PhonesTrade-in program
I bought my warranty from http://www.esurranty.com. They have loss & theft coverage that replaces the phone up to $1000 for a $145 deductible. None of the one’s you recommended have that. Also, their price was the best. They are underwritten by 2 different insurance companies and though I haven’t had to use the service, I’m glad I have it.
[...] or Verizon will run you between $160 and $260 and you still need to buy a case. Check out our Top 5 iPhone 4S insurance options for a more detailed breakdown of warranty and insurance options. Keep in mind carriers and [...]
You need to consider ProtectCell. Blows these all out of the water. And I sell for Verizon.
iphone, ipad coverage for less than $40!
http://www.esurranty.com iphone warranty/insurance for $39.99 a year with loss and theft coverage available. #1 Rated Warranty provider and backed by a national insurance company.
[...] 18.Top 5 iPhone 4S Warranty Options Compared 4 days ago … What is the best iPhone 4S protection plan or warranty? We compare AppleCare+, SquareTrade, AT&T, Verizon and Others. http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/10/10/top-5-iphone-4s-warranty-options-compared/ [...]
I bought my warranty from www.esurranty.com. They have loss & theft coverage that replaces the phone up to $1000. I lost my phone about a month after I got the coverage and a new phone was in my hand within 2 days! New, not refurbished like these other company’s do. I have sprint service and esurranty coverage! The best bar none!
I would highly disagree with the choices for best plans, neither offer theft!! There are some other good options out there, BUT they are all filled with small print. I had squaretrade and they are good if you damage your iPhone, but if you lose it your done….I tried worth ave, but they are expensive and put you through hoops for any claim.
I currently have Insure apple iphone and the are the best I have used. They have NO claim limits and not a lengthy list of exclusions, especially like ensquared! I have no complaints with them and they are reasonably priced. Probably should have made the final list in my opinion.
[...] (Read: iPhone 4S Warranty and Insurance Options) [...]
[...] (Read: iPhone 4S Warranty and Insurance Options) [...]
[...] Read: Top 5 iPhone 4S Warranty Options Compared [...]
I bought coverage for my iphone and ipad from http://www.esurranty.com and saved over applecare. They replace it for me for $145 and fix it for free. If I crack the screen or drop it it only costs me $50. Also they contract through apple so when I cracked my iphone screen I took it to the apple store and got it fixed within a day. They are great and I will always recommend them.