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Protect Your iPad 2, but Not with Apple Care

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If you just got a shiny new Apple iPad 2, we recommend getting some protection for the thing. We’re not talking about a case, but a warranty or insurance plan to cover it in case of accidental damage or malfunction. While Apple covers manufacturing defects for the first year, they don’t cover accidental damage like drops or spilling liquids on it.

Check out our iPad 2 Review

Apple CareImmediately after you buy your iPad from Apple they will try to up-sell you on Apple Care saying, “Hey it’s only a few bucks a month and extends your warranty.” They will make you think that it covers most of the problems you might have. But just read Xavier Lanier’s story in which he covered this issue with the iPhone 4 last month. Things like water damage are not covered, as he found out with a MacBook ending up in a $1000 repair bill one month after purchase. Drop your iPad in the sink or leave it on a table where someone spills a Coke and you are out of luck with Apple Care or your Apple Warranty, even after spending the $80 on the plan.

For those who buy at Best Buy, the temptation to purchase their extended warranty is big because they promise you that they will cover accidental damage. Sit on your iPad accidentally and crack the screen? Covered! But at a cost. For a $500 16GB Wi-Fi only iPad 2 the additional year from the “Black Tie Protection Plan” is $109. That’s not too bad. There is a nice list of benefits you but the only valuable ones are the extended warranty and the accidental damage protection. The last one is not even part of the cheaper plan. You will pay above the $109. So again, we cannot recommend it.

If you have an American Express Card, one option is to pay with the card, even if you don’t need or want to finance it. They offer extra coverage on electronics purchased with the card. For example they typically extend the warranty for an additional year. To learn more check out their website.

Check with your home insurance policy if you have one. The insurer might cover it as part of your home insurance. Even if they don’t, they will likely offer a computer warranty on it for less than Apple Care costs.

But your best bet, if your insurance won’t cover it or you don’t have an American Express Card, is to go with our final recommendation – SquareTrade. They offer insurance for products you buy anywhere. And they are usually pretty inexpensive and cover accidental damage so long as it is not intentional. Throw your iPad at a wall out of anger and your out of luck. Drop it while using it from a tall building and your golden with SquareTrade.

SquareTrade iPad Warranty

SquareTrade iPad Warranty are cheapest and cover more than Apple Care

Notice above we got a quote on the most expensive iPad 2 that money can buy. It only costs $95.99 for a two year warranty. It includes accidental damage and their Buy Back plan, which will give you a fraction of what you could get on eBay or Craigslist. They Buy Back portion is honestly not a good deal unless you are desperate for money and don’t want to bother with selling it. But the other coverage makes it easily worth the cost.

11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. Chadanthonylejeune

    03/17/2011 at 11:24 pm

    Wal-mart has a2 yr protection plan for 79.00. Accidental Damage from Handling (ADH). This covers things like drops, spills, and damage to the screen.
    Normal wear and tear
    Mechanical and electrical failure
    Environmental factors (heat, dust, humidity)
    Defects in materials and workmanship
    Power surge
    . My wife got me a iPad 2 16 gig wifi only with wal-Mart 2 yr protection plan

  2. donfelipe

    03/18/2011 at 5:11 pm

    It is worth purchasing a warranty plan for no more the $50 for the iPad 2. The cost of the extended warranty should be reasonable because most likely you won’t keep the iPad beyond 2 years. The selling of the iPad 2 this past weekend was a success although many fans weren’t able to get one because the stores did not have enough. But the iPad 2 can also be obtained for free if you follow certain conditions at https://www.digitalundivide.com

  3. Qwazy34

    04/13/2011 at 7:39 pm

    There’s even a better company out there Phone Guard Global. They cover accidents, water damage, drops spills and even theft/loss.. So visit http://www.phoneguardglobal.com

    • Jessica

      10/24/2011 at 5:30 am

      $150-$250 for ipad2….not really a deal…

  4. Aaron

    07/14/2011 at 10:51 pm

    You didn’t even mention the best option, worth ave group. It’s not even close.

    At least openly inform your users you are recommending squaretrade because you’re an affiliate.

    • Xavier Lanier

      07/26/2012 at 5:43 pm

      Huh? We aren’t affiliated with squaretrade…

  5. E T Barta

    02/08/2012 at 8:00 am

    Your home insurance has a deductible even if you add an endorsement for computer coverage. All companies will only cover a “covered peril of the policy”. Which never covers water damage from a spill, dropping it, etc. only meant for wind, hail, theft, vandalism, etc.

    Why would someone be dumb enough to a) throw their iPad and then b) try to claim it under warrenty.

    Your article is sub par.

  6. Cindy

    06/14/2012 at 10:10 am

    I know that State Farm will not cover Ipads period. Not even under the special rider. So you would have to consider getting an outside source.

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