Since I plan to keep my new iPhone 4S for the next two years, I decided to buy an extended warranty to cover both hardware failures – and accidental damage — like drops and spills.
Apple is offering an upgraded warranty called AppleCare+, where the “+” adds coverage for accidental damage.
SquareTrade.com has always offered accidental coverage as an option.
So the question is, which is better?
- The price is the same – around $100 for two years of coverage.
- The deductible is the same – about $50 per repair/replacement.
- The maximum repair/replace claims is the same – two.
They seem pretty much the same. Is one better than the other? I emailed SquareTrade to ask that very question. According to them, here are the reasons why SquareTrade is better:
- Apple offers up to two repairs. SquareTrade can actually authorize up to three repairs, depending on the nature of the problem.
- You have a 30-day window after your iPhone purchase to buy a SquareTrade warranty. Apple states you must purchase AppleCare+ at the time of your iPhone purchase (Note: this rule has been relaxed for new iPhone 4S orders until November 14, 2011).
- Apple charges an administrative fee for canceling warranty coverage early. SquareTrade does not.
- SquareTrade waives the deductible if you have a local repair option – which I do! If needed, I can get a repair done locally and then SquareTrade will reimburse me.
For my money, the winner is SquareTrade.com. (No, I don’t work for SquareTrade – I paid $99 for my 2-year warranty!)
I hope I never drop my shiny new iPhone into a swimming pool. But if I do, I won’t have to pay $600+ to replace it!
Use this link to get $5 off coupon for a SquareTrade warranty
Great post – but if something happens, do you have to wait for SquareTrade to ship you a phone or something, vs. just going to the Apple Store? I ended up getting the AT&T insurance coverage. It’s more expensive, and the deductible is higher – BUT it covers lost and stolen phones, too, which I don’t think Apple or SquareTrade cover. Did I make the wrong choice?
Mike,
My repair process would be 1. I take my iPhone for local repair — in my case that would be MacSolutions. 2. They repair the phone. 3. I pay MacSolutions. 4. I submit the bill to SquareTrade and they reimburse me.
You’re right, SquareTrade and AppleCare do not cover lost phones. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen to me!
Bottom line: Risk assessment is an individual process.
But does Square Trade just “fix” your phone or replace the whole thing with a brand new one? I don’t want the same phone if I cracked but with just a new piece of glass.
I believe they attempt to fix your current phone, if possible.
I am wondering a similar thing, one clarification (I know this was from earlier, but in case anyone else comes to this, maybe it’s helpful).
For activating/using the square trade warranty if you have an apple retail store nearby, you can take it to them and pay them the fee (I believe it was going to be $100 or something) and then Squaretrade will send it right to you (and they’re real quick about it). I have bad luck with devices (aka a 3yr old daughter) and have had to use the warranty a couple times. Sometimes the Apple Store people understand your plight and just swap it out (i’ve had that happen more often than not, which is just further foundating my fan of Apple products).
The thing with the applecare+ option (I just got it with my iPad) is that I have phone tech support for the entire time too, I don’t know if it’s a big deal for some but I spent 2 hours on the phone today getting my new iPad setup and this poor apple support lady stayed with me the whole time while trying to figure it out. I was very impressed. I normally don’t have issues that would require me to call in, but if/when things are equal, that’s a positive in Apple’s side.
Both Squaretrade and Apple can transfer warranties, but only SquareTrade allow you to get the 3 year version, so you should decide if you’re getting next years’ upgrade or are you going to hold on to it for a while as well.
Hopefully this helped, I’m going to keep applecare after I confirm how many problems I can have before they say no more.
If it helps to put it in perspective, I currently have 11 devices in Squaretrade warranty, have executed 2 of the warranties during my time with them and been super grateful each time. And each time, it was painless. I personally love Squaretrade, this is my pilot program with apple to see how well it goes.
Good luck to you all