[godsidekurt]

I am trying decide whether or not the Verizon options are worth the cost or not. Seems like I have three options:

1. Total Equipment Protection ($6.99/Mo) Includes the mobile app which allows users to find phone, sound alarm, wipe data and lock phone
2. Wireless Protection Plan from Asurion ($5.18/mo)
3. Forget protection plans and just use the free Lookout App to find my phone if I lose it. Im not one to drop or break my phone as I treat it like a Gold bar I carry around everyday. That being said I would probably damage it the minute I dont have insurance on it. lol

As I understand it none of the equipment plans start until after the 1yr Samsung warranty runs out...so you will have paid $83.88 into the insurance plan before its available? Then the deductible is $99...which makes it $182.88 to get a replacement phone...which would likely be a refurbished phone. Am I off here? Just looking for wisdom from people who know this stuff better than I do.

[draco947]

I think you're right on track. Unfortunately, I'm in the same conundrum.

The fact that you end up paying about $168 just in insurance fees over the course of your contract, and then have to pay a deductible of approximately $100, as you mentioned, if it breaks, seems to me you're better off buying a Nexus from the Google Play Store, in the case of a broken GS3. Especially considering the fact that you'll most likely receive a refurbished phone, like you said, from Verizon as a replacement.

I do like the GS3, but if it breaks, why not take that money and spend it on a new phone that will actually be updated on time?

I'm still undecided, though, on the whole situation. So, my argument is just food for thought.

[papachange05]

I pay for the extended warranty only. I figure any damage will be due to my own negligence. I baby my phones, so I only want covered for manufacturer defects. Although, I am not sure what exactly the "extended warranty" covers or costs to use.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Android Central Forums

[oper8or]

I have Auto Owners home and auto insurance and insure my phones with a rider on my home owners. It costs me around $8 a year (not a month) per phone with no deductible. I will receive full replacement value and was guaranteed that a claim would not have any negative repercussions on my premiums. Have not used it yet, but my agent is a lifelong friend and someone I would trust with my children, so I feel very confident that he would not steer me wrong.

[brucedbr]

I'm glad to have read this thread, as I'm debating a similar argument. i'm buying my phone from Best Buy and they have a protection plan. Theirs is 9.99 a month, but NO deductible and they have loaner phones in store until your replacement phone arrives. I believe their replacement phones are refurbs too, but at least no $99 deductible! Now, whether or not they will protect a phone they didn't sell...I don't know.

I think this discussion has helped me make my decision. My only thought right now is if it would be available during the Samsung 1 year warranty or not. If it is, then I'll be in!

[fascinatej]

samsung warranty i was told only covers defects, not scratches, cracks , water damage etc. I got the protection plan but I'm not very happy about the deductible, I did have the best buy for last phone, so coming from no deductible to this I'm not very happy but I don't want to be stuck with a ruined phone if something happens. They wouldn't allow me to have the amount taken from my card, had to be added to my bill. Wasn't happy about that either, they said because I didn't purchase in the store it had to be added to my bill, which I think is bull also. Found verizon clerks to be irritating. They were pawing my phone up a little to much because they hadn't seen one yet. She also ripped my sd card out of my old phone without unmounting it. I didn't realize new phone didn't come without it's own external sd card.

[dillon24]

In my opinion these are a total waste of money. You could put that money in a shoebox make out in the long run.... they don't cover water damage which is about 90% of the damage done to these phones in the long run

[dillon24]

The fact they give you a refurbished phone..then charge you $100 dollar deductable on top is just plain crazy.. remember.... #1 scam in this country is insurance of anykind

[DianeR]

I had my phone replaced last fall when it was almost 2 years old because I complained about 2 things not working well on it and paid no deductible. I had what is now the 6.99 insurance. depends why you are replacing it if you have to pay the deductible or not.

[DWF89]

In my opinion these are a total waste of money. You could put that money in a shoebox make out in the long run.... they don't cover water damage which is about 90% of the damage done to these phones in the long run

Are you talking about the $6.99 Asurion Total Equipment Coverage, and do you have a link to where it says that they don't cover water damage?

[PJnc284]

I had my phone replaced last fall when it was almost 2 years old because I complained about 2 things not working well on it and paid no deductible. I had what is now the 6.99 insurance. depends why you are replacing it if you have to pay the deductible or not.

yeah, if it's a manufacturer's defect, there's no deductible. Only time the deductible applies is if you have physical damage or lose the phone.\

Are you talking about the $6.99 Asurion Total Equipment Coverage, and do you have a link to where it says that they don't cover water damage?

The Verizon TEC insurance covers everything that you can do to the phone. Some of the others have limitations though.

[dillon24]

Can't remember, just remember the last time I had it they said it didn't cover water damage..and the fact that my phone wasnt water damaged but those little stickers smudged(i didn't see it) a little bit.. it was total horse. the lady said sometimes they might do it if from being outside in 100+temperatures then going into a freezer at work from condensation or even just having it in the bathroom while you shower..

I do like the idea of adding it to your homeowners though.. I added gap insurance for my car which pays off the difference if totalled before paid off for only $1dollar a month when the dealership wanted like $13 a month..

[VicVinegar]

I have the TEC on it, and I'll probably keep it on there for the 1st year and take it off. I just don't know how sensitive a new phone is and don't want to throw it in my briefcase and find it smashed (where my current phone does just fine). After that I can probably dig up a slightly used replacement for not too much more. Any "defects" would be covered by my Amex extended warranty in the 2nd year.

I might look into a Homeowner's rider though. I know adding a rider for my wife's engagement ring wasn't very much at all, and it is much more expensive to replace.

[scuba561]

anyone have a link to Verizon's protection plan?
All I can find is a silly video. Looking to read about the details and see if I want to pay for it or not.

[draco947]

Also, be aware, as the OP said, that the extended warranty does not start until the Samsung 1 year warranty is up.

The protection plan, however, is active for the full duration of which you pay for it.

[dpjtpa]

Goto and search total equipment coverage.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[draco947]

Total Equipment Coverage*

Complete protection of your wireless equipment at a low price.It combines the benefits of Asurion Wireless Phone Protection (offered by third-party insurance agency) with the Verizon Wireless Extended Warranty** program. If your phone/device or covered accessories are lost, stolen, damaged or experiencing an electrical or mechanical defect after the manufacturer's warranty expires - you can be covered. The monthly fee for this service is charged directly to your Verizon Wireless bill.

Verizon Wireless Total Equipment Coverage will help you stay connected.
Phones/Advanced Devices: $6.99 per month per covered phone or advanced device

Feature Phones

• $45 non-refundable deductible per approved claim
• Equipment maximum limit: $400 per completed claim

Advanced Devices

• $99 non-refundable deductible per approved claim
• Equipment maximum limit: $1500 per completed claim

For a schedule of equipment in the Phones and Advanced Devices categories, please visit Asurion's website or call Asurion at (888) 881-2622

Claim limits: 2 Claims in a 12-month period (In New York, 2 claim limit is per policy year)
Asurion may fulfill claims with new or remanufactured equipment. In general, claims are fulfilled with the same make and model you claim. If this is not possible, a like-kind make and model will be substituted. Color, feature and accessory compatibility are not guaranteed.

Cancellation Policy: You may cancel your coverage at any time and receive a pro-rated refund of your unused premium.

For Asurion Wireless Phone Protection Terms and Conditions, please call Asurion Customer Service or visit

NOT AVAILABLE IN ALL MARKETS THROUGH THE ONLINE STORE

Extended Warranty provides convenient coverage against mechanical or electrical defects after the manufacturer's warranty expires. You will receive the same model (reconditioned) as your defective phone/device, or if the same model is not available - a comparable model. Note - defective phone/devices under the manufacturer's warranty will be replaced for free with a certified like-new device. Just contact Verizon Wireless at 1.866.406.5154

Asurion Wireless Phone Protection and Verizon Wireless Extended Warranty are both available separately.

*Total Equipment Coverage bundles: Phones/Advanced Devices $6.99 ($5.18 Asurion Wireless Phone Protection + $1.81 Verizon Wireless Extended Warranty)
**Total Equipment Coverage and Extended Warranty not available in Florida. Florida customers receive extended warranty coverage under the Wireless Phone Protection policy.

Asurion: Customer Service: 1–888–881–2622; Website:

[dpjtpa]

If you get Total Equipment Coverage (TEC) then you are covered for anything that happens like loss, theft, or accidental damage if u pay the deductible. The deductible, and monthly price, ranges depending on the device you want covered. For example, an Android smartphone costs $5.18/month with a $99 deductible. However, keep in mind that TEC extenda the manufacturer warranty beyond the 1st year and through the 2nd year meaning is a problem occurs that is a manufacturer defect then you get it fixed or replaced at $0 charge. Neither option require a contract extenaion.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[scuba561]

Found it:

[scuba561]

From the small print. Two items not covered:

G. Defects or damage due to spills of or immersion in food or liquid;
H. Scratches on all plastic surfaces and externally exposed parts resulting from normal use;

[PJnc284]

From the small print. Two items not covered:

G. Defects or damage due to spills of or immersion in food or liquid;
H. Scratches on all plastic surfaces and externally exposed parts resulting from normal use;

That's the actual extended warranty coverage for the 2nd year.
There's 3 tiers.
1. Extended Warranty (2nd year coverage of manufacturer defects with no deductible, no protection against accidental damage ) - $1.99
2. Wireless Phone Protection (covers any damage or loss/theft, deductible applies) -$5.18
3. Total Equipment Coverage includes the extended warranty AND Wireless Phone Protection -$6.99

[jaebberwock]

I paid $60 to Visa for additional warranty coverage for 5 years. It says that it will cover battery replacement so I figure if I keep the phone for that long, 2 battery changes and the 5 years of coverage should be worth the cash. Normally I wouldn't buy this sort of coverage but I no longer will get subsidized phones due to unlimited.

Hopefully when the time comes to upgrade, I can upgrade one of my dumb phone lines with no data to a smartphone and just use that smartphone on my line and cancel the data plan for the dumb phone line. They probably will have something in place to block that by then though.

[gorgalis]

OK, this may not be the most ethical thing, but I think making money on insurance is also a little unethical.

I know a guy who buys the insurance and uses it to sell his phone as new when it's time to upgrade. He will say something is wrong with the phone, pay the deductible, activate the replacement phone so he isn't charged full price, and then sell it as new on eBay.

This way he ends up paying around $170 over the life of the contract plus the deductible and gets around $300 for the replacement on eBay, which he uses to buy a new phone.



Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

[g1toevo678]

OK, this may not be the most ethical thing, but I think making money on insurance is also a little unethical.

I know a guy who buys the insurance and uses it to sell his phone as new when it's time to upgrade. He will say something is wrong with the phone, pay the deductible, activate the replacement phone so he isn't charged full price, and then sell it as new on eBay.

This way he ends up paying around $170 over the life of the contract plus the deductible and gets around $300 for the replacement on eBay, which he uses to buy a new phone.



Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

What is so unethical about a company providing a service and realizing a return for providing that service? Unfortunately, pricing for all has to incorporate the expense of those who defraud the system.

[kjjb0204]

OK, this may not be the most ethical thing, but I think making money on insurance is also a little unethical.

I know a guy who buys the insurance and uses it to sell his phone as new when it's time to upgrade. He will say something is wrong with the phone, pay the deductible, activate the replacement phone so he isn't charged full price, and then sell it as new on eBay.

This way he ends up paying around $170 over the life of the contract plus the deductible and gets around $300 for the replacement on eBay, which he uses to buy a new phone.



Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

Yeah, that's not just not the most ethical thing, that's outright insurance fraud which is a felony in all 50 states. Selling on ebay to someone out of state? I'm sure that would add a few criminal charges. Why would anyone risk jail time to save a couple hundred bucks for a new phone? Absolute stupidity.

I carry the full TEC insurance just for piece of mind. I can afford $7/month and a deductible but can't afford $600 if I drop it.