First Unlocked phone, questions

[harrison17]

My old Droid Maxx isn't working the greatest anymore and I'm looking at buying an unlocked Pixel from the Google store. I've never purchased an unlocked phone and have some questions hopefully someone can help with.
First I have unlimited data because of an old Alltel plan. I bought the Maxx outright and didn't have any problems keeping unlimited data. I'm guessing it works the same with the Pixel? Pop in the SIM I have now and good to go?
Second, insurance. Can I keep Assurion insurance with my plan since it wasn't a phone purchased from Verizon? Is it better to get the protection plan from Google when I buy the phone? If I can keep Assurion what happens if I have to file a claim? Would I get a Verizon replacement or would they replace with the Google version?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Rukbat]

First I have unlimited data because of an old Alltel plan. I bought the Maxx outright and didn't have any problems keeping unlimited data. I'm guessing it works the same with the Pixel? Pop in the SIM I have now and good to go?

Yes. The phone that the SIM is in shouldn't trigger anything (although you can never tell with Verizon's unlimited plan).

Second, insurance. Can I keep Assurion insurance with my plan since it wasn't a phone purchased from Verizon? Is it better to get the protection plan from Google when I buy the phone? If I can keep Assurion what happens if I have to file a claim? Would I get a Verizon replacement or would they replace with the Google version?

Call Assurion to make sure about how they handle the Google version. You can insure with them, or with Google, but make sure you understand both plans so you can make your choice.

 

[Mr. Toad]

I would definitely double check with assurion. From my understanding they do not cover non Verizon devices.

 

[harrison17]

I would definitely double check with assurion. From my understanding they do not cover non Verizon devices.

Yes. The phone that the SIM is in shouldn't trigger anything (although you can never tell with Verizon's unlimited plan).

Call Assurion to make sure about how they handle the Google version. You can insure with them, or with Google, but make sure you understand both plans so you can make your choice.

Thanks for the help. I called them and the guy didn't sound very confident. He said that if Verizon carried the phone they would cover it, but if I filed a claim it would "probably" be replaced by a Verizon version (which I was kind of figuring). I don't think I need an unlocked bootloader....

 

[dpham00]

It is somewhat tricky... I put a Moto g4 on my line and it automatically removed insurance.when I took the g4 off,it wouldn't let me add it back.

 

[harrison17]

It is somewhat tricky... I put a Moto g4 on my line and it automatically removed insurance.when I took the g4 off,it wouldn't let me add it back.

I don't think I want find out if it will work or not from the Google store. I can't justify not having a phone that expensive without a protection plan that includes loss or theft for the life of the phone. Guess I'll be buying from Verizon

 

[rxgadget]

That is my same issue. If I pay out for a 128GB Pixel I like the ability to get a refurbished one if something goes wrong and VZW handles it