4 Tips for Choosing the Best Mobile Protection Plan
If you’re the type of person who falls into pools or drops your phone ten times a day, then you might want to invest in a phone protection plan. After all, even the best phone case won’t help in some instances, while an insurance plan will get you back to texting — and falling — as soon as possible. Before you commit yourself to a complex protection plan, follow these steps towards making a smart financial decision.
1. Analyze Your Coverage Risks and Needs
Before you start researching different plans, understand why you’re looking for insurance and what you’re looking for. Some people like to know that they’re protected even though they have no previous record of losing or breaking their phone. Other customers need a comprehensive insurance plan because they go through phones rapidly. This includes customers who travel a lot, enjoy extreme sports, or have grabby children. How many times have you lost or broken your phone this year? If the number exceeds two, then a larger insurance package will help.
2. Consider Carrier and Non-Carrier Insurance Plans
Many consumers prefer to use their carrier’s insurance policy because of the ease of working with the company and the plan. Instead of dealing with two different companies and worrying about two different bills, insurance can be paid monthly and tacked onto your regular statement.
Despite the ease, many third-party companies offer competitive rates and should also be considered before you purchase a plan. One of the best-known third-party vendors is Best Buy’s Geek Squad. They offer coverage on malfunctions and damage for only $8 per month. However, the insurance won’t cover lost or stolen phones. Apple Care, for iPhones, is very similar in not covering lost phones.
3. Read Customer Reviews
Even if you think you found a plan that you like, it’s important to do your research on the qualitative aspects of the company. Do your homework by reading online reviews to learn how easy it was for past customers to file a claim and how long the process was. What was it like working with customer service? What is their system like? Some shoppers even read Glassdoor pages, like these that have an Assurant Review, to learn what it’s like from an employee’s perspective. Do employees care about their jobs? Do they actually feel as if they can help?
While most plans offer similar coverage at competitive prices, it might be worth paying a little more in exchange for better service.
4. Understand What Your Replacement Phone Will Be
Many insurance companies don’t issue a new replacement phone when you file a claim. Instead, they’ll send you a used or refurbished phone. Occasionally, customers who receive these replacement phones find that their phones malfunction or have problems with their software. Other companies, by contrast, will opt to send you a check for the replacement, allowing you to get a new phone without the risk of receiving a refurbished phone.
It’s certainly possible to use your phone without insurance, but you might have to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket if you break or lose it. Would you rather pay $200 per year on insurance or $400 to completely replace your smartphone? The choice is yours.
We hope you enjoyed this promoted piece as much as we did!
