AT&T to Offer Standard Insurance for iPhone Starting July 17th

AT&T has informed customers that the iPhone (all models) will be eligible for their Mobile Insurance program starting on July 17th. AT&T's mobile insurance program offers protection against loss, theft, accidental physical or liquid damage and mechanical and/or electrical failure. The program costs $4.99/month and a $50 or $125 deductible for each claim depending on the particular model.

*Please Note: AT&T Mobile Insurance Update: Effective July 17, 2011, the Apple iPhone (all models) will be eligible for coverage with the AT&T Mobile Insurance program (formerly Wireless Phone Insurance). Enrollment restrictions apply. Customers can only enroll within 30 days of a new activation or upgrade, prior activations or upgrades outside of 30 days are not eligible.

AT&T has long treated iPhones differently than other devices on their network when it comes to insurance. The original iPhone was unable to be insured at all from AT&T. Then in 2010, AT&T partnered with an external company to offer more expensive coverage for the iPhone at $11.99/month and $199 deductible.

The choice of getting any insurance at all is always up for debate -- especially since Apple is known to replace accidentally broken and out-of-warranty iPhones for a flat $199 repair fee, though this doesn't cover loss or theft.