Apple Launches 'AppleCare+' with Accidental iPhone Damage Coverage

Alongside all of today's other announcements, Apple also quietly debuted AppleCare+ for the iPhone, a new extended warranty program that also includes coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage with a $49 service fee. The new AppleCare+ offering is valid for all iPhone models and is priced at $99.

Every iPhone comes with one year of hardware repair coverage and 90 days of telephone technical support. AppleCare+ for iPhone extends repair coverage and technical support to two years from the original purchase date of your iPhone and adds coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage due to handling, each subject to a $49 service fee.

Basic AppleCare for the iPhone, which is no longer available, had been priced at $69.00 but did not cover accidental damage.

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

mtbgtr

101 months ago

My wife had her iPhone 4 on the roof of her car then drove off. Phone was demolished, she then took the pile that was left back to Apple store and they replaced it for free. I like that plan better.

Rating: 7 Votes

Awjvail

101 months ago

$49 service fee? On top of the $49 premium over regular AppleCare?

Rating: 3 Votes

Chaos123x

101 months ago

Now my iPhone will finally go naked!

Rating: 3 Votes

EricNau

101 months ago

So, essentially identical to SquareTrade, with the Genius Bar experience.

Remember that many credit cards will add an additional year of basic warranty coverage to electronics (for a total of 2 years), and offer 90-day purchase assurance which covers accidental damage AND theft. For free.

Rating: 2 Votes

Doctor Q

101 months ago

My wife had her iPhone 4 on the roof of her car then drove off. Phone was demolished, she then took the pile that was left back to Apple store and they replaced it for free. I like that plan better.

I wonder if they'll be less likely to do that now that this new paid plan for accidental damage has been added.

Rating: 2 Votes

Shrink

101 months ago

They charge $200 to replace your phone, so this is $50 off. It only becomes valuable if you have to replace it due to damage though.

True. But isn't that "if" the basis of all insurance? ;)

Rating: 2 Votes

jsalda

101 months ago

This will be interesting. I know a lot of people that have received new phones when they have accidentally broke theirs. It seems that those with AppleCare had a better chance of getting a replacement, which is why I bought it. However, as mentioned, it seems that you can get a replacement without AC, usually with the "just this one time as a courtesy" warning. I bet it'll be a lot harder for those without AC to get replacements now. The $49 replacement fee (on top of the AC cost) is a joke, though.

Rating: 1 Votes

Mr. Chewbacca

101 months ago

If you can transfer it you will get a much better resale price on your current phone.

pretty much squair trade but in the apple store so not bad.. better than paying 750

Rating: 1 Votes

cfedu

101 months ago

I buy an iPhone , 11 months after purchase I drop it in the pool!
I get apple care and then for 100$ and then go to the apple store and give them $50 more.

Not to bad if you ask me!

No way to get a used iPhone for $150 with 13 months apple care +. With one more exchange if needed.

I might consider this

Rating: 1 Votes

theBB

101 months ago

I am not sure what they do in case of water damage, but Apple stores usually replace the phone for $199 if you have a cracked screen or buttons that stopped working etc. If you buy AppleCare+ and have an accident, you'll end up paying $148, savings of only $51. If you do not suffer any damage, then you will end up paying nothing versus losing $99 with AC+. In other words, risk your $99, so that you may save $51 overall. Not a great deal.

Rating: 1 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]