Engadget reports that Sprint will finally begin offering its Total Equipment Protection (TEP) plan for the iPhone beginning January 25. The TEP plan offers coverage not only for device failures that occur outside of Apple's standard warranty but also loss, theft, and damage.

sprint tep iphone
The TEP plan consists of two parts, an $11 monthly fee for the service and then a significant $150-$200 deductible for cases where the phone requires replacement due to loss, theft, or physical damage. Consumers have 30 days from the date of purchase of their device in which to enroll in the program.

AT&T offers a similar program, although it costs $6.99 per month with a $199 deductible for all iPhone, iPad, and iPad mini models. Verizon's Total Equipment Coverage carries a special higher rate for iPhone compared to other devices, with the monthly fee set at $9.99 and deductibles ranging from $169-$199 depending on model.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

BillyBobBongo Avatar
168 months ago
Sprint will replace the phone for free if the problem is a manufacturer defect.

$132 a year...doesn't exactly sound free to me.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Carmenia83 Avatar
168 months ago
Any of the carriers insurance plans are a rip off. If you don't want to get AppleCare fine, but even without it apple will replace a broken out of warranty iphone for a flat fee. $149 for iPhone 4 and older, $199 for a 4s and $229 for a 5. Why would you pay $11 a month to pay the same deductible as the apple store charges for a new phone? The only benefit the carriers offer is if the phone is lost or stolen, but if you haven't enabled Find My iPhone by now you're an idiot and aren't responsible enough to have a $600+ phone.

http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=servicefaq&geo=United_States&product=iphone (http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=servicefaq&geo=United_States&product=iphone)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleGuesser Avatar
168 months ago
Ok, I don't get it... AppleCare+ is $99 plus $49 for each of up to 2 replacement iPhones.
Why are people using these outrageous carrier plans?

Exactly! AT&T has their own "protection plan," but I would rather have AppleCare+ myself :) After all, Apple is the company that makes and fixes my phone. Why would I expect a carrier to do the same? Thats like asking Comcast to fix my TV if it breaks. That doesnt make any sense?

If someone can explain this to me, by all means, I'd love to know :)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tiger8 Avatar
168 months ago
Any of the carriers insurance plans are a rip off. If you don't want to get AppleCare fine, but even without it apple will replace a broken out of warranty iphone for a flat fee. $149 for iPhone 4 and older, $199 for a 4s and $229 for a 5. Why would you pay $11 a month to pay the same deductible as the apple store charges for a new phone? The only benefit the carriers offer is if the phone is lost or stolen, but if you haven't enabled Find My iPhone by now you're an idiot and aren't responsible enough to have a $600+ phone.

http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=servicefaq&geo=United_States&product=iphone (http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=servicefaq&geo=United_States&product=iphone)

Thank you! You are so right! I keep telling family and friends NOT to buy any of the extended warranty crap (Apple or otherwise and definitely not carrier ones), and with Apple's half price replacement you describe, I think it's worth the risk.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AlphaVictor87 Avatar
168 months ago
The only upside i see to any of these carrier plans is that it covers theft and loss.

If you damage your iPhone out of warranty you go to the apple store and pay out of warranty replacement cost which last time i checked was the same as buying the phone with a new contract. So to replace an iPhone 5 if you broke it out of warranty would be $199.

Scams for money, thats it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spb3 Avatar
168 months ago
sprint sucks.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Tim Cook WWDC 2018

Report: Tim Cook to Step Down as Apple CEO 'as Soon as Next Year'

Saturday November 15, 2025 2:40 pm PST by
Apple is preparing for Tim Cook to step down as CEO of the company "as soon as next year," according to the Financial Times. The company's board of directors and senior executives "recently intensified preparations for Cook to hand over the reins," the report said. While the report said that Apple is unlikely to name a new CEO before its next earnings report in late January, it went on to ...
iOS 26

Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 3

Monday November 17, 2025 3:20 pm PST by
Apple provided developers with the third beta of an upcoming iOS 26.2 update, and there are still new features that are being added with each beta that we get. We've rounded up all of the changes that Apple made in beta 3. AirDrop Apple added new AirDrop functionality, providing a way for two people to share files temporarily without having to add one another as contacts. iOS 26.2...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4

Thursday November 13, 2025 11:35 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods 4, and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 firmware is 8B21, all up from the prior 8A358 firmware released in October. There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 3...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:42 am PST by
Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time. Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...
best early black friday deals

Best Black Friday Apple Deals Live Now - Save on AirPods, iPads, and Apple Watches

Saturday November 15, 2025 1:45 pm PST by
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...
Apple Wallet ID Illinois

iPhone Driver's License Feature Launching in Illinois

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:47 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Starting this Wednesday, November 19, the feature will be available to residents of Illinois. The announcement confirmed that the...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket Now Available to Order, But Already Selling Out

Friday November 14, 2025 6:20 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. iPhone Pocket is available to order on Apple's online store starting today, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. However, it is already completely sold out in the United...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's 2026 Mac Plans

Friday November 14, 2025 3:23 pm PST by
Most of Apple's Macs are slated to get M5 chips across 2026, and there's a possibility we'll even see the first M6 chips toward the end of the year. Updates are planned for everything from the MacBook Air to the Mac Studio. MacBook Air (Early 2026) The MacBook Air will be one of the first Macs to get a 2026 refresh, with an update planned for the first few months of the year. The MacBook...
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

Here's When Tesla is Expected to Add Support for Apple CarPlay

Sunday November 16, 2025 6:49 am PST by
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that Tesla plans to add Apple CarPlay support to its vehicles "in the coming months." This is easily the biggest news for the regular version of CarPlay in years, should Tesla actually follow through with offering the system in its vehicles. As noted by Gurman, this would be a stunning reversal for Tesla and its CEO Elon ...
tvOS 26 Profiles

tvOS 26.2 Adds a Useful New Feature to Your Apple TV

Friday November 14, 2025 10:02 am PST by
Starting with the upcoming tvOS 26.2 update, currently in beta, additional profiles created on the Apple TV no longer require their own Apple Account. In the Settings app on the Apple TV, under Profiles and Accounts, anyone can create a new profile by simply entering a name and indicating whether the profile is for a kid. The profile will be associated with the primary user's Apple Account,...