Database Users

Phone Insurance

So tell me, does anyone have insurance on their "rooted" Nexus one? I'm thinking of getting one for mine, but not sure if T-mobile provides it, or is it a good idea to get it from them, if ever. Coz they don't carry the device.
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

I have insurance on my Non-Rooted Nexus. You can get it from t-mobile. But i dont believe you can have insurance one you root the nexus one. I believe it voids the warranty. I may be wrong. Heres some info:
Is PHP (Premium Handset Protection) available for this Nexus One?
Yes, PHP is available for the Nexus One.
How much does PHP Insurance cost?
PHP Insurance is $4.79 per month with a $130 deductible.
How long do I have to add PHP to my account?
To qualify for PHP insurance you must add the insurance to your T-Mobile account within the first 14 days of purchase.
Great News! Asurion’s Premium Handset Protection offered through T-Mobile is available on the Nexus One. For $4.79 per month, customers are protected from loss, theft and damage – even screen damage or water damage. There is a $130 deductible per approved claim, much lower than the full retail of $529. Asurion will replace your Nexus One with . . . a Nexus One. As with most buzz-generating, hot new phones, inventory availability can be an occasional problem. Its not that Asurion doesn’t want to replace your Nexus One with a Nexus One, we do! Should there be a brief inventory problem, Asurion will offer a few different options to affected customers.

I have insurance on my ROOTED phone. You can have it. While it is true that rooting voids your warranty this has nothing to do with insurance. So look at it this way. I have a rooted phone and I loose it. I file a claim as loss is covered under the insurance. How on earth are they going to know it was rooted? Make sense.
The other above info is what I was told.
One thing to note. I had insurance on my G1 that was something like $6 / mo when I transfered that to my N1 it went down to the $5 /mo. This is because T-mobile would extend the warranty on the G1 since it was one of their phones. They don't do that on the N1 since it isn't theirs. That is why it is a little cheaper.
As for how it is replaced since T-mobile doesn't have the Nexus. I was told that the insurance company was getting some for replacements. Until then if you had a claim and they didn't have any you would go directly to Google and order a new one. You would be responsible for the full upfront cost of an unsubsidized phone. They then would cut you a check for the phone minus the $130 deductible. Make Sense.
Oh also a point on the 14 days to activate insurance. This is also true however. Lets say you let the 14 days laps. As long as you haven't rooted your phone (that would have voided the warranty) if it is ever replaced by the manufacturer you then have another 14 days to activate the insurance from the point in time you get the replacement. That is how I got insurance on my G1. I forgot to call back in the 14 days and then couldn't get coverage. Then my home button died, T-mobile replaced it under warranty, I then had them activate the insurance. Also if are under insurance and if you have a replacement under warranty I would be sure to call T-mobile. Since that was likely taken care of directly through Google or HTC they may not know. Of course if you had an insurance claim for say water damage that they tried to deny because the SN didn't match what you originally bought you could say "Oh, did I mention that the water damage happened when it fell off the boat in 300' or water?" I must have written that SN down wrong and what you have on record must be right.
Hope that helps....

as a point of interest, state farm charges me $30 a year for insurance on my nexus one, with ZERO deductible..
that's $2.50 a month folks...
and they don't care if it's rooted, or you used it to hold up your car when you changed your oil.

Thank you for the information I'm goin with state farm.Hahaha.

Hmmm... Called Tmobile, they said my Nexus is currently insured... I made them double and triple check it, but they were positive bout this, I guess my insurance from my G1 is automatically transferred to the N1.
I still thank you for the response guys!

i'd cancel it and get a real policy that costs half and doesn't have a deductible... but that's just me..

Red MacGregor said:
as a point of interest, state farm charges me $30 a year for insurance on my nexus one, with ZERO deductible..
that's $2.50 a month folks...
and they don't care if it's rooted, or you used it to hold up your car when you changed your oil.
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That's good to know and seems like a better way to go!

Oh you were for real? lol I thought you were just kidding, I dont have StateFarm as insurance though. They might not cover it.
Red MacGregor said:
i'd cancel it and get a real policy that costs half and doesn't have a deductible... but that's just me..
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rjhay22 said:
Oh you were for real? lol I thought you were just kidding, I dont have StateFarm as insurance though. They might not cover it.
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call whomever you're using, Farmers, whomever, they likely have a similar policy..
T-Mobile is charging a ridiculous premium for that policy

$4.79 a month is not something I miss.

uansari1 said:
$4.79 a month is not something I miss.
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sure, the difference is only $30 a year... over two years an extra $60 on the price of the phone, unless you include the deductible, and it's an extra $190.. 1/3 of the cost of the original phone..

The original poster should call T-mobile again. As I mentioned in my post that the original insurance that I had on my G1 was more expensive. They may have changed it from the insurance that is something like $7/mo to the one that is about $5 ($4.75 or whatever). I got my phone early on so it is possible they are getting better at automating these things. Everyone was still trying to figure out this new Nexus thing when I got my phone.
I have to call my insurance company anyhow so I am going to ask about phone coverage. I have USAA though not State Farm. Even if they don't offer it I wouldn't switch to State Farm. We are saving $1800 a year and have more coverage and a lower deductible on our house compared to State Farm. My parents are now switching over to USAA. He said they will save $900 a year on their 4 cars/truck.

Asurion Returning Dmg Phone~

Quick question I will try to make the story short i accidently drop'd my evo actually it slipped out of my pocket getting out of my car and hitted the concrete face down, yup completly shattered screen.
I went to sprint to see if i could do something with the 30 days warranty but no luck, instead they helped me file a claim with Asurion, i already recieved the new refurb phone from Asurion (excelent shape) and no screen separation issue like the brand new i had from sprint.
I also recieved a battery with that phone not the original red that comes with the evo, a black one that says htc innovation on the back, i will keep the red one, buut my question is Can i keep both batteries and send my old phone without battery, or will i get charged for this
anyone has experience with asurion and doing this??

When I had blackberry'e I had more batteries and chargers than I would ever need.
Don't quote me but Asurion has never given me any flak over hanging on to batteries, chargers, headphones, pretty much anything but the actual phone.

My family has always kept the batteries. They can't do anything with used batteries, so don't worry about it, the one that is in it is probably a 1500mAh for a touch pro 2, OEM.

You can keep the battery, all they care about is the phone. Batteries are considered expendables. Even a warranty swap through Sprint, all they want is the phone returned.
Consider this as well if you don't believe me: Had you lost the phone, or it was stolen, you would file the claim, still pay the same deductible, and they would still send you the replacement phone and battery.

Yup everyone is right, you can keep the battery. Hopefully that makes your $100 deductible you just paid sting a bit less.

In my last saurian claim the pamphlet said specifically to not return the battery. I think the fact that batteries can catch fire and explode if shorted puts them in a hazardous category and must be declared to the post office and charged accordingly.
That statement is just my thought on the matter. Don't quote me on it's integrity.

donatom3 said:
Yup everyone is right, you can keep the battery. Hopefully that makes your $100 deductible you just paid sting a bit less.
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Why is everyone saying $100, I thought the $7 insurance was $50...
edit: fk nevermind, damn high end phones.
That's bs, we have to pay half of what the phone cost us just to get a refurbished one?

Same here I usually keep all accesories n have never .received any question ir a raised eye brow in my direction. Oh and the phone does not cost 200 as far as price goes that's based on retail price. So your only paying a fraction of what the phone costs.

When I filed a claim for my blackberry, I wasn't sure about keeping the battery or not, so I called them and asked. They wanted me to keep the battery. They said that if I sent the battery back with the phone and it would happen to leak/explode/do bad stuff, it would be on them, so they ask people to not send the battery.
The card that came with the new phone should say something on it like "send only the device. Do not send any accessories, i.e. batteries, chargers, cords".

Plancy said:
Why is everyone saying $100, I thought the $7 insurance was $50...
edit: fk nevermind, damn high end phones.
That's bs, we have to pay half of what the phone cost us just to get a refurbished one?
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You are paying 1/5th of what the phone costs not half. You paid $200 subsidized for the phone. Break your phone tomorrow go to sprint to buy a replacement and you'll be paying $500.

Plancy said:
Why is everyone saying $100, I thought the $7 insurance was $50...
edit: fk nevermind, damn high end phones.
That's bs, we have to pay half of what the phone cost us just to get a refurbished one?
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I thought replacing it through sprint got you a refurbished one but replacing it through insurance got a brand new one

mrono said:
I thought replacing it through sprint got you a refurbished one but replacing it through insurance got a brand new one
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Don't know, but I'm paying $7/mo for the insurance and don't want to pay $100 to get a replacement for a defect(waiting for it to be a huge issue), I only paid $224 for the phone, guess I'll be proactive about the 30day policy.

Plancy said:
Don't know, but I'm paying $7/mo for the insurance and don't want to pay $100 to get a replacement for a defect(waiting for it to be a huge issue), I only paid $224 for the phone, guess I'll be proactive about the 30day policy.
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Just don't buy any other smart phone, you be in the exact same boat.
Low cell phone prices are only available because they are subsidized by your carrier, which in turn locks you into a contract to get their subsidization back. Minus insurance you will pay full non-subsidized price for any phone with any carrier.

I thought it said on the return envelope not to include the cables, charger, battery, or any of that crap. With that said I have always kept the battery. One word of advise:
Take to the phone to the post office and get a certificate of mailing. This proves you mailed the device just encase the insurance try to claim they never got it. Then it will be between them and the post office. You cannot send it back with tracking because they send it to a PO Box and the phone can't be tracked. NICE I know. My mom sent one back no certificate and they claimed they never got it. My mom is not a thief so it must of got lost. Just like in the song.. I most of got lost.. most of got lost.... anyway you know the song.

danknee said:
Just don't buy any other smart phone, you be in the exact same boat.
Low cell phone prices are only available because they are subsidized by your carrier, which in turn locks you into a contract to get their subsidization back. Minus insurance you will pay full non-subsidized price for any phone with any carrier.
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Family of 5, we've been with Sprint for 11 years, they're not locking me into anything, we're paying low for the plan we have. I started a new line to get this phone, I just hope I can get one without the cosmetic defects.

mrono said:
I thought replacing it through sprint got you a refurbished one but replacing it through insurance got a brand new one
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Nope you can get new or refurbished by either insurance or warranty replacment. I've gotten both so I know.
Plancy said:
Don't know, but I'm paying $7/mo for the insurance and don't want to pay $100 to get a replacement for a defect(waiting for it to be a huge issue), I only paid $224 for the phone, guess I'll be proactive about the 30day policy.
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Like I was saying, there is no deductible for manufacturer defects.
You only pay a deductible IF
1. There is physical damage to the phone (cracked screen, you shot it with a gun whatever)
2. Water Damage (Don't take it swimming with you)
3. Loss or Theft
So if the phone stopped working 3 months from now because you have TEP you can walk into a sprint repair center (again it has to be a repair center) go to the counter tell them your problem. They will test it where to see if they can fix it or not, if the problem actually exists, and to make sure it's not because of physical or water damage. Once you meet those requirements they order a replacement phone and if you went early enough in the day you generally will have it the next business day. You will either get a refurbished or brand new phone depending on what's in stock. I have no problems with refurbs they've always looked brand new, of course I agree in the first 30 days you should never get a refurb. All that without a deductible paid.

donatom3 said:
Nope you can get new or refurbished by either insurance or warranty replacment. I've gotten both so I know.
Like I was saying, there is no deductible for manufacturer defects.
You only pay a deductible IF
1. There is physical damage to the phone (cracked screen, you shot it with a gun whatever)
2. Water Damage (Don't take it swimming with you)
3. Loss or Theft
So if the phone stopped working 3 months from now because you have TEP you can walk into a sprint repair center (again it has to be a repair center) go to the counter tell them your problem. They will test it where to see if they can fix it or not, if the problem actually exists, and to make sure it's not because of physical or water damage. Once you meet those requirements they order a replacement phone and if you went early enough in the day you generally will have it the next business day. You will either get a refurbished or brand new phone depending on what's in stock. I have no problems with refurbs they've always looked brand new, of course I agree in the first 30 days you should never get a refurb. All that without a deductible paid.
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Yeah, a refurb phone is fine just as long as it doesn't cost me $100, 0 cosmetic defects would be nice too. I have never handle the phone badly but I noticed scratches on the kickstand, and I have never slid the phone on any surface. Hope this does not void the replacement policy, that would be ridiculous.
I'm new to getting a new phone, I've had only hand me downs(2 of them) up until the Evo.

thanx for all the reply's after reading some tiny letters on the envelope I confirmed that i need to stay with the battery.
anyways yes I didn't like the idea of the insurance paying $7 monthly + 100 deductible, so when i got the phone i did not add the insurance i always threat smart phones like babies to the point that I don't even put my phone, even with the sprint gel skin on hard surfaces without a shirt or whatever i can find.
but yes even if you carry your phone on a bubble accidents can happen and it happened to me sadly, almost cried. I called added the insurance and waited few days and claimed. I didn't care to much holding a cmda phone with a shattered screen so reported the truth phone broke.
I was hoping for a brand new evo, but I am satisfied with the refurb one Its in perfect condition and like i said not even the one i got from radio shack was in this condition because it had screen separation issue.
I am pretty sure this refurnished phones get through a very strict inspection before going out in the market again, and from what i can think of its more rigid than the one on brand new phones lol.
I am pretty sure and believe me i tried almost everything to get a new one with the 30 day guarantee, but not sure maybe is different in the states, but 30 days warranty will only cover manufacturer defects (fabrication) like the screen sep or something like that and maybe it can happen but it will be very hard for a screen get completely shattered for itself, unless maybe battery exploded or something. and still.

thanx zone23 that's a good idea i was wondering about that but didn't knew about mail certificates. I will be doing that tomorrow.

Insurance vs. Warranty replacements

Hello all
I have three days left to decide if I want to add insurance to my Evo. I am debating whether or not it is actually worth it.
I am not concerned with damaging the phone myself. I have had 8+ smart phones, and I haven't lost / broken / soaked any of them. The only reason I would be considering the insurance is for hardware defects. Based on experiences with my friends' Evo's, the two main things I am concerned about are
a) a future loose / malfunctioning charger port
b) blown earpiece speaker
For these two things, I am guessing that the 1-year warranty will cover them, correct? If so, how does that process work? Do I have to deal with HTC directly, or can I get all my exchanges, repairs, etc. handled at a Sprint store?
Thanks in advance.

I would just do it personally, just for piece of mind... Its not like its a crazy amount of money. You know how Sprint can get sometimes, what if your phone gets messed up and then they start giving you the run around? I would do it but to each his own, best of luck in whatever you choose to do.

oreoOozZz said:
I would just do it personally, just for piece of mind... Its not like its a crazy amount of money.
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...and thats how they reel u in. I did the insurance thing with my Touch Pro until I realized how big of a waste it was (thought it was only $50 deduct). I've never had an opportunity to use insurance and look at all those months of $7 I would have wasted. You'll be able to get NIB Evos off eBay for around $300 before too long.
Sent from my Evo...

awenthol said:
...and thats how they reel u in. I did the insurance thing with my Touch Pro until I realized how big of a waste it was (thought it was only $50 deduct). I've never had an opportunity to use insurance and look at all those months of $7 I would have wasted. You'll be able to get NIB Evos off eBay for around $300 before too long.
Sent from my Evo...
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300-100=200 / 7 = 29 months of insurance. I would go for the insurance for two years or until I'm eligible for another phone.

Why was I able to replace my g1 three times with no insurance?
Well because htc includes one year warranty. So when ever I had a defect or the phone does not turn on tmibile just makes sure no water damage and I get my replacement.
Does the evo not have the same warranty from htc?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

my wife and I don't carry insurance on our evo's. its a gamble that I'm willing to take.I'm covered within the first year warantee and after that, the phone is old to me anyways...her charger port came loose and we took it to a service center and they replaced it with a new phone. They said the charger port was a known issue and sprint honored the replacement. worse case scenario,i would've went directly through htc

So as long as you don't dip your phone in the toilet or run it over with your car, no need for insurance.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Ohhhh. And if they give me a hard time about any exchange I'll just call and make a corporate complaint.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Thanks for your input everyone.
I think I'm going to be dropping the insurance. I think that because my bill us over $69.99/month, I am eligible for an upgrade every 12 months, which will coincide nicely with the 1 year manufacturer warranty...

I'm somewhat new to Sprint, but I've noticed that with my other phones on my plan when there is a problem they always jump to insurance over warranty.
I've had 2* Samsung Moments have their USB ports go bad. First time they used warranty, second time they wanted me to use Insurance, but got the phone support to use warranty.
Another samsung moment the screen was shutting off on its own and they said there was something wrong with the ribbon on the inside of the phone and said it was physical damage and to use insurance to replace. How can it be physical damage on the inside?????
Every time they said to use insurance was in store, over the phone they use warranty.

Does anybody here have Best Buy insurance on their phone? I have it and was wondering if it as great as i here. They tell me if the phone breaks for any reason they replace it no question.

david279 said:
Does anybody here have Best Buy insurance on their phone? I have it and was wondering if it as great as i here. They tell me if the phone breaks for any reason they replace it no question.
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Best Buy would lie to its momma to sell her black tie insurance. I bought it for a game system several years ago and found out the hard way that they do ask questions. I got it replaced but it took a few hours for my blood pressure to come back down..

nebenezer said:
Best Buy would lie to its momma to sell her black tie insurance. I bought it for a game system several years ago and found out the hard way that they do ask questions. I got it replaced but it took a few hours for my blood pressure to come back down..
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Um figured something like that.

david279 said:
Um figured something like that.
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lol, ymmv
this was almost 9 years ago. I was a much bigger jerk back then so I'm sure my demeanor was a factor in the exchange..

Most people will complain about Bestbuys phone insurance, but I prefer it. I had the Hero, got it wet, it died, and they sent it out to be repaired. After a month (yes, took forever, but I did have a loaner from bestbuy during the time) they said it couldn't be fixed. Got store credit for the cost (retail, so $599.99 + tax), to get another Hero. I just got the Evo instead. They had no problem with it, since I was buying without upgrade or anything.
If it had been sprint they would have tossed me to asurion, and I would have paid $100...and still had the Hero.

as it stands, right now any warranty issues can be handled by Sprints S&R centers with or without Sprints ESRP or TEP plans. heard through the grapevine though that come October, customers that dont have ESPR or TEP will have to go through the Manufacturer for warranty, which the Manuf. wants you to ship the phone to them, they will determine if its covered or not, then send the phone back either fixed, replaced or the way you send it to them.

I keep the insurance on it. When I got my Tour last year, there was a glitch in the system for a couple of days. I got the $7TEP for $3 on both my and my wife's phone. =)

nxtech3 said:
as it stands, right now any warranty issues can be handled by Sprints S&R centers with or without Sprints ESRP or TEP plans. heard through the grapevine though that come October, customers that dont have ESPR or TEP will have to go through the Manufacturer for warranty, which the Manuf. wants you to ship the phone to them, they will determine if its covered or not, then send the phone back either fixed, replaced or the way you send it to them.
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Warranty goes through manu, not Sprint or any agent, don't know where you heard that from.
I don't know what makes anybody think they are entitled to a "new" phone and not refurb after months of wear/tear and something happening to the phone. Nothing on this planet lasts forever and phones are not meant to last more than a year (haven't you figured that out already by the ONE YEAR MANUFACTURERS warranty?)
Just like any other insurance on the planet, anytime you make a claim you must pay a deductible, car insurance, health insurance, phone insurance, ANY insurance. If you don't pay a deductible I guarantee you, you are paying more monthly than the insurance that does have a deductible. Now, it all comes down to how much of a gamble you want to pay. $7 a month + $100/$50 deductible through Sprint which in worst case scenario (11 months) you ended up paying $177/$127 but covers lost/stolen, physical damage, water damage, etc. Or $10 a month which after 11 months is $111 but doesn't cover lost/stolen and water damage in which case, you're now screwed. Me personally? I don't use insurance, I take good care of my ****

DirtyShroomz said:
Warranty goes through manu, not Sprint or any agent, don't know where you heard that from.
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Sprint has covered any and all warrenty claims I have thrown to them at no extra cost. The shipping label says Sprint, not HTC.

We charge the manufacturer whenever we do service or replacement through warranty at our store so both of you win lol
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Sprint Total Equipment Protection. Is it a must have?

Hello,
I do not know if I should take the equipment protection that sprint offers. Is this the only option or is there any other ?
Any suggestion/help is appreciated.
Broadcasted From HTC Evo 4G

It just depends on how you are with you phone. Plus it's only $7 I think now? If something does happen to your phone, paying $100 for a replacement is better than paying $500 for a brand new one. Let me tell you though, Asurion sucks. They are one of the most stingy companies I've ever had to deal with, with both my Moment and my Epic.

Yes... worth it. Asurion wasnt a problem to deal with in my opinion when I went swimming with my Pre in my pocket. I had issues with billing amounts and mishaps but excusable in my opinion.

$35 at the sprint store to fix it if you drop it. (Unless you drop it in water I guess)
At $7 a month, you would need to drop your phone more than once every 5 months. If you are careless with your phone, buy the TEP. If you take care of it like I do, the $7 a month is a waste.

dills2214 said:
$35 at the sprint store to fix it if you drop it. (Unless you drop it in water I guess)
At $7 a month, you would need to drop your phone more than once every 5 months. If you are careless with your phone, buy the TEP. If you take care of it like I do, the $7 a month is a waste.
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stuff happens, i recently dropped my evo.
i have TEP and its deffinetly worth it.
if you get it you might never use it, but if you dont get it and something happens, $500 down the drain

I have insurance through Best Buy, 7 a month and it covers pretty much everything except theft. Does TEP cover theft as well?

Berat said:
I have insurance through Best Buy, 7 a month and it covers pretty much everything except theft. Does TEP cover theft as well?
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If its Lost/Stolen you will pay a $100 deductible on top of the 7/month to get a new/refurb EVO.

In the long list of phones I've had over the years, the only ones I've ever had break met their demise in water/beer. So I consider it a must have. Also, after dealing with plenty of customers who didn't get TEP and lost or had their phone swiped, and want to rip my head off when I say a new one is $400-500.. I'd say it's well worth the $7 a month.

Tpe is worth it in my opinion.
I had a motoq 9c before upgrading to the ego and swapped it for wear and tear issues beforehand.
Probably give it to my kid as book reader/mp3 player... any other ideas?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

The cost of a lunch, for a $35 repair, or $100 replacement Pay the $7, well worth every cent.

Berat said:
I have insurance through Best Buy, 7 a month and it covers pretty much everything except theft. Does TEP cover theft as well?
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Best Buy insurance is not 7, it's more like 10. Also, where Sprint can do repairs in house, Best Buy has to ship our phones out for weeks at a time.If I could do it over, I'd get the Sprint TEP.
Sent from my HTC EVO using XDA app

Berat said:
I have insurance through Best Buy, 7 a month and it covers pretty much everything except theft. Does TEP cover theft as well?
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They don't cover theft and you forgot to mention they don't cover loss either.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Bestbuy warranty's are a Rip off!

Berat said:
I have insurance through Best Buy, 7 a month and it covers pretty much everything except theft. Does TEP cover theft as well?
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I had to pay 10 for best buy, 7 was never an option
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Also, I would argue that it depends on how often you upgrade. I usually upgrade once a year, and most phones (I know for a fact HTC's) carry at least a 1 year manufacturer warranty. Won't help you with stuff like water damage, theft or the like, but it will with defects. If you're careful with your phone, the manufacturer warranty is free and should cover you. I got mine replaced for the power button crack and some weird hot spots on my screen, through Sprint, for free.

johnylovejoy said:
stuff happens, i recently dropped my evo.
i have TEP and its deffinetly worth it.
if you get it you might never use it, but if you dont get it and something happens, $500 down the drain
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How is it $500 down the drain?
Take it to your nearest sprint store. $35. Fixed and out the door. Like I said, unless you drop it on a regular basis, I just don't see how it is worth it.

chris66 said:
The cost of a lunch, for a $35 repair, or $100 replacement Pay the $7, well worth every cent.
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Wrong.
$7 TEP - fixed or replaced for free (Minus water damage/board damage)
No TEP - Fixed for $35 at sprint store or $100 for replacement if in several pieces, water damage, etc.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=819504&highlight=TEP

chumpysv said:
Best Buy has to ship our phones out for weeks at a time.
Sent from my HTC EVO using XDA app
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Exactly which Bestbuy keeps on a very down low while selling consumers.
Bestbuy geek squad forums have purchasers posting everyday that phone has been out for service over a month and when they received it back repair was crap.
This leaves consumers with bad choices - send it out for service again deal with another long return time or deal with crappy repair.
Oh lets not forget loaner phones , their very scarce and suc.
Bestbuy extended warranty of any type are a scam.

I would say its only worth it if your very rough with your phone (or work in an adverse environment, etc) or plan on keeping it over a year. I went through 9 feature phones in a 3 year period because I was so careless with them (fell in fire, dog chewed one, toilet, beer cup, ran one over, lost etc etc.), and considered the couple bucks worth it. Smart phones? I'm as careful as can be. Dropped my launch day Evo once since release, on carpet from about a foot. When it crapped out for unknown reasons at the end November, I just brought it to Sprint and they replaced on the spot for $35. Saved a little over the TEP and a good amount over BestBuy's blacktie scam.
Apparently they're supposed to send yours in and order a replacement when you warranty replace one, but the rep just asked that I give him a good rating on the review call and gave me a new one. Easy enough. *****ing about driving 30 miles in driving snow to the nearest Sprint store with Evos in stock probably helped. Granted he didnt know I find every excuse possible to rip around in a snow storm, and would have been driving around pulling people out of the ditch anyways.

I have TEP and pay the $7/month.
First, my bottom LED flash stopped working. I walked into the Sprint store, and it was taken care of for free.
A few days later, I lost it while out. $100 and I had a phone 2 days later. And BTW, they're not giving out refurbed EVOs (at least not as of 3 or so weeks ago). My replacement was BNIB. Compared to what it would cost me for a new one, I am a-okay with $7/month.
I'm not someone that drops my phone, and I generally take very good care of my items, but sometimes, stuff (like losing it) happens. It's a gamble, but in the long run, I feel I got my $ worth, and for what the EVOs cost, the $7/month is well worth the peace of mind.
It all boils down to this being a gamble, no different than carrying comp/coll on your car/truck.

Kudos to Sprint for Once

Just got my Epic last Monday and I ALREADY (super clumsy move) dropped it and the screen cracked on Sunday. Went to the Sprint store today and they replaced my screen for free (I do have insurance though and pay the monthly $7). This is the 2nd time I've broken a screen with them in the past 6 months or so (broke my Moment screen too, which they also fixed for free). Just wanted to let everyone know that if you break your screen, and they have available replacements & you have insurance, they'll do it for free.

I believe if you don't have insurance they will replace it for 35$. Maybe someone here can confirm first hand but that's what a local sprint store charged a co worker when he shattered his evo then broke the lcd trying to replace the glass himself.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Does anyone know if you can just buy the insurance whenever? I've had my phone for a little bit and I want to buy it, but my parents keep saying that they'll [Sprint] never let me do it =/.

iamchocho said:
I believe if you don't have insurance they will replace it for 35$. Maybe someone here can confirm first hand but that's what a local sprint store charged a co worker when he shattered his evo then broke the lcd trying to replace the glass himself.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
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Yes; if you don't have insurance, they wil replace it for $35, and if it breaks again within 30 days of the first replacement, it is free.
After bricking my Epic twice...I can definitely confirm this lol.

Hasseo said:
Does anyone know if you can just buy the insurance whenever? I've had my phone for a little bit and I want to buy it, but my parents keep saying that they'll [Sprint] never let me do it =/.
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I think you have to put it on your phone before your 30 days are up. After that I don't think you can.
Sent from my Evo Killer!!!

Hasseo said:
Does anyone know if you can just buy the insurance whenever? I've had my phone for a little bit and I want to buy it, but my parents keep saying that they'll [Sprint] never let me do it =/.
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Click to collapse
If you have a best buy near you..just go with their insurance. It's 10 a month instead of 7; but you don't pay a premium when you have to make a claim. And they cover EVERYTHING except lost/stolen.

Just dial *2 for customer service and ask if you can add the insurance. I wouldn't see why they wouldn't want to collect an extra $7/month, though I'm sure they have a waiting period for a claim to be considered legit if you add it after the initial 30 days from phone purchase.

They will add insurance at anytime, the only rule is that it wont activate until you make a call from the insured phone to make sure you don't break/lose it then add insurance

I second the best buy recommendation. Although it can take a little time for the replacement, if your phone is deemed beyond repairable they give you in store credit for a new phone. My "hero" mysteriously developed a 45 degree bend in the middle, and they gave me credit that I put to an Epic. Best move ever.

XtaC318 said:
If you have a best buy near you..just go with their insurance. It's 10 a month instead of 7; but you don't pay a premium when you have to make a claim. And they cover EVERYTHING except lost/stolen.
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Except that their turnaround time is horrendous. Expect to wait up to 30days...

Hasseo said:
Does anyone know if you can just buy the insurance whenever? I've had my phone for a little bit and I want to buy it, but my parents keep saying that they'll [Sprint] never let me do it =/.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to add it within 30 days of activating the phone. If it's been past 30 days, you can activate another phone, then reactivate your Epic, and add the insurance to your Epic.

TWO515TY said:
You have to add it within 30 days of activating the phone. If it's been past 30 days, you can activate another phone, then reactivate your Epic, and add the insurance to your Epic.
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being a sprint tech support rep i can tell you that your method is correct, however if the device you activated was activated before it will show the original activation date, alot of tech reps got fired for fraud trying to help customers out, they would activate an old device, add insurance, then switch to the new device. sprint caught us trying to help people and started marking it fraud.... so we had to stop, which sucks when the cust is cool and we cant do anything to help him/her.
and if you do not have TEP(insurance) ERP(just replacment inusrrance, or ESRP(just servicing the device in store no replacement insurance) there is a $35 charge, use to be $120 but changed about 2 months ago near christmas... also if you dont want to pay the $7 a month switch to one of the other plans and pay3-4 depending which you choose, forgot which is which... and at any time you can switch to TEP with no problem and even help a sprint rep(that helped you) out with a "sale"

XtaC318 said:
If you have a best buy near you..just go with their insurance. It's 10 a month instead of 7; but you don't pay a premium when you have to make a claim. And they cover EVERYTHING except lost/stolen.
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Except then you don't have your phone for a minimum of 2 weeks lol.

063_XOBX said:
They will add insurance at anytime, the only rule is that it wont activate until you make a call from the insured phone to make sure you don't break/lose it then add insurance
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They might have changed this but in the past they would let you put insurance on it but then you couldn't immediately make a claim. I think you have to wait either 14 or 30 days. This was so you didn't break it and then expect to add it and immediately get your broke phone fixed.

Hasseo said:
Does anyone know if you can just buy the insurance whenever? I've had my phone for a little bit and I want to buy it, but my parents keep saying that they'll [Sprint] never let me do it =/.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But mom i want it!!! I want it now! ::Start tantrum here:::::

Pvt WhoOkid said:
But mom i want it!!! I want it now! ::Start tantrum here:::::
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I see the term "insurance" tossed around a lot when really what the poster means is the service and repair plan.
TEP is made up of both Insurance through Assurion, and the service and repair plan. Assurion replaces phones if you damage it beyond the level a repair center will handle, such as liquid damage, or board level damage. They also cover lost devices as well.
The Equipment Service and Repair plan is a service plan that gets you free service on the device in the store, including and up to replacing the phone with another if they can't fix it, and it's not liquid or board level damaged (go with the above if so)
Both plans cost four dollars each, or, if you have both you pay 7. If you just had the Insurance.. I.E. Assurion, a store is not going to work on your phone for free, and if you just have the service plan, you're not going to get a replacement for a lost phone or one you dumped into the toilet from Assurion.
Currently just the four dollar a month service and equipment replacement plan will get you new screens or whatever else you need as long as it's not liquid, board level damage, broken in half, whatever. If a store orders you another phone, that's not insurance, they did so because they couldn't fix it.

Hmmm... well. Thank you for all of your replies! You all are a big help.
At the Best Buy suggestion... no. I cannot stand Geek Squad. The corporate system there is terrible.
I'll probably just end up calling Sprint this weekend and asking if I can add it. It's been more than 30 days, but it's worth a shot.
Sent from the Epic that bites.