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.

Dropped my phone, am I screwed?

So I dropped my phone 2 feet and it exploded and the screen is done. I'd post pictures, but it makes me sad.
I've had the phone for 40 days or so, what can I do to not have to pay $550 for a new phone? Add insurance and wait a month? If I add the insurance what would it cost me per month and for a new phone?

Landmine said:
So I dropped my phone 2 feet and it exploded and the screen is done. I'd post pictures, but it makes me sad.
I've had the phone for 40 days or so, what can I do to not have to pay $550 for a new phone? Add insurance and wait a month? If I add the insurance what would it cost me per month and for a new phone?
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As far as I know, you can only add Sprint TEP during your first 30 days. Check your credit card for accidental damage protection (Amex has 1 year extended warranty and 90 days accidental damage).
Repairing the screen probably won't be $550, but will be very expensive.

I'm sorry for your loss. As far as I know you can only sign up for insurance within a certain period of time after recieving the phone. I think you are past that timeframe.
I don't think there are any replacement screens available yet for replacing the glass yourself. You could search for something like that if you are the brave type, or look for a place that will repair it for you. But again, I don't think replacement parts are available yet.
In my opinion, if you want to avoid buying an expensive new phone I would buy the cheapest CDMA phone you can get from sprint (or Ebay) and wait until parts are available for the EVO.

Without insurance you are pretty screwed. You can try adding it to your Sprint account now and see if they will let you and wait 40 days or so to file a claim.
Either that or pony up the cash for one on ebay.

Amex protection, while they are amazing, will only cover what you spent on the phone.
So if you got the phone for $199, they will reimburse you what you spent on it, not the cost of the replacement at $499.
I went through this with my wifes Pre. Dog ate it after 80 days. Amex said they would give me $199 for it (what I spent) but would need the damaged phone as proof. It would cost me $499 for a new Pre. Luckily I had insurance. I asked Amex if they would pay the $100 deductible for the insurance, but my insurance company would want the damaged phone to see if they could repair it.
They immediately credited my account $100 and was happy about it. They did not need the phone back.
I buy everything on Amex. Everything.
But in your case you have two options. Buy a new phone, or try to get away with insurance fraud.
I thought I read a post somewhere on here where someone found the front glass for sale for like $130.

So Sprint added the insurance to my plan and told me it was active as of today. So I'm covered apparently, anyone know what it will cost me to use that insurance?

It was $100 for me.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Thank you. Suppose this thread can now be closed or deleted.

Please have some form of moral fortitude and carry the insurance for at least a year.
Glad you are able to get away with it.

I'm going to keep the insurance forever. I wanted to get it pre-drop but put it off because I was so "careful"... What a joke I am right?

Landmine said:
I'm going to keep the insurance forever. I wanted to get it pre-drop but put it off because I was so "careful"... What a joke I am right?
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You live and learn
Luckily Sprint allowed you to add the insurance past your 30 day mark. I understand that insurance can be added "anytime", but I guess they fed me a line of B.S. when they warned me that after my 30-trial period, I couldn't add it.
Either way...$100 is a heck of a lot better then having to dish out the full price of the phone.

If you ever need insurance activate an old phone online then activate the one you need insurance on. It will let you add it then. It needs to be able to power on and join the network though.

My Sprint insurance runs 15 a month per phone.

PAPutzback said:
My Sprint insurance runs 15 a month per phone.
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Why? I have Total Equipment Protection (the best plan) and it is $7 per phone per month.

if sprint ever tells you that you can't add insurance tell them it's in the contract which it is, as long and they didn't kick you off because of too many claims ( i think 3 or more a year) they have to let you add it

If you would have gone to a service and repair store like mine, you would have been charged a $119 fee and then we could either replace the damaged parts if we have them, or order you a replacement. Then you could also add insurnace after that as well.
Best thing is that the Evo is not hard at all for us to work on. The only hard part would be getting a screen. I can have one taken apart and swap a screen in probably 15 to 20 minutes.

[Q] Device Insurance

There will be 3 Epics in my household come 8/31. I am wondering if we could get away with purchasing insurance for just one of the Epics, and have it cover all 3.
Do they record the serial number of the phone and tie it to each insurance policy? What about any other info that could tie a specific phone to the policy rather than just the phone model?
If not, I don't see how we couldn't have 1 policy cover all 3 phones. Thanks

quasi13 said:
There will be 3 Epics in my household come 8/31. I am wondering if we could get away with purchasing insurance for just one of the Epics, and have it cover all 3.
Do they record the serial number of the phone and tie it to each insurance policy? What about any other info that could tie a specific phone to the policy rather than just the phone model?
If not, I don't see how we couldn't have 1 policy cover all 3 phones. Thanks
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Each phone is tied to a line. If Sprint was a GSM network then maybe you could go sim card swaps and maybe get away with it. However since each phone on CDMA networks is stuck to a phone number and thus a line, I am pretty sure they can tell which phone is being replaced.
e.g. if i have 3 phones with numbers 000-000-0000, 111-111-1111 and 222-222-2222, and phone 111-111-1111 breaks but only 000-000-0000 is insured, and I bring in 111-111-1111 to replace it as 000-000-0000 which is insured, any new phone they send me would be activated as 000-000-0000 in other words they'd see that they are activating a phone for a number already in use. I hope this idea makes some sense.

This will not work at all. If you DO decide to swap the phones around, you can't put in a claim or repair until the device has been active on that line for 30 days.

ben7337 said:
Each phone is tied to a line. If Sprint was a GSM network then maybe you could go sim card swaps and maybe get away with it. However since each phone on CDMA networks is stuck to a phone number and thus a line, I am pretty sure they can tell which phone is being replaced.
e.g. if i have 3 phones with numbers 000-000-0000, 111-111-1111 and 222-222-2222, and phone 111-111-1111 breaks but only 000-000-0000 is insured, and I bring in 111-111-1111 to replace it as 000-000-0000 which is insured, any new phone they send me would be activated as 000-000-0000 in other words they'd see that they are activating a phone for a number already in use. I hope this idea makes some sense.
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Yes - that makes sense. Thanks for the quick reply and good info!
So at $7 per month and a $100 deductible, it would take 57 months to total the $500 off-contract price of the Epic.
If we got the insurance for all 3 phones, it'd be 1/3 the amount of time; 19 months to total $500 between us. The insurance still seems appealing (at least until used Epics start showing up on Ebay for ~$200).
If we wait until day 29 to add the Equipment Replacement Program, is accidental damage, theft, etc. covered for the first 4 weeks after the phone is purchased? (Does that 30-day satisfaction policy cover this?)
Thanks!

I was told by a sprint rep that the deductible for the Epic would be $150 - and you only get one replacement. Then they drop your insurance.

Actually... there is actually a loophole to have all your phones covered with only 1 insurance on your lines but I won't write it on here (sorry guys) and nothing is covered with the first 30 day policy except a return/exchange. Damage, theft, etc must be done thru insurance not thru the 30 day policy.

DirtyShroomz said:
Actually... there is actually a loophole to have all your phones covered with only 1 insurance on your lines but I won't write it on here (sorry guys) and nothing is covered with the first 30 day policy except a return/exchange. Damage, theft, etc must be done thru insurance not thru the 30 day policy.
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Sorry to bother u bro, when u get a chance can u pm me about this?
Sent from my SPH-M910 using XDA App

quasi13 said:
There will be 3 Epics in my household come 8/31. I am wondering if we could get away with purchasing insurance for just one of the Epics, and have it cover all 3.
Do they record the serial number of the phone and tie it to each insurance policy? What about any other info that could tie a specific phone to the policy rather than just the phone model?
If not, I don't see how we couldn't have 1 policy cover all 3 phones. Thanks
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Get the best buy insurance instead of the sprint insurance and you can do this. The best buy salesman actually suggested it to me when my wife and I bought the same phone. We are on a family plan and he just added one insurance policy. He said if either breaks just bring it in and we get a new one. Pretty sweet deal in my opinion.

Kcarpenter said:
I was told by a sprint rep that the deductible for the Epic would be $150 - and you only get one replacement. Then they drop your insurance.
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You were told the wrong info. That rep was a moron.

richse said:
Get the best buy insurance instead of the sprint insurance and you can do this. The best buy salesman actually suggested it to me when my wife and I bought the same phone. We are on a family plan and he just added one insurance policy. He said if either breaks just bring it in and we get a new one. Pretty sweet deal in my opinion.
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I assume I'd have to buy the phone from them, too? I have a hard time giving BB my business, so, if that's the case, I'll have to pass.

Lots of odd information in here. Sprint's insurance is tied to a particular phone number, it has nothing to do with the phone, they cover whatever phone is on that number. There is a way to scam their system, but I won't be posting it. Best Buy lied to you. They lie to sell PSP. Their insurance is garbage, it used to be worth messing with back in the days of the Treo 600, but they changed it. I ended up causing such a scene over the change I got a Treo 650 for free. Sprints TEP is good because it covers manufacturer's defects too. I know you have a 1 year warranty, but that always take WEEKS to get settled. If your phone messes up with Sprint and is isn't physical, lost, or water the almost always replace it in store. If the phone can still make and receive calls they usually order a new one for you. I have gotten upgraded MANY times due to a phone being faulty. $7 is a lot of money over the course of a 1 or 2 year contract, especially considering there is still a $100 deductible if it is physical,lost or water. Given my history with phones and the fact that it covers manufacturer's defects and random issues for free, I always keep the insurance. If I was using a free or cheap phone I would pass though.

Just one additional thought OP, what you're describing is insurance fraud, sorry to say. it may not be huge insurance fraud but its fraud nonetheless.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

ls3mach said:
Lots of odd information in here. Sprint's insurance is tied to a particular phone number, it has nothing to do with the phone, they cover whatever phone is on that number. There is a way to scam their system, but I won't be posting it. Best Buy lied to you. They lie to sell PSP. Their insurance is garbage, it used to be worth messing with back in the days of the Treo 600, but they changed it. I ended up causing such a scene over the change I got a Treo 650 for free. Sprints TEP is good because it covers manufacturer's defects too. I know you have a 1 year warranty, but that always take WEEKS to get settled. If your phone messes up with Sprint and is isn't physical, lost, or water the almost always replace it in store. If the phone can still make and receive calls they usually order a new one for you. I have gotten upgraded MANY times due to a phone being faulty. $7 is a lot of money over the course of a 1 or 2 year contract, especially considering there is still a $100 deductible if it is physical,lost or water. Given my history with phones and the fact that it covers manufacturer's defects and random issues for free, I always keep the insurance. If I was using a free or cheap phone I would pass though.
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The best buy insurance gets me a new phone even if I drop it off a building or in a pool. Sounds good to me! Tell me why its bad?
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App

richse said:
The best buy insurance gets me a new phone even if I drop it off a building or in a pool. Sounds good to me! Tell me why its bad?
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
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Have you ever used the Best Buy insurance? It didn't work anything like what I was told or how you described when it actually came time to collect. My Sprint insurance netted me upgrades MULTIPLE times over as we have 15 or so lines. PPC6700>Mogul, Mogul>TP1, TP1>TP2, MotoQ>Intrepid. I have also gotten my phone replaced for something small every time I go to sell them so I can sell either a brand new one or a like new refurbished unit. I have actually made money on every upgrade I have done since my Treo650. I will never use BestBuy or their PSP again. I have bought them on about 10 items, in my life, only 1 time has it worked out for me. Even then it was not what I was promised and they basically just sent my item back to the manufacturer and foot the repair bill. That was after I had to speak with about 10 people finally ending up with a store GM. You can do what you want, but for my money I will stick with what has been working in my benefit since 2004. I will however buy my phones through Bestbuy or Radioshack to avoid the MIR.

I cannot even believe this discussion is real. The PSP for the Epic is $170, I believe that is before taxes are added. That works out to be the same price, save the deductible, and Sprint does in-store swap outs and repairs. They also overnight your phone for free if you do have to file an actual claim. I am on a Premier account so I wouldn't even get the full value of my $170 PSP, even if it wasn't garbage.

May I ask where you guys got the information that the deductible for the Epic is 150+?

A Square Trade warranty might work for you. I don't know if they would take a serial number down for a cell phone or not, but they do require a receipt so having three phones my set off a flag for them. There quote is $144.00 and a $50 deductible applies to some claims. They do have 30% off coupon regularly which would bring it to $100 and you have 30 days from product purchase to buy their warranty.

foolforfood said:
Just one additional thought OP, what you're describing is insurance fraud, sorry to say. it may not be huge insurance fraud but its fraud nonetheless.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
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I was aware that it might be fraud before I posted, but it really depends fine print. I would expect this type of thing would be so obvious that they'd cover it in the fine print.
I gotta run though - I need to move my car to the driveway, fill up my pillow case with golf balls, and wait for the storms to roll in!

foolforfood said:
Just one additional thought OP, what you're describing is insurance fraud, sorry to say. it may not be huge insurance fraud but its fraud nonetheless.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA App
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Wow. lol - He probably make you drive in the right lane and god forbid you speed.
quasi13 said:
I was aware that it might be fraud before I posted, but it really depends fine print. I would expect this type of thing would be so obvious that they'd cover it in the fine print.
I gotta run though - I need to move my car to the driveway, fill up my pillow case with golf balls, and wait for the storms to roll in!
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That's funny right there!

35% off Square Trade Coupon here http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2194239 Not sure if you can buy in advance but liek I said, these coupons come up every couple weeks.

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.