T-Mobile’s Phone Insurance Just Got a Lot Better!

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Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers. T-Mobile has announced good news for Apple fans!

T-Mobile’s Premium Device Protection will now include AppleCare.  And there’s no extra charge for the addition!

I’ll explain what that means.  And help you decide if it’s worth the price for Premium Device Protection!

What Is AppleCare?

Link:   T-Mobile Now Includes AppleCare With Premium Device Protection

Link:   T-Mobile Device Protection

Link:   AppleCare

T-Mobile is popular with international travelers, like Million Mile Secrets team members Scott and Joseph.  That’s because you’ll get free unlimited text and data overseas with the T-Mobile One plan.  And you can use your phone normally anywhere in North America. I prefer Project Fi, because it automatically makes sure you’re on the network that provides the fastest data speeds, which vary between 4G LTE, 3G, or 2G, depending on your location and what networks are available.  But only certain devices work with Project Fi. T-Mobile now includes AppleCare with its Premium Device Protection and JUMP! with Premium Device Protection plans. T-Mobile customers who buy a new Apple mobile device (like an iPhone or iPad) will now get the benefits of AppleCare:

• 24/7 priority access to AppleCare tech support
• Reduced repair fees, like $29 for iPhone screen damage (only twice), and $99 for other repairs
• $0 for battery service
• Apple-certified repair or replacement at Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers
• Software support for iOS, iCloud, and Apple-branded iOS apps
• Hardware repairs and service backed by Apple

Is It Worth Paying for T-Mobile’s Premium Device Protection?

T-Mobile’s Premium Device Protection costs at least $12 per month (price varies by device).  In addition to AppleCare, it covers:

• Loss
• Theft
• Accidental damage
• Hardware services (mechanical breakdown)
• Remote emergency alarm, location, lock, and wipe
• App scanning
• Safe browsing
• Content backup

All repairs and replacements come with a deductible up to $175.  And you are limited to 2 claims per 12 months.

You’ll pay $144 per year for T-Mobile’s Premium Device Protection with AppleCare.  If you buy AppleCare independently, you’ll spend $129.  So this is a great addition to the T-Mobile coverage.

That means if you break your screen twice in 1 year, you’ll have spent $202 in repairs ($144 per year + $29 per screen repair).  Or if your phone is lost or stolen, it will cost you $319 that year ($144 per year + $175 deductible).

Team member Joseph has T-Mobile’s OnePlus International plan, which comes with Premium Device Protection.  He likes the unlimited 4G LTE tethering and unlimited high-speed internet in most countries.

After breaking his phone, he filed a claim with T-Mobile and had to pay the $175 deductible.  But he received a brand new phone in the mail 2 DAYS LATER!

Phone Insurance With Credit Card

Link:   Best Cards to Pay Your Cell Phone Bill

You don’t have to buy coverage from your service provider or phone manufacturer to get insurance on your device!  You’ll get phone insurance if pay your phone bill with certain cards.

1.   Chase Ink Business Preferred

The Chase Ink Business Preferred comes with up to $600 of protection against damage or theft, 3 times per 12-month period, after you pay a $100 deductible.  That’s up to $500 back toward a replacement!  Plus, the card earns 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on phone bills!

Here are the exceptions:

• Lost phones are NOT covered
• Covered phones must be purchased new.  Refurbished or resold phones are NOT included
• Only covers you and your employees listed on your monthly cell phone bill

2.   Wells Fargo Cards

The Wells Fargo Propel 365 American Express and Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card cards both come with phone insurance.

The information related to the Wells Fargo Propel 365 American Express Card and Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card has been collected by MillionMileSecrets and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.

Like the Chase Ink Business Preferred, they also cover $600 in damage.  But the deductible is only $25.  So you’ll get up to $575 back towards a repair!

A fantastic feature of these cards is that the insurance applies to everyone on the same family plan (up to 3 additional phone lines).  If you have a family plan with multiple phone lines, and pay the bill with a Wells Fargo credit card, your family’s phones are covered, too!

Here are the exceptions:

• Lost phones are NOT covered
• Covered phones must be purchased new.  Refurbished or resold phones are NOT included
• It must be your personal cell phone

Note:   If you’d rather earn more bonus points on your phone bill instead of complimentary phone insurance, there are a few great cards for you:

• SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express – Earns 5% cash back on phone bills up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1%
• Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card – Earns 5% cash back on phone bills on the first $25,000 each account anniversary year; then 1%.
• Chase Ink Plus (no longer available) – Earns 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on phone bills

Extended Warranty With Credit Card

Link:   New Citi Protection Benefits Guide

Link:   Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits Guide

Link:   American Express Extended Warranty

Some cards will extend the warranty on your purchases, so you don’t need to purchase insurance until 1 or 2 years after the manufacturer’s warranty would normally expire.

• American Express cards extend the warranty of your purchases by 1 year.
• Citi cards extend the warranty of your purchases by 24 months (not to exceed 84 months).  And you’re covered up to the amount charged to your card (minus shipping and handling fees), with a maximum of $10,000 per item
• Chase Sapphire Preferred extends the warranty of your purchases by 1 year (to warranties of 3 years or less).  You’re covered up to the amount charged to your card (minus shipping and handling fees), with a maximum of $10,000

Bottom Line

T-Mobile has added AppleCare to their Premium Device Protection coverage!  This is great for Apple users, because AppleCare costs $129 by itself.  And T-Mobile’s Premium Device Protection costs $144 per year, and it covers additional things that AppleCare does NOT.

There are lots of cards that give you coverage on phones (and other purchases!), if you use the card to pay your phone bill.  So make sure you aren’t paying for insurance if you don’t need to!

What do you think about T-Mobile’s new addition to its Premium Device Protection?