+81 votes
by (250 points)
Do you have insurance on your cell phone? I currently pay $11 per month, but have never even had a close call with dropping my phone, lost a phone or had any other issue. Part of me wants to stop paying for insurance, the other part of me just sees Murphy's law happening. I have had my current phone for 3 years, so that's almost $400 that I could have put towards debt. Thoughts? Edited to add: I'm a samsung device person, my phone is paid off and my deductible is $100
Do you have insurance on your cell phone?

66 Answers

+85 votes
by (9.7k points)
 
Best answer
I have it and I’m grateful for it! My husband has broken his phone 5 times in the past two years and mine stopped working once. We pay $10 per month and it’s paid for itself for the 6 phones we’ve gone through. My husband uses his phone at work and i work from mine so going without wasn’t an option.  
by (9.7k points)
Also, my husband has used both otter box and life proof and his phones broke in both.  
+42 votes
by (620 points)
If you decide to cancel it I’d start a cash envelope for your phone just in case something were to ever happen. If it does, you’re covered. If I doesn’t, you have some extra cash
+87 votes
by (790 points)
I do it outside of the carrier. Replacement is cheaper and you get a new phone not a refurb phone. I pay 19. 99 and price is locked in forever. Up to 4 lines. Also covers battery.  
by (440 points)
@clynes2636 who do you get it from?  
by (790 points)
@brightwork SquareTrade
+44 votes
by (9.8k points)
We took it off. $15 a month per phone and it barely covered anything anyways
+81 votes
by (2.3k points)
As a cell phone sales rep, when my customers ask me my opinion on insurance, it’s great to have, but I cancel mine when devices are paid off, the deductible for them is expensive and if it’s paid off I might as well get a new device unless you can find a 3rd party to fix your device if it’s a screen issue.  
+75 votes
by (2.8k points)
I keep it until it costs less to buy out the contract then the deductible. Then I cancel.  
+78 votes
by (2.3k points)
It’s a necessity for us. 3 swims in the toilet, 2 cracked screens, 1 buried in cement, 1 run over by a steamroller. yep, phones are not safe with us  
+63 votes
by (680 points)
We kept it till our phones were paid off. Now that two phones are paid off and insurance gone my plan has dropped from $175 to $50  
+42 votes
by (2.2k points)
I've used my insurance to replace phones enough that I always carry it.  
+50 votes
by (3.2k points)
I have it and had never broken, lost, or anything with a phone. Until last Christmas Eve when I lost my balance and dropped my phone. The thing shattered and I mean SHATTERED! I was so thankful for the insurance because instead of having to buy a new $900 phone(upgrade not available), I just had to pay $200 and had a new phone 2 days later. (Would have been next day, but Christmas. ) I will always have insurance.  
+71 votes
by (7.9k points)
No cell insurance here. Get a good case like Otter Box. My last phone just wouldn't die and I wanted a new one lol.  
by (3.2k points)
Mine was in an OtterBox. I dropped it just at the wrong spot and it shattered. Nothing is foolproof.  
+82 votes
by (5.2k points)
If they’re newer phones, I would keep it for a while. I always do and then cancel as the phones get older because by then you can get them fixed elsewhere!  
+69 votes
by (2.6k points)
Put the money into a solid case and screen protector. That's going to be what you need for most things. Oh, and don't hold your phone over your toilet. That's just asking for trouble!  
+47 votes
by (1.2k points)
I've had insurance on my phone for like last like 5 years and I've needed it 2 and now a 3rd time lol
+62 votes
by (6.6k points)
If you can be dedicated to putting that money in a sinking fund then cancel it as you would have the money to pay for a new phone in a short time
+74 votes
by (670 points)
We put ours on our homeowners insurance. Way Cheaper!  
+69 votes
by (3.5k points)
Nope. I have a decent case and I’m careful enough with it (knock on wood! ) that I never bother.  
+38 votes
by (2.7k points)
Get a good case and cancel the coverage
+56 votes
by (12.6k points)
We do! I’m clumsy and my teens both have iPhones. 2x my sons has had to use insurance in the last 2 years. We make them pay the deductible to get it fixed.  
+1 vote
by (1.5k points)
I always have carried it but when I got my phone two yrs ago I never got it. It’s always had a good life proof brand case on it and I’ve dropped it so many times! But it’s also paid off now so I guess it’s preference?  
+43 votes
by (1.7k points)
I had it when I was younger. I dropped it 2 phones ago.  
+54 votes
by (620 points)
Was advised by rep to insure for the 1st year and then drop.  
+85 votes
by (1.5k points)
I use square trade. $99 for two years. If you insure more than one phone the price is lower
+51 votes
by (2.5k points)
We recently dropped the insurance on all 3 cell phones. $45/month savings.  
+79 votes
by (720 points)
I would say if you’ve had your phone for 3 years, it’s not worth it to have the protection plan. I think it’s usually recommended to only keep it for 1-1. 5 years
+61 votes
by (14.7k points)
I usually don't have insurance on my phone and just by a really good phone case with a screen protector. I have my phones for years.  
+62 votes
by (1.5k points)
I just dropped the insurance on 3 phones, saved a ton. I have Tmobile my son & I have iPhones the deductible is $175 on his 8 and higher on my XR it’s not worth it. I recently dropped my phone and panicked bc the screen was cracked but my son reminded me there’s a screen protector on it I’ve had the insurance on all the phones for years. I don’t even want to think about how much I’ve paid for a service I haven’t used.  
+81 votes
by (6k points)
No. Haven’t had it for years. We’ve been lucky and good with our phones and haven’t needed it.  
+43 votes
by (5.1k points)
I NEVER get the insurance. I just invest in a really good phone case. I also have a ritual before I leave any store/place to make sure I have it with me
+48 votes
by (1.6k points)
No. I kept it the first year and cancelled after that
+69 votes
by (730 points)
Nope. I don't use it. My boyfriend on the other hand. Thank goodness he has t because he has dropped it a couple times where it shattered the screen. I invest like $10 to buy the screen protector and a $15 case. Bam. No problem
+72 votes
by (3.8k points)
We were paying $30 a month for two iPhones and finally took it off a few months ago. I’ve had an iPhone for 8 years (my husband for 5) and have never had an incident where we needed the insurance. I drop mine what feels like everyday and it’s still going strong. ‍♀️
+53 votes
by (2.1k points)
Never had insurance and have always kept phones for at least 4 years. I invest in a good case when I purchase a new phone. Still going strong with my iPhone 6 over here.  
+79 votes
by (4.8k points)
No phone insurance but set money aside for possible phone replacement or upgrade.  
+45 votes
by (4.5k points)
I never buy the insurance. Screen protector and a good case is all you need.  
+52 votes
by (1.2k points)
I had insurance for years on all my phone's but never used/needed it. As soon as I took it off, I dropped my phone and shattered the front and back glass. But my carrier has it so that once it's removed, you can't start it up again.  
+59 votes
by (1.4k points)
I have a glass screen protector and a soft shell and hard shell case. I also have an I ring attached to the back. I have done this combo for 10 years and never had to take my phone in. Mu husband does the otterbox case and only had to fake his phone in for a software malfunction that was still under warranty and he got a new phone for free. If we had paid for insurance for 2 phones at 20 a month for 5 years that would have covered the cost of a new top of the line phone by now. I have dropped my phone on cement multiple times and only had to replace the screen protector. If you protect your phone better than a basic silicone case you should do well.  
+53 votes
by (4.3k points)
Yes, I have insurance on two devices which costs $18 per month for both. Peace of mind  
+81 votes
by (1.8k points)
Honestly, once we pay off the device, we cancel the insurance on it.  
+58 votes
by (710 points)
I have insurance on my kids phones. I was thinking if dropping the insurance. Thank God I didn't. My son's phone literally died. It didn't drop or anything. It shut off when it was 50% battery. For absolutely no reason. If I didn't have insurance I would have been out a lot of money
+33 votes
by (1.1k points)
Never used the insurance. took it off.  
+47 votes
by (2.1k points)
No way. I am hard on my phones but I've added up what I've saved over the years in insurance and I won't get it. Worst case scenario, I'll buy a refurbished to get by.  
+26 votes
by (3.3k points)
My phone is paid off and I keep insurance on it. otherwise I spent all that money paying it off for nothing if I accidentally break it or something. You never know what can happen and phones these days are expensive to replace.  
by (3.3k points)
I learned my lesson when I broke my old galaxy and I had no insurance. I paid for a brand new phone. That was a painful lesson lol.  
+6 votes
by (370 points)
Working in insurance for many many years I've found that its very inexpensive to put it on your homeowner's policy. usually around $20 a year
by (7.6k points)
@lightish how does that work? Just call insurance and tell them we want to include our phones? Is it 20 for all phones in the family or just one? Thanks :)
+46 votes
by (17.9k points)
Nope never had insurance and have had a cell phone for 24 years. Never busted one never lost one  
+18 votes
by (7.3k points)
Keep the insurance. It’s just like a car. Once you don’t have it, you’ll be sorry.  
+38 votes
by (7.5k points)
I would look into something like squaretrade instead of through the carrier. Usually much more affordable if you feel you must carry insurance.  
+25 votes
by (5k points)
Silicone case and tampered glass are your BFF's. I spend $120 in 10 months for insurance (12 a month) and when it broke I had to pay a $170 deductible so I was mad. My current phone I chose because it was cheap ($180) and to fix the screen was super simple. YouTube, $35 screen, $3 E6000 glue, my blow dryer and a few business cards.  
+8 votes
by (9.8k points)
Never but I've paid to fix a screen.  
+8 votes
by (410 points)
Please take my advice with a grain of salt- as I have never dealt with insurance companies when it comes to any Samsung device. I worked for Apple for about 9 months in 2018. I dealt with Assurion on the other end of the customer- usually after they had MORE issues and here is what I’ve learned. Assurion and other phone “insurance” companies are a total crock. They get you with the $11 a month and “if anything happens we’ll replace the device! All you have to do is pay your deductible! ” And most people are sold right then and there. What they don’t tell you is that they are swapping it for a device that has ALSO been sent in and been “refurbished” and sent to replace your lost, broken, or stolen device. And those devices continue to have issues. Which means you continue to pay your $11 payments and deductibles until finally you get one that isn’t totally screwed up or finally make it to when you’re eligible to upgrade. Their “refurbished” devices are what give refurbished a bad name. Now on the Apple side of it I’d explain that when Apple “refurbishes” a phone they actually completely reengineering it and swap out any parts that could possibly be damaged or faulty or cause additional problems down the road and then are put through rigorous testing by hand and machine before they’re ever put into a customers hand. I’ve had multiple “refurbished” iPhones and they typically last longer and perform better than a brand new out of the box phone. That being said- I don’t know if Samsung does anything similar. But I can all but assure you that you’re wasting your money with Assurion.  
by (1.4k points)
@pinkston11 this, I broke a phone (it was 2 months old). They replaced it. I broke the screen on that one, before my first year was up. Took it to Apple to get fix, out of warranty because the refurbished phone was older. We paid $350 for a new screen despite me still paying the monthly fee for extra warranty. Never will buy it again.  
by (410 points)
AppleCare is a better bet by far. $29 screen replacement and $100 deductible for a lost stolen or total device replacement. And a lot of times it is cheaper than insurance through the phone company
+28 votes
by (7.5k points)
Yes and I've needed to replace twice and both times it was a major upgrade those cost me $5 for the processing. My insurance is 5 bucks and I haven't paid for a new phone in like 5 years. Both had to be replaced because the battery stopped charging correctly so it wasn't because I dropped it.  
+36 votes
by (14.4k points)
I have it now on both, but I cancel it at one year because the monthly cost plus the deductible exceeds the value of the phone at that point (or has in the past, we’ll see this year).  
+30 votes
by (4.2k points)
I did and then I got rid of it and right after I broke my phone , definitely got it back when I got a new one. I’d say keep it, even if you haven’t had a close call it’s cheaper to have the insurance than to replace the whole phone
+36 votes
by (12.3k points)
We have never carried insurance on our phones. We make sure we have good cases for them, and try to be careful. My husband's did a take a swim in the ocean, so we had to replace it. He found the same phone he already had for $200, and its doing just fine. In the 10-15 years that we've had cell phones, that's the only time we've had an issue.  
+26 votes
by (5.7k points)
Never carry it-the deductibles are to high. I broke my new phone screen this year three months after getting it. I was quoted over 300 to fix it with the insurance (that I forgot to cancel one month after Getting the phone). We paid someone local out of pocket for 75$ and cancelled the insurance.  
by (710 points)
@hardigg which insurance issue is that? I only pay $29 with my insurance for broken screens
+7 votes
by (2.6k points)
Never pay for most insurance exceot health insurance. Ripoff.  
+3 votes
by (1.1k points)
No, get a protective case on Amazon and always keep it on  
+11 votes
by (920 points)
They will not send you a new phone if you use the insurance. The deductible is $100. For $100, you can buy your own used phone. I got rid of our insurance.  
+5 votes
by (360 points)
No never get the insurance either. Waste of money. And like others say we just upgrade every 2 years or so and trade it in
+10 votes
by (12.9k points)
I don’t have it, I’ve never broken a cell phone and have cases that are proper for ensuring dropping a phone won’t break it
by (12.9k points)
By the time it stop working because Apple slows it down, its time for an upgrade anyway
+19 votes
by (900 points)
I've never had insurance on my phone and I've never needed it. Maybe put the $11 in a sinking envelope monthly and if something happens then you have the money to fix it or even to replace it.  
+45 votes
by (2.3k points)
I just put a durable case and I’ve never had an issue with my phone. Case and screen protector does the job. And every year I just get a new case. I’ve had an iPhone 7 Plus for 4 years
+40 votes
by (960 points)
I had a instance where my new phone of a year just stopped working. I couldn’t get it to turn all the way back on stayed stuck. Technical issue and nothing to do with dropping it etc. Without my insurance I would’ve had to pay for a phone.  
+2 votes
by (330 points)
I have used phone insurance once in 9 years and at that time I believe it was for a cracked screen (which can easily and usually inexpensively be fixed now) AND I had to pay a $125 deductible to do so. Now I have a punkcase which is shockproof and waterproof and negates the need for a screen protector and it only cost me like $35(? ). Just canceled our phone insurance since we started this group and we are saving $30 a month (2 phones).  
+33 votes
by (440 points)
I never used to get it, but for the past 2 phones I get the basic plan. Just enough to cover a cracked screen. I've used it 3x already in the past year thanks to my kids somehow always finding my phone.  
+11 votes
by (9.3k points)
It depends on what is wrong with your phone. We've had ALL SORTS of scenarios- ▪ Cracked screen - $29 repair ▪Crack too big - $150 deductible ▪ Two occassions where phone not charging - $100 deductible • 1st time I got a brand new phone. • 2nd time I got my current refurbished phone. Both of our phones are paid in full and we pay $15/month. I have a Galaxy 7 edge and my Hubby has the Galaxy 8. The purpose of insurance works like car insurance. You hope you NEVER need to use it, but you have it, if you do. Phone companies keep changing their promos and lots of places sell phones. You need to decide if you want to buy a new phone ranging from $25-$1, 100 depending on what model you buy.  
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