Hi Rob,
The big decision left on the iphone4S is Apple Care or Square Trade. I know they are a sponsor, but Apple Care looks like they now cover two accidental incidents with the same 50 deductible as Square Trade and it is much more fun to go to the Genius bar with Apple Care, when you have a phone problem as they usually fix it on the spot. No waiting. So what do you think. Is there something I am overlooking. I will be in line Friday at the Apple store in West Hartford Ct.
Thanks Penny
Hi Penny,
Advertiser or not I want people to get the best deal / offering. Regardless of if they are an advertiser or not - I want the listeners of this show to make the best decision.
Here is what I know about both - AppleCare+ and SquareTrade.
AppleCare+: $99
As I understand it with the new AppleCare+ - you do need to purchase it at the time you order. If you pre-ordered - you might want to call Apple now before it is delivered and ask if you can add it now if you want it. As I am sure once it is delivered - Apple will be pretty strict about not allowing you to add Apple Care - At a min they may require you to bring it in for a full inspection before allowing you to add it. Here is Apples link to AppleCare+:
http://www.apple.com/support/products/iphone.html
Per the $49 Service fee from Apple - that is per each occurance and you are only covered on up to two occurances. So in most case this is going to be when you shatter the glass on your iPhone 4S. With AppleCare+ you can do this twice. Each time it is a $49 service fee (duductible). So two breaks and you are out another $98 bucks and according to Apples T's and C's - the coverage for any more breaks will cease.
Here is a link to the PDF for the Terms and Conditions for AppleCare+
Some Exerpts from their plan:
ADH (Accidental Damage from Handling) coverage only applies to operational or mechanical failure caused by an accident from handling that is the result of an unexpected and unintentional external event (e.g., drops and liquid contact) that arises from your normal daily usage of the Covered Equipment as intended for such Covered Equipment. ADH coverage does not include (a) protection against normal wear and tear, theft, misplacement, reckless, abusive, willful or intentional conduct associated with handling and use of the Covered Equipment, (b) protection against any other act or result not covered by the Plan, as described in Section 4.2 below,
From Section 4.2
The Plan does not apply to:
(i) Installation, removal or disposal of the Covered Equipment, or provision of equipment while the Covered Equipment is being serviced;
(ii) Damage caused by (a) a product that is not the Covered Equipment, (b) abuse, misuse, fire, earthquake or other external causes, (c) operating the Covered Equipment outside the permitted or intended uses described by the manufacturer, or (d) service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (“AASP”);
This last part probably means if you jailbreak and then have an issue - Apple could deny coverage. But personally I think they would be hard pressed to justify not replacing a shatered screen just because you are jailbroken.
NOTE: It is being reported and recommended that if you did miss out on buying AppleCare+ when you pre-ordered or ordered - you can bring your iPhone into an Apple store with in the next 30 days - probably less now - and get it added. You can get help from any sales associate - so no need for a genius bar appointment.
SquareTrade: $99
There is also a $50 deductible per claim.
SquareTrade will repair or replace an iPhone for pretty much identical reasons as AppleCare+. Accidental Drops, Liquid events and other accidental damage - not from willful neglect.
You have 30 days from point of order to get the Squaretrade warranty. They also have an iOS App - where you can get the warranty for some time after the 30 days. But best if you are getting it to get it from the site in the first 30 days.
From the SquareTrade site on how the repair procedure works:
You can file a claim online or on the phone. Depending on the issue, we will either fix your iPhone or arrange for a replacement. To fix your iPhone, we give you free overnight shipping to-and-from our depot and 80% of iPhones are fixed the day of receipt. If you prefer the convenience of your local Genius Bar, you can take it there and we will reimburse your repair costs.
Our 5-day service guarantee: We will replace OR fix and ship back your iPhone within 5 business days of receiving it at the depot. If it takes longer, let us know and we'll be happy to refund the cost of your warranty.
So you can bring your iPhone to the Apple store to be repaired - but you will be out of pocket the expense of the repair - until Sqauretrade can reimburse you.
Squaretrade has also stated in the past - that they are ok with you doing a software jailbreak of your iPhone - they will still cover you.
Comparison of Cons:
Con for AppleCare+ - two breaks of the glass - and no more warranty. You are talking about minimal costs to repair those. So on your second break of the glass - you are better off repairing it yourself and saving the 2nd even for somethng worse than cracked glass. If you jailbreak - there is a chance Apple will not cover you.
Con for SquareTrade - You are out of pocket the cost of the repair if you take it to the Apple Store. At least until they reimburse you. Also with Squaretrade - while they will do multiple repairs - once those repairs are more than the replacement cost of a new iPhone (unsubsidized) then your warranty is up. So while it may be 5 or more glass breakages, it may only be one drop from the 14th floor balcony.
So which Warranty is better? I don't think either is better than the other - overall. But it looks like come Mid November - if you did not purchase AppleCare+ at the point of order - the comparision is all moot as your only choice then is Squartrade.
I will add this for those not familiar with Sqauretrade - they are an advertiser on this show. And the feedback from those that have had issues and filed claims has always been postive. I am sure it wil be similar with Apple.
Regards,
Rob W