Are AppleCare+ and Samsung Care+ really the best insurance options for your iPhone 13 or Galaxy S22?

The year is 2022 and, one way or another, we have gotten used to the notion of $1000 — and more — flagship phones existing. Of course, the two grandest names in the smartphone game, Apple and Samsung, are prime examples of manufacturers with super-expensive phones in their lineups.

But this is not an article about the new heights mobile phone prices have reached. No, this article is about phone insurance — an admittedly dry and boring topic, but one that increasingly makes more and more sense, specifically because of the hefty cost of new high-end phones from premium brands.

As some of you might already be aware, both Apple and Samsung have their very own insurance dubbed AppleCare+ and SamsungCare+ respectively. Well, you might also know Samsung’s version under the name Samsung Premium Care, but that was dropped back in 2020, likely in an effort to be more recognizable.

The question we are asking here is whether Apple and Samsung’s own insurance is the best option for protecting your precious iPhone and Galaxy, or are there more beneficial options?

If you managed to get through this intro without closing the tab, then you are likely (and bizarrely) invested in finding out if these Care+ packages are as good as they sound. So, let’s dive in together and figure out a definitive answer!

What is phone insurance?

First and foremost, what exactly is phone insurance anyway, and how is it different from the warranty you get when purchasing a new phone? These might be simple questions to some, but they can also be somewhat confusing.

All phones come with some kind of warranty that protects the customer from faulty parts, defects, and other kinds of damage done during the manufacturing process. To get additional protection in case of other damage such as drops, scratches, water damage, etc. (damage done after you have bought the phone) you need insurance.

Now, even if you have phone insurance that does not mean that you get free repairs and replacements. More often than not, you get a significant discount instead.

It is worth noting that you usually need to pay extra if you also want your phone to be insured in case of being lost or stolen. That service is usually offered as an add-on to the insurance plan.

AppleCare+ and Samsung Care+

Both AppleCare+ and Samsung Care+ are the next step for making sure your phone is protected against any mishaps. They cover mechanical and electrical breakdowns beyond the usual 12-month warranty but also come in effect in case of accidental damage from drops and liquid spills.

Of course, by choosing either company’s own insurance service, you also get experts that know iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones inside and out and are specifically trained to work on them.

Additionally, both AppleCare+ and Samsung Care+ come with the option of adding insurance in case of any theft or loss of your phone. But enough with the overview, let’s get into some details about how these two companies handle their insurance policies.

What to expect from your AppleCare+

AppleCare+ offers you several perks over the standard warranty that comes with your iPhone.

Firstly, said warranty gets extended from 1 to 2 years — you can extend it even more if you pay per month after the second year.

On top of that, you get covered for two instances of accidental damage every 12 months, although you would still have to pay service fees. Depending on the type of damage caused to your phone, Apple has a fixed deductible that you have to pay. Of course, you get a significant discount for the repair.

Here are the AppleCare+ service fees and deductibles for each type of accident:

• Screen or back glass damage — $29
• Other accidental damage — $99
• Theft or loss (AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss Protection) — $149

If you want to get an idea of how much pricier things could be, just keep in mind that a screen replacement can lighten your pocket with up to $329.

Other pluses (pun intended) include priority access to Apple support via chat or phone, as well as express replacements, which is when Apple gives you a temporary phone to use while yours is getting fixed.

If you have paid extra for AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss Protection, you also get covered for two instances of theft or loss, on the condition that Find My is enabled on the iPhone that you have lost/was stolen.

Here are some additional AppleCare+ perks that may interest you:

• Same-day service in most major metropolitan areas worldwide
• Onsite service: Schedule a technician to perform a screen repair at your home or office
• Mail-in repair: Mail in your iPhone using a prepaid shipping box provided by Apple
• Carry-in repair: Take your iPhone to an Apple Store or other Apple Authorized Service Provider

And here is how much AppleCare+ costs for all iPhone models: