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cell phone insurance

(@crazyflamingo)
Posts: 78
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

Part of my preparations for my move to St John was to switch cell phone providers. I had Verizon Wireless and switched to AT&T because they have better service on the islands. The sales guy tried to talk me into purchasing insurance for the phone. Yes he brought up valid points such as dropping it in the water, the sand, theft, etc. I have 30 days to add insurance to my plan should I decide to do so. I know I could always cancel it at a later date as well. Knock on wood, I've always have had really good luck with not having insurance for my phone but it will definitely be a different environment than where I currently live. Also, when I look at it from a financial standpoint, that it's an additional $10 per month on a 2 yr contract so $240 by the time my contract is up, which is easily the price of a new phone, and when I am eligible for an upgrade (whenever that may be) if I haven't needed the insurance, that $240 could have bought a new phone and probably have some extra cash left over. I'm probably over analyzing this more than I need to. What are your thoughts on having insurance on your cell phone while living in the islands? Do you recommend it? Why or why not? Thank you!

 
Posted : March 22, 2013 2:43 am
(@stx-em)
Posts: 862
Prominent Member
 

It really depends on how accident prone you are. I work in a marine setting, on boats frequently and on sandy beaches. Did I ever drop my phone in the ocean? No. Did i ever get it so covered in sand that it stopped working? No. Did I ever drop my phone in the toilet? Yes. Did I ever leave it in a bathroom in the Miami airport? Yes (separate incidents). Did I drop it and shatter its face at a civilized wedding at a country club in Boston? Yes.
I don't have insurance. But I probably should.

 
Posted : March 22, 2013 3:19 am
(@alana33)
Posts: 12365
Illustrious Member
 

Doesn't the warrenty on a new cell phone cover some of this?
I have never had insurance on a cell, including after the one my dog ate when she was a puppy.
(she chewed on it a bit but luckily did not ingest it)

I just called, told them what happened, asked if they needed me to return the phone to them (I had Sprint at the time) but they woman just laughed, said "no need" and sent me a replacement. Never did insure any of my phones, just never left them on the coffee tables with puppies in the house.

 
Posted : March 22, 2013 4:09 am
VT2VI
(@vt2vi)
Posts: 273
Reputable Member
 

Some providers will do that for you. Others not so much. Verizon will only replace if it manufacturing defect or broken during shipment.
I agree though, it all depends on how well you safeguard your phone. In 14 yrs I have never had insurance on my phones, and have never lost or broken one.

 
Posted : March 22, 2013 10:15 am
 Neil
(@Neil)
Posts: 988
Prominent Member
 

Google around. There are other ins co's that specialize in cell ph ins and have much better rates. I've used them.

 
Posted : March 22, 2013 3:25 pm
(@jim_dandy)
Posts: 1057
Noble Member
 

With a new Iphone AT&T wanted $6.00 month for insurance. If it needed to be replaced my replacement cost with the insurance would be $199.

Also be aware if your phone gets wet a built in moisture detector will change colors permanently and your warranty will be void. Moisture isn't a defect but an owner problem. Wife ruined a phone when it got damp from condensation from a glass of ice tea on the table near where she had set her phone.

With insurance, losing the phone , water damage and other types of owner stupidity and bad luck are covered.

 
Posted : March 22, 2013 4:51 pm
(@crazyflamingo)
Posts: 78
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks everyone! When it comes to my phone, I'm very careful with it. In the past 15yrs that I've had cell phones, I've only had to replace one because of dropping it in the water. Luckily I was eligible for an upgrade at the time anyways. Other than that, I haven't had any incidences where I've damaged/lost a phone.

I think I will probably take my chances and not get the insurance. I've never insured my phones before and have been fine. I guess I was just concerned about how environmental factors like the constant moisture in the air would affect the phone.

Thanks again!

 
Posted : March 22, 2013 8:13 pm
(@alana33)
Posts: 12365
Illustrious Member
 

Beware of dog drool! Seriously, you should be fine. I have had mine for years and never dropped it in water,toilet, off the dock, overboard, on the floor, spilled anything on it. It fact, I still have my old Sprint phone and that's in great shape, too. Good luck to non accident prone-ness!

 
Posted : March 22, 2013 8:36 pm
 lc98
(@lc98)
Posts: 1250
Noble Member
 

On St John, it is not always easy, cheap, or convenient to replace a cell phone quickly. Having played this game before, I would say that, far more valuable than insurance, is having an extra phone around so that worst case, you just have to replace your SIM card ($35 or so) and you are back in business fast. (Best case, your SIM isn't damaged and you can just swap and go.) A spare phone doesn't have to be the latest and greatest, but if your phone is your lifeline (as it is for many), a $50 backup phone can save you lots and lots of headaches when you don't have several days to wait for a replacement, or time to travel to St Thomas to get a new phone, or $$$$ to pay what ADM is asking for one on St John (assuming they have any in stock)... etc.

 
Posted : March 25, 2013 12:07 am
VT2VI
(@vt2vi)
Posts: 273
Reputable Member
 

Probably the best advice so far. (tu)

 
Posted : March 25, 2013 11:44 am
(@vicanuck)
Posts: 2937
Famed Member
 

I've had cell phone insurance in the past and have use it.

Definitely helpful for people like me who tend to misplace things and have a lot of mishaps.

 
Posted : March 25, 2013 12:01 pm
(@crazyflamingo)
Posts: 78
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

On St John, it is not always easy, cheap, or convenient to replace a cell phone quickly. Having played this game before, I would say that, far more valuable than insurance, is having an extra phone around so that worst case, you just have to replace your SIM card ($35 or so) and you are back in business fast. (Best case, your SIM isn't damaged and you can just swap and go.) A spare phone doesn't have to be the latest and greatest, but if your phone is your lifeline (as it is for many), a $50 backup phone can save you lots and lots of headaches when you don't have several days to wait for a replacement, or time to travel to St Thomas to get a new phone, or $$$$ to pay what ADM is asking for one on St John (assuming they have any in stock)... etc.

fdr, excellent advice!!!!! Thank you! I do still have my previous phone. It was just a simple basic phone and still worked perfectly fine. The only reason I stopped using it was bc I switched to AT&T since they have better service on the island and to reduce some of my current monthly bills to be able to save up more $$$ for my pending move. I will definitely hold onto that phone as a back up. Thanks again for the great advice!

 
Posted : March 25, 2013 9:01 pm
 lc98
(@lc98)
Posts: 1250
Noble Member
 

Depending on what kind of phone, it may be "locked" to use only Verizon's network. It is possible to get a phone unlocked to use on another network, but Verizon may have to do it for you if you don't have the code to unlock it yourself. Check it out before you get here. 🙂

 
Posted : March 26, 2013 6:05 pm
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