Even with Verizon insurance I still pay $90 extra?!

[JoeFahey]

I dropped my HTC incredible a few days ago. It still functions perfectly. There are just some cracks on the front screen. It appears that this screen is removable too and would be an inexpensive replacement.

Apparently Verizon does not deal with insurance plans directly and I was directed to "phoneclaim.com." After I called them after them never getting back to me, they told me that I needed to spent $90 for the replacement phone. This is on top of $6/month for the insurance. I was under the impression that once I had the insurance, I was set.

I can't justify myself paying $6/month plus $90 for a cracked screen on a fully functional phone...

 

[yh125d]

I went for the BB insurance on my evo, instead of going through sprint. An extra $3/mo i think, but no deductible, so even if I only have to use it once/3 years (looking at it long term) I break even with a plan for $3 cheaper and a $100 deductible, and I've definitely broken phones before

 

[sswingle]

Its called a deductible. Learn how insurance works.

 

[JoeFahey]

I'll just wait until I can buy a replacement screen. $90 for such a relatively cheap part is completely insane and a borderline scam.

 

[yh125d]

I'll just wait until I can buy a replacement screen. $90 for such a relatively cheap part is completely insane and a borderline scam.

No it isn't. They would be unlikely to just replace the screen and give it back to you, they'd probably have you send it in and give you a new/refurb one.


Even if they did fix it and give it back, replacing a screen and labor is easily worth $90.

 

[shortylickens]

Yup.
Dont blame them. Cell phones are expensive. And carriers subsidize a majority of the cost. They got tired of people "losing" them every 6 months just so they could get free replacements. They are a business. They cant lose money. People were abusing one of their nice features, so they had to clamp down. A 90 dollar deductible is in theory supposed to make you take better care of your phone. I recommend a Body Glove and screen protector. Works for me.

But on the bright side, your monthly cost for such insurance is only about 5 bucks, so it all works out in the end.
Shame they arent like car insurers who let you choose your deductible to get the monthly rate you want.

 

[boomhower]

Yup.
Dont blame them. Cell phones are expensive. And carriers subsidize a majority of the cost. They got tired of people "losing" them every 6 months just so they could get free replacements. They are a business. They cant lose money. People were abusing one of their nice features, so they had to clamp down. A 90 dollar deductible is in theory supposed to make you take better care of your phone. I recommend a Body Glove and screen protector. Works for me.

But on the bright side, your monthly cost for such insurance is only about 5 bucks, so it all works out in the end.
Shame they arent like car insurers who let you choose your deductible to get the monthly rate you want.

BINGO. This is why Sprint raised their deductable from $50 to $100 on smartphones. People were "losing" them all the time and and costing them a fortune. Every other insurance plan in the world has a deductable, why wouldn't you think they are going to have one on a $500 smartphone.

 

[AstroManLuca]

That's why I have Best Buy insurance. No deductible. No coverage for a lost device, though.

 

[thescreensavers]

Its called a deductible. Learn how insurance works.

This

 

[preslove]

Huh, this thread makes me want to get my next phone at best buy.

For the verizon insurance, do you have to send it back and then wait for a replacement? I'd be more pissed at having to wait for a week without a phone than paying the deductible.

 

[yh125d]

Huh, this thread makes me want to get my next phone at best buy.

For the verizon insurance, do you have to send it back and then wait for a replacement? I'd be more pissed at having to wait for a week without a phone than paying the deductible.

Depends. I think Verizon uses asurion like att. when I broke my ATT phone, they just sent me one overnight with a return box for my old phone.

 

[preslove]

You Best Buy insurance having folks: Do you send the phone in, or do you just go to BB and exchange it? How do you pay for the monthly bill? Is it just added to your monthly bill?

Depends. I think Verizon uses asurion like att. when I broke my ATT phone, they just sent me one overnight with a return box for my old phone.

Ok, that doesn't seem too bad. How do you pay the deductible? Over the phone, or is it added to your bill?

 

[yh125d]

You Best Buy insurance having folks: Do you send the phone in, or do you just go to BB and exchange it? How do you pay for the monthly bill? Is it just added to your monthly bill?



Ok, that doesn't seem too bad. How do you pay the deductible? Over the phone, or is it added to your bill?

Added to the bill, though I suppose you might be able to pay it over the phone when you talk to the insurance folks


And the guy I talked to about the BB ins. said that I just bring it in and if it's nothing they can easily fix they'll give you a new one if they have in stock, and if not he said either they'll order you one or send you to a corporate store to get one (he said one or the other, can't remember which)