7 Insurance Plans to Protect Your Smartphone

 
Your mobile provider may have insurance plans of its own, but here are some third-party alternatives, some of which cover your phone after the original purchase date and may prove cheaper in the long run.

1. SquareTrade

SquareTrade offers a wide variety of protection plans for all types of devices, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, cameras and even TVs. For smartphones, the plan protects against drops, spills, mechanical failures, display failures, broken ports and other malfunctions. SquareTrade will also insure your older phones, and you can even ship your device to local facilities for free to be fixed.
Plans start at $7.99 per month for iPhones and $6.99 per month for other smartphones. There is a $50 deductible for each iPhone claim and a $99 deductible for other smartphone claims.

2. Protect Your Bubble

Protect Your Bubble protects your phone from daily use that can cause accidental damage, including mechanical issues and liquid damage. Additionally, the plan insures against theft and lost phones. Protect Your Bubble will provide you with credit monitoring services in cases of theft, so you can keep track of your personal information while you wait for a replacement.
Plans start at $7.99 per month. There is a $120 deductible for each iPhone claim and a $100 deductible for other smartphone claims.

3. Asurion

Asurion focuses on replacement, boasting overnight replacement after a filed claim. You can buy the Asurion device protection package through other mobile providers, including major wireless carriers. The insurance covers accidental and mechanical damages, including liquid and physical damage, as well as loss and theft. You can also include accessories in your coverage, from earbuds to car chargers. You can cancel Asurion's plan at any time and receive a pro-rated refund of your monthly fee. If your phone is lost or stolen, Asurion software will allow you to remotely lock it to protect your information or locate it.
Since Asurion works in collaboration with your mobile providers' insurance plan, the cost and benefits differ between different Asurion plans.

4. ProtectCELL

ProtectCELL offers three different types of plans for different needs. Aside from insurance against accidents and damage, ProtectCELL also offers recovery of stolen identities and protection of personal information. The Basic Plan is free for anyone to keep data and personal information secure.
Other plans start at $29.99 per year.

5. Geek Squad

Geek Squad's protection plans include 24/7 support from Geek Squad. The two tiers differ in that the advanced plan covers accidental damage from handling, such as drops and spills. Both plans include a one-time battery replacement, one-time accessory replacement and coverage from mechanical failures — and no deductibles. However, you must purchase your phone from Best Buy in order to qualify for Geek Squad protection. For older phones, you can only qualify for Geek Squad protection if it is still within the product-specific return policy period.
Plans start at $14.99 per month, or $229.98 for a two-year plan, though prices may vary with make and model.

6. Ensquared

Ensquared offers two tiers of plans for the iPhone and other smartphones. The first tier includes regular coverage from damage and accidents, and the second tier includes additional insurance against theft and loss, as well as data protection. Each plan includes three claims with up to $1,000 worth of coverage each. Ensquared will insure iPhones up to 30 days old and smartphones up to 90 days old.
Plans start at $89.99 for two years for iPhones, and $58.99 for one year for other smartphones. There is a minimum $129 deductible for each iPhone claim, and a $75 deductible for the first smartphone claim, which increases to $100 for each additional smartphone claim.

7. GoCare

GoCare plans cover accidental damage, water damage and normal use failure. GoCare will also cover any phone regardless of age, as long as it is still fully functional with no previous repair work. Each plan includes unlimited claims for repairs, but GoCare will only replace your phone once.
Plans start at $59 per year for iPhones and $57 per year for other smartphones. There is a $50 deductible for each claim for all plans