Do you have cell phone insurance? Is it worth it?

[Phentex]

There's the monthly fee and then the $50 deductible to get a refurbished phone sent to you. Is that better than buying a new phone if you're using a basic one, not a blackberry or iphone sort of thing?

(I have a teenager in mind here. I can barely remember to turn my own cell phone on, lol!)

[rcrush]

1. If its a cheapo basic phone

And your teen doesnt lose their phone or break stuff all the time then its probably not worth it. If he loses it like once a year then chances are he could get a free one when he renews the contract with whomever if its a pretty cheapo phone.

[Phentex]

6. Good point. It is a free phone. I guess I should ask

what the retail is if I have to replace it.

[HopeHoops]

2. Considering you can't even get a fucking charger for a phone that's more than a year old,...

Screw that. Put the money toward a new phone. And I'm not shitting you about the charger. Whenever you buy a phone, get an extra charger AND a car charger at the same time, as well as any cases, clips, or whatever other accessories you might want. After six months, the phone salespeople just sneer when you ask if they have an accessory for your "ancient piece of shit". The only thing you CAN get is a new battery, but only at a place like Batteries Plus. The phone places won't be carrying that battery because it was discontinued.

Of course the entire point here is to get you to buy a new phone, so I have a suggestion for your teenager - DON'T LOSE THE FUCKING PHONE! If it goes missing, falls in the toilet, or takes an unexpected ride on a model rocket, they the teenager in question should pay for replacing it. If they are old enough for the responsibility of having one, then they are old enough for the responsibility of paying to replace it.

[Phentex]

7. So true!

about the chargers. Why can't they be universal, lol?

Trust me, teen is paying for all aspects of the phone!

Thanks for the tips. :hi:

[Deja Q]

3. For a smartphone or iPhone, hell yeah.

Those cost $500 or more on their own, as they are handheld computers.

Your $200 phone-only model -- obviously not necessary. And accidents happen.

[Phentex]

8. Free phone...

I'm leaning toward not worth it, especially after the tips here.

[SacredCow]

4. Even the basic ones can cost a good bit, if lost, damaged or stolen...

The provider already has you in a contract, so they can and will charge you the full retail for any replacement handset. You really have to make an honest asessment of whether it's likely that the phone will be rendered useless during the time of the contract. If so, then it's probably a good idea.

However, if you do decide to not take it- and the phone gets lost or destroyed... You can seek out a handset on eBay or something like that. Of course, there's risk in that, too.

:hi:

On Edit: I don't take it out, personally. I don't have a tendency to lose or wreck phones, but YMMV....

[Phentex]

10. I should have paid attention to the cost of the phone...

but it was free. :)

Nobody I know has the insurance either but I figured somebody here would know.

Thanks!

[Kali]

5. no

if you lose or break a phone get a new (used/refurbished) one here: http://www.replaceyourcell.com/?gclid=CPfq3pTY5JsCFRBM5QodHx2XAg

[Phentex]

9. very useful...

Thanks!

[SacredCow]

11. I'm bookmarking that...

thanks!

:hi: