Do I Need a Phone Protection Plan?

It’s no secret that most people's phones hold their lives, with contacts, memories, emails, and calendars. So when someone’s phone breaks, it can feel like the end of the world because a broken phone can mean missed meetings, lost memories, and a costly bill to get their lives (phones) back to working order.

As with most things, prevention is always better than cure, so investing in a screen protector and a phone case is necessary. But what if that fails? 

Read on to discover if a protection plan is right for you.

What Is a Phone Protection Plan?

Not to be confused with phone insurance, a phone protection plan can help aid the financial burden of repairing a phone due to accidental damage or faulty mechanics. For example, if you don’t protect your screen with a screen protector and it shatters, a phone protection plan can help cover the costs. 

However, if your phone is stolen, a phone protection plan won’t typically help you find a new device or cover the costs associated with the incident. 

What Do Phone Protection Plans Cover?

Usually, a phone protection plan will help cover the costs of mechanical issues or device breaks. For example, these could include (but aren’t limited to): 

• Liquid damage
• Touchscreen faults 
• Speaker failures 
• Problems with charging ports 
• Cracked screens 

Every phone protection plan is different; one plan might cover more or less than what is listed, so always check this before buying a plan.

What Don’t They Cover?

Should your phone get lost or stolen, then only your insurance (if you have it) will cover this incident. A protection plan won’t cover:

• Wear and tear over time 
• Losing your device or having it stolen 
• Effects of tampering or modification 
• Other unauthorized repairs

So insurance might be an additional consideration if you know you’re traveling or living in a pickpocket capital like New York, Barcelona, or Paris. 

Where Can I Get a Phone Protection Plan?

1. Through the Carrier, Retailer, or Manufacturer

Your device's carrier, retailer, or manufacturer often offers protection plans. Each plan across these companies will likely vary in cover and cost, and some retailers will sell plans from third-party providers. Be aware of the differences between an Apple protection plan and another that a retailer sells. 

2. Through a Standalone Phone Protection Provider

While glass screen protectors and phone cases are usually enough to keep bumps and scratches away, it’s not always the case. That’s why a protection plan from standalone providers might be a good solution for you. 

These standalone providers have the sole purpose of offering these protection plans, so you might find they cover more. However, that’s not always the way. 

How Much Do Phone Protection Plans Cost?

Much like insurance, the cost of your protection will vary depending on the type of insurance you want or need, so there’s no fixed price. It will also depend on the model of your device. For example, if your device is the latest iPhone, then the protection plan for this is likely to be more expensive than a much older model. 

The protection price will also depend on what you want to protect. If you’re naturally clumsy and know that you'll likely drop your device down the toilet or on the floor, then a plan that covers both features will be necessary. However, if dropping your phone is rare, you might not need liquid protection (for example). 

The cost of a payment plan will also change depending on who you have your plan with and how you pay. For example, some providers require monthly payments, while others offer to pay for the scheme. If you pay upfront, this can be cheaper than the money you spend on a monthly scheme. However, monthly schemes can be more affordable in the short term.

Are Phone Protections Worth It?

Suppose you’re an accident-prone individual and don’t want to contribute to needless e-waste or buy new phones every other month. In that case, a protection plan might help you fix minor issues before they become major ones and render your phone useless. 

However, that being said, there are great ways to protect your device without a plan; you don’t need to spend extra money every month if you invest in good-quality screen protectors, camera lens protectors, and phone cases. With this combination, your device should stay safe and stylish for many years. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does a Smartphone Cost To Repair?

It all depends on what is broken. If you smash your screen to the point that the phone won’t work, this may cost you considerably more than if you have a protection plan helping to cover the costs. However, different protection plans will offer different costs, depending on what your plan covers. 

Final Thoughts

A phone protection plan might be wise for anyone who is accident-prone. However, a protection plan isn’t the same as insurance; thus, other ways to protect your device against bumps and scrapes don’t result in significant upfront costs. 

Investing in a chic Casely case and top-quality screen protector is a great way to keep your phone stylish and safe without the extra monthly costs. So why not have a browse today?