AppleCare includes a majority of Apple products which include a one-year limited warranty that covers hardware failures and manufacturing defects, as well as up to 90 days of free technical support. AppleCare+ and the AppleCare Protection Plan are two options for extending your coverage. Is AppleCare+ worth it, given the higher initial cost, premiums, and changing rates throughout the Apple product line?
Customers have traditionally had 30 to 60 days from the date of purchase. To activate an AppleCare+ plan, however, Apple recently extended that window to one year in the United States and Canada. Extended coverage can be set in the Settings app on various Apple devices. AppleCare is now available with subscription options that can be extended forever.
The coverage of AppleCare+ varies widely based on your location. AppleCare+ with theft and loss coverage, for example, is only available in the United States and Japan. You should research the exact terms of coverage in your country before purchasing AppleCare+ that it is worth or not.
What you will see here:
Standard Warranty
The standard warranty that comes with your device is a limited warranty, which is extremely common in consumer electronics. For up to a year, or two years for the Apple Watch Edition, this warranty ensures that the product will perform as planned. If something breaks materially during that timeframe and it is not due to the user’s fault, Apple will fix it for free.
This guarantee is automatically applied regardless of where you purchase the item. It is transferable to a new owner if the item is sold within a year. Simply present the buyer with your proof of purchase to transfer the warranty. There are several restrictions, and the period of the standard warranty varies by country.
AppleCare and AppleCare+
The AppleCare service and support plans provide additional coverage beyond the normal one-year warranty.
If the AppleCare+, Apple’s extended warranty plan for most devices, gives up to two or three years of hardware coverage. As well as coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage every 12 months (subject to service fees).
If AppleCare did not cover unintentional damage at first, but over time, Apple has shifted most products to AppleCare+ eligibility, which provides that extra protection. A small number of products, such as Apple TV, still only come with ordinary AppleCare and are not with unintentional damage.
Standard warranty
- For a period of up to one year, there is a limited warranty (two years for the Apple Watch Edition).
- Covers only hardware failures.
- For 90 days, Apple will provide chat or phone support.
AppleCare+
- Month-to-month or extended warranty for up to two years (three years for Macs or Apple Displays).
- Subject to service fees, this plan covers hardware failures and up to two incidents of accidental damage every 12 months.
- Priority help from Apple via chat or phone.
- Replacement service in a hurry.
- For an extra cost, it covers two theft or loss incidents (available for the iPhone only).
Features of AppleCare
AppleCare greatly extends and widens the scope of the normally limited warranty. It extends coverage for most Apple goods, such as the iPhone and iPad, for an additional two years, and Macs and Apple Display for an additional three years. One of the key advantages of AppleCare is the longer warranty duration. AppleCare also includes priority access and extended phone and chat support for the duration of the coverage.
Apple offers month-to-month AppleCare+ payments in the United States and a few other countries, which can expand coverage for more than two years.
Repairs
For the life of your AppleCare coverage, Apple will pay the expenses of any repairs your device may require, but only if they are the result of a hardware breakdown rather than unintentional damage.
The Express Replacement Service is also available for iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches, allowing you to order and get a replacement device before sending in your damaged item for repair.
Loss or Theft
AppleCare+ protects against loss or theft, allowing you to replace your device. If necessary, however, with a package dubbed “AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss,” there is an extra charge for this type of coverage on top of the usual AppleCare+ pricing. AppleCare+ with theft and loss coverage costs an additional $100, and the package is only available for the iPhone.
This plan covers two incidents of accidental damage, theft, or loss every 12 months, as long as your lost device has to Find My activated. There are still deductibles for replacing lost iPhones. You can replace a lost or stolen iPhone up to two times each year for up to $269 per incident.
Accidental Damage
AppleCare+ will cover up to two incidents of accidental damage each year, such as liquid damage or broken screens. Beginning in September 2020, up from two incidents every 24 months previously.
There is a predetermined cost for accidental damage incidents, which varies based on the type of damage and the device. This is done to discourage customers from filing claims for non-essential situations.
Although you’ll still have to pay a premium. AppleCare+ fixes are usually far less expensive than basic Apple repairs. For example, if your iPhone screen is split, a replacement costs only $29. The price is $99. If the iPhone has other damage besides the screen, the fee is $99. A screen replacement outside of the warranty period might cost up to $329. In this case, AppleCare+ greatly lowers repair prices, and the Express Replacement Service should make the process rather painless.
Availability and Pricing AppleCare+
AppleCare plans are available for a variety of devices, and the prices range based on which item is covered. It is often more expensive the more pricey the device.
- $99 to $399 for Mac.
- $59 for iPod.
- $499 for Apple Display.
- $29 for Headphones.
- $69 to $129 for iPad.
- $39 for HomePod.
- $129 to $199 for iPhone.
- $39 for Apple TV.
- $49 to $149 for Apple Watch.
In some countries, AppleCare+ is available as a monthly recurring payment plan for iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches in addition to the normal one-time purchase option. The cost of AppleCare+ for your device varies, but a $199 plan will cost you $9.99 per month, while a $299 plan would cost you $14.99 each month. AppleCare+ is thus more expensive when paid monthly, but it does provide you the option to terminate it early or extend your coverage beyond the regular period.
Other Coverage Options
If you’re thinking about getting AppleCare, you should look at other insurance options for your iPhone. Devices are covered by many banks, cell phone service providers, and renter’s and homeowner’s insurance policies. An extended service plan may be available with your purchase from some third-party Apple resellers.
Other warranty providers and insurance companies may provide device insurance policies that are similar to or better than AppleCare, so it’s worth looking into what’s available for your Apple device in your area. Many of these services are also available as a monthly subscription, which may be less expensive than AppleCare.
Conclusion- AppleCare+ worth?
Whether or not you should buy AppleCare is a personal decision depending on how you use your Apple device and how much risk and price you are willing to take.
If you’re prone to dropping or damaging your device, AppleCare+ is a good investment. Similarly, how likely you believe you are to misplace or steal your equipment will determine how much additional loss and theft coverage you need. Finally, some users are simply more careless with their devices, and AppleCare+ is worthwhile for them.
Because of the accidental damage coverage, AppleCare is worth getting for Apple laptops that you plan on keeping for more than a year, as well as iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. We don’t see the necessity for Apple TVs and HomePods, and it’s more of a personal decision when it comes to desktop Macs and screens.
Overall, AppleCare reduces the stress and cost of accidental damage repairs or replacement devices, as well as removing the cost of repairing hardware failures, but it is a significant additional premium for coverage that still has deductibles and claim limitations. AppleCare isn’t essential, but for the added peace of mind, it might be worth it.
