If you‘ve recently bought an Apple device like an iPhone through Verizon, you‘re probably wondering what‘s the best way to protect your shiny new gadget beyond the standard warranty. Do you go with AppleCare+, Apple‘s own extended coverage plan? Or do you opt for one of Verizon‘s device protection options? As a retail expert and professional "picky shopper", I‘m here to break down the key differences to help you make an informed choice.
Understanding the Essential Differences
First, let‘s clarify the core offerings of each program:
AppleCare+ is Apple‘s extended warranty and accidental damage coverage. It extends the original 1-year manufacturer warranty to 2 years for most devices (3 years for Macs). It also includes up to 2 incidents of accident damage coverage every 12 months, with a service fee of $29-99 depending on the product and type of damage. Importantly, AppleCare+ coverage is valid regardless of your wireless carrier – a key distinction we‘ll come back to.
Verizon Mobile Protect is Verizon‘s multi-tiered device protection program administered by Asurion. The core components are extended warranty coverage for post-Apple-warranty malfunctions, plus damage, loss, and theft protection. Verizon Protect plans allow up to 3 approved claims per year for loss, theft, and damage. They also offer unlimited cracked screen repairs for $29 each. Additional benefits include same-day replacement, tech support, and digital security tools.
To dive deeper, let‘s examine the four factors I always prioritize when evaluating any type of extended coverage:
- Cost considerations
- Breadth of coverage
- Claims process and service quality
- Flexibility and other benefits
Cost – Crunching the Numbers
Price is top of mind for most shoppers. So how do the two plans compare? Here are the current numbers:
AppleCare+ Pricing:
- $199 upfront OR $9.99/month for 24 months (iPhones)
- $99 upfront (Watches)
- $299 upfront OR $14.99/month for 36 months (Macs)
Verizon Pricing (single device):
- $17/month (Tier 2 smartphones)
- $14/month (Tier 1 smartphones)
- Discounts for multiple lines, e.g. $50/month for 3+ lines
Over a 24 month period, Verizon Protect will cost between $336-$408, while AppleCare+ averages out to $240. So from a pure price perspective, AppleCare+ is more affordable.
However, Verizon‘s multi-device discounts can make it a better deal for families. If you have 4 lines on a plan, the per-device monthly cost drops to around $12.50, rivaling AppleCare+ pricing.
The other financial factor to weigh are deductibles and service fees. Here‘s how they shake out:
| Incident Type | AppleCare+ Service Fee | Verizon Deductible |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked Screen | $29 (2 claims max) | $29 (unlimited) |
| Other Damage | $99 (2 claims max) | $99-$249 (based on device) |
| Loss/Theft | n/a | $19-$229 (based on device) |
Again, the core deductibles are comparable, with Verizon getting the edge for unlimited screen repairs. But Asurion has a track record of inconsistency with fees. As one frustrated customer shared on Reddit:
"The service rep quoted me a $200 deductible for a replacement. I was sure my plan had a $100 deductible. After arguing back and forth, she finally ‘found‘ the right deductible. Not confidence inspiring."
The Verdict on Cost: Purely on price, AppleCare+ offers a better value for most customers. Verizon‘s plan can be cost-effective for multi-line families or the most accident-prone. But watch out for pricing discrepancies.
Coverage – The Devil‘s in the Details
Price is just one piece of the puzzle. Equally important is understanding what each plan actually covers.
AppleCare+ Covers:
- Manufacturing defects for 2-3 years
- Accidental damage (2 incidents/year)
- Battery, screen, and speaker issues
- 24/7 Apple tech support
Notable Exclusions: Loss and theft, abuse, cosmetic damage
Verizon Protection Covers:
- Loss, theft, damage (3 incidents/year)
- Post-warranty mechanical/electrical defects
- Battery failure (excluding normal wear)
- Cracked screen repairs ($29/incident)
Notable Exclusions: Intentional damage, cosmetic damage, normal wear
The key difference is that Verizon includes loss and theft protection, which is huge for the clumsiest customers. According to Asurion claims data, 43% of Verizon Protect customers file loss/theft claims vs. 57% for damage. So that extra coverage matters to a lot of folks.
However, Verizon‘s plan doesn‘t cover wear-related battery degradation, while AppleCare+ does. Battery life is one of the biggest pain points for smartphone owners. In a poll by ZDNet, nearly 40% of iPhone users said improved battery life was their top wish-list item. And Apple itself has acknowledged battery-related throttling issues. So the omission of normal wear battery coverage in Verizon‘s plan is noteworthy.
The Verdict on Coverage: Verizon protection offers more comprehensive coverage on paper with loss/theft protection and unlimited screen repairs. But AppleCare+ has a potential edge with battery coverage.
Claims and Service – Who You Gonna Call?
Filing a claim is never fun. But who you‘re dealing with can make all the difference. With AppleCare+, repairs and replacements are handled end-to-end by Apple. You‘ll interact with a Genius Bar expert or an authorized Apple repair center. There‘s a consistency of experience and service that comes from working directly with Apple.
In contrast, Verizon outsources its claims and repairs to Asurion. While Asurion is a reputable 3rd party insurance provider, the degree of separation adds variability. Customers on forums have reported hit-or-miss experiences when filing claims through Asurion:
"It was not a smooth process at all. I had to call several times to get the status of my claim. Twice I was told a replacement phone had been shipped, when it had not. I‘ll probably switch to AppleCare next time since dealing directly with Apple seems more straightforward."
Verizon does have an advantage with faster replacement times. With their "Fast Replacement" option, you can get a replacement device delivered as soon as the next day. With AppleCare+, replacement fulfillment times are typically 3-5 business days.
However, the quality of those Asurion replacement devices have come into question. On Reddit, some users have reported receiving refurbished models with scuffs, scratches or mismatched colors. With AppleCare+, you can be confident you‘re getting authentic Apple parts and products.
The Claims Verdict: AppleCare+ offers a more premium and seamless claims experience by dealing directly with Apple. Verizon/Asurion may get you a working replacement faster, but with more variability in service and device quality.
Flexibility and Extra Perks
One underrated benefit of AppleCare+ is that it stays with your device, even if you switch carriers. Verizon‘s insurance is contingent on maintaining active service with Verizon. Want to take advantage of a better deal with AT&T 6 months from now? Your AppleCare+ coverage comes with you. With Verizon, you‘ll have to cancel your protection plan and re-enroll in AT&T‘s offering.
Verizon‘s plan does offer some extra benefits like identity theft monitoring, online security tools, and same-day screen repairs through their partnership with UBreakIFix. But most customers won‘t take advantage of those extras. In a survey of Verizon Protect members, 78% said they never or rarely used the additional benefits.
AppleCare+ keeps it simple by focusing on core hardware coverage and service, with the added perk of 24/7 priority tech support. No superfluous bells and whistles.
Deciding on a Plan
So which plan is right for you? As a picky shopper, here are my rules of thumb:
AppleCare+ is best for…
- Apple loyalists who want the assurance of Apple-certified repairs
- Users who value the flexibility to switch carriers
- Single-line customers who want the lowest total cost
- Those who don‘t need loss/theft protection
Verizon Device Protect is best for…
- Shoppers committed to Verizon long-term
- Multi-line families who can maximize device bundle discounts
- The chronically clumsy who need frequent replacements
- Customers who prioritize speed of replacement over brand authenticity
The Bottom Line
For most individual shoppers, AppleCare+ offers the best combination of essential coverage, service quality, and cost. Assuming you don‘t lose your phone or plan to change carriers, AppleCare+ offers premium protection serviced by the ultimate Apple experts.
Only opt for Verizon Device Protect if you want loss/theft coverage, anticipate needing more than 2 screen repairs per year, have multiple lines to bundle, or really value the speed of replacement.
And remember, you don‘t have to go with either. According to a Consumer Reports survey, 72% of respondents who bought cell phone insurance never made a claim. If you‘re confident in your phone handling skills, you can likely save money by self-insuring and putting aside a few bucks each month to cover potential issues.
Whichever route you go, don‘t let analysis paralysis get in the way. The most important thing is getting some type of protection in place so your shiny new Apple toy is covered!
