htc hero sprint insurance, worth it?

[aclark414]

If I buy my phone new but not from Sprint can I call and say something like "oops, forgot to add insurance, can I add it now?" Do they track where you bought your phone from, or could I just say I got it at Best Buy?

Generally, I believe you only have 30 days to add it after you purchase the phone. However, my store manager used to make exceptions every once in a while. For example, if you were 6 months in and something happened to your phone...the store manager would charge you the $100 deductable, plus charge you for the 6 months of insurance that you weren't paying for since you didn't add it (6 x $7 = $42). So $100 + 42 = $142 for a replacement phone.

I wouldn't bank on that happening though.

 

[TheBiles]

Generally, I believe you only have 30 days to add it after you purchase the phone. However, my store manager used to make exceptions every once in a while. For example, if you were 6 months in and something happened to your phone...the store manager would charge you the $100 deductable, plus charge you for the 6 months of insurance that you weren't paying for since you didn't add it (6 x $7 = $42). So $100 + 42 = $142 for a replacement phone.

I wouldn't bank on that happening though.

Yeah, when I spilled Coke on my Palm Centro the in-store people basically told me to call CS and ask to get insurance on my phone because I "forgot" then just redeem it a week later.

 

[markwill]

I am in the slightly awkward situation of having four Sprint Hero's in our family (as of three days ago). I have traditionally carried the insurance on only my phone since I was the only one with a fancy phone (HTC Touch), plus the fact that I don't really notice an extra $7 per month. However, now we all have Hero's it's a bit more tricky to decide.

I've decided to add the $28 per month into a savings direct debit I have set up for other stuff. I have done this with pet insurance for a long time and now have far more money in that account than I would have paid in insurance.

The way I see is it that this isn't "essential" insurance, like car or home insurance. If I lose / break a phone then it's a real bummer but not the end of the world. And for each month that goes by my on-paper "loss" is reduced by the amount I have put away into the aforementioned savings account. And the final factor is that the benefit of insurance falls quickly, as the value of a replacement Hero reduces over time. I know that a $500 phone today (without contract) won't be close to that this time next year.

Two cents...

Mark

 

[SamuraiBigEd]

I wouldn't count on the Hero reducing in price, the Touch Pro cost the same when it was discontinued as the day it was released.

 

[romeosidvicious]

I am in the slightly awkward situation of having four Sprint Hero's in our family (as of three days ago). I have traditionally carried the insurance on only my phone since I was the only one with a fancy phone (HTC Touch), plus the fact that I don't really notice an extra $7 per month. However, now we all have Hero's it's a bit more tricky to decide.

I've decided to add the $28 per month into a savings direct debit I have set up for other stuff. I have done this with pet insurance for a long time and now have far more money in that account than I would have paid in insurance.

The way I see is it that this isn't "essential" insurance, like car or home insurance. If I lose / break a phone then it's a real bummer but not the end of the world. And for each month that goes by my on-paper "loss" is reduced by the amount I have put away into the aforementioned savings account. And the final factor is that the benefit of insurance falls quickly, as the value of a replacement Hero reduces over time. I know that a $500 phone today (without contract) won't be close to that this time next year.

Two cents...

Mark

That does make sense if you are insuring four phones to some degree. However the replacement cost doesn't come down with Sprint all that often. The on contract price comes down but the oiff contract price, which you pay for a replacement, doesn't often come down. So if you lost/broke/had stolen two phones in one year you are right. At three phones you were better off with insurance since you are paying full cost, no rebate, no new contract discount, for the Hero. So you are gambling on not replacing more than two phones a year but increase your risk over mine but doubling your risk (I have two phones that I insure). A single phone a year more than covers my insurance cost and I have replaced more than that so far.

 

[mconigs78]

Like someone stated before if you are premier its kinda not worth it since after a year you can upgrade anyways. i think alot of people intentionally damage there phones so they can try and get a new one model once they stop giving out the model they have. I have also gotten emails saying that they have a special going on the insurance plans. I was able to add mine about 7 months into the contract. added it for 4 months and then cancelled it.

 

[BSki]

Just went through this with the Fiances Pre. She left it on the couch, and we have a 1year old boxer.

$100 deductible was a LOT cheaper than a $549 pre.

 

[pwabbit]

The Premier upgrade price of the Sprint Hero is just about what someone could buy a new Sprint Hero off of Ebay, $480-150=$330 + tax/shipping. (Ebay is $330 w/free shipping). What would be really cool if Sprint had the Premier Reward for the same price as the regular upgrade ($189). The $330 price makes me think the insurance is totally worth it.

 

[mconigs78]

The Premier upgrade price of the Sprint Hero is just about what someone could buy a new Sprint Hero off of Ebay, $480-150=$330 + tax/shipping. (Ebay is $330 w/free shipping). What would be really cool if Sprint had the Premier Reward for the same price as the regular upgrade ($189). The $330 price makes me think the insurance is totally worth it.

yea the premier price is always the same the only difference with premier is you get to upgrade every year instead of waiting for 2 years.

 

[SamuraiBigEd]

The Premier upgrade price of the Sprint Hero is just about what someone could buy a new Sprint Hero off of Ebay, $480-150=$330 + tax/shipping. (Ebay is $330 w/free shipping). What would be really cool if Sprint had the Premier Reward for the same price as the regular upgrade ($189). The $330 price makes me think the insurance is totally worth it.

Who is giving you this info? My upgrade was for $279.00 with $100.00 rebate, just like everybody else.

 

[pwabbit]

Who is giving you this info? My upgrade was for $279.00 with $100.00 rebate, just like everybody else.

Sorry I made an error the regular upgrade is $179. The Premier upgrade is the same as I earlier posted (330++). Note: this is per Sprint's own website and the mailer they sent me.

Sprint's site quoted:

Premier Upgrade:"Up to $150 toward the primary phone on your account with a new two

 

[SamuraiBigEd]

Guess they like me better...

 

[g0tr00t]

Better to have and not need then need and not have

I have never broken a phone, but there is always a first time. I have used SO many replacement plans on other products in home its unbelievable. I have had vacuum cleaners replaced, washers replaced, refrigerators replaced and other minor items (dvd players, tvs), etc....

With 3 kids all over the place I buy the insurance since its more than paid for itself in our household. The items have been broken mainly from use and lighting strikes (happened once; everything plugged into an outlet was zapped) not from carelessness.

So to each his/her own I guess

 

[TheBiles]

I just got insurance on my Hero yesterday when I activated it. Pretty good considering that I bought it off eBay. Now if I accidentally stomp it, crack the screen, or get dust in it I can just exchange it. I plan on replacing it with the Supersonic, anyways, so half a year of "just in case" is worth it.

 

[esmeet7af]

Since I have a Sprint family plan and am in their premier customer program with upgrades each year, I have the insurance on my Hero for that first year. I plan to cancel it after that. Thus, if it gets damaged in the first year, I can replace it for $100. If I cancel insurance after one year and it breaks at that point, I've got the upgrade possibility instead of the insurance.

(I've never had a phone damaged or lost, so I doubt I'd need the insurance at all...but I'm also risk averse, so I pay the money!)

 

[romeosidvicious]

I just got insurance on my Hero yesterday when I activated it. Pretty good considering that I bought it off eBay. Now if I accidentally stomp it, crack the screen, or get dust in it I can just exchange it. I plan on replacing it with the Supersonic, anyways, so half a year of "just in case" is worth it.

It's not just exchange it. You cannot use the insurance at any store. You have to call in to the insurance provider, Assurion IIRC, or use their website to file a claim. They review your claim and send out a replacement via FedEx (mine shipped express and I got it the next day despite filing my claim at 1900 CST). It costs 100.00 USD which is payable upon filing, before you get the phone, if you have a spending limit account but chargeable against your bill if you are not a spending limit customer. Three claims in a calendar year is the maximum number you can make as well. So it's a little more than just exchange the phone but still worth it.

 

[TheBiles]

It's not just exchange it. You cannot use the insurance at any store. You have to call in to the insurance provider, Assurion IIRC, or use their website to file a claim. They review your claim and send out a replacement via FedEx (mine shipped express and I got it the next day despite filing my claim at 1900 CST). It costs 100.00 USD which is payable upon filing, before you get the phone, if you have a spending limit account but chargeable against your bill if you are not a spending limit customer. Three claims in a calendar year is the maximum number you can make as well. So it's a little more than just exchange the phone but still worth it.

You know what I meant when I said "exchange." And I'm fully aware of the claim process. Paying $100 for a new Hero is way better than $300 for a new Hero. $42 over 6 months is just fine in my book for that peace of mind.

 

[romeosidvicious]

You know what I meant when I said "exchange." And I'm fully aware of the claim process. Paying $100 for a new Hero is way better than $300 for a new Hero. $42 over 6 months is just fine in my book for that peace of mind.

I actually didn't know what you meant and was concerned you were under the impression you could simply walk in and exchange your phone and didn't want you to be shocked. Sorry if I caused offense.

 

[golpher]

Some good points all around,,, got a Samsung Instinct 10/08, agreed to $7/month insurance.. seemed like a good idea,,, fast foward to last week,, I drop the damn thing and freezes the touchscreen... fark say it aint so.. The claim process begins,, $100 deductible for a "comparable" phone... OR $79.99 more for a bada** phone that blows it out of the water?? What would you do?

Like old dude said,, obviously the Supersonic is gonna be my next phone so why pay $7/month for a "inferior" replacement?

I'm just gonna put $10-20 back each month and next year when I'm elgible for upgrade I'll have the cash for a Supersonic :rock:


Cheers

*edit: Take care of your crap and u wont need insurance

 

[TheBiles]

Some good points all around,,, got a Samsung Instinct 10/08, agreed to $7/month insurance.. seemed like a good idea,,, fast foward to last week,, I drop the damn thing and freezes the touchscreen... fark say it aint so.. The claim process begins,, $100 deductible for a "comparable" phone... OR $79.99 more for a bada** phone that blows it out of the water?? What would you do?

Like old dude said,, obviously the Supersonic is gonna be my next phone so why pay $7/month for a "inferior" replacement?

I'm just gonna put $10-20 back each month and next year when I'm elgible for upgrade I'll have the cash for a Supersonic :rock:


Cheers

*edit: Take care of your crap and u wont need insurance

We aren't all eligible for that $170 upgrade. My contract isn't up til December so if something happens to my Hero I would have to buy another one for around $300. 6 months of insurance + $100 deductible is less than half that price (and less than your $170 upgrade). And taking care of it isn't always within your grasp. Someone could spill a drink on you or knock your phone off a table and jack it up.

 

[golpher]

^^ Lulz,, I feel ya TheBiles, but why are u only figuring "6 months of insurance + $100 deductible"?? You plan on breaking it in May?

I paid $98 for insurance over 14 months. With a $100 deductible I'm looking at $198 for a refurbished 2008 phone. No Thank You

 

[TheBiles]

^^ Lulz,, I feel ya TheBiles, but why are u only figuring "6 months of insurance + $100 deductible"?? You plan on breaking it in May?

I paid $98 for insurance over 14 months. With a $100 deductible I'm looking at $198 for a refurbished 2008 phone. No Thank You

I'm planning on getting the Supersonic this summer, though I will most likely get insurance on it too since it will cost even more than the Hero.

 

[tazdvl54]

The $7 a month gets you more then just the lost, stolen, physical or liquid damge replacement aspect. Please do not ask me how I know just trust me that I do know.