If you’re attached to your cell phone, you’re not alone. Most people take their devices with them everywhere. But, that could lead issues down the road, like cracked screens, water damage or fried batteries.
Sam Marcos owns The Cell Specialists, a repair store in Tampa, and says usually it’s cheaper to repair your phone than to pay for the insurance.
“If you’re not the type of person who loses or beaks your phone a lot then it may be better to just chance it,” Marcos said.
At The Cell Specialists, the most common repair is a cracked screen. Marcos says that generally runs $65 to $100 for the most popular apple iPhones. It’s a little bit more expensive for a Samsung Galaxy.
Insurance will likely cost you a little bit more, about $75 to $100 a year, plus another $50 to $100 per claim for the deductible. Buying a $20 to $40 case can help you, too.
“If you drop it, it’ll tend to bounce more than crash,” Marcos said. “More the way it doesn’t when you don’t have the case.”
Now, for some, like Herman Medina, insurance can pay off. That’s especially true if you have an expensive phone.
“In 2 years I have changed my phone like 6 times,” Herman said. “I lose them. I don’t pay attention to them. I lose them.”
Insurance helps in situations like that. But, Marcos said, don’t expect a new phone for free.
“One of the most common complaints from people with cell phone insurance is getting a ‘used’ or refurbished phone as a replacement, even when your phone is lost or stolen,” Marcos said.