More Details on AT&T’s New Insurance Policy
We’re not joking people, BGR ninjas don’t sleep. On Monday we told you that AT&T was finally coming around and getting ready to offer decent handset insurance. We’ve all had those rough nights that end up with a smashed cell phone and a walk of shame. No worries though; that walk is about to get slightly less shameful. Internal AT&T memo as follows:
Wireless Phone Insurance offers customers protection against loss, theft, or accidental damage to their wireless device. Beginning June 2, 2008, Wireless Phone Insurance will expand its coverage to include all high-end phones and PDAs.
What is changing on June 2 with Wireless Phone Insurance?
Wireless Phone Insurance eligibility is being extended include high-end phones and PDAs (except Apple iPhone).
Depending on model, device deductibles will be in two tiers:
Equipment Tier 1: $50 non-refundable deductible per approved claim.
Equipment Tier 2: $125 non-refundable deductible per approved claim (for incident dates on/after November 3, 2008; $50 deductible for pre November 3, 2008 incident dates).
For new activations and upgrades if Wireless Phone Insurance is not selected as a feature on the account, a pop-up message in the billing system will alert sales reps to advise customers that they have 30 days in which to enroll in Wireless Phone Insurance.
For more information, see Know the Facts or the presentation on Wireless Phone Insurance Expanded Coverage for High-End Devices and PDAs.
Who could have guessed that the ONE device not covered by the new insurance offering would be the iPhone? Hmmm, everyone.
[Thanks Anonymous Tipster]
125.00 to replace a smart phone? What are they charging per month? I’m assuming the standard 5-10 bucks? This might be as stupid as buying the extended warranty at best buy.
LOL, that’s why I asked if it covered the new iPhone.
SOL
Applecare anyone?
Keep in mind that the monthly cost will still be a mere $4.99 a month! That montly price has not changed.
In the other hand, instead of the per claim deductible of $50, you will have to dish out $125 for your BlackBerry Smartphone / PDA.
Lower end phones are $50, this is whats been confusing people lately….the pricing.
Think about this thought, you get one “Upgrade” phone discount per contract term. Thats two years before you can buy a newer phone at a cheap price. Say you loose your BB or PDA before that, your S#it outta luck. Either dish out retail $400 for a new phone or buy a crap of a wad phone for $200 or now sorta thanks to at&t simply pay $125 no questions asked.
What do you guys think?
I suspect it doesn’t cover the iPhone because Apple sells AppleCare for the iPhone, and AT&T can’t infringe on that revenue stream…
Ehh I’ll pass. I don’t buy phones from AT&T anyway. I’m making an exception for the Bold, but other than that, I’ve been fine with keeping my phones intact and in reach.
So what happens after the first 30 days? Can you only enroll within the first 30 days you have the new phone? In that case, WHAT THE FUCK??!?!!?!?
And why doesn’t att replace damaged phones under warranty? Shit, they’re just gonna throw away the old body anyways to re-use the guts so who cares?
G-d shall damn AT&T. Damn them all to hell.
It does not cover iphone, the memo I got on it noted it was “all devices*
*excluding iphone”
that’s funny. which means if you’re going to drop, water spill, being stolen, etc.
Better do it before Nov 3, 08.
First of all this is a complete rip off by AT&T. You are paying 4.99 a month then $50 as a deductible (possibly 125). That is all and great (not really since you could buy the phone cheaper by the time you spend all of that on EBAY), if you were getting the same phone or better. But instead more than likely you will get a phone that is a different model, different features etc. For example if you have a propel (TIER 1). you could end up wth a razr. They are cheating everyone.