When you upgrade to a new phone — which now costs as much as a laptop — protecting it becomes part of the purchase decision. Apple, Google, Samsung, and every major phone carrier on the planet want to sell you insurance.
- AppleCare+
- Pixel Care+
- Samsung Care+
- T-Mobile / Verizon / AT&T device protection plans
But here’s something most people don’t know:
You may already have free phone insurance through your credit card.
Multiple credit cards include automatic cell phone protection just by paying your monthly wireless bill with that card.
No signup. No upsell. No “Enroll in our insurance portal first.”
Just pay your bill with the right card.
Option 1: Use a Credit Card With Cell Phone Protection
Cost: $0 (pay your cell phone bill with the card)
This is the most overlooked way to insure a phone. There’s no monthly fee and no enrollment — the benefit automatically activates when you pay your phone bill with the card.
Most cards cover:
- Accidental damage
- Cracked or shattered screens (most cards)
- Liquid damage
- Theft (on most cards)
⚠️ Minor “cosmetic-only” cracks may be excluded on certain cards.
Ranked by Coverage Limit (Highest → Lowest)
| Card | Coverage / Claim | Deductible | Cracked Screen? | Claims / Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business | $1,000 | $100 | ✅ | 3 |
| Chase Ink Business Preferred | $1,000 | $100 | ✅ | 3 |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | $800 | $50 | ✅ (explicit) | 2 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve (Amex) | $800 | $50 | ✅ | 2 |
| Capital One Venture X | $800 | $50 | ✅ | 2 |
| Bilt Mastercard® (no annual fee) | $800 | $25 | ✅ | 2 |
| Chase Freedom Flex® (no annual fee) | $800 | $50 | ⚠️ | 2 |
| Wells Fargo (Active Cash®, Autograph®, Autograph Journey®) | $600 | $25 | ⚠️ | 2 |
If you want a deeper breakdown of cards that offer coverage — including premium, business, and no-annual-fee options — check out our full guide here:
Best Credit Cards for Cell Phone Protection: Premium, Business, and No-Fee Options
Option 2: Manufacturer Protection Plans (AppleCare+ / Pixel Care+ / Samsung Care+)
If you want the easiest and fastest repair experience — walk in, hand over your broken phone, and walk out with a working one — the manufacturer’s plans are the simplest solution.
They do cost money each month, but there’s no dealing with insurance adjusters or third-party repair shops.
These plans cover accidental damage, screen repairs, and (if you choose that version) theft or loss.
AppleCare+ (iPhone)
Pricing (example: iPhone 17 Pro Max ~ $1,599 MSRP):
$15.99/month or $159.99/year
Deductibles
- Screen/back glass: $29
- Other accidental damage: $99
- Theft/Loss replacement: $149
Pixel Care+ (Google Pixel)
Pricing
$7–$16/month, depending on Pixel model
Theft & Loss plans: $12–$18/month
Deductibles
- Screen/back glass repair: $0
- Accidental damage: $99
- Theft/loss: $149
Samsung Care+ (Galaxy S / Ultra / Z Fold / Z Flip)
Pricing
$8–$13/month (accidental damage)
$13–$18/month (with Theft & Loss)
Deductibles
- Screen/back glass: $29
- Other damage: $99–$199
- Theft/loss replacement: $199
Quick Comparison
| Feature | AppleCare+ | Pixel Care+ | Samsung Care+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $15.99 | $7–$16 | $8–$18 |
| Screen Repair Cost | $29 | $0 | $29 |
| Theft/Loss Option? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
🛡️ Option 3: Third-Party Protection (SquareTrade / Allstate)
SquareTrade (owned by Allstate) is the biggest independent phone insurer. Unlike AppleCare or Samsung Care, SquareTrade doesn’t care where you bought your phone — whether it’s new, used, unlocked, or refurbished — it’s eligible.
Pricing
Starts at $8.99/month; Family Plans are $19.99/month for up to 4 phones.
Deductibles usually $99–$149
What it covers
- Accidental damage: drops, spills, cracked screens
- Liquid damage
- Touchscreen failures
- Speaker/audio failures
- Charging port failure
- Mechanical & electrical failures from normal use
- Battery failure (one replacement per plan)
- Software and tech support
Option 4: Insurance Through Your Phone Plan (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon)
Every major carrier sells its own phone protection:
- T-Mobile Protection 360
- AT&T Protect Advantage
- Verizon Mobile Protect
What it covers
- Loss, theft, accidental damage (including cracked screens)
- Liquid damage
- Same-day replacements in some markets
Typical pricing
$14–$25/month per phone
Replacement deductibles: $99–$275
Final Thought
There’s no universal “best” way to insure your phone — it depends on how much risk you’re willing to take and how much convenience you want.
If your goal is to spend the least amount of money:
→ Use a credit card that includes cell phone protection.
It’s free protection you may not realize you already have.
If you want the easiest, fastest, no-hassle repair:
→ Manufacturer plans (AppleCare+ / Pixel Care+ / Samsung Care+) win.
If you have a used or refurbished phone:
→ SquareTrade fills that gap.
Carrier insurance?
That’s the most expensive way to cover a phone.
Phones cost $1,200 to $1,600 now.
Protecting them is smart — but make sure you’re not paying for something your credit card already covers.
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
