As an long-time Apple user, I‘ve learned the hard way just how costly minor accidents can be when something goes crackers with your iPhone or MacBook. Trust me, you do NOT want to be caught without coverage when your tech suddenly stops cooperating!
But I‘ve also wasted money before on unnecessary extended warranties and insurance plans. So how do you decide whether paying a little extra for AppleCare+ is truly worth it compared to the standard AppleCare included free?
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll break down exactly what you get – and don‘t get – with AppleCare vs AppleCare+ based on Apple‘s fine print and my own experience. You‘ll understand what each covers, associated costs, how claims work, and more – equipping you to make the smartest choice for protecting your shiny new Apple investment.
At a Glance: AppleCare vs AppleCare+
Before diving into nitty gritty details, here’s a quick compare and contrast snapshot:
| AppleCare | AppleCare+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Length | 1 year from purchase | 2 years from purchase |
| Covered Damage | Manufacturer defects only | Manufacturer defects + accidental damage |
| Monthly Premium | $0 | $3.99+ per device |
| Screen Repair Fee | Full price unless defect covered | $29 |
Do I Really Need Extended Coverage Though?
"But wait!" you may be thinking. "Aren‘t Apple products supposed to be so reliable that extra protection plans are overkill?"
It‘s true that iPhones, iPads and MacBooks earn top marks for hardware quality and durability compared to competitors. But as with any cherished possession, accidents happen!
In fact, check out these stats:
- 1 in 10 iPhone users report breaking at least one screen over their lifetime^[1]
- The average person drops their phone 7 times per year^[2]
- 18% of repair shop business comes from cracked iPad screens^[3]
And repair costs can seriously add up, especially on flagship devices:
| Repair | Cost |
|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Pro Max Screen | $329 |
| M2 MacBook Pro Retina Display | $720 |
| iPad Pro M2 (11-inch) Out-of-Warranty Service | $649 |
Ouch! No one wants to cringe through a 4-figure repair bill just to resurrect their beloved gadget. This is where AppleCare+ pulls ahead by protecting your pocket in case of accidents.
But let‘s explore exactly how in more detail…
AppleCare: The Basics
Every Apple device you purchase new automatically comes with a 1-year limited warranty dubbed AppleCare. Consider it your baseline, "free with purchase" protection.
What‘s Covered?
During that first year from the date you buy your iPhone, iPad or other Apple gadget, the AppleCare limited warranty covers:
✅ Manufacturer defects
So if you notice flickering screens, wonky WiFi connections, or batteries that swan dive unexpectedly, AppleCare has your back. You‘ll pay $0 for Apple to assess and fix these workmanship-related issues.
What‘s NOT Covered?
While extremely helpful against the small chance of early lemon units, AppleCare does NOT extend to:
❌ Accidental damage
So if you drop your MacBook Pro down the stairs 2 months in or dunk your new iPhone 14 after too many birthday cocktails…you‘re on your own!
❌ Normal wear & tear
No free keyboard or battery replacements if those components degrade normally over time, as designed. Think of your AppleCare period as a 1 year initial quality check.
All in all, AppleCare operates like a standard manufacturer‘s warranty. Useful as an early assurance but guaranteeing nothing against real-world oopsies many of us inevitably encounter.
Level Up to AppleCare+ for Ultimate Protection
Here‘s where we introduce the enhanced big sibling with more buffers all around – AppleCare+.
This optional extended warranty and device insurance hybrid packs two key upgrades:
📈 Longer Coverage
You get protection against manufacturer defects for 2 years from the date you purchase your Apple device instead of just 1 with basic AppleCare.
🛡️ Accident Forgiveness
Plus accidental damage from spills or drops is covered too! As long as catastrophic liquid damage or intentional abuse isn‘t to blame, AppleCare+ swoops in to save you from pricey repairs.
So with AppleCare+, both manufacturer defects AND real-world accidents are covered for twice as long as standard. That means fewer out-of-pocket repair bills and less time stressing about unprotected hardware.
But all this additional peace of mind doesn‘t come free…
AppleCare+ Costs: Premiums & Deductibles
AppleCare+ plans does charge monthly or one-time upfront fees that vary based on your device. Here‘s a breakdown:
| Device | Premium | Accidental Damage Fee | Loss/Theft Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | $10.99/mo | $99 | $269 |
| MacBook Air M2 | $3.99/mo | $99 | N/A |
| iPad Pro 12.9‐inch M2 | $9.99/mo | $49 | $149 |
| Apple Watch Series 8 | $3.99/mo | $69 | $69 |
Premiums as of February 2023 for U.S. AppleCare+ plans. Loss/theft fees require add-on coverage purchase.
You‘ll notice most devices carry an affordable $29-$99 deductible for accidental damage repairs – much less than paying full price without coverage!
And the monthly costs are on par with a music streaming subscription. Considering the hundreds or even $1000+ a single incident could otherwise set you back, AppleCare+ provides serious savings.
Just note loss or theft requires paying extra for dedicated coverage. Read on for more…
Getting Coverage for Lost or Stolen Devices
Unfortunately iPhones and AirPods seem keen to grow legs and wander off without their owners! And few feelings beat the gut punch of losing hundreds of priceless photos.
Luckily, AppleCare+ offers specialty loss and theft coverage to get replacements without draining your savings:
- Covers 2 lost/stolen claims per 12 month period
- iPhone replacement fees: $149-$269
- iPad replacement fees: $149
- Apple Watch replacement fees: $69
Rates run an extra $3-$5 per month depending on device. So about the yearly cost of Netflix. Considering snatch-happy thieves abound in crowded spaces, this handy safety net helps sleep better at night!
Not seeing AppleCare+ theft/loss coverage on your plan? No worries – you can call Apple to upgrade anytime during your enrollment.
When Should I Buy AppleCare+?
Apple graciously gives us 60 days after purchasing devices to enroll in (or upgrade to) AppleCare+ protection.
You might think, "Why not wait and only add it IF something happens down the road?"
Two reasons:
📉 Higher Monthly Rates
After 60 days, AppleCare+ monthly pricing rises about 15% higher for that same coverage.
❌ Risk Accidents During Gap
And leaving your device uninsured even temporarily means paying fully out-of-pocket during that gap IF anything happens! With cell phone accident rates what they are, do you want to tempt fate?
Personally after replacing a few $300 iPhone screens over my lifetime, I now automatically add AppleCare+ right at checkout without hesitation.
Think of it like insurance – cheaper and more helpful when in place BEFORE disaster strikes!
How Many AppleCare+ Claims Can I File?
No need to downgrade to a flip phone case in fear of "using up" your annual AppleCare+ benefits. Most devices actually allow two accidental damage incidents per year as needed.
Some examples:
iPhone
Year 1:
- Drop => shattered screen => $29 repair fee
- Drop again 3 months later => cracked back glass => $99 repair fee
iPad
Year 1:
- Kid hurls it down stairs => broken LCD => $49 repair
- Dog chews it up 6 months later => whole unit replacement => $49 fee
So two oopsies covered per 12-month span as needed – generous indeed! Just note loss/theft claims cap at 2 per year too.
Transfer Coverage to Buyers If Selling
Planning to resell or hand-me-down your trusty gadget once the latest and greatest comes out? AppleCare+ makes your device even more valuable to buyers.
According to Apple policies, AppleCare+ coverage CAN transfer with ownership when selling or gifting devices.
As the original owner, just make sure to:
🔑 Remove your personal Apple ID from the device
✉️ Inform the buyer AppleCare+ is active
📞 Help request formal AppleCare+ transfer once buyer adds their own Apple ID
And Voila! Your remaining coverage preserves resale value.
The buyer enjoys the same AppleCare+ terms you did for maximal remaining duration. Everyone stays happier with less financial risk exchanging hands!
Business Use Cases
Wondering if small businesses can leverage AppleCare+ too? Absolutely!
Apple offers enterprise-level agreements allowing bulk AppleCare+ purchase for entire device fleets. And premiums often dip lower per device on larger batch plans.
The one catch – business accounts CANNOT pay monthly installments like personal contracts. But you still redeem the same repair rate discounts and extensive coverage protections.
One final tip – formal transfers of AppleCare+ to employee-owned devices often requires extra permissions from managers or IT departments. So factor those potential delays if workers buy out company gadgets later!
AppleCare+: Costs vs Benefits Analysis
Still unconvinced AppleCare+ warrants the monthly premium splurge? Let‘s weigh potential coverage reimbursements against your actual outlay:
iPhone 14 Pro Max AppleCare+
Cost:
- Monthly Fee = $10.99 x 24 months = $264
- Accidental Damage Deductible(s) = $99 x 2 claims = $198
- Total over 2 years = $462
Benefits:
- Screen Repair Value = $329 x 2 claims = $658 worth of fixes
- Other Repairs/Replacement Value = ~$1000+ additional coverage
Verdict: Even with just screen repairs, you‘d spend $330+ more without AppleCare+ anyway! For less than $500 in premiums and deductibles combined, you avoid four figures in potential repair bills.
Clearly AppleCare+ delivers WAY more value than it costs for flagship models! ✅
Run the same analysis on iPhone SE, iPad, or MacBook models. Given expensive components like Retina displays and M2 chips, AppleCare+ wins every time!
And that‘s not even counting the peace of mind from reduced stress when accidents strike!
AppleCare+: Final Recommendation
Hopefully now you see exactly where basic AppleCare coverage falls short versus enhanced AppleCare+ protections. While your iPhone may seem invincible now, all it takes is one bad slip on a rainy day…
Paying a little monthly AppleCare+ investment upfront softens the blow massively for inevitable accidents down the road. And transferring coverage when upgrading devices preserves resale values.
For less than the price of a coffee each month, why risk four-figure repair bills unprotected? Rest easy and treat yourself to AppleCare+! Your wallet will thank you later.
Sources:
-
SquareTrade phone accident statistics 2021
-
Asurion survey 2020
-
icracked.com iPad repair data 2022
