Key Takeaways
SNAP: a photo. TAP: pay instantly. CRACK: there goes your expensive phone. Phone insurance can help you repair and replace your phone in case it perishes in a bowl of noodles or gets snatched by a thief. The financial assistance can save you thousands of dollars and prevent a headache for as little as $8 a month.
Finding the best phone insurance is essential for back to school, work, and travel. Let’s go over the best plans by pricing, repair speed, customer feedback, and overall value.
AKKO is the #1 ranked phone insurance provider in the U.S. They offer simple, all-inclusive protection plans that start at only $5/month. The company focuses on providing tech-forward, comprehensive phone insurance.
Customer service-wise, AKKO also has some of the best you’ll find in the insurance industry. They have exceptional Trustpilot reviews and ratings at 4.7 stars. Communication is clear and support is usually quick. They also provide insurance that covers multiple types of devices and gadgets for ultimate convenience.
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5Devices covers 5 devices starting at $17.99/month. If you’re looking for group insurance, 5Devices is fantastic because it has plans that cover up to 20 devices.
Key perks:
Upsie phone insurance plans start as low as $5.41/month. The company aims to provide affordable coverage with clear plan details and no surprise fees. That is important because other cheap policies often come with surprise expenses and add-ons.
Upsie also offers coverage for a lot more than just smartphones. You can also receive coverage for laptops, TVs, tablets, gaming consoles, smartwatches, and more. Their customer service is always available by both app and in-person support, so if you prefer more personal attention and care when you need help, Upsie is a good option to consider.
Key perks:
Mulberry offers protection for everything you buy online, including phones and other electronics. The Mulberry insurtech platform is advanced and they are partnered with thousands of retailers to bring customers product protection.
It’s important to note that Mulberry isn’t technically an insurance platform. They work with retailers to bring you extended warranties and product protection for a variety of risks. These protection plans are excellent for covering accidental damage and other product issues after you purchase the item.
Key perks:
Let’s dive in depth into the pros and cons of each phone insurance provider, as well as their detailed coverage options and features.
AKKO comes with an incredibly tech-advanced platform. Coverage is simple and affordable. After the quick registration process, you can receive full protection.
Plus, if you ever want to upgrade or downgrade your insurance plan due to reasons, AKKO makes it easy. You don’t need to dig deep to find out how to change or cancel your plan.
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If you got 5 devices (or even more!) that need coverage, 5Devices is for you. The company helps protect smartphones, phones, smart watches, computers, tablets, gaming consoles, and much more. Families can benefit greatly from the versatility and extensive coverage of 5Devices.
5Devices can cover cracked screens and liquid damages, which are expected in any phone insurance plan. They also cover mechanical failure, which is useful if you’re worried about your phone’s quality.
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Upsie offers phone protection that is very affordable. $5.41 a month means it costs as little as a coffee to safeguard your phones and other electronic devices. Laptops, gaming consoles, and appliances can all be covered by Upsie.
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Mulberry’s biggest advantage is that their phone protection is free for the first year. Their extended warranties include accidental damage protection, which goes beyond what default manufacturer insurance covers.
A hassle-free online claims process with Mulberry makes it convenient to file claims if an issue with your phone arises.
Mulberry is also great for those who enjoy or need to do shopping because they help you save when you shop online at over 5,000 retailers. You can earn rewards for everything you purchase online, redeeming for Amazon and Visa gift cards.
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If you’re looking for phone insurance for a single device, you might want to consider AKKO or Upsie. They offer comprehensive individual coverage that is better for single devices. If you drop your phone into water or crack a screen, AKKO’s insurance and Upsie’s phone protection plans can help you pay for the repairs or replacement.
5Devices is our favorite phone insurance plan for families or multi-device users. The entire company operates on the idea of: “Protect 5 devices for the price of 1”.
If you need family phone insurance, you can also check out our guide on best phone insurance for families with teens.
AKKO is the best phone insurance provider for fast claims and broad item inclusion. Their tech-forward platform is incredibly useful for those who find traditional insurance claim methods frustrating to navigate.
Mulberry comes with a risk-free introduction because their first year is free. That means if an issue occurs within the first year, you can get a lot of value.
Not everyone can or wants to spend fifty bucks on device insurance every single month. This is especially true if you’re already worried about rent or auto insurance.
We love Upsie’s affordable pricing and 5Devices' multi-device economy because they let you minimize how much you spend on insurance every year.
Always read the insurance policy carefully before purchase. The best phone insurance should cover:
Plans also list what is excluded from coverage. Don’t agree to a policy, warranty, or protection plan before reviewing all of the exclusions and limitations.
Phone insurance policies and warranties may come with annual caps, deductibles, repair vs replacement terms, and other limitations. Don’t go into a plan without knowing these key details.
Annual cap: The coverage limit is the max amount your insurance will pay you for phone concerns. Could be a per-claim or per-term cap.
Deductible: How much you need to pay out-of-pocket before phone insurance covers the rest. A low deductible of around $200 is recommended for phone insurance, though it may raise your monthly premium. Many common phone repairs cost less than $200. If you have frequent phone issues, it’s best to avoid a high deductible.
Replacement terms: Some plans do not offer complete phone replacements, only repairs.
Speed: A fast claims process is useful if you want fast reimbursements and insurance payouts. This is important if you use your phone for business and go out often, making it hard to be without a phone.
Ease: Phone owners may encounter a lot of frustrating roadblocks if the insurance claims process is difficult.
Shipping: Some phone insurance plans will ship you a replacement and require you to ship them the damaged phone. This provides proof that your phone is actually damaged.
In-person: Do you care about receiving in-person support? If so, look for in-person insurance support when choosing a policy.
Some phone protection plan providers require upfront payment. Others come with monthly subscriptions. Upfront payment typically means cheaper overall, but it can be a hefty sum. It can be challenging to pay a lump sum of over two hundred dollars at once for a year of protection.
On the other hand, a monthly subscription is far more manageable in the short run. It is annoying that we live in an era of subscriptions. Netflix, Spotify, and now even phone insurance?
It depends entirely on your own risk tolerance and preferences. Warranties cover defects, such as battery failures and malfunctions.
Phone insurance will cover accidental damage, theft, and other outside risks. Basically, a broken phone screen due to an accidental drop goes with phone insurance. A malfunctioning screen because of a manufacturing defect? That requires a warranty. Apple iPhone warranties last 1 year, whereas Samsung phone warranties last 2 years.
Extended warranties, like Mulberry’s phone protection plans, are another type of phone protection plan. You get to customize your coverage duration. 3 to 5-year plans are popular because after 5 years, most people decide to swap to an upgrade or a different brand.
Because of how phone insurance and protection plans differ in protection type, many phone owners do opt for both. Consider your own risk tolerance and phone usage.
Phone insurance can cover theft, screen cracks, and other concerns. Warranties cover defects and other damages.
AKKO is best overall because of a comprehensive, fast, and flexible approach paired with exceptional customer service.
For multi-device value, 5Devices offers standout multi-device affordability.
For affordable pricing but upfront payment, Upsie is an excellent choice.
For extended warranties, a free first year, and retail shopping benefits, Mulberry is the way to go.
Think about what devices, coverage, and budget you’re working with. Here is our ranked list of best phone insurance providers.