If you happen to’re a brand new Apple Watch proprietor, you are probably doing all your finest to not scratch, break or lose the machine. However as soon as the novelty wears off and also you let your guard down, that miniature iPhone you put on in your wrist can shortly turn out to be a sufferer to each object you unintentionally swing your arm into, leading to every kind of harm, corresponding to a cracked display.
If you’re already paying between $400 and $800 for an Apple Watch, you could be hesitant to pay much more for an prolonged guarantee or insurance coverage. And despite the fact that your watch comes with a restricted one-year guarantee, it will not cowl an unintentional damaged display. For that form of restore, you may want insurance coverage.
Under, we have in contrast the prices of getting your Apple Watch repaired with and with out insurance coverage that can assist you determine which kind of insurance coverage — if any — is finest for you, from AppleCare and insurance coverage out of your cellphone provider like Verizon to an insurer corresponding to Asurion to even your bank card firm. For extra, here is our tackle the brand new iPhone 15 and the brand new Pixel 8.
Learn extra: Is Your Telephone’s 1-Yr Guarantee Actually Sufficient?
Apple guarantee vs. insurance coverage: What is the distinction?
Apple features a restricted one-year guarantee with every Apple {hardware} product you purchase, and that features the Apple Watch. With as many as 200 million watches offered, in keeping with some estimates, that is a number of warranties.
Nonetheless, that free guarantee solely covers “defects in supplies and workmanship.” Here is what’s not coated.
Batteries or protecting coatings.Beauty harm, together with dents and damaged plastic on ports.Harm brought on by accident, abuse, misuse, hearth, earthquake or different exterior causes.Defects brought on by regular put on and tear.Loss or theft.
If you do not have insurance coverage, for these sorts of repairs you are by yourself. If you happen to do buy insurance coverage — whether or not by Apple or a third-party insurer — all the above is mostly coated on your Apple Watch apart from loss or theft. You’ll find protection for loss and theft too.
Celso Bulgatti/CNET
Out-of-pocket restore prices with out insurance coverage for an Apple Watch
Apple Watches aren’t low-cost, and neither are the repairs — and restore costs can differ, relying on which mannequin you have got. As an illustration, a restore on an Apple Watch Extremely might run you $499, whereas an Apple Watch Collection 8 restore might price you $299.
If you happen to’re questioning about the price of fixing a cracked display, for instance, you will get a restore estimate from Apple. You will must know the precise kind of Apple Watch you have got, just like the Apple Watch Collection 9 GPS Aluminum 41mm, for instance.
Apple Watch restore prices with AppleCare Plus
You may count on to pay a number of hundred {dollars} to restore your Apple Watch with out insurance coverage, however if you are going to buy AppleCare Plus — Apple’s prolonged guarantee and tech assist service that covers unintentional damage– the associated fee goes down considerably.
Be aware, in most areas and nations you’ll want to purchase Apple’s prolonged guarantee inside 60 days of your Apple Watch buy. The acquisition interval can differ from seven days to a 12 months, relying on the place you reside, so examine your area’s particular time-frame.
Here is how a lot AppleCare Plus protection prices for every Apple Watch mannequin.
Apple Watch Extremely 2: $5 a monthApple Watch Collection 9: $4 a month, with an choice to pay $79 complete for 2 yearsApple Watch SE: $2.49 a month, with an choice to pay $49 complete for 2 yearsApple Watch Hermès: $5 a month, with an choice to pay $149 complete for 3 years
With AppleCare Plus, you may additionally pay a $69 or a $79 service charge for a restore, relying on the watch mannequin you have got.
Apple Watch: $69 Apple Watch Nike: $69Apple Watch Extremely: $79Apple Watch Version: $79Apple Watch Hermès: $79
Apple Watch restore prices with third-party insurance coverage
In case you are on the lookout for one thing past AppleCare, you may have a look at protection by an insurer. Whereas some supply safety such as you’d get with AppleCare Plus, others have broader plans that cowl all of the tech you have got in your house or residence.
Only for the watch insurance coverage, Allstate, for instance, gives safety plans by retailers primarily based on the price of the watch that cowl unintentional harm however not loss or theft. If you happen to store at Sam’s Membership, for instance, you will get two years of safety for $60 for an Apple Watch that prices lower than $400, with no deductible.
As an alternative of insurance coverage particularly on your watch, Asurion gives protection on your complete assortment of in-home tech — together with your TV, laptop computer, gaming console, safety cameras and your Apple Watch — referred to as Dwelling Plus. Costing $12 a month for the primary three months after which $25 every month after, the plan covers restore or substitute (as much as $2,000 per declare) with a $99 service charge.
Be aware, loss and theft aren’t coated, however your house owner’s or renter’s insurance coverage might cowl that. You can also’t embody your cellphone in there. For that you will wish to take a look at Asurion’s cellphone insurance coverage, which you will get for $5 a month for the primary three months after which $10 every month after.
Wealthy Peterson/CNET
Apple Watch restore and substitute by cellphone provider safety
Your mobile phone provider might also supply Apple Watch insurance coverage. Verizon, for instance, has its Cellular Shield plan that goes for $14 to $17 a month and gives free display substitute and free watch substitute for manufacturing defects. The plan has $99 deductible for loss or theft.
AT&T additionally gives watch insurance coverage and allows you to insure one machine for $14 or $17 a month or bundle as much as 4 gadgets — together with a watch, cellphone, laptop computer or pill — for $45 a month as a part of its Shield Benefit. As with Verizon, along with unintentional harm, the plan covers loss and theft.
Do bank cards present insurance coverage?
Some bank card firms supply extra safety and insurance coverage on new purchases made with their card. As an illustration, some supply safety that insures your new purchases in opposition to harm and theft for as much as 120 days. If one thing occurs inside that point, you may file a declare along with your bank card issuer to get the merchandise changed or reimbursed.
It is a good suggestion to examine along with your bank card issuer to see if they provide safety earlier than you make the acquisition.
Editor’s observe: CNET and Asurion have an promoting partnership. This story is editorially unbiased from that relationship.