Should you buy AppleCare+ for your iPhone?

AppleCare+ can greatly reduce the cost of replacing your hardware from accidental damage and includes 24/7 access to technical support. Although you also get the bonus of Apple experts knowing their hardware inside out, there are some potential caveats to be aware of.

For one, it doesn't come cheap – especially when you consider excess fees you might have to pay for your claim when something goes wrong. Plus, most of us are interested in taking out insurance in case a phone is lost or stolen, but AppleCare+ doesn't cover these. Instead, you have to pay more and take out the AppleCare+ with Loss and Theft policy.

Below, we examine Apple's scheme and some money-saving alternatives – from home contents insurance to network providers and third party insurers. Read on to find out which insurance policy is best for you.

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What's covered with AppleCare+?

You can take out AppleCare+ for any new Apple product. All of the products below include 24/7 priority access to technical support.

Here are the main features covered with AppleCare+:

*Mac: While the 'Express Replacement Service' swap-out service isn't offered, Apple does provide alternatives like onsite courier service for desktops. For more information see the AppleCare+ support page.

How much does AppleCare+ cost?

To be eligible for AppleCare+, you must buy a new iPhone outright or through a contract, it can't be second-hand model.

The cost of AppleCare+ for iPhone varies according to which iPhone you buy. For example, AppleCare+ for the standard iPhone 16 costs £6.49 a month, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro Max costs £8.99 monthly. The final price is only available to you when you buy your iPhone, or look up your serial number later on. You must buy AppleCare+ within 60 days of buying your iPhone and it's not available in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man.

AppleCare+ is available for the following handsets:

Here are the main benefits with AppleCare+ for iPhone:

• Battery service – if your phone's battery retains less than 80% of its original capacity, you can get it serviced through your AppleCare+ plan. You can find information about your battery health in your iPhone's settings as long as you have iOS 11.3 or later downloaded. However, your battery is automatically covered if your iPhone is still under warranty, and third party battery replacement services can cost around £49 for cheaper iPhones.
• Express replacement service – Apple promises to send you a replacement device quickly if you need a serious repair so you don't have to spend much time without an iPhone. This is not available under the screen or back damage excess fee.
• Unlimited incidents of accidental damage protection per year – AppleCare+ will fix or replace your iPhone as a result of accidental damage. This includes liquid damage. However, each incident is subject to excess fees – screen or back glass damage costs £25 and any other accidental damage costs £79.
• 24/7 priority access to Apple experts – this software support gives you round-the-clock advice on using iOS and iCloud, connecting to the internet and Apple apps like FaceTime and Mail. Apple claims they can help you resolve most issues in a single conversation, which might suit you if you're not entirely comfortable with the technology. However, if you only want technical support during the first few weeks of receiving your iPhone, you get complimentary support from Apple for the first 90 days without needing AppleCare+.

Our experts help you bag a bargain on an Android handset or iPhone – see our guide to the best mobile phone and Sim-only deals.

What's covered with AppleCare+ Theft and Loss?

AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss is Apple's second insurance policy for iPhones, iPads, and the Apple Watch, which gives you the added bonus of being protected if your iPhone gets stolen or lost. This includes when you're travelling anywhere in the world.

Again, the cost for each policy is dependent on the model you have, but it will likely be between £5.99 and £11.99 per month. You also have to pay a whopping £109 excess fee for any theft or loss for each individual incident.

Be warned, to claim for theft or loss, you must have Find My iPhone enabled on your device at the time it's lost or stolen and for the full claims process. Keep your proof of purchase safe too. Apple states that this may be required to prove your product's eligibility for cover under the warranty or AppleCare service contract. 

A key benefit to add is that Apple can ship a replacement device to you internationally if it's lost or stolen while you are travelling.

Our mobile phones hold so much of our lives, so make sure you know what to do if your phone gets stolen.

Alternatives to AppleCare+

Home Contents Insurance

Before taking out any type of gadget insurance, check what's already included in your home insurance cover, or what add-ons you might be able to buy to cover your devices.

Standard home contents insurance could include the loss or theft of gadgets when in your home. You might also be able to add personal possessions to claim for items that have been lost, damaged or stolen whilst away from home. This is usually quite cheap to add on and one policy will cover lots of your items, unlike AppleCare+.

 Every person's home contents insurance will have a different price, but according to MoneySuperMarket based on data collected in October 2023, the average buildings and contents insurance costs £251.38 and the average contents policy is £94.28. For most people, adding on personal possessions cover to include an iPhone will probably cost less than AppleCare+.

AppleCare+ won't insure a second-hand or refurbished phone, but home contents insurance will most likely cover these too. However, you won't get all the extra perks that you get with AppleCare+, like expert support and battery service. Also, if you claim on your home contents insurance, your premium might go up, but this won't happen with AppleCare+. If your premium ends up very high after a claim, you can search the market to get a better deal or negotiate with your current insurer.

Explore our guide on the best contents insurance for more details.

Network Provider and Third Party Insurers

Home contents or personal possessions insurance might not be a practical option if you don't currently have a home insurance policy. But there are still alternatives to AppleCare+.

You might get phone insurance as a perk with your bank account or credit card, or if you buy your iPhone through a network provider like O2 or Vodafone, you can take out insurance policies that they offer. Network provider policies usually include options for quick replacement and worldwide accidental damage, and you often have longer than 60 days after buying to insure your phone. EE and Vodafone even offer other AppleCare+ perks like support from Apple experts. These policies are worth a look if you are buying on contract.

Other third party insurers might suit you if you don't buy your phone through a network provider. But always take extra steps to ensure it is a reputable company. The easiest way to do this is check that the company has FCA registration on its website (usually in small print at the bottom of the landing page), and then check that it is on the FCA register.

Note that the company won't always be listed on the FCA register as the name of the brand, but of the parent company. For example, Protect Your Bubble is a trading name of Assurant Direct Ltd.

Read our guide on how to get the best mobile phone insurance.

Travel Insurance

If you travel a lot, you may be tempted to take out the AppleCare+ Theft and Loss policy. This might be more worth it if you have one of the most expensive iPhones, but probably isn't for an older or cheaper model. 

Instead, you could look into travel insurance policies that cover personal items. But always double check it definitely covers all your items as some policies might not automatically cover expensive devices like iPhones.

Should you get AppleCare+?

Given the cost involved, you should think carefully before considering AppleCare+, and what you'll most likely need to use it for.

Even if you use your phone a lot, your battery is unlikely to drop below Apple's 80% threshold for battery service. This means with AppleCare+ Theft and Loss you could be paying over £200 across two years to guard against this happening. Apple itself charges between £69 and £95 for an out of warranty battery replacement, and you may be able to find cheaper prices if you shop around. Further, an out-of-warranty screen repair for a recent high-end model like the iPhone 15 Pro Max can cost as much as £389 from Apple.

Theft and accidental damage are other concerns, but with alternative options available through routes like home contents or personal possessions insurance, these are definitely worth exploring first. Third party insurers and network providers usually have more competitive prices than Apple, especially when you consider the excess.

In short, shop around, and make the most of the 60 days you have after purchasing an iPhone to find out if it's really worth taking the plunge.

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