What to Know
- Every new iPhone comes with AppleCare: a one-year Apple Limited Warranty and free product support for 90 days.
- AppleCare+ is paid insurance that covers user-caused damage and offers affordable repairs.
- AppleCare Theft and Loss is an AppleCare+ add-on that offers further protection.
New iPhones may come with a free year of AppleCare, but Apple’s Limited Warranty does not cover user-caused damage such as cracked screens. You can purchase AppleCare+ and additional Theft and Loss coverage to enjoy affordable repairs and even device replacement. But is AppleCare+ worth the additional $100+ annually? It depends.
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The Difference Between AppleCare and AppleCare+
Every new Apple product, including the iPhone, comes with complimentary AppleCare. AppleCare offers users a one-year limited warranty and includes complimentary setup, hardware, and software support over the phone, online, or in-store for 90 days after purchase. This limited iPhone insurance covers defects in materials and workmanship for one year of regular use; accidental or water damage is not included.
AppleCare can be voided if the device is jailbroken or serviced by anyone who is not an Apple Authorized Service Provider. If you want more comprehensive coverage that can even include theft or loss, you should definitely consider AppleCare+. To learn more about insuring your Apple Products, sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter.
Image courtesy of Apple.com.
Is AppleCare+ Worth It?
The short answer is yes! Depending on your iPhone model and whether you want to add Theft and Loss coverage, AppleCare+ costs between $9.99 and $13.99 a month. It covers an unlimited number of incidents of damage, even if it is user-caused, but you have to pay a deductible for each repair. According to Apple Support's repair cost estimation calculator, replacing the screen on your iPhone 15 will cost you $29 with AppleCare Plus and $329 without.
Pro Tip
Keep in mind that you need to purchase AppleCare+ within 60 days of buying your new iPhone, so if you like the sounds of this program, sign up sooner rather than later! You can opt for a single-pay or monthly bill plan.
Since a brand new higher-end iPhone can easily cost $1,000 or even more, I have always felt that the small monthly fee was worth the peace of mind. AppleCare+ alone is great because it offers a wide variety of repairs, such as screen replacement for $29 and water damage repairs for a $99 deductible fee.
Plus, you can get your battery replaced if it falls below 80% of its original capacity. I always opt to pay the additional few dollars to also get Theft and Loss, which gives me two iPhone replacements if the device is lost or stolen, and will only cost you $149 even if your phone is worth $1,200. The only thing not covered by AppleCare+ are "acts of God," such as earthquakes or fires.
How Much Is AppleCare+?
The cost of AppleCare+ depends on which model of iPhone you've purchased. An iPhone 15 will cost you $149 for two years or $7.99 per month. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max costs $199 for the full two years of coverage or $9.99 per month. The iPhone SE (3rd generation) will cost you $79 for two years or $3.99 per month. You can find the price for your iPhone or other Apple device on Apple’s website.
How to Get AppleCare+
Your new iPhone comes with AppleCare for 90 days, but for extended AppleCare+ insurance, you can sign up and pay for it separately. You have to sign up within 60 days of buying your phone. Most people sign up for AppleCare Plus when they buy their phone. To do it afterward:
- Open Buy an AppleCare plan and tap Choose a product to cover.
![Open Buy an AppleCare plan and tap Choose a product to cover.]()
- Select iPhone from the drop-down menu.
![Select iPhone from the drop down menu.]()
- Select your model.
![Select your model.]()
- Tap Continue and follow the on-screen instructions to sign into your Apple account. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to finalize the purchase.
![Tap Continue and follow the on-screen instructions]()
Now you know how to get cell phone insurance for your iPhone! This article can help you find your serial number. Now you'll be able to make AppleCare claims if you damage your iPhone.
Now you know the pros and cons of AppleCare+! If you are the type of person who never breaks or loses their phone, you might consider skipping it. I have purchased it for every iPhone and ended up not using it, but after having one phone fall in the river and another stolen, I appreciate the peace of mind of having AppleCare+ in case I ever need it.
FAQ
- How do I know if I have AppleCare? You can check if you have AppleCare or AppleCare+ by going to mysupport.apple.com, logging in, and selecting your iPhone.
- How do I cancel AppleCare for iPhone? You can cancel AppleCare+ as long as you purchased it in full less than 30 days ago. According to the AppleCare return policy, you’ll have to contact Apple Support.
- Is AppleCare worth it for Macs? It depends on your situation, but I definitely find getting AppleCare worth it for Macs because, after my 14-inch 2021 MacBook Pro developed lines on the display, the repair cost $1,036 without warranty rather than $99 if I had had AppleCare Plus.
- What iPhones are Waterproof? None, but many iPhones are water-resistant to a certain degree.
- Does AppleCare cover water damage? AppleCare does not cover water insurance, but AppleCare+ does, for a $99 deductible fee.
