Shots of some docs over on
BGR have us believing that AT&T is on the cusp of launching a program called "MobileProtect," but don't be fooled by the fancy name -- this is basically an Asurion-operated handset insurance plan just like any other, the only real difference being that it's for the
iPhone and offered directly by the carrier. Interestingly, it seems that you'll buy the protection through the App Store of all things, automatically billing the credit card that you've got on file with Apple, but you'd better
really want the protection because it's going to run $13.99 a month. Oh, and you'll have to pay a $99 deductible to fix an 8GB 3G, scaling up to $199 for a 32GB 3GS. To put that in perspective, that means it'll cost you $367 to replace an insured 32GB 3GS after a year of coverage, at which point you'll say "well, I'd rather have an
iPhone 4 anyway" and shell out $200 with an upgrade pull-ahead. Yeah, call us jaded.
posted May 28th 2010 5:49PM
RIP OFF! ughhh
@SParklingCYaNide
PROFIT!!!!
Well that's what the AT&T execs are thinking...
@SParklingCYaNide I'm all for AT&T doing ridiculous things like this ... maybe it will finally open the eyes of the general public to just how crooked and shitty AT&T is. If things like this (aside from their atrocious network) doesn't push Apple to multi-carrier sooner rather than later .. game over.
@SParklingCYaNide
It reminds me this...
"Each follows its own kind."
@SParklingCYaNide So you need to be ripped off? Yeah, there's an app for that.
Extended Warranty? How can I lose?!
Best Buy offers a similar protection with $0 deductible and covers accidental damage and water damage.
@barkerja
if you read the article you would see that the insurance is offered by asurion, not AT&T. It is even charged to your credit card, not your bill and purchased through the app store. I know it makes you feel cool to hate on AT&T but I don't see how they are even involved aside from selling the phone
@PlatinumSkeet
How exactly? Pretty clear from the article that the consumer pays the insurance provider directly.
How is this better than Applecare?
@superstar
Not that I am in any way endorsing AT&T's bs "insurance", but Applecare doesn't cover water damage, or anything that they consider the user's mishandling of the phone.
this is one thing that is not needed.
@TjK Why would I pay for an overpriced product that isn't made by Apple?
So...the new iPhone is slippery, and you need Insurance...from AT&T of all corporations...to protect it?
@kapanak The new iPhone needs insurance because you can easily misplace it in bars and beer gardens ;p
@Ricbed
The iPhone needs insurance because you are likely to throw it against the wall in frustration due to ATT's poor 3G coverage.
@kapanak
The new iPhone doesnt need insurance, only the 3G and the 3GS... either this is fake or was supposed to happen but never did
Wanna know something better and cheaper to insure the safety of your iPhone???
ITS CALLED A CASE AND SCREEN PROTECTOR.
@CJisohsocool
Even better than that, call your home owner's insurance and see if they offer insurance for your cell phone/electronics. Amica insured our phones & $6,500 of other electronics for $28 per year! There is a $50 deductible, but most insurance plans have that. When filing a claim it goes against this new electronics insurance policy, and not the home owner's insurance (with the high deductible).
That is laughable. Too bad some people really will sacrifice their first-borns for a new iPhone.
@v0rt
wdf I gave up my 1st and 2nd born! I knew I got a bad deal :(
it's not billed through at&t. It's billed from your cc each month by the insurance co. It's pricy for sure.
this is news how?
@inertone Because it effects 50 Million people in the US alone.....
@inertone And it contans a word that starts with "i"!
/sarcasm
@thaprinze aha youre right
this needs have the breaking sign on it
Goes in effect on June 6th....right before WWDC...Just sayin...
Also, i could throw my iPhone out the window and as long as its still in one piece, Applecare will replace it.....
My first gen iPhone is fine without me getting ripped off. Oh, except for the crappy service and high monthly bill...yeah, I don't need more charges.
It's not from AT&T it's direct from asurion. Apple care doesn't cover total loss or water damage so it's better than what is available now. Also helps someone who is stuck under contract. Not a big fan of extra charges but it beats paying full price for some people.
GO AHEAD PAY UP.
I am jumping ship from this money grubin company next friday!
But you guys don't mind getting ripped off so go ahead apple fans!!!
@Juggernaut408
Which company is that? AT&T, who is offering it, or Asurion, who is handling the claims? Either way, it's not Apple charging for this, so get off your high horse.
Hello ripoff. Would you want extended warranty with that sir?
AT&T: This is insurance!
Me: *Long pause* *Looks around* Insurance??? THIS IS ROBBERY!!!!!
*Kicks AT&T down a shaft*
FAIL. Plain and simple but I'm sure some people who don't know basic math will get this. So disturbing
I only pay 4.95 for my nexus protection and I thought I was paying a lot.
@hated one its not 50
@hated one
They likely have the ability to remotely kill "lost" handsets.
So they charge you per month AND they charge you to exercise the warranty? Wat a scam!
Better stay away from any phone manufacturer stupid enough to actually make their interfaces out of glass.... Stay away from those companies all together..... Oh... Wait....
AT&T you mutherfucking bloodsuckers.
Have you not one ounce of human decency left in any one of your corporate board of directors? I swear the entire AT&T corporate thugs are going to burn in hell.
Remember, this $13.99 will be taxed by your local, state, and federal govt as well - those bitches are the same bloodsuckers too.
how can anyone really consider this as an option?not only do at&t iphone customers have the highest cell bills and overall known bad coverage but now you can add the highest insurance plans imaginable. How do you justify the yearly cost of using this device if you have this plan? Legit Q.
That Constitutes fraud. Hey so are those prices. Carry on.
@AKJ. Nope
The Math:
32GB 3GS over two years with insurance:
$335.76 if you don't need a replacement
$534.76 if you need a replacement
Without insurance:
$0 if you don't need a replacement
$699 if you DO need a replacement.
Anyone who buys this is an idiot. Potentially $164.24 benefit in the unlikely scenario that you actually file a claim. Just add the insurance to your homeowner's/renter's policy, or get Squaretrade.... either way it's an awful lot cheaper.
Wow what a ripoff. I'll insure your iphone for that price.
I pay $7/month insurance for my Palm Pre with Sprint, with a $100 deductible. This includes theft, lost, accidental breakage, etc. This is through Asurion, billed by Sprint. I can even charge my deductible on my bill.
It seems that when you consider the plan costs and ETF hikes, AT&T, Apple and Asurion are milking the apple - logo - obsessed folks for all they are worth for an inferior device to boot! Even iPhone shoppers have to be smarter than this!!
@Starfleet Captain
For me it's $50 deductible (on Sprint)... o.o;
@MegaJapan
Yea it's different if you have a smart phone vs. a basic phone/messaging
$50- basic
$100- smartphone
@beebot
But mine is a smartphone... ^^;
what a joke! It looks like i can add to the long list of reasons I'm not an ATT customer.
AT&T is going to bleed you dry.