Is AppleCare Worth It? Pros and Cons of Apple’s Extended Warranty
AppleCare is Apple’s extended warranty offering that provides additional coverage benefits and features for your Apple products. It is an optional service you can purchase when buying an Apple device. AppleCare is available for a wide range of Apple products, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and iPod. But is AppleCare worth it? In this blog post, we will take a look at the pros and cons of an AppleCare plan to help you decide if it is worth the money.
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Is AppleCare Worth It?
The short answer is – it depends.
Suppose you’re a power user who is easily prone to accidental damage. In that case, AppleCare might be a godsend for you, as it offers protection against physical damage with additional access to 24/7 tech support. On the other hand, if you’re a casual user just looking for some peace of mind and limited coverage, then the standard Apple’s Limited Warranty might suffice. However, if you are not prone to accidents at all and tend to be careful with your devices, the AppleCare plan might be of very little use to you. So, it really depends.
Ultimately, to decide if AppleCare is worth it, one must learn what AppleCare and Apple’s Limited Warranty plans have to offer and how it counts up in the end. So, let’s get right into it!
What Is Apple’s Limited Warranty?
When you purchase an Apple product, it comes with a standard one-year warranty called Apple’s Limited Warranty. This warranty provides coverage for manufacturing defects and hardware failures. It also comes with also up to 90 days of complimentary technical support. With this basic warranty, you are entitled to free repair or replacement from the manufacturer if your Apple product does not work correctly.
However, it is important to note that accidental damage is not covered under this warranty, so you won’t be able to get a free repair if your device gets damaged in many ways. Service fees, in this case, are also not reduced, so you would have to pay the full cost of any repairs needed.
What Is AppleCare?
AppleCare is an extended Apple Limited Warranty that provides additional coverage for your Apple products. It is available as an add-on when you purchase a new Apple device and for purchase up to 60 days after you buy an Apple product.
This warranty extends the one-year limited warranty and offers up to two years of technical support and coverage for up to two instances of accidental damage. This plan is quite expensive due to the additional benefits that are included in the plan. These include:
Express Replacement Option for iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches
Two instances of accidental damage coverage every 12 months (depending on the service fee or the plan chosen)
Theft and Loss Protection Upgrade
Fully covered or heavily reduced repair costs
Priority access to Apple Support via chat or phone
It’s important to note that the covered benefits may differ based on your purchased device. To get the full picture of the available coverage, you should review the AppleCare product page before making your purchase.
Additionally, when it comes to AppleCare for your device, you also have two plans to choose from: a one-time payment for two years of coverage or the option to pay monthly. The payment plan for AppleCare for Mac is a bit different: you can either pay a one-time fee for three years of coverage or opt to make yearly payments. Unfortunately, monthly plans are not available.
Is AppleCare Worth It in the End?
Essentially, the AppleCare plan is an insurance plan. Therefore, it would make more sense to insure something more valuable or something you’ll be using for a long time. Replacing an expensive device would cost you a lot more than what the AppleCare plan is asking for. And without an existing and extensive warranty, you may be unable to purchase a new Apple device if it is damaged or fails unexpectedly. Therefore, it’s much better to have a warranty covering the repair or replacement costs.
So, if you’re considering an AppleCare plan for a really expensive new Apple device with a hefty price tag, the AppleCare plan is most probably worth it. Additionally, the AppleCare plan cost doesn’t change depending on your device configuration. So, the price for the extended warranty is the same whether you’re buying a $600 or a $5000 model of an Apple product.
However, if you’re buying a regular Apple model, like an iPhone, iPad, or a Watch, it is unlikely that you’ll need the extra coverage of AppleCare. The standard Apple Limited Warranty is usually enough, as it is unlikely that you’ll experience any major issues with your device in the first year.
Additionally, when it comes to AppleCare, one of the areas that are often forgotten is value loss. This is an especially important consideration when discussing electronics. Over time, any electronic device’s value will decrease, and, in many cases, it’d fall faster than you’d expect. Ultimately, you might end up paying much more for the AppleCare insurance than your device is worth. So, it is important to consider the cost of the extended warranty as it relates to the current value of your device.
However, if you know that you are prone to breaking devices, then AppleCare is worth considering. AppleCare is a good investment if you are prone to accidents, have children who use your devices often, or you just like to be prepared for any potential issues.
On the other hand, AppleCare is most likely unnecessary if you are cash-strapped or own a more affordable device. Just to be on the safe side, you can invest in a top-notch protective case and screen guard for your iPhone to ensure its longevity. That is a much cheaper way of protecting your device and is most likely enough for the average user.
At the end of the day, it is really up to you to decide if AppleCare is worth it or not. Therefore, it is important to weigh the pros and cons before making your purchase, as there is no one-size-fits-all answer, and it is ultimately your choice.
FAQs
We’ve compiled a list of some frequently asked questions to help you clear out any confusion regarding AppleCare.
How to Check if You Already Have AppleCare?
You can easily check it by entering your device serial number on the Apple Support website. Then, just follow the on-screen instructions to check your coverage.
Alternatively, you can visit the mysupport.apple.com page to see if your device has any Apple coverage. Then, all you have to do is sign in with your Apple ID and select your device. After that, you will see all the available info on your coverage plan if you have any.
Does AppleCare Only Last for 2 Years?
With AppleCare coverage, you can extend your two-year protection plan up to a full 36 months or even beyond – but don’t worry! You’re also free to cancel anytime if you decide it’s no longer worth it. This provides unbeatable security and assurance that will help keep your devices safe for as long as you need them.
Does AppleCare Cover a Cracked Screen?
You can rest easy knowing that if you have AppleCare+, cracked screens are included under its accidental damage protection. However, to get your repair, you must pay the deductible, which varies depending on your device type.
How Many Screen Replacements Can I Get with AppleCare+?
Every 12 months, you can make a maximum of two claims, whether they’re for cracked screen replacements or repairs. This holds true regardless of what the claims are for.
Can You Purchase AppleCare Later?
With AppleCare, you don’t need to make a commitment immediately after buying your Apple product. If you buy it within 60 days of purchase, you’ll still be eligible for its protective coverage – so there’s plenty of time to decide if it’s worth investing in!
Can You Purchase AppleCare After Damage?
Sadly, once your Apple device has sustained any damage, you can no longer purchase an AppleCare+ insurance plan and will be rendered ineligible for such coverage.
To ensure that you’re prepared in the event of any damage, it’s wise to purchase AppleCare+ insurance before any issues arise. In this way, your device can be quickly serviced or replaced for a minimal deductible if necessary.
Can You Purchase AppleCare After 60 Days?
Don’t fret if you didn’t purchase AppleCare+ within the 60-day window – there is still a way for you to acquire this coverage plan! Take your device into any Apple store and let an expert technician assess it. After confirming that everything functions properly, then you can get eligible to purchase this protection plan at any time.
Final Thoughts
So, to sum up, is AppleCare+ worth it? It depends on your individual needs and budget. If you are willing to pay a bit extra for added security and peace of mind, then AppleCare+ is worth considering. On the other hand, if you are on a tighter budget or know that your device is unlikely to be damaged, then AppleCare+ is probably not necessary. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide.
Hopefully, this blog post has helped you answer the question, “Is AppleCare worth it?”. Thank you for reading!
