Quick Comparison
When you buy a new phone, the carrier and the manufacturer both want to sell you protection. AppleCare+ is Apple's first-party warranty and insurance for iPhones. Asurion is the third-party insurance company behind most carrier protection plans at Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. They cover similar things but work very differently.
AppleCare+ Explained
AppleCare+ extends Apple's standard one-year warranty to as long as you keep paying the monthly fee. It covers accidental damage (drops, spills, cracked screens) with a deductible, plus hardware defects at no cost. The standard AppleCare+ plan does not cover theft or loss — you need the more expensive AppleCare+ with Theft & Loss tier for that.
Key benefits of AppleCare+:
- Screen or back glass repair: $29 deductible
- Other accidental damage: $99 deductible
- Theft or loss (Theft & Loss tier): $149 deductible
- Unlimited screen and back glass repairs
- Up to 2 incidents of other damage or theft/loss per year
- Free battery replacement when capacity drops below 80%
- Express replacement: Apple ships a new phone before you return the damaged one
- Service at any Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider
AppleCare+ is only available for Apple products. If you use an Android phone, AppleCare isn't an option. For iPhone users, the Apple Store service experience is generally faster and more reliable than carrier insurance — you walk in, they fix or replace it, usually same-day.
Asurion Carrier Insurance Explained
Asurion is the company behind the phone protection plans sold by Verizon (Total Equipment Coverage), AT&T (Protect Advantage), and T-Mobile (Protection 360). When your carrier offers you device insurance, you're almost certainly buying Asurion coverage under the carrier's brand.
Key features of Asurion carrier insurance:
- Covers accidental damage, hardware malfunction, theft, and loss
- Deductibles range from $29 (screen repair) to $275 (high-value device replacement)
- Claims processed through Asurion app or website, with repair at UBreakiFix locations or via mail-in
- Some carrier plans include ProTech support (unlimited live tech support sessions)
- Covers any device on the plan, not just iPhones — works for Samsung, Pixel, and others
- Available for multiple lines under one plan, covering all devices on the account
The main advantages of Asurion over AppleCare+ are breadth and theft/loss coverage on all plans. Asurion covers any phone brand, includes theft and loss as standard on most carrier plans (not as an upgrade tier), and can cover multiple devices under a single household plan.
The disadvantage is cost and deductibles. Asurion's monthly premiums are higher ($14–$19/mo vs $9.99–$13.49/mo), and replacement deductibles for flagship phones can reach $275 — significantly more than AppleCare's $99–$149.
Total Cost Over 2 Years
The true cost of phone insurance is the monthly premiums plus any deductibles you pay when making a claim. Here's the math for a typical 2-year ownership cycle:
If you never file a claim, you've paid $240 to $408 for peace of mind you didn't use. If you file one major claim, AppleCare+ costs $367 total while Asurion costs $636 or more. The math consistently favors AppleCare+ for iPhone users.
For iPhone users, AppleCare+ is the better financial deal in nearly every scenario. The monthly cost is lower, and the deductibles are lower. Asurion's advantage is that it covers theft and loss on its standard plans and works for non-Apple devices.
Claims Process
AppleCare+
Walk into any Apple Store, get a Genius Bar appointment (often available same-day), and have your screen repaired in about an hour or get a replacement device on the spot. Alternatively, use Apple's Express Replacement service — they ship a replacement phone to your door and you send back the damaged one. The process is fast and well-organized because Apple controls the entire chain.
Asurion
File a claim through the Asurion app or the carrier's app. For screen repairs, you can visit a UBreakiFix/Asurion store (if one is nearby) for same-day service. For replacements, Asurion ships a refurbished device, typically arriving the next business day. The replacement may not be the same color or exact model year, and it's a refurbished unit rather than new.
The common complaints with Asurion center on the replacement quality (refurbished units with cosmetic wear) and the deductible surprise (customers often don't realize a flagship replacement costs $199–$275 until they file the claim).
What's Actually Covered
Cheaper Alternatives
Before paying for either AppleCare or Asurion, consider whether you need phone insurance at all:
- Self-insure: Put $10-15 per month into a savings account instead of paying insurance premiums. After a year, you'll have $120-180 — enough to cover a screen repair out of pocket. After two years, enough for a refurbished replacement phone.
- Credit card protection: Many credit cards (Chase Sapphire, Wells Fargo, Citi) include cell phone protection when you pay your monthly phone bill with the card. Coverage is typically up to $600-$800 per claim with a $25-$50 deductible. Check your card benefits before buying separate insurance.
- A good case and screen protector: A $30-$50 investment in a quality case and tempered glass screen protector prevents the vast majority of accidental damage. Prevention is cheaper than any insurance plan.
- Homeowner's or renter's insurance: Some policies cover personal electronics, including phones, under personal property coverage. Check your policy's terms — the deductible may be high, but it's an option for theft or loss.
Is Phone Insurance Worth It?
For most people, phone insurance is not worth the cost. The premiums over a two-year phone lifecycle cost $240 to $408, and you still pay deductibles when you actually need to use the coverage. Self-insuring (setting aside the monthly premium into savings) is financially superior for anyone who can absorb a $100-$300 unexpected expense.
Phone insurance makes financial sense in specific situations:
- You have a history of frequently damaging or losing phones
- You can't afford an unexpected $200-$300 repair or replacement cost
- You live or work in environments where phone damage is especially likely (construction, outdoor work, extreme sports)
- You have a very expensive phone ($1,200+) where the replacement cost is high
If you do decide to buy insurance, AppleCare+ is the better deal for iPhone users — lower monthly cost, lower deductibles, better service experience, and free battery replacement. Asurion through your carrier is the only option for Android users and provides theft/loss coverage on all plans without an upgrade tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both AppleCare and Asurion?
You can, but you shouldn't. Having both means paying double premiums for coverage you can only use once per incident. Choose one or the other.
Can I add AppleCare after buying my iPhone?
Yes. You have 60 days from the date of purchase to add AppleCare+. After 60 days, you can no longer enroll. You can add it through the Apple Store app, at an Apple Store, or online.
Does AppleCare cover an already-cracked screen?
No. AppleCare+ covers accidental damage that occurs after you enroll. If your screen is already cracked when you try to sign up, Apple may require you to pay for the repair before activating coverage, or they may decline enrollment.
What happens when I switch carriers — does Asurion transfer?
No. Asurion carrier insurance is tied to your carrier account. If you switch from Verizon to T-Mobile, your Verizon protection plan ends and you'd need to enroll in T-Mobile's plan (also Asurion, but a new policy). Any remaining claims from the old carrier don't transfer.
Is there a waiting period before I can make a claim?
AppleCare+ has no waiting period — coverage begins immediately. Asurion carrier plans typically have no waiting period for damage claims but may have a 30-day waiting period for theft and loss claims on some carrier plans.