| Did you purchase cell phone insurance and are a | | | | an outside insurance company who processes the |
| little confused about the process for placing a | | | | claims for the cell phone company (most times |
| claim? Were you told it's only $5/month and it | | | | the wait is super duper long). NOTE: If your phone |
| covers 'everything'? :) Well it is a little bit more to | | | | was lost or stolen you have to call your local non |
| it than that. What they never mention is that: | | | | emergency police and place a report. |
| 1. 'Everything' is relative to the cell phone | | | | 4. When placing an insurance claim, tell them THE |
| company's brochure terms. | | | | TRUTH otherwise they have the right to DENY |
| 2. In addition to the monthly fee, there is a | | | | your claim regardless of whether you pay the |
| deductible and the more expensive and popular | | | | monthly fee or not (read the fine print on your |
| your phone, the more that it might be in demand | | | | service contract) Also note that that some cell |
| (just like a red car), the more the deductible is. | | | | phone insurance company do not cover water |
| 3. You have to place a claim and it takes on | | | | damage. |
| average a week to get your replacement phone. | | | | 5. Once the claim has been processed you can |
| 4. The replacement phone will be refurbished. | | | | expect your replacement phone in the mail in |
| 5. It's going to be truly a nightmare to file the | | | | about 5 business days. Customer care can't |
| claim with the cell phone insurance company. | | | | provide you a loaner and customer care can't |
| Is Your Phone Lost or Has It Been Stolen? | | | | replace the phone. A few of the smaller regional |
| Call customer care and report the phone lost or | | | | U.S. cell phone companies will let you pick up your |
| stolen as soon as you recognize it even if you | | | | refurbished phone in a local retail store. |
| plan to buy another phone right away (because | | | | 6. You will be billed the cost of the deductible |
| you can be credited for those calls made on that | | | | which could range from $35-150 dependent on the |
| day, provided you call in). Otherwise, even if you | | | | type of cell phone or PDA you have. |
| didn't make the calls, it will difficult to argue the | | | | 7. If the phone was lost or stolen and returned |
| point later. | | | | you need to call customer care and ask them for |
| If you won't be able to immediately replace the | | | | the best course of action. If you try to re |
| phone, request a temporary restriction on the | | | | activate the old (lost/stolen) phone with a new |
| phone so that no calls can be made or received. | | | | number on your account, customer care has the |
| Dependent on the cell phone company, they may | | | | right to note your claim as fraudulent and bill your |
| be able to leave the voice mail number live, so | | | | account the retail value of your replacement |
| that you can call and retrive your messages or | | | | phone that was received by the insurance |
| change your greeting to notify callers that you | | | | company. They can verify this information |
| are without your cell phone temporarily and you | | | | through your cell phone electronic serial number. |
| can provide an alternative number. | | | | Keep in mind that you will never be able to |
| How Cell Phone Insurance Works | | | | receive an insurance replacement phone within 24 |
| * Your Cell Phone Insurance is billed at a flat rate | | | | hours before you choose to pay for insurance. If |
| per month $3.95, $4.95 or $5.95 per phone and | | | | you cannot be without your phone for a week, |
| covers phones that are lost, stolen or | | | | then skip the insurance because you will not end |
| damaged....BEYOND REPAIR aka cannot be fixed. | | | | up using and the money is better spent towards |
| If it can be fixed, you gotta pay to have it fixed. | | | | buying a new phone. |
| * Insurance has to be requested for each cell | | | | There is usually only a certain number of times |
| phone on an account, so either you can request | | | | (usually 2) that you can place a claim in a year. |
| to activate insurance on the the entire account or | | | | If you do not have cell phone insurance, you have |
| just select phones. | | | | a few options: |
| * In addition to the monthly fee, if the phone is | | | | 1. Buy a phone directly through the carrier. Be |
| lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair, i.e. ran | | | | advised your contract will start over. |
| over by a car, got wet, (be advised as a few | | | | 2. Buy a phone at your own risk through a 3rd |
| insurance companies won't cover water damage) | | | | party such as ebay, craiglist or through a private |
| you will need to pay a deductible on the claim. | | | | buyer. |
| The minimum deductible can range from $35 up | | | | 3. Cancel your service, pay the early termination |
| to nearly $100. | | | | fee if applicable and don't replace the phone. |
| How to place a cell phone insurance claim | | | | You can do as you wish. You are not obligated to |
| 1. Call customer care and tell them the problem | | | | buy a replacement if you do not want to. |
| with your phone. They will verify that the problem | | | | However, if you do choose to cancel your |
| you have is covered by insurance and they will | | | | contract you must pay both the early termination |
| verify if you have insurance. | | | | fee and for usage up until the date the phone |
| 2. If you have insurance you will be transferred to | | | | was lost or stolen. |