 TITLE: Do You Need Cellphone Insurance? CONTENT: Cellphone Protection Plans by Providers and Phone Makers\n--------------------------------------------------------\nYou'll want to compare cellphone protection plans and insurance options as soon as you get a new phone or change carriers. Some options are only available within 30 or 60 days of making a purchase or activating your services.\nYou may be able to secure coverage in a variety of ways, including through your wireless provider. In many cases, though, the company you buy coverage from and pay your premiums to is acting as an intermediary between you and the actual insurance company.\nFor example, if you buy cellphone insurance through AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Samsung or many other phone retailers and cellular service providers, you might wind up filing a claim with either Asurion or Assurant—two popular insurance companies.\nBut even when the insurer is the same, the plan options and costs could be different. For instance, the amount you'll pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in (your deductible) can vary greatly from one plan to another. Here's a quick look at some of the popular options:\n*   **AppleCare+**: Apple offers two extended warranty programs for its iPhones. AppleCare+ covers up to two incidents of accidental damage every 12 months with a $99 service fee ($29 for screen damage) per claim. There's an optional AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss coverage, which has a $149 deductible per theft or loss claim.\n*   **AT&T**: AT&T offers a mobile insurance plan that costs $8.99 per mobile number, has a $49 screen repair deductible and allows for up to two claims every 12 months. There are also protection plans for either one device or up to four devices that allow for more claims, have a lower screen repair deductible and come with extra benefits. Both options include loss and theft coverage.\n*   **Samsung Care+**: The Samsung Care+ coverage will cost $3.99, $8.99 or $11.99, depending on the device you're covering. The program allows for up to three accidental damage claims per 12-month period, and there's a $29 cracked screen repair deductible. However, coverage for loss and theft isn't included.\n*   **Squaretrade**: One of the most popular third-party providers, Squaretrade has individual device plans for $8.99 a month per device (up to five) and family plans (up to four devices) for $19.99. You can enroll at any time and protect new or used devices. You can file up to four claims (eight with the family plan) per plan, but there's a $149 deductible per claim and loss and theft aren't covered.\n*   **T-Mobile**: T-Mobile has a basic device protection plan and a Protection <360> plan, with the monthly costs and deductibles varying depending on the plan type and device. The basic plan covers hardware servicing, accidental damage, loss and theft, while the upgraded plan includes unlimited screen repairs, AppleCare services for Apple devices and other benefits.\n*   **Verizon**: Verizon offers seven types of plans, ranging from a basic extended warranty to a multi-device plan that comes with identity theft monitoring. Most options include loss, theft and damage coverage, along with battery replacements and unlimited cracked screen repairs (with $29 deductibles). However, the monthly cost and deductibles can depend on the type of device, and how many devices you have (for multi-device plans). END