[Michael Johnston]

After checking out the iPhone 3G display at my local Best Buy, I spoke with one of the employees in the cell phone department. At some point during our conversation, he mentioned that Best Buy also offers insurance on the iPhone 3G. According to the employee, the iPhone 3G is covered under the same product replacement plan (now called "Geek Squad Black Tie Protection") as other phones sold at Best Buy. It's a bit pricier than others at $15 a month, but it does cover everything including accidental damage. Theft, loss and water damage are not covered.

The only caveat is that Best Buy will only cover iPhones purchased at Best Buy.

The information I received from the Best Buy employee was verified by their PR department:

Best Buy's Performance Service Plans recently became Geek Squad Black Tie Protection. These new plans are very similar, but there are some changes. The plan for iPhones is subscription based and costs $14.99 per month.

The following information regarding mobile phone coverage can be found on the Geek Squad site:



Additionally, the PR representative provided us with the following information which applies to iPhone coverage under the Geek Squad Black Tie Protection:

BENEFITS FOR ALL PRODUCTS (if applicable):

• Parts and labor coverage for the product's repair in the event of a defect that enables the product to work properly.
  
• Normal wear and tear.
  
• Dust, internal overheating, internal humidity/condensation, power surge/fluctuation.
  
• No Lemon guarantee.
  
• Benefits start from product purchase date or from the delivery date as indicated on the customer's purchase receipt for the product.
  
• Delivery and/or reinstallation in the event the product must be removed from the customer's home or is replaced if the customer originally paid Best Buy for the delivery and/or installation service at the POS. This benefit does not apply to remote control reinstallation/reprogramming.
  
• Limited International coverage available by contacting 1-800-GEEKSQUAD. ?*Premium Plan coverage will not be available internationally.
  
• Reasonable attempts to restore/reinstall original software configuration and updates after repairs have been performed. Customer is responsible to provide Restore CD/DVD/Media.
  
• Defective Pixel Repair: pixel based displays will be repaired/replaced ?*if there are three defective pixels located in an area less than ½ square inch or five defective pixels throughout the entire display.
  
• Reward Zone Good Maintenance: Provides the customer with double the RZ points for the original purchase price of the GSBTP Standard plan if unused at time of expiration. Customers must request this benefit within 90 days of expiration.
  
• Web Portal: Online consumer tool to keep track of Best Buy PSP and GSBTP plans.

EXCLUSIONS TO COVERAGE:

• Damage to the product (if not covered by ADH benefits).
  
• Unauthorized modifications.
  
• Viruses (except on the Premium Computing Plan)
  
• Extreme environments (including extreme heat or humidity).
  
• External condensation.
  
• Lightning, static electricity, fire, flood, insect infestation, rodents, human/animal bodily fluids, war, terrorism, acts of God or other external causes.
  
• Computer software related failures (Unless Vi-Spy related with Premium Computing Plan coverage), loss of data or software. Recovery or transfer of software or data contained on a services product.
  
• Loss or theft.
  
• Cosmetic damage (including scratches, dents, broken parts, etc that do not directly impact the functionality of the product for its intended use).
  
• Missing, altered or defaced serial numbers
  
• Problems caused by a separate product that the Standard plan does not provide coverage for.
  
• Consumable parts.
  
• Fees/costs related to loss of use, loss of business, loss of profit, loss of data, downtime, charges for time and effort, "no problem found (NFF)" diagnostics, failures occurring prior to purchase of the plan.
  
• Parts and labor coverage as a result of manufacturer's recall
  
• Commercially used products
  
• Personal items left in the product at the time of repair/replacement.

PDA AND SUBSCRIPTION MOBILE PHONES (WIRELESS) BENEFITS:

In addition to the benefits listed within the "Coverage Benefits for All Products" section, these products will include the following additional benefits via the GSBTP Standard plan:

• One battery repair/replacement when the original battery is determined defective.
  
• Repair/replacement of the charger or cradle that was originally included with the product's purchase if determined defective
  
• ADH Protection: providing parts and labor coverage in the event of accidental damage resulting in the normal usage of the product. ADH protection is fulfilled if 2 repairs with cracked screens or replacement of the product are completed.
  

Considering that both AT&T and Apple offer no insurance for the iPhone, there may now be a good reason to get your iPhone at Best Buy — if you drop your iPhone and the screen breaks, you can bring it in and have it replaced for free. Fan-frickin'-tastic!

[byronchurch]

Check with your Auto insurance agent . I have a personal articles policy with Farmers Insurance . It costs $38.00 a Year ! and it covers $500.00 for the iPhone , and $2000,00 for my iMac . If its stolen , Dropped in the toilet , or the dog eats it they cut me a check .

[Ohiomulchboy4]

Technically its not an insurance I left working for Best Buy Mobile right before the launch of the iPhone there. It is a service plan as they call it due to the sales consultants not being legally licensed to sell insurance by the state and that is why it does not cover loss or theft. In some ways it is great you could literally drop it once a week or day whatever and crack the screen and as long as you have the "service plan" still in effect they will replace it. I like that about the accidental damage, although the water damage is a gray area bc tech if you read the brochure that they provide it does cover a "water spill" although does not cover "water submersion" so you tell me how when you go to best buy and they look at it right there in front of you how the sales consultant is to tell the difference hahaha and dont say the water indicator. It is totally up to the person workings discretion. Best Buy doesn't do that in depth training for Mobile sales to be able to diagnose those problems(i know bc i went thru it). We were told it was our call and me personally i would have covered it but not all will im sure and think about it most of those sales people there are younger kids so most know more than them as well.

Also a note on the service plan: they do not swap your phone out on the spot or fix it then, they are sent to a facility in texas (cant find there website but will post when i do) they say it will take up to 14 business days (they say longer but it is suppose to be less) to ship out and back now when i was working we had two cases where it took over a month! so be aware of these facts also that your without a phone during that time unless you take one of there "loaner" phones ( catch to that is it is a $150 usd. deposit for that "loaner phone" and you get it back when you return it to get your device lol so there are alot of the facts on it.

if any one has questions about it ask i know all about it....... well except that it was $6.99 for all phones, but now with the iphone they are ripping people off even more at $15 a month apparently lol.



also with this here:
ADH Protection: providing parts and labor coverage in the event of accidental damage resulting in the normal usage of the product. ADH protection is fulfilled if 2 repairs with cracked screens or replacement of the product are completed.

that means after they repair or replace it after two times your service plan is fulfilled. that doesnt mean you cannot get it fixed again it just mean at that time you have to get another "service plan" on it to keep it covered but its no different than if you were to continue paying $15 a month on the device, if that makes sense lol

[jillsquared]

Whoa! $15 a month is a bit pricey. You can get coverage for Accidental Damage INCLUDING spills/water damage from SquareTrade for less than a third of that! ($89/2 full years = $3.50/month). Check out http://www.squaretrade.com/iphone. Plus there's a 5 day service guarantee -- if not fixed in 5 days, you get cash for the full replacement cost.

[monica48cl]

Originally Posted by jillsquared

Whoa! $15 a month is a bit pricey. You can get coverage for Accidental Damage INCLUDING spills/water damage from SquareTrade for less than a third of that! ($89/2 full years = $3.50/month). Check out http://www.squaretrade.com/iphone. Plus there's a 5 day service guarantee -- if not fixed in 5 days, you get cash for the full replacement cost.

I just spoke with one of the representative from squaretrade. They do offer the insurance for iPhone but they do not cover loss or theft. Just thought you might want to know. *-)