Yes, I’ve read your emails, and I know I’ve been doing a lot of iPad 2 related updates lately! For those of you not interested, you’ll have to bear with me for just one more post, as my obsession with my new toy isn’t quite abated yet.
For those of you that are still with me, today I’m gonna look at some of the options you’ve got when it comes to warranty and insurance options for the new iPad. Once you’ve got your spanky new iPad 2, got a slick and sturdy case, and a good whack of games and apps, the final hurdle to cross is something to cover your bases in case the unthinkable happens: Your iPad 2 breaks, gets stolen or lost, or just plain stops working.
There’s three main factors to consider here: Applecare, Warranties, and Insurance.
Applecare
When purchasing the Apple iPad 2, just like all apple products, you’ll have the option of purchasing Apple’s extended warranty, which they call Applecare. You’ll get one year of Applecare free with your purchase, and you’ll be offered the option of extending it to three years as an upsell upon purchase, which will cost you $79. People are generally divided about whether it’s worth it or not to buy the additional Applecare cover, as this warranty covers manufacturing defects and not much else, meaning accidental drops, breakage and water damage are not covered.
I’ve personally had great experience with Applecare, and this may depend on the people at your particular Apple store, but Apple obviously gives their sales reps a lot of leeway in deciding what the warrantee can cover. There’s stories around about Apple stores replacing dropped or cracked screens for free or a small fee, despite not technically being supposed to under Applecare, and there’s also stories of people being outright refused warrantee cover for tiny amounts of damage, such as the iPad’s internal moisture sensor being tripped despite never being exposed to moisture.
So in sum, your mileage may vary. A good tip would be to look up consumer reviews of your local Apple store, if people are raving about how happy they are with the customer service, then it could be worth it. Otherwise, you might be just as happy with the single year of cover, and an additional inexpensive insurance or warranty plan.
Third Party Warranties
In my opinion, this is a great alternative to buying Apple’s extended warranty. For around the same price as Applecare, you can get a third party warranty that will cover your device for all the elements missing from Applecare, such as water or moisture damage (ie, the very real threat of spilling your coffee on your iPad), accidental damage such as drop, breakage and cracked screens. You can choose the period of cover (generally 2 to 5 years) and other options such as new for old replacement, cash payments for unrepairable damage, and a range of premiums, effectively allowing you to customize your warranty plan. Coverage for mobile devices is a burgeoning market, with all the companies trying to outdo each other with how well they cover your device, meaning that the consumer really benefits as everyone is competing for your business and making the users better and better deals.
The clear leader in third party warranties right now is SquareTrade Warranties, who will cover all Apple mobile devices and many other brands as well, and get very good reviews across the board from customers. They also come recommended by tons of posters on the Apple support forums, which could be good for a read while you are doing your research. They only cover the US unfortunately, but other countries will likely have similar companies offering this sort of service, use your Google-fu and seek them out.
Insurance
There are quite a few companies offering to insure the iPad 2, and a quick google search will net you quite a few of them. I’ve never used these (I explain my insurance solution below) but the service is definitely there for those who want it. As always, read the reviews and make sure you’re not being taken for a ride, and don’t sign up for something without due research. Read the reviews, call them up and talk to a rep, all that good stuff. Follow the same protocol you would for getting insurance for your car or house. A good insurance plan will offer new for old replacement, competitive premiums and should cover accidental breakage, fire, and theft.
In my opinion, the best way to insure your iPad 2 is to add it on to your homeowners or renters insurance. More and more plans are offering extensions to cover mobile devices, and this is how I cover all my Apple products, which include an iPad, iPad2, Macbook Pro and an iPod Classic. For a small extra fee, your devices are covered under the same plan, with a special clause that will state the devices are covered outside the home as well as in it. This is a much cheaper option, and keeps your insurance under the same umbrella meaning it’s easier to deal with if you do have to make a claim, and it’s easier to keep track of too. Call up your insurer and see what your options are for covering mobile devices, and if yours doesn’t offer this service, consider switching to one that does. In this day and age it’s the company’s responsibility to keep up with the requirements of their customers, and as time goes on this is becoming a more important requirement.
Hope that was of some help to those looking for warranty and insurance options for their iPad 2.
