That iPhone X you just bought has burnt a hole in your pocket. Yet, your emotions are running high and in that happiness, you discover that your glass back is not unbreakable.
Mishaps like these are common. However, they make you wonder whether you should have registered for that Apple protection plan called AppleCare Plus that was being offered to you.
AppleCare alludes to the program offered by Apple. Anyone who has ever bought an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, has been offered the services under the AppleCare Protection Plan or AppleCare Plus.
Apple includes a 1-year warranty with all its products, which mainly covers manufacturing defects. Recently, Apple has added Theft and Loss protection too, to its AppleCare Protection Plan, along with the benefit of extended the original warranty. This extended warranty program is called AppleCare Plus.
Just like your Apple device, AppleCare Protection plans can be very expensive. Therefore, in case you’re prone to dropping or losing your phone, then it is advisable to know about the warranty programs and whether the cost is worth it for you.
What is AppleCare and AppleCare Plus?
AppleCare is the term given to Apple’s warranty program. Every Apple device comes with an AppleCare Protection Plan for a certain period of time, along with free technical support. Usually, the warranty lasts for 1 year while the support is given for 90 days.
Now, users can pay to extend this warranty and even protect the phone against theft or loss.
This warranty plan is called AppleCare Plus.
What Are the Benefits of AppleCare?
You need AppleCare when something has gone wrong with your Apple device.
AppleCare Protection Plan is basically the extended version of Apple’s standard warranty. Here, instead of the usual 1-year warranty, it can be extended up to 2 years. You also get the same duration of technical support instead of just 90 days.
AppleCare Plus is a bigger version of the AppleCare Protection Plan. While the latter covers only manufacturing defects, AppleCare Plus covers accidental damage, that might have been caused by the owner.
What Is the Duration of AppleCare?
AppleCare provides coverage for different periods of time for different devices. For example, for the Apple Watch Edition, Mac or display, it is three years. On the other hand, the iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch (non-edition) and Apple TV can be covered for two years.
This duration is common for both AppleCare plans as well for accidental damage and tech support.
Statutory Rights
Statutory rights apply to specific situations where the product is defective or not in accordance with the contract of sale.
This means accidental damage such as breaking your screen does not apply unless it broke in a manner that deems it defective.
If your Apple device is indeed, defective, then consumers have 6 years from the date of delivery to make their claim under consumer law. If the claim is legitimate, then it the seller’s responsibility to provide a solution, which could be a replacement, free repair or full refund.
Standard Apple Warranty
The standard warranty provides similar benefits to statutory rights. only this one comes for a shorter duration, i.e, 1-year for all devices except Apple Watch, which has a standard warranty for 2 years.
It is probably sensible to make a claim if your warranty is still running than take the burden of going to consumer court.
Apple is known to fulfill consumer warranty claims without too much fuss, the problem cannot be solved and the warranty is still valid.
How Much Does AppleCare Cost?
The costs of AppleCare plans depend on the device.
AppleCare Plus
- iPhone SE- $117
- iPhone 6S, 7, 8- $170
- iPhone 6S Plus, 7 Plus, 8 Plus- $200
- iPhone X- $260
- Ipad- $117
- Apple Watch- $80
AppleCare Protection Plan
- Mac Mini- $105
- Mac Pro- $300
- iMac- $210
- MacBook Pro- $300
- MacBook, MacBook Air- $300
- Apple TV- $35
Does AppleCare Cover For Theft or Loss?
The answer to this is yes. With the launch of its iPhones XR, XS, and XS Max, Apple also added coverage for theft and loss in its AppleCare Plus protection plan.
This benefit is only valid on iPhones. Under this plan, the owner of the device can claim for two cases of accidental damage, theft or loss in a year.
Is AppleCare available In All Countries?
Yes, Apple provides the benefits of coverage under AppleCare for all its customers, globally. These benefits are valid on most of Apple’s devices.
The claim and service options may vary between countries, but buyers can rest assured that Apple conducts repairs through Apple technicians only and with original Apple parts.
Is AppleCare Worth It?
The answer to this question is quite subjective since different kinds of consumers use their devices differently. The cost that one has to bear for an AppleCare plan is completely dependent on the individual user’s choice and comfort level in paying such a hefty sum of money.
However, it would be advisable to find out about any third-party insurance plans that might work out cheaper.
On the outset, it may seem that Apple provides mostly all benefits under its AppleCare warranty programs, yet one cannot ignore the regulations and overheads attached to it. Users who are very prone to damaging or losing their Apple device due to varied reasons can opt for an Apple protection plan according to their situation.
Finally, it is important to read the fine print of the warranty agreement before making a purchase to clearly understand the terms and conditions of validity.
