Innovations in technology move so swiftly these days that it can often be tough to keep up. That laptop you bought a few short years ago is now a dinosaur compared to the current crop of devices, and even has an outdated operating system. The tablet you bought last year has already been replaced with the next generation. And the smartphone in your pocket is almost ready for retirement, as devices constantly pop up that are faster, equipped with more built-in memory and have cameras far better than yours. All of this change doesn’t mean you have to blindly follow the pack. In fact, there are those who simply love the smartphone they have, and would prefer to hang on to it until the touchscreen literally cracks and falls off. But one service aspect that any smartphone owner should consider is insurance. Is it a worthwhile purchase for your device?
This isn’t the easiest question to answer, because there are a number of factors in play. First of all, how exactly do you use your smartphone? If it is solely for texting, making calls and surfing the web, you could probably go without it. If the smartphone was provided by your employer, it’s also something you shouldn’t really worry about. In the first case, a replacement phone will be just as easy to get as paying that insurance charge each month, and in the second case your company will replace your phone with or without insurance.
The equation changes a bit once your smartphone usage expands. If you are a shutterbug, and your phone is packed with photos and video it might be wise to insure it. You’ll want to receive the same phone if your current one breaks, and since you probably bring it everywhere and snap pictures in all sorts of circumstances you’ll have a far greater chance of damaging the phone. Just make sure you back up the images on your home computer. You’ll be fine if the phone is broken, but if it is lost or stolen a replacement phone from the insurance company won’t replace your lost data.
If you don’t have a home phone and use your smartphone as your only calling device you should probably have it insured. You don’t want to face a situation when you are without a phone entirely, and with insurance you’ll always get faster service and a replacement phone if the repair shop needs to hang on to your device. You should also pay up for insurance if you prefer the high end phones and you purchase a new model as soon as it hits the market. The most popular smartphones from Apple and Samsung cost several hundred dollars, which is far more than even the high end smartphone insurance will cost you over the course of the year. If you lose or damage a phone like that you will have no recourse but to simply buy it again if you don’t have insurance.
Finally, think about how protective you are of your smartphone. Some people always leave their device in a case, and make calls with a bluetooth earpiece. Your phone will have very little chance of getting damaged this way. But what if your phone is on your ear when you skateboard through traffic, rush to make the subway or jump into a mosh pit at a concert? To truly protect your bubble mobile insurance is the only way. Just make sure that the coverage provided is enough for your needs. Read the fine print before signing off on any program, as you’ll be locked into it for the duration of your service agreement.