Accidental Damage Phone Insurance Options?

[Deactivated] on 08/07/2016 - 01:21
Last edited 08/07/2016 - 01:22

Looking at the LG G4 for my mother, mainly for the Camera quality as the most important feature. She is a bit clumsy so insurance is an absolute must. A cheap TPU case and tempered glass screen protector isn't going it be enough I'm afraid (although that will still be first line of defense).

Optus have $14 per month if I buy it on contract from them ($45 per month + $14 Insurance = $59/mth, 24 months = TCO $1416)

Just wondering if there other options, perhaps there is a standalone insurance for outright purchase? Credit Card Insurances that last at least 24 months? Or Home Insurances that have this extra?

Or another carrier is better value?

Also willing to consider other phones (including iPhone, but generally prefer not to) if it works out cheaper with at least as good Camera, or there is a practically unbreakable case available, or screen repairs are reasonably cheap.

Mobile

Comments

  • ozhunter on 08/07/2016 - 05:59

    Phone insurance isn't worth it imo.

    You're pay $336(24 months) for it and I assume there's an excess. Also the phone will cheaper if she does break it several months from now.

    A cheap TPU case and tempered glass screen protector isn't going it be enough I'm afraid (although that will still be first line of defense).

    Then get something like an otterbox or the galaxy S6 Active + otterbox

    • [Deactivated] on 08/07/2016 - 06:51

      Is Otterbox as good as a Lifeproof case?

      Is s6 Active good without case? I'm thinking s7 active when it's released

      • hogwarts on 08/07/2016 - 06:58

        Lifeproof is better in terms of waterproofing, dustproofing and ect. but I don't know personally if it is better in terms of protecting the screen.
        The Survivor case has been my go to though it is not waterproof functions but I have thrown my phone a lot of times and it has stayed in one piece.

        • [Deactivated] on 08/07/2016 - 07:01

          Vanilla S7 & S7 edge are already IP68. I really need to make this as strong as possible. My mother takes care of her phones worse than a 10-year-old kid would.

        • hogwarts on 08/07/2016 - 07:07

          I reckon you should get a Moto Droid Turbo 2 for her. It has an not breakable screen

        • [Deactivated] on 08/07/2016 - 07:10

          @graham212: I wish, but Camera not good enough. Need OIS. She's pretty nuts about her smartphone photography/video, mainly action shots.

        • ozhunter on 08/07/2016 - 16:42

          @The Land of Smeg:

          Also telling her phones are expensive and not indestructible would help. If she's nuts about smartphone photography she would actually take better care of it.

      • Xyzzy on 08/07/2016 - 09:20

        I had my iphone in an Otterbox - and it was very robust - I've repeatedly dropped the phone while running across the street and had it bounce down the bitumen. After years of use and abuse the Otterbox looks a little worse for wear but the iPhone itself looks brand new. So I'd recommend the Otterbox over insurance. Only downside is it makes what was a nice slim phone somewhat bulky.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 08/07/2016 - 06:24
    +3

    LG G4 worth about $400 when it is on sale and you want to pay $336 insurance on it?

    in 1 year time the phone may drop under $300 then you can use the money you pay for insurance to buy another one.

    • boomramada on 08/07/2016 - 08:34

      Get a tempered glass screen and a silicon case. No electronic devices worth insuring IMO

  • [Deactivated] on 08/07/2016 - 07:45

    Also - the resale value of 'damaged' phones is quite high - check ebay.

    I'm guessing you could get $200+ for a G4 with a broken digitizer. Probably $150 for one that doesn't power on.

    $336 for 'insurance' doesn't make sense.

  • PVA on 08/07/2016 - 08:14

    the lg G3 and G4 screens break pretty easily because the screen is so to the edge I think. My sons G3 screen's been replaced 3 times, once it broke from falling out his pocket while he was sitting on the floor - say six inch drop. and once it cracks it stops working, other phones still seem to work with a cracked screen.

    my wife has a great phone, sony C4, https://www.mobileciti.com.au/sony-xperia-c4-4g-lte-13mp-5-5… , (she got the mint colour which looks nice and better than the photos show https://www.mobileciti.com.au/sony-xperia-c4-4g-lte-13mp-5-5…)
    Big screen but body is small and thin. Great photos - day and night pics are really really good, the front camera has a flash too, works well. And is a little bomb proof in the design compared to G4.
    It isnt a super high end phone but looks and works really well. not the latest model but is Android 5.something and I think a good price (we paid $199 when Sony had a sale but $329 from Mobileciti is still worth it).

    She doesn't have a case just a glass screen protector.

    • SnoozeAndLose on 08/07/2016 - 08:41

      I have G3 too and fail multiple time and the screen is still going strong. Question is do you use tempted glass screen protector + a silicon case? I pay only $5 for screen protector and $3 for the case.

      Had Xperia Z before G3, waterproof cap lose after 6 months therefor no longer water proof. Slow phone with slow response I pay $700 for it when it is new, IMO Sony is not a good phone.

      • PVA on 08/07/2016 - 08:47
        +1

        disagree, had a Z for years, great phone, now have a z5.

        son had a z3 but broke (playing footy with it in has pocket) replaced with G3 and he says the camera is terrible compered to the sony and he is always whinging about how slow the G3 is.

        different people different opinions.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/07/2016 - 09:14

      My mother had a G3 too (among others) and she claims that the screen/digitizer cracked in her pocket, but she has a history of broken screens so I don't completely believe her. Problem is she is mad on taking photos and videos, especially fast moving action shots, so she wants a really good camera with OIS - Sony camera not good enough.

      • PVA on 08/07/2016 - 10:37

        sony z5 has ois , was advertised as the fastest focusing camera on smart phones, thats what I have pretty good too, but a heap more expensive than the LG you are looking at.

        not tht I like them but look at an iphone, great camera, fast and if a screen breaks its cheaper than other brands to fix.

  • coco1458 on 08/07/2016 - 09:02

    Get an otterbox or lifeproof case.
    No phone is really worth insuring due to clumsiness, a solid case should do the job

  • 87percent on 08/07/2016 - 10:13
    +1

    i remember reading if you purchase your phone using an Amex, you get accidental damage insurance

    https://www.americanexpress.com/au/content/essential-credit-…

    Smartphone Screen Insurance of up to $500 for screen repairs to your Smartphone when you pay for your phone or contract with your Essential Credit Card4

    • [Deactivated] on 08/07/2016 - 10:28
      +1

      This looks promising. $0 Annual Fee for an AmEx as well.

      • PVA on 08/07/2016 - 10:39

        what does the little 4 relate to… Smartphone Screen Insurance for screen repairs if you accidentally break your Smartphone screen. We will reimburse you for the cost of the screen repair up to $500 with a 10% excess per claim4

        • [Deactivated] on 08/07/2016 - 10:42
          +1

          4 = Insurance cover is underwritten by ACE Insurance Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020, AFSL No. 239687) (ACE) and is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the American Express Essential Credit Card Insurances policy between American Express and ACE available here. For Smartphone Screen Insurance, maximum of 2 claims per 12 month period, maximum cover of $500 per claim and an excess of 10% of the claimed amount applies.

        • PVA on 08/07/2016 - 10:45

          @The Land of Smeg: thanks.

        • bluesky on 08/07/2016 - 20:25

          @The Land of Smeg: If you wish to apply for this card, before buying the phone, consider using a referrer which gives you a $75 bonus, instead of $50. Referrer list is here

  • alz on 08/07/2016 - 16:02

    I've had a Spigen rugged case on my G4 since i bought it. Dropped many times & not a single scratch on it.

  • bobwokeup on 08/07/2016 - 21:04

    I've got Valuables insurance with QBE and it covers our phones away from the house. I can't remember the yearly price but it's around $200-300 and the excess is either $25 or nothing. It also covers items such as wallet, clothing, etc.

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