Folks in France, Italy and Spain can now sign up for an upgraded AppleCare+ plan to ensure they get a replacement iPhone for a small fee in case of device theft or loss.
- What’s happening? The upgraded AppleCare+ insurance with theft and loss coverage has launched in France, Italy and Spain. Counting this expansion, this optional warranty coverage is now available in eight countries around the world.
- Why care? If you’ve already signed up for AppleCare+ (which doesn’t cover device theft or loss) and you’re increasingly concerned that you might lose your iPhone or have it stolen from you, then you should consider this upgraded insurance offering from Apple for your next device.
- What to do? If you live in countries where the upgrade AppleCare+ theft and loss insurance is available, visit Apple’s website and read the fine print to determine whether this is something that you might need down the road.
Where is AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss available
The AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, as it is officially called, was available in the following eight countries around the world as of August 3, 2022.
- Australia
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- United States
The regular AppleCare+ insurance is available in a greater number of countries than AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, which debuted in the United States in 2016.
How AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss works
AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss has all the perks of regular AppleCare+ (which also covers device damage), plus the additional benefit of theft and loss insurance. It’s available separately from and costs a bit more than regular AppleCare+.
In return, you get peace of mind knowing you can get one replacement phone every twelve months for a much smaller fee than paying for a new phone upfront. You must purchase your coverage up to 60 days following the purchase of your device. You can pay for it upfront or opt for rolling monthly coverage, whichever suits you.
The claims process will have you mark the device as lost and erase it before transferring ownership. Claims in all countries are handled by financial firm AIG and you’ll need to finalize your claim on its website. Claims are limited to a maximum of two per year. If you have AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss and would like to make a claim, be sure to read Apple’s support document explaining the process.
For further information and details on how AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss works, read the program’s summary and disclosures [PDF document].
How much is AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss in the US?
Prices of these plans depend on your iPhone model and country. In the United States, for example, AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss for the iPhone 13 Pro is priced at $13.49/month. By comparison, the same insurance for the third-generation iPhone SE is $7.49/month. Upgrading from regular AppleCare+ to theft and loss protection will set you back an additional $60 upfront or up to an extra $3/month.
In case of theft, a replacement iPhone of the same model will cost you up to $149. Like with regular AppleCare+, you also get coverage for screen or back glass damage ($29 service fee) and other accidental damage ($99 service fee).
How much is AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss in the EU?
In the European Union, AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss is priced at up to €229 upfront or up to €11.49/month if opted for rolling monthly coverage, depending on your iPhone model. In other words, it’s an extra €60 upfront or up to an extra €3/month compared to Apple’s standard AppleCare+ offering. A replacement device incurs up top a €129 service fee. Screen or back glass damage is subject to a €29 incident fee and other accidental damage is €99.
For the flagship iPhone 13 Pro Max, paying €129 for a replacement phone saves you a lot of money versus buying a new device for north of €1,200. To reiterate, this device/country-specific service fee is in addition to the cost of the insurance itself.
Is AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss worth it?
No insurance is worth the money until something happens to your insured item. So maybe you think you could be in danger of having your iPhone stolen from you because you live in a neighborhood where theft is commonplace. Or maybe you’re afraid you might lose your phone because you misplace your house keys all the time. Read: Windows to Mac: Getting used to new keys, names and more
You’re wholeheartedly recommended to at least consider the upgraded AppleCare+ theft and loss insurance. It does cost extra upfront or month-to-month compared to the standard AppleCare+ plan but it does privilege you with additional coverage against theft or loss every twelve months. Read: Should you get AppleCare+ for your MacBook Pro