Can I buy phone insurance after broken?

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No, you cannot buy phone insurance to cover a phone that is already broken. All major phone insurance providers and mobile carriers strictly exclude pre-existing damage from their coverage.

Attempting to buy a policy after your phone breaks and then filing a claim for that damage is considered insurance fraud. Insurers protect against this by enforcing specific rules:

  • Diagnostic Checks: If you try to enroll an older phone or an existing phone outside of the initial purchase window, companies like Spectrum Mobile and Straight Talk require a virtual camera or software diagnostic test to prove the screen and hardware are fully functional before they approve the policy.
  • Waiting Periods: Many standalone policies have a mandatory 14- to 30-day waiting period before you can file your first claim.
  • Metadata & Repair Logs: When you file a claim, insurers frequently request photos of the device, verify the exact time of the incident, and cross-reference database records to check if the phone was already flagged by a repair shop prior to the policy's start date.

What you can do instead:

  1. Pay out-of-pocket for the repair first: Your best option is to take the phone to a local repair shop or the manufacturer to get it fixed. Once the phone is completely repaired and functional again, you can look into third-party insurers (like Allstate/SquareTrade or AKKO) that allow you to cover older, working devices.
  2. Check your credit card benefits: If you purchased the phone recently or pay your monthly cell phone bill with a credit card, check your card benefits. Many credit cards include built-in cell phone protection that might cover the damage, provided you met their specific terms before the break occurred.
  3. Check the manufacturer warranty: If the phone is malfunctioning due to an internal electronic or mechanical defect (and wasn't dropped or water-damaged), it might still be covered under the standard one-year manufacturer warranty.

Does phone insurance cover a broken phone?

Yes, cell phone insurance typically covers a broken phone, including accidental drops, cracked screens, and liquid damage.

What Insurance Covers

  • Accidental Damage: Cracks, shatters, and drops.
  • Liquid Damage: Spills and water submersion.
  • Other Mishaps: Power surges, fire, or natural disasters (depending on the plan).
  • Loss and Theft: Comprehensive plans (like T-Mobile Protection 360 or AT&T Protect Advantage) also cover lost or stolen devices.

What You Should Know

  • Deductibles: You will usually need to pay a deductible or a service fee to fix or replace the phone, though some carriers offer $0 screen repairs.
  • Timing Restrictions: You cannot buy insurance after the phone is already broken; plans must be active before the damage occurs.
  • Insurance vs. Warranty: Standard manufacturer warranties only cover internal hardware defects, not accidental physical damage.

How long after getting phone insurance can you make a claim?

You can generally make a claim immediately after getting phone insurance, as most major providers have no waiting period.

Waiting Periods and Eligibility

  • Immediate coverage: Providers like Asurion and other protection plans allow you to file a claim right away after enrollment.
  • Active status requirement: Major insurers often require that the device be active and used (such as making at least one outbound call) after enrollment before an incident occurs to prove the phone was working when insured.

Deadlines to File After an Incident

While you can file immediately after signing up, you have a limited time after the actual damage or loss happens to submit the claim:

  • Asurion / AT&T / Verizon: Typically within 60 days of the incident.
  • T-Mobile: Within 90 days of the incident.
  • Exceptions: Certain states (like Alaska or Missouri) have different legal requirements that extend these timeframes.

Will Asurion replace a cracked screen?

Yes, Asurion will repair or replace a cracked phone screen if you have an eligible insurance or protection plan through your mobile carrier or retailer.

How Asurion Screen Repair Works

  • File a Claim: Start a claim online through the Asurion Cracked Cell Phone Screen Repair portal or your carrier's insurance page.
  • Repair Options: Depending on your location and device, you can choose a walk-in repair at a uBreakiFix by Asurion store, a mobile repair van that comes to you, or mail-in service.
  • Speed: In-store and mobile repairs typically take 45 minutes or less once started.
  • Cost: Deductibles vary by carrier plan; for example, some major carrier protection plans feature a $0 or low-cost deductible for eligible smartphone screen repairs.
  • Warranty: Completed repairs include a 1-year limited warranty.

Note: If the phone has damage beyond just the screen (such as internal frame or severe structural damage), Asurion may swap the device for a replacement instead of doing a simple screen fix.

Does insurance cover a broken phone screen?

Yes, standard cell phone insurance plans cover a broken or cracked phone screen because they protect against accidental damage.

What is Covered

  • Accidental Damage: Drops, falls, and impacts that crack or shatter your front glass or back display.
  • Other Mishaps: Many plans also bundle coverage for liquid spills, battery failures, and mechanical breakdowns.
  • Carrier & Provider Plans: Major providers like Verizon Mobile Protect, T-Mobile Protection 360, and AT&T Protect Advantage frequently offer low-cost or $0 screen repairs.

What is NOT Covered

  • Manufacturer Warranties: A standard factory warranty only covers internal hardware or software defects, meaning it excludes accidental damage like a cracked screen.
  • Pre-existing Damage: You cannot buy a new insurance policy after your screen breaks and immediately file a claim; doing so is considered insurance fraud.
  • Intentional Damage: Deliberate abuse or cosmetic-only scratches that do not affect functionality are usually excluded.

Is phone insurance worth it? | Asurion

9 related questions found

Can I insure my phone after it's broken?

No, you cannot buy insurance for a phone after it is already broken.

Why You Cannot Insure a Broken Phone

  • Pre-existing damage: Insurance policies only cover future, accidental events. They do not cover damage that happened before you bought the policy.
  • Fraud risk: Providing false information about your phone's condition when signing up for insurance is considered insurance fraud.
  • Inspection and verification: Most insurers require you to state that the phone is in good, working condition, or they require a photo or diagnostic test before activating coverage.

What You Can Do Instead

  • Check existing coverage: See if you already have active protection through a credit card benefit, home contents insurance, or an open manufacturer plan that you forgot about.
  • Pay for a repair out-of-pocket: Take the device to a certified repair shop or the manufacturer to get it fixed directly.
  • Look into trade-in deals: Some mobile carriers offer trade-in promotions for damaged phones toward a new upgrade, though the trade-in value will be very low.

How expensive is it to fix a cracked screen?

Fixing a cracked phone screen typically costs between $50 and $400, with an average price of about $200, depending on your device's brand, model, and the repair method you choose.

Cost by Repair Provider

  • Manufacturer Direct (Apple/Samsung): Out-of-warranty repairs through Apple Support range from $129 for older models to $379+ for flagship Pro Max versions. Samsung repairs generally range from $99 to over $500. If you have protection plans like AppleCare+ or Samsung Care+, the deductible drops to around $29.
  • Third-Party Repair Shops: Local independent shops or services like uBreakiFix typically charge $60 to $300, often undercutting official manufacturer prices by 10% to 30%.
  • DIY Repair Kits: Purchasing parts and tools yourself (such as through iFixit) costs roughly $30 to $140, though it requires technical skill and risks further damage if done incorrectly.

Key Cost Factors

  • Device Tier: Budget and older phones cost $70–$150 to fix, mid-range phones cost $100–$250, and flagship or premium foldable devices can cost $400 to $600+.
  • Screen Technology: High-end OLED panels cost significantly more to replace than basic LCD screens.
  • Underlying Damage: If the touch digitizer, internal LCD/OLED display, or frame/housing is also broken, the repair price will be higher than a glass-only replacement.

Is phone insurance really worth it?

Phone insurance is worth it if you own an expensive flagship device, are prone to dropping phones, or lack the emergency cash to replace a $1,000 device out-of-pocket. It is usually a waste of money if you use a sturdy case, own a budget phone, or have enough savings to pay for your own repairs.

When Phone Insurance Is Worth It

  • You carry a high-end phone: Top-tier smartphones cost $800 to $1,300+ to replace if lost, stolen, or completely destroyed.
  • You are accident-prone: If you frequently crack screens or drop your phone in water, the cost of a single major repair can surpass months of premiums.
  • You cannot handle a sudden cash hit: If paying $400 for an unexpected repair would wreck your monthly budget, insurance provides a predictable safety net.
  • You have kids or a risky job: Children or working in rugged environments greatly raises the daily risk of severe device damage.

When Phone Insurance Is NOT Worth It

  • You own a budget or older phone: If your phone is worth less than $300, the cumulative monthly fees and deductibles will quickly cost more than the device itself.
  • You have an emergency fund: Setting aside $10 to $15 a month into a personal savings account often builds a large enough "self-insurance" fund to pay for minor screen repairs.
  • You use a good case and screen protector: Careful handlers who rarely break devices end up paying hundreds of dollars in premiums for coverage they never touch.

Smart Alternatives to Paid Insurance

  • Check your credit cards: Many major credit cards offer free cell phone protection against damage or theft if you charge your monthly wireless bill to that card.
  • Homeowners or renters insurance: Your policy might cover theft or major damage even outside your home (though high deductibles may apply).
  • Compare true costs: Standard insurance runs $10–$20 a month ($240–$480 over two years) plus a $25–$250 deductible per claim, which often rivals the actual cash cost of a third-party repair.

How to claim insurance for a broken phone?

To claim insurance for a broken phone, go to your carrier's or provider's online claims portal (such as Asurion or T-Mobile Claims) to submit your damage details and pay your deductible.

1. Gather Required Information

Before you start your claim, make sure you have:

  • Phone number and account details (including security passcode or last 4 digits of the account holder's SSN/Tax ID)
  • Device make, model, and IMEI/serial number (found in your phone settings or on the original box)
  • Date, time, and description of how the phone broke
  • Photos of the damage showing the cracks or broken parts
  • Credit or debit card to pay the non-refundable deductible or service fee

2. File the Claim Online or by Phone

  • Carrier Insurance: If insured through a major carrier, file directly online through their portal (e.g., AT&T Device Protection or T-Mobile) or call their designated claims line.
  • Third-Party Insurance: If you have standalone coverage (like Progressive, AppleCare+, or Asurion/Assurant directly), log into your specific insurance provider's app or website.
  • Time Limits: File promptly—most providers require you to report accidental damage within 60 to 90 days of the incident.

3. Pay the Deductible and Choose Repair or Replacement

  • Once you submit the details, the system will calculate your deductible.
  • Depending on your device and location, you can choose a local same-day repair (at a partner shop like uBreakiFix) or a replacement phone shipped to you (often by the next business day).

4. Prepare Your Old Device and Activate the New One

  • Back up your data if your screen still functions. Remove your SIM card, SD card, and turn off security locks like Find My iPhone or Find My Device before sending the broken phone back.
  • Follow the activation steps provided with your repaired or replacement phone.

Will Asurion replace my phone with a new one?

Asurion may replace your phone with a new, refurbished, or remanufactured device depending on stock and the age of your model.

What to Expect from an Asurion Replacement

  • Device Condition: You are not guaranteed to get a brand-new phone. Most replacements are certified refurbished models of like kind and quality.
  • Equivalent Quality: Refurbished phones are thoroughly tested, cleaned, and repaired to function like new.
  • Model and Color: You will get the same or a similar model. The color, brand, or minor features might sometimes vary depending on what is available.
  • Warranty: Both new and refurbished replacement devices come with a limited warranty from Asurion, typically lasting 12 months.