The Best Cell Phone Insurance Plans and Protection (2025)

Gone are the days when a cell phone was just for calls and texts. Now, you can do so much more from your phone, including arming a security system, creating presentations, and paying your bills through an app.

As smartphones have become more a part of everyday life, they’ve also skyrocketed in cost. Today, a cell phone can easily cost more than $1,000.^[1] If your phone breaks, repairs can be expensive, and replacement costs can run in the four figures. A minor accident causing a broken screen can cost anywhere from $50 to $350 to fix.^[2]

The best cell phone insurance plans can help provide peace of mind for a relatively low cost, and you can buy plans for new or used phones.

Top cell phone plans: How they compare

Insurify evaluated leading insurance companies and plans and selected AppleCare+, Verizon Wireless Phone Protection, and Akko as the top providers of cell phone coverage.

Out of all the companies considered, these providers had some of the cheapest options, with plans costing between $5 and $10 per month.

All three companies also had easy online claims processes and offered perks like low deductibles and next-day replacement.

Plan	Monthly Cost	Best For
AppleCare+	Starts at $9.99 per phone	iPhone users
Verizon Wireless Phone Protection	Starts at $7.95 per line	Unlimited claims
Akko	Starts at $5 per device	Used phones

Types of cell phone insurance plans

You have several options for purchasing cell phone insurance. Device protection options include coverage through your phone manufacturer, your cell carrier, or a third-party company or credit card issuer.

What cell phone insurance covers

Although plan coverages vary, cell phone insurance usually covers accidental damage, such as drops or spills, as well as theft. Cell phone policies can come in handy in the following scenarios:

• Cracked screens: If your phone gets knocked off the table by accident and the screen breaks, the insurance plan will pay for screen repairs or replacement.

• Liquid submersion: If your phone gets knocked into the pool while you’re swimming, your plan would pay to replace it if it has water damage.

• Loss or theft: Your phone was stolen during your commute home on the train. If you file a police report for the phone theft, your plan would pay for a new phone.

• Mechanical damage: If your phone has a mechanical or electrical breakdown, your plan will cover your repair costs.

What cell phone insurance won’t cover

Cell phone insurance can come in handy, but it won’t cover everything. Plans usually have a list of exclusions in their terms and conditions.

These are some of the most common exclusions:

• Damages related to wear and tear

• Software defects

• Viruses

• Unauthorized repairs

• Theft if not reported to the police within 24–48 hours

• Repairs or replacement costs that exceed the plan’s reimbursement limits (depending on your device’s value, you may have to cover some of the cost yourself)

How much does phone insurance cost?

Phone insurance is usually a monthly cost, and policies can range from $8 to $20 per month. If you have several devices or want to insure family members’ phones, you may benefit from a multi-device policy, which can be more cost-effective than buying plans for each individual device.

A deductible will apply for most issues. Depending on the coverage provider, plan, and claim type, claim deductibles can range from $0 to $279.

Here’s a breakdown of the premiums and other costs of some of the most popular cell phone insurance plans.

Plan	Up-Front / Monthly Cost	Screen Repair Deductible	Theft / Loss Deductible	Other Repairs
Akko	$5–$12	$29	$99	$99
Allstate	$12.99	$149	$149	$149
AT&T Protect Advantage	$14–$17	$0	$99	$99
Securranty	$12.95	$149	$149	$149
Upsie	$7.99	$0	$150	$75
Verizon	$7.95	$0	$19–$279	$19–$99
Worth Ave Group	$19.25	$75	$75	$75

Plan costs and deductibles were quoted for an iPhone 16.

Popular cell phone insurance plans and who they’re best for

You can choose from many different kinds of cell phone protection plans or insurance policies, but their coverages, deductibles, service fees, and exclusions may vary.

Here you can learn more about certain plan types.

Do you need cell phone insurance?

Although cell phone insurance isn’t required or mandatory, it can come in handy when you have a pricey phone. Whether it’s worth the cost depends on your phone’s replacement cost, your risk tolerance, and how much of a financial cushion you have in your savings account.

Below is a guide to help you make a decision.

Decision Factor	One-Sentence Self-Check	If Your Answer Is “Yes”	If Your Answer Is “No”
Device value	Did your phone cost $1,000 or more?	Purchase insurance	Self-insure
Risk profile	Do unexpected repairs make you nervous or cause stress?	Purchase insurance	Self-insure
Self‑insurance ability	Do you have at least $1,500 in an emergency fund?	Self-insure	Purchase insurance

Best plans for common scenarios

The best plans and insurance options for you depend on your phone, carrier, and smartphone insurance needs. Here, you can see which company is a good fit for each option.

Scenario	Top Pick	Why	Key Trade‑Off
New flagship phone	AppleCare+ or SamsungCare+	Manufacturer plans provide the most comprehensive coverage	Higher monthly or annual cost
Refurbished phone	Third-party companies like Akko	Allows you to insure used phones	Higher deductibles
Multi‑device family	Carrier protection, like AT&T or Verizon	Relatively low-cost plans for multiple devices	Can be more expensive with higher deductibles

How to enroll in a cell phone insurance plan

With some phone plans, such as AppleCare+ coverage for iPhones, you must enroll in a plan within 60 days of purchasing your device. After that, the only way to get coverage is to purchase a plan through another company, such as Akko or Worth Ave.

With third-party insurers, you can enroll in an insurance plan online or by calling the insurer directly. The company will ask for your phone make and model, give you several plans to choose from, and ask you to pay your first premium.

If you’re buying a used or secondhand device, document its condition. Take photos of the phone to show any cosmetic issues, and keep a record of any problems.

How to file a cell phone insurance claim

To start the claims process on a cell phone insurance policy, follow these steps:

• 

  1. If necessary, contact the police

  If your phone was stolen, your insurer will likely require a police report. You’ll need a copy of the report showing the case number, the officer’s name and badge number, and the date of the reported incident. Some companies have clauses that state you must file a police report within 24 to 48 hours of the theft, so don’t delay.

• 

  2. Gather documentation and details

  When you file a claim, your insurer will ask you for the make and model of your device, the date the incident occurred, the last time you used the device, a government-issued ID (such as your driver’s license), and proof of ownership (such as a receipt).

• 

  3. Contact your insurance company

  You can usually file a claim online, through a mobile app, or over the phone.

• 

  4. Submit your phone for inspection

  If the phone is damaged, you may need to mail it in to your insurer or take it to an approved repair center for an inspection. The inspection will reveal what damage occurred and whether they can repair the phone.

• 

  5. Wait for repairs

  If the phone can be fixed, the insurer will schedule repairs. You’ll have to pay your deductible, and the insurer will cover the remaining eligible costs. If you’re eligible for a replacement, the company may send you a refurbished version, or you may get a check for the reimbursed amount so you can buy a new phone on your own.

Review your policy documents for coverage specifics on the claims process. Some phone insurance providers have coverage limits or reimbursement limits for certain repairs or require you to visit only an authorized repair shop.

Cell phone insurance alternatives

Cell phone insurance is an added cost. If you want to avoid ongoing insurance premiums, your other options include:

• Invest in a strong protective cell phone case. Cases can cost anywhere from $40 to $100 and can protect a phone from damage related to drops, falls, and liquid damage. Though cases can prevent screen cracks or other basic damage, they don’t provide device protection for issues like theft or mechanical breakdowns.

• Purchase a DIY repair kit. You can buy repair kits online and use tutorials on YouTube or TikTok to learn how to do basic repairs, like replacing a broken screen. But this option doesn’t pay for replacement devices if your phone is beyond repair.

• Utilize tempered-glass warranties. Some phones come with warranties for their tempered-glass screens, or you may be able to purchase a warranty for a nominal fee. These plans will pay for screen repairs but not for other damages.

• Build an emergency fund. Building up a safety net in a savings account can help cover unexpected repair service fees or the cost of a new cell phone.

Alternative to Insurance	Pros	Cons
Cases	Inexpensive	Doesn’t protect against theft or mechanical failures
Tempered‑glass warranties	Often included with cost of phone	Covers only screen repairs
DIY repair kits	Inexpensive for basic repairs	Requires some skill, and not all damage is fixable
Emergency fund	No added cost	Takes time to build savings

Best cell phone insurance FAQs