November 15, 2023, 11:38 a.m. |
Reading time: 6 minutes
With AppleCare+, Apple offers its own insurance for its devices. In the event of damage, it should cover repair costs, services and the like. Apple calculates the monthly costs depending on the device. But is AppleCare+ worth it and what do customers have to consider in an emergency?
Insurance companies make money because people regularly estimate risks too high or too low – in short: wrong. The insurance industry knows the risks of damage occurring much better than its customers. Now Apple is not insurance. However, the company knows about the cult status of its own devices. To own one of these devices, fans now pay well over 1,000 euros. At this price point, it may be worth considering insurance against damage. With AppleCare+, Apple is making its own offer to its customers. We took a closer look at whether this is unbeatable or for whom AppleCare+ is worthwhile.
AppleCare and AppleCare+: These are the differences
First of all: AppleCare device protection has been around for a long time. When you buy a new iPhone or iMac, insurance is included in the purchase price. The basic version of Apple insurance is usually valid for 12 months. The company only offers protection for 24 months for the Apple Watch.
Of course, in Germany there is generally a statutory warranty of 24 months for newly purchased devices. This also covers damage to iPhones, MacBooks or iPads.
But: For both the warranty and AppleCare, the device defects must have existed before purchase. The law automatically assumes this in the first six months after purchase. You as the customer then have to prove the existing defect.
Accidental damage is therefore not covered in either variant. What is accidental damage?
- The coffee pours from the cup onto her MacBook.
- The iPhone accidentally ends up in the laundry.
- Your iPad hits the edge of the table and the display shatters.
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In these cases, AppleCare+ promises additional device protection for at least 24 months from the date of purchase. For some devices, protection even lasts for up to 36 months. You can sign up for AppleCare+ up to 60 days after purchasing a new device.
Also read: Where a display repair is cheapest in Germany
How much does AppleCare+ cost?
The costs for AppleCare+ vary greatly and depend on the device in question. If you want, you can protect your iPhone against theft or loss, for example. You can then have the device stolen or lost twice within 12 months. Apple supplies replacement.
Using the iPhone 14 or 15 Plus as an example, AppleCare+ regularly costs (as of November 2023):
- Monthly (without protection against theft and loss): 9.99 euros or once for 2 years: 199 euros,
- Monthly (with protection against theft and loss): 13.49 euros or one-time for 2 years: 269 euros.
As a deductible, Apple charges one-off fees in addition to the regular costs (examples):
- Damage to the display or the glass on the back: 29 euros,
- all other accidental damage: 99 euros,
- Theft or loss: 129 euros.
With new prices between 800 and 1100 euros, AppleCare+ can be definitely worth it. Screen broken? Battery no longer charging? Or iPhone completely gone? With AppleCare+ you no longer have to worry about this.
Even more numbers: Without AppleCare+, a broken display on an iPhone 15 would result in repair costs of at least 400 euros.
The current AppleCare+ tariffs for all iPhone product generations can be found on the Apple website.
For which other devices is AppleCare+ available?
As already indicated, AppleCare+ is available for all Apple products.
- Mac,
- iPad,
- Apple Watch,
- Apple display,
- AirPod,
- Apple TV,
- HomePod.
Apple offers monthly or annual fees depending on the device. For some products, you pay for protection over a period of 2 or 3 years.
Therefore, here are just a few cost examples for selected devices (as of November 2023):
- Apple Watch: Depending on the product generation, the monthly costs for AppleCare+ start at 2.99 euros or 65 euros for a period of 2 years.
- iPad: Depending on the size or product generation, the monthly costs for AppleCare+ start at 3.99 euros or 79 euros for a period of 2 years.
- AirPod: Depending on the product generation, the costs for AppleCare+ start at 39 euros for a period of 2 years.
- Mac: Depending on the size or product generation, the annual costs for AppleCare+ start at 44.99 euros or 119 euros for a period of 3 years.
- Apple Display: Depending on the size or product generation, the annual costs for AppleCare+ start at 49.99 euros or 139 euros for a period of 3 years.
Please note: Apple regularly adjusts AppleCare+ rates. The company offers a detailed tariff overview on its website. It’s even easier to find the right AppleCare+ tariff for your device query via this page.
AppleCare+ or device protection from another provider?
If you search on the Internet, you will find a whole host of other providers that offer additional device protection for Apple products. At first glance, some tariffs are lower than those of AppleCare+.
It’s worth taking a closer look here. With other providers, you often have to fill out pages of forms or provide evidence in the event of damage. Claims settlement is becoming a hurdle race. The possibly lower costs then eat up the formal time expenditure many times over.
Apple promises one-stop service on its website. With AppleCare+, customers communicate directly with technical support. Defective devices end up with Apple immediately. This saves you having to go through another provider. In theory, AppleCare+ seems to be more straightforward.
Conclusion: Who is AppleCare+ worth for?
AppleCare+ is worthwhile for all high-priced Apple models such as the iPhone or the various Mac devices. The high purchase costs initially speak in favor of extended protection.
In the event of damage, Apple will incur additional high costs for repairs without insurance coverage. This is due, among other things, to the original components that are only available from Apple. For example, a new iPhone display of the latest generation is not available for less than 400 euros.
Even in the event of theft or loss, the slightly higher monthly rates are worthwhile. Within a short period of time, you will receive a new device by paying a deductible of 129 euros and will be accessible on your mobile phone again.
For “smaller” Apple devices, additional protection via AppleCare+ depends on personal preferences. The economic consequences of loss or accidental damage are limited with iPad or Apple TV.
However, environmental considerations also speak in favor of extended protection for the cheaper Apple devices. The bottom line is that repairs are more climate-friendly than constantly buying new devices.