You Should Probably Pay for AppleCare+
When you buy a new Apple product, many enthusiasts will say the same thing: “Just get AppleCare+.” This adds cost to an already expensive purchase , but it’s also cheaper than paying to repair an Apple product that’s no longer under warranty. As with any insurance, there’s no guarantee that the money you spend on insurance will pay off in the end, but if anything happens to your expensive Apple product, you can be happy with that initial investment.
What is AppleCare+?
AppleCare+ is like a deductible insurance policy for your Apple products. When you buy a new iPhone, MacBook, or any other Apple product, you typically receive a one-year limited warranty that protects you against manufacturing defects. If you buy AppleCare+, you’ll also be protected from accidental damage such as cracked displays and the like. The catch is that you will have to pay a service fee to get the device repaired, but this fee is much cheaper than repairing the device without protection.
There’s a more expensive version of this plan, AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, which allows you to replace a lost or stolen Apple device up to twice a year. I’ll look at this plan in more detail when I discuss the costs of AppleCare+.
Is AppleCare+ different from AppleCare?
Even though the names sound the same, they are completely different options. AppleCare is the name of the limited warranty that comes with your device when you purchase it. It entitles you to 90 days of free technical support from Apple, as well as a one-year warranty. This warranty may be longer in some regions where required by law, but is limited to one year in the United States.
However, the AppleCare Limited Warranty does not protect against accidental damage. If you crack your iPhone display or drop your MacBook, you’ll have to pay Apple the full cost of repairs. On the other hand, AppleCare+ is your bet against accidental damage.
How can I check if I have AppleCare+?
To check your AppleCare+ status, go to Apple’s My Support page , sign in to your Apple account, select your device from the list, and check to see if it has AppleCare+. You’ll also be able to see this in your Apple product’s Settings page (usually Settings > General > AppleCare & Warranty ) or in the plan confirmation email Apple sends when you purchase AppleCare+.
What AppleCare+ does and doesn’t cover
When purchasing AppleCare+ insurance for any product, you should always check the terms and conditions to see what is and is not covered. Coverage typically includes incidental damage to the display, keyboard, outer casing, buttons, and internal parts of the device. The specific components and types of damage covered vary by device, so it’s best to check the policy for your specific device.
For example, AppleCare+ for Mac covers your Mac and any Apple-branded accessories you purchased with the device. Apple states that if a device requires hardware service due to any defect in the components, such as if the battery level drops below 80% , then Apple will either repair the device at no additional cost or replace your Mac with a new or equivalent refurbished device. In cases of accidental damage, you can pay the specified service fee and Apple will repair or replace the device for you.
The service fee varies quite a bit depending on the device and the extent of its damage. Again, let’s look at the Mac’s policy: If it’s what Apple defines as “Level 1” damage, such as a cracked screen or damaged case, you’ll pay $99 (plus taxes) to have it repaired. More serious damage, such as a cracked screen and damaged chassis, may be classified as “Level 2” and cost $299 (plus taxes) to repair.
As important as it is to know what AppleCare+ covers, it’s equally important to know what it doesn’t cover. For Macs, Apple states that your AppleCare+ plan does not cover cosmetic damage, preventive maintenance, excessive damage, repairs to a device that has been serviced by someone other than Apple or an authorized representative, and with certain other exceptions. If your MacBook was damaged in an extreme accident, don’t expect AppleCare+ to provide repair or replacement services under these terms.
Even if you have AppleCare+, the company does not guarantee that it can help you recover or back up data on a damaged device. The terms also mention that Apple may limit AppleCare+ coverage to the country in which the plan was originally purchased.
In theory, this really limits what AppleCare+ can do. However, it never hurts to ask. Even if your device is damaged or damaged in any way outside of these terms, it’s worth taking it to an Apple Store and politely explaining your situation.
How much does AppleCare+ cost?
There is no clear answer to this question. The cost of AppleCare+ varies by product and gets more expensive as your product costs more. AppleCare+ costs just $15 for two years of coverage for the $99 HomePod mini and up to $499 for two years of coverage for the $3,499 Apple Vision Pro. You have the option to prepay or choose a monthly or annual payment plan. Please note that prepayment is the most economical option. Other options require a smaller down payment but cost more to continue until the end of the tenure.
You can use the Apple ( Mac , iPhone ,Apple Watch , Apple TV , Apple Vision Pro , and HomePod) repair estimates as a marker to check how much it will cost to repair different types of damage with or without AppleCare+. For example, Apple’s estimate for repairing a cracked screen on the iPhone 16 Pro Max is $379 without AppleCare+, and $29 with the plan. AppleCare+ for iPhone 16 Pro Max costs $199. That means you’ll spend $228 on repairs with AppleCare+, and about $150 more if you don’t have insurance. Apple’s repair estimate website doesn’t always show repair costs for each product, but you can always talk to an Apple representative online or offline to get an idea of the costs involved.
If you’re shopping for an iPhone, you also have the option of choosing AppleCare+ with theft and loss protection. This is insurance if your iPhone is lost or stolen, and it costs more than the basic AppleCare+ plan. For example, for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, you can include theft and loss in your plan for $269 (instead of $199 without it). When you apply for a replacement, you’ll have to pay $149, bringing the total to $418 for a new iPhone, compared to $1,199 if you buy the same device again. Apple may ship the device to countries where this plan is available, namely Australia, Austria, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and the United States.
How long does AppleCare+ coverage last?
AppleCare+ offers up to two years of coverage on most Apple devices, except Macs and Studio Displays, which are covered for up to three years. Yes, you can alsorenew your AppleCare+ coverage , but you’ll need to pay upfront for your coverage. If you sign up for a monthly or annual payment plan, you won’t be able to extend your AppleCare+ beyond the due date. AppleCare+ extensions only apply if you are in one of the following countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA. Kingdom and USA.
You’ll need to purchase an extended AppleCare+ plan within 45 days of your original plan expiration, depending on your region. Once you renew your AppleCare+ subscription on your device, it will automatically renew monthly or annually until you cancel your plan. It’s worth remembering that AppleCare+ extensions only apply to your iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro, Apple Watch and Mac.
Is AppleCare+ worth it?
While I always buy AppleCare+, I can’t say it’s worth it every time. This was very useful for my Apple Watch, which I wear almost constantly, but I never had any complaints about my Apple TV or iPhone. I used AppleCare+ to fix a cracked display on my Apple Watch, and Apple gave me a brand new device when I did it. I paid about $350 for the watch and filed two claims (one per year for a cracked screen replacement), and the total cost of those claims and AppleCare+ was about $190. I could live with the cracked screen because it wasn’t major damage, but it would prevent me from using the device to track swimming workouts, and the repair was significantly cheaper than buying a new watch.
You may not need it for some devices that are much less likely to be damaged. I had an Apple TV that I never used the AppleCare+ warranty on and that I probably would have easily replaced even if it had failed. But on the other hand, I think AppleCare+ is great value for money for a MacBook, since Apple computers are expensive to repair and come with a three-year warranty instead of the usual two. You need to consider how likely the device is to be damaged (portable devices like iPhones and MacBooks are more likely than desktop devices like iMacs and Apple TVs) as well as how expensive it will be to repair the device.
Typically, I prefer to purchase AppleCare+ for expensive devices to protect against unexpected huge expenses that could blow my budget. If you buy such a device from Apple, I’d say you’ll probably have to pay for AppleCare+.