Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


yudumcan

84 posts

Master Geek


#309283 5-Oct-2023 08:20
Send private message

Hi all, 

 

I've just purchased the new iPhone 15 pro max and I was wondering if I need the AppleCare as I already have a contents insurance with AMI. I have the premier contents and it covers accidental damage within NZ. 

 

My question is what are the advantages of AppleCare over the contents insurance, obviously except the software and technical support.. My excess is $250 for my insurance and Apple's excess is $169 for accidental damage and it's unlimited. 

 

I think content insurance doesn't cover/replace when your phone is dented or scratched? Does AppleCare cover that? 

 

What are your thoughts?

 

Thanks


Create new topic
  #3142958 5-Oct-2023 08:34
Send private message

Its really a personal choice but I would say yes. Its substantially better than contents insurance as it covers everything and unlimited incidents as well.
Also if you claim via contents insurance - you risk premiums increasing/no claim discounts etc.

 

Further - your contents insurance wouldnt nessessarily replace the phone dependent on the issue.

 

Biggest advantage of AppleCare+ is Express Replacement - open the case, they take a hold on your cc and ship you a new device, you ship them back the previous one. Seamless and easy!





-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal




nztim
3825 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified
Trusted
TEAMnetwork
Subscriber

  #3142969 5-Oct-2023 09:00
Send private message

Jiriteach:

 

they take a hold on your cc and ship you a new device, you ship them back the previous one. Seamless and easy!

 

 

Potential 2K hold (depending on model) can hurt a lot of people's cash flow though! they can take up to a week to fall off (and that's after Apple have your old device back) 





Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer. 


Aucklandjafa
398 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #3143001 5-Oct-2023 10:11
Send private message

Jiriteach:

Its really a personal choice but I would say yes. Its substantially better than contents insurance as it covers everything and unlimited incidents as well.
Also if you claim via contents insurance - you risk premiums increasing/no claim discounts etc.


Further - your contents insurance wouldnt nessessarily replace the phone dependent on the issue.


Biggest advantage of AppleCare+ is Express Replacement - open the case, they take a hold on your cc and ship you a new device, you ship them back the previous one. Seamless and easy!



Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought a smashed screen/back of an iPhone, the screen/back panel is physically replaced ie, you need to go to an authorised agent. Happy to be corrected as this is what’s stopping me getting Apple care as I can just pay a $55 excess on my credit card for Apple to replace the screen.




  #3143003 5-Oct-2023 10:15
Send private message

Aucklandjafa:
Jiriteach:

 

Its really a personal choice but I would say yes. Its substantially better than contents insurance as it covers everything and unlimited incidents as well.
Also if you claim via contents insurance - you risk premiums increasing/no claim discounts etc.

 

Further - your contents insurance wouldnt nessessarily replace the phone dependent on the issue.

 

Biggest advantage of AppleCare+ is Express Replacement - open the case, they take a hold on your cc and ship you a new device, you ship them back the previous one. Seamless and easy!

 



Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought a smashed screen/back of an iPhone, the screen/back panel is physically replaced ie, you need to go to an authorised agent. Happy to be corrected as this is what’s stopping me getting Apple care as I can just pay a $55 excess on my credit card for Apple to replace the screen.

 

Service fee for a smashed screen/back or glass is ~ $49 and this is replacement of the glass at an authorised agent.
If you choose an Express Replacement then the service fee is ~ $169 and that is a replacement.

 

The terms and conditions provides good detail on these.





-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal


Aucklandjafa
398 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #3143006 5-Oct-2023 10:19
Send private message

Oh, yep, that makes sense

yudumcan

84 posts

Master Geek


  #3143371 5-Oct-2023 21:55
Send private message

Jiriteach:

 

Its really a personal choice but I would say yes. Its substantially better than contents insurance as it covers everything and unlimited incidents as well.
Also if you claim via contents insurance - you risk premiums increasing/no claim discounts etc.

 

Further - your contents insurance wouldnt nessessarily replace the phone dependent on the issue.

 

Biggest advantage of AppleCare+ is Express Replacement - open the case, they take a hold on your cc and ship you a new device, you ship them back the previous one. Seamless and easy!

 

 

 

 

That was my next question, what's express service vs normal service? If the glass is broken isn't Apple replace the screen? or give you a new phone? I think content insurance does whatever is cheapest


  #3143374 5-Oct-2023 22:08
Send private message

yudumcan:

 

Jiriteach:

 

Its really a personal choice but I would say yes. Its substantially better than contents insurance as it covers everything and unlimited incidents as well.
Also if you claim via contents insurance - you risk premiums increasing/no claim discounts etc.

 

Further - your contents insurance wouldnt nessessarily replace the phone dependent on the issue.

 

Biggest advantage of AppleCare+ is Express Replacement - open the case, they take a hold on your cc and ship you a new device, you ship them back the previous one. Seamless and easy!

 

 

That was my next question, what's express service vs normal service? If the glass is broken isn't Apple replace the screen? or give you a new phone? I think content insurance does whatever is cheapest

 

 

As above - if your glass broke and you have AppleCare+ - for a $49 service fee, they will replace the screen. If you want an Express Replacement - the service fee is $169. You pay the $169 service fee + they place a hold of the full cost of a new iPhone against your cc - so could be large depending on the iPhone you have. They courier to you in 1-2 days. You swop over and have 10 days to courier back the broken phone - they provide the courier bag etc. Once validated - they remove the hold on your cc.





-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal


 
 
 

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.
  #3143375 5-Oct-2023 22:09
Send private message

vs normal warrenty - there is no cover for accidental damage. You can still ask them to fix it however but its even more costly!





-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal


Dulouz
883 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #3143416 6-Oct-2023 08:58
Send private message

I've been buying iPhones since they have been around, never bothered with Applecare. Prefer to look after my stuff.





Amanon

TechnoGuy001
853 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

  #3144996 10-Oct-2023 16:35
Send private message

Same as @Dulouz, though not with iPhone's, but with Mac's. I've always had my issues fixed under warranty / CGA.

 

But I'm also mindful that I don't have AppleCare level of coverage and am careful with my gear.

 

 

 

Though I can see why people get AppleCare, does make life more care free.

 

 

 

Also, pro tip for anyone going to a local AASP (Apple Authorised Service Provider) for there AppleCare screen fix or whatever, be careful, unless your local one is a known good one or "premium" one. (Apple used to list premium AASPs but that seems to have disappeared now).

 

I once listened to an Apple phone support person, who said to send it to the closest AASP, which none was local, so no diff between "closest" vs Auckland, either way I had to pack and courier. They got me to send it to DTSL in Palmerston North, they asked for my password (should never be needed or asked) laptop came back with screws all striped, bits of material coming out of the bottom case, broken mic/speakers, fingerprints all over the screen etc. It came back worse then it went in.

 

Long story short, found out there are (or were) premium AASPs, found one in Auckland which seemed to have a good rep, and sent the laptop there to get the damage fixed (free, ex shipping). They were very professional (never asked for my account password) and got my computer back in great condition. 

 

Since then, I've always used them (Imagetext) in Auckland. 10/10 would recommend.

 

 

 

Just be careful who you get to repair your stuff, it's crazy out there.


Handle9
11405 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #3145000 10-Oct-2023 16:55
Send private message

Applecare is just insurance, there is nothing special about it. Like all extended warranties it doesn't make financial sense for most people.

 

It is far more cost effective to use a combination of self insurance and contents insurance unless you have an unusual risk profile. We have a lot of Apple devices (2 x laptops, 2 x iPhones, 4 x iPads, 2x Apple Watches, 2 x Apple Tvs) and in the last 5 years we have replaced 1 x iPad screen (self insured) and 1 x Apple Watch (insurance). If we had paid for Applecare we would have been out of pocket several multiple times this cost.

 

Saying all of the above I have the ability to buy another phone tomorrow if I needed to without going into financial stress. When you self insure sometimes you will lose. You need to assess your risk profile and whether you can cope with the risk to save money in the long term.


alasta
6708 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Subscriber

  #3145037 10-Oct-2023 20:01
Send private message

I personally find the technical support to be the best feature of AppleCare. I am not confident with technology so it makes a huge difference to be able to pick up the phone and get help whenever I need it. 


Benjip
943 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

  #3150010 19-Oct-2023 09:17
Send private message

The new monthly AppleCare+ option is fantastic. It means that from now on I no longer have to cancel my two-year plan halfway through its cycle (as I upgrade iPhones every year) to get the half refund; I can just cancel the monthly plan and re-subscribe with the new phone.

 

For those of us who don't like to put our beautiful phones inside cases, AC+ is a no-brainer IMO. Dropped your phone and the screen is completely shattered? That'll just be $49 and an hour or so of your time.


jjnz1
1363 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #3150086 19-Oct-2023 12:11
Send private message

+1 for AppleCare

 

Cracked my 14 Pro Max camera lens. Did the Express Replacement option. New phone showed up a few days later. Transferred my data across and sent my old phone back in the new phones box.

 

Very easy.

 

 

 

If I was to lodge an insurance claim, that claims process could take significantly longer, and I wouldn't get a new phone :)

 

(my old phone also had scratches on the front and back which made this process even better, as I received a brand new perfect condition phone).

 

 

 

I recommend AppleCare for any apple device over $1.5k.


Aucklandjafa
398 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #3150104 19-Oct-2023 13:10
Send private message

jjnz1:

+1 for AppleCare


Cracked my 14 Pro Max camera lens. Did the Express Replacement option. New phone showed up a few days later. Transferred my data across and sent my old phone back in the new phones box.


Very easy.


 


If I was to lodge an insurance claim, that claims process could take significantly longer, and I wouldn't get a new phone :)


(my old phone also had scratches on the front and back which made this process even better, as I received a brand new perfect condition phone).


 


I recommend AppleCare for any apple device over $1.5k.



Depends how bad the damage is, my contents insurance replaced my phone on the spot - just had to go into a Noel Leaming to pick up. Also, Apple send out refurbished phones, still, good as new IMO, but not a new new retail unit.

Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.