Best iPad insurance?

vigman

Hi

After years of buying second hand iPads and iPhones, I've decided to treat myself to an iPad 8th generation 128gb tablet from Argos at £429.

Having worked with IT for years, I just know that one day out of warranty it will become a very expensive brick!

I'm not buying from John Lewis as although they have a two year warranty I have heard nightmare stories about people trying to get repairs and replacements.

I looked at Protect My Bubble, but the tablet has to be covered within 6 months of purchase, (meaning you have to pay 6 months insurance whilst still having 6 months manufacturer's warranty) however SwitchedOnInsurance allows items of at least 12 months to be added at a fairly reasonable £8pm for the cover I want with £50 excess.

Are they any good?

Can anyone please recommend better iPad cover, mainly for failure to work rather than loss or damage?

Finally, is there a better price from a reputable seller for this model of iPad please?

TIA

Vigman

Sandtree

Given you are paying full retail price any reason why not to buy it direct from Apple given their reputation for great service?

Apples own website compares your statutory rights, your manufacturers warranty and their own extended warranty option here: https://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/

Personally, for breakdown I’ve always relied on my statutory rights which is for a “reasonable life” capped at 6 years in england/wales (or 5 in scotland) - the link provides more details. My iPad Mini third gen still going along ok after 5 years... will replace it at some point as its on iOS 12 and cannot support later versions whereas iOS14 is the current version and support for apps etc will eventually start dropping off.

As to loss, theft, accidental damage then your home insurance would be the first one to look at but depending on your excess and what accessories you may buy it may not stack up. The advantage of home insurance is its new for old so were I to claim for my iPad Mini 3 gen I’d get a 5th gen replacement whereas most extended warranties are on an indemnity basis so rather than a 5th gen I’d get the cash value of a refurb 3rd gen net of excess.

vigman

Thanks, Sandtree, I'll look into buying from Apple and check out the cost of additional year's warranty.

I have to say my iPad 2 is still going strong but there are apps I want on OS14.

Vigman

jefaz07

you can take out AppleCare+ and pay monthly now. Was £10pm for the iPhone 11 Pro Max...will tell you in your iPads menu of you can add it. 

csgohan4

jefaz07 said:

you can take out AppleCare+ and pay monthly now. Was £10pm for the iPhone 11 Pro Max...will tell you in your iPads menu of you can add it. 

usually only covers ipads for 2 years max. Other option is to self fund and save the money in case you need it for repairs or a new ipad. 

DCFC79

Im not one for insurance on items like this, Id rather put away money each month. I have had insurance on a phone but years ago and felt it was a waste and still do, any phones or tablets Ive owned have either been replaced as wanted an upgrade or in the case of the Nexus 7 tablet I had it developed a fault so it went straight back to John lewis who offered me a swap for my current tablet.

davidmcn

I'd also go for self-insurance - seems daft to pay about £100 a year (which isn't much less than my home insurance for everything I own!) to insure an item which probably isn't worth £200 by the time the warranty expires.

Sandtree

davidmcn said:

I'd also go for self-insurance - seems daft to pay about £100 a year (which isn't much less than my home insurance for everything I own!) to insure an item which probably isn't worth £200 by the time the warranty expires.

Though your home insurance will be covering it anyway for theft, AD etc and, if like the majority its on a new for old basis, then it’ll be covered for £430 even after the warranty ends. You may decide it not cost effective to claim if the iPad is the only thing stolen in a theft but burglars rarely  take just one item and so more likely it’ll just be one of the items claimed for.

mgfvvc

Having worked with IT for years, I would be surprised if one month out if warranty it became an expensive brick. You can get unlucky, but most modern electronics lasts pretty well these days. My mother in law is still using her original ipad 1. She might have replaced the battery, I'm not sure.
I've never seen or heard of a tablet or phone just dying like that. It can happen, but it's quite unusual.

vigman

Thanks, everyone. The "self funding" insurance ie saving towards a possible repair, may be the way to go. I have never made a car or home insurance claim as apart from the excess, I know the premium will usually go up by the amount claimed sometime in the future.

I said I'd buy from Argos as I have found they are fantastic with the first year replacements. My mother's TV died with only three days to go on the warranty and they swapped it in store with no quibble. I have heard nightmare stories about John Lewis arguing over repairs and replacements.

I was obviously exaggerating about the iPad failing just out of warranty as I purchased thousands of PCs and laptops for work previously and items were either DOA or failed within a few weeks if faulty. As I said, I am still using my old iPad 2 but am beginning to miss some favourite apps that can't now be run. However, it's not impossible and I would like to handle a repair in the most cost effective way.

I've bought all my Apple phones and pads from The ioutlet who are great, but a used reconditioned 7th gen 128gb model is only about £30 less than the Argos price for a new 8th gen model.

Finally, if anyone knows of better offers on the 128gb 8th gen iPad from a reputable supplier, I'd be interested. Having retired from the university I can no longer enjoy educational prices!

Vigman