Apple Introduces Optional Apple Care+ Theft and Loss Protection for iPhones

BY Chethan Rao

Published 12 Sep 2018

iPhone Xs iPhone Xs Max Best Features 10

While having an app like Find My iPhone is useful to locate your missing iPhone, in many cases, your phone is as good as gone once it’s stolen. However, Apple is looking to change things up with the introduction of a new AppleCare+ plan that lets you add theft and loss protection.

By paying a fee based on the iPhone model, you can get a brand new replacement iPhone if it is lost or stolen. The AppleCare+ page mentions that the theft protection service requires Find My iPhone to be turned on when you’ve lost your device.

Here are the subscription prices:

  • iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max – $299
  • iPhone XR, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 Plus – $249
  • iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 – $199

In the event of theft or loss, you will have to pay an additional fee depending on the model you have. So you will still end up shelling a few bucks, but not nearly as much as you would for a brand new phone.

If you have an iPhone X, iPhone Xs or the Xs Max, you will have to spend $269 to get your replacement iPhone. In the case of the iPhone XR, iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone 7 Plus, the fee comes down to $229. Lastly, if you have an iPhone 8 or iPhone 7, you are only entitled to pay $199 for the new phone. Despite the steep price tag, Apple points out that it just comes down to “$4.16 more per month” over the standard AppleCare+ monthly pricing.

Customers can also choose to pay for AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss in monthly installments. It is important to note that there is no apparent way to add this to your existing AppleCare+ coverage and this new plan requires a separate purchase of AppleCare+ with theft and loss protection. If you’re running out of your AppleCare+ service anytime soon, this new tier might be worth checking out.

[Via The Verge]