Continue reading: Chase Ink Business Preferred Cell Phone Protection: How It Works
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If you purchase your phone outside of your carrier you may well have your claim denied. This happened to me since they couldn't tie that phone to my carrier with my IMEI. I get why they do this so you can't claim on any random phone that breaks, but something to be aware of. I purchased my most recent phone from the carrier and the claim went very smoothly.
Also worth noting that the claims administrator is Asurion who also are big in the repair business (and repaired a lot of Samsung phones). So when I received an email asking me for an analysis of why it was cheaper to repair rather than replace my phone (!) I just told the claims admin to check their records since their company repaired it.
The list of coverage exclusions is longer than I realized. Cracked screen? Nope. Bought the phone second-hand? Nope. Lost hone, even with a police report? Nope.
TMobile gives a $5 discount per line for paying by debit instead of CC. So, I choose the $20/mo savings over protection and a few points. Hope it's the right choice.
The problem with cell phone protection from all credit cards is that they require you to be on a monthly billing cycle. When filing a claim, one must submit the cell phone's monthly statement. As such, cell phone services that have quarterly, semi-annual, or annual billing do not qualify. Even if those periods are fully paid in advance. Mint Mobile is an example. I spoke with a claims administrator and was told the foregoing.
It is not worth losing my bill pay discount. They no longer let me pay with CC.
Would really appreciate a similar analysis of the Bilt Palladium Mastercard cell phone benefit, especially how to file a claim, limitations on coverage, and how do they decide whether you get a new phone or have to send the damaged phone for repair.
Go to pages 6 to 8 in the following PDF: https://www.biltrewards.com/terms/palladium-card-guide-to-benefits
It helps to read it a few times. How to file a claim in there. All of the claims administrators follow similar practices. They defer to the repair shop as to whether the phone is repairable or not. If the repair shop States it can't, you can replace the phone with ANY new phone purchased directly from and activated directly by your cell phone carrier and they will reimburse you the full price minus the deductible up to the $800 limit. Carriers that do not bill on a monthly cycle, such as Mint Mobile, will not qualify.