Can you get insurance on a refurbished iPhone? Many buyers ask this question before they commit to a lower-priced device. Refurbished iPhones offer strong value, but protection plans often feel unclear or limited.
Major insurers and even Apple provide coverage options for eligible refurbished models, depending on condition, seller, and purchase source. AppleCare+ may cover certified refurbished iPhones bought directly from Apple, while third-party insurers extend plans to devices from trusted resellers.
Buyers need to check eligibility rules, device condition, and activation timelines before they apply for coverage. Costs for insurance usually stay lower than replacing a damaged phone out of pocket.
Smart buyers review warranty terms and insurance details together to avoid gaps in protection. Clear research helps you secure both savings and peace of mind without risking your investment in a refurbished iPhone.
Can You Get Insurance on a Refurbished iPhone?
You found a great deal on a refurbished iPhone. The price looks perfect. But then you worry. What if the screen cracks? What if the battery dies? A new iPhone costs a lot to fix.
Insurance helps with those costs. But can you get insurance on a phone that someone already used? The answer is yes. But there are some rules. This guide explains everything you need to know.
What Does Insurance Cover on a Refurbished iPhone?
Insurance pays for repairs or replacement. Most plans cover three main things. Accidental damage like a dropped phone or a cracked screen. Theft and loss if someone steals your phone or you lose it.
Hardware failures like a broken charging port or a dead battery. Some plans also cover water damage. Read your policy carefully before buying.
Does Apple Insure Refurbished iPhones?
Apple sells its own refurbished iPhones on its website. These phones look and work like new. Apple gives a one-year warranty with every refurbished phone. That warranty covers hardware failures.
But it does not cover accidental damage. So if you drop the phone, the warranty will not pay for the repair. You can buy AppleCare+ for a refurbished iPhone. AppleCare+ is Apple’s insurance plan.
It covers accidental damage. You pay a small fee each time you get a repair. For example, a screen repair costs $29 with AppleCare+. Without it, a screen repair can cost over $200.
Apple sells refurbished iPhones directly. So those phones qualify for AppleCare+. Just buy it within 60 days of getting your phone.
Third-Party Insurance Companies
Many companies sell insurance for refurbished iPhones. These plans often cost less than AppleCare+. They also cover theft and loss. AppleCare+ does not cover loss in all countries. Here are some popular options.
Allstate Protection Plans
Allstate sells phone insurance through stores like Amazon and Walmart. You can buy a plan for a refurbished iPhone. The plan covers drops, spills, and cracks. It also covers mechanical failures.
You pay a deductible for each repair. A deductible is the money you pay before insurance kicks in. For a refurbished iPhone, the deductible runs around $50 to $100.
Asurion
Asurion works with many phone carriers. You do not need a contract. You can buy a plan directly from their website. Asurion covers theft, loss, and damage. They send you a replacement phone quickly.
Sometimes they send it the next day. The monthly cost runs about $10 to $15. The deductible runs about $50 to $150 depending on your iPhone model.
Worth Avenue Group
This company specializes in refurbished and used devices. They offer a simple plan. One low price per year. No monthly payments. A refurbished iPhone 12 costs about $80 per year for full coverage.
That includes theft, loss, and damage. The deductible is $50. Worth Avenue also covers accessories like your charger and case.
Akko
Akko offers cheap insurance for refurbished phones. Plans start at $5 per month. You can cancel any time. They cover cracked screens, water damage, and theft. The deductible runs $25 to $75. Akko also sends you a loaner phone while they fix yours. That helps if you need a phone every day.
What Most Insurance Companies Require
Insurance companies do not just say yes to every phone. They have rules. Here is what most companies ask for.
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Proof of purchase: You need a receipt. It shows where you bought the phone and how much you paid.
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Phone condition: The phone must work when you buy the insurance. No existing cracks or water damage.
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Purchase date: Most companies require you to buy insurance within 30 days of getting the phone.
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IMEI number: This is a unique number for every phone. You find it in Settings > General > About. The company uses it to check your phone’s history.
Where You Cannot Get Insurance
Some places will not insure a refurbished iPhone. Avoid wasting your time with these.
Carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T: Their insurance plans only cover new phones bought from them. A refurbished phone from another store does not qualify.
Credit card companies: Some credit cards offer free phone insurance. But they only cover new phones. Refurbished phones do not qualify.
SquareTrade (now Allstate Home Plus): They used to insure refurbished phones. Now they only insure new phones bought from specific stores.
Always call the insurance company first. Ask them directly: “Do you insure refurbished iPhones?” Get their answer in writing if possible.
Should You Even Get Insurance for a Refurbished iPhone?
This depends on your situation. Let us break it down.
Get insurance if:
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You paid more than $300 for the phone.
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You drop your phone often.
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You work outdoors or in rough conditions.
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You have children who use your phone.
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You cannot afford a sudden $200 repair.
Skip insurance if:
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You paid less than $150 for the phone.
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You always use a strong case and screen protector.
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You have savings set aside for repairs.
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The insurance costs more than 30% of the phone’s value.
Here is a simple test. Take the phone price. Divide it by three. That is your repair budget. If a screen repair costs less than that, skip insurance. If it costs more, buy insurance.
How to Buy Insurance for a Refurbished iPhone
Follow these steps. They work for any insurance company.
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Buy your refurbished iPhone from a trusted seller. Keep the receipt.
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Inspect the phone carefully. Make sure no cracks or damage exist.
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Take photos of the phone from all angles. Save them somewhere safe.
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Within 30 days, go to the insurance company’s website.
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Enter your phone’s IMEI number. You find this in Settings.
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Upload your receipt as proof of purchase.
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Pay the first month or the full year.
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Save your policy number. You will need it for claims.
What Insurance Does Not Cover
Read this part carefully. Many people get surprised.
Insurance does not cover cosmetic damage. A small scratch on the back means nothing to them. They only cover things that stop the phone from working. Insurance does not cover lost chargers or broken cases.
Those are accessories. You pay for those yourself. Insurance does not cover damage from opening the phone yourself. Do not try to fix it at home. Insurance does not cover normal battery wear. A battery that lasts fewer hours over time is normal. They only cover a battery that completely dies.
Cheap Alternatives to Insurance
Insurance costs money every month. Maybe you want a cheaper way to protect your phone. Try these options.
A good case: Spend $15 on a rugged case. Look for words like “military grade” or “shockproof.” These cases survive drops from 6 feet.
A glass screen protector: Spend $10 on a pack of two. Glass protectors crack instead of your screen. Replace them for $5 each time.
A DIY repair fund: Put $10 per month into a separate jar or bank account. After one year, you have $120. That pays for most repairs.
Local repair shops: Many shops fix cracked screens for $50 to $80. That is cheaper than paying insurance deductibles for years.
Real Examples of Costs
Let us look at real numbers. These prices come from actual insurance plans in 2025.
Example 1: Refurbished iPhone 11 worth $200
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Insurance from Akko: $5 per month = $60 per year
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Deductible for screen repair: $25
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Total cost for one repair: $85
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Repair without insurance: $70 at a local shop
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Verdict: Skip insurance. The local shop costs less.
Example 2: Refurbished iPhone 13 worth $400
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Insurance from Worth Avenue: $80 per year
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Deductible for screen repair: $50
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Total cost for one repair: $130
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Repair without insurance: $180 at Apple
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Verdict: Get insurance. You save $50 on one repair.
Example 3: Refurbished iPhone 14 worth $500
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Insurance from Asurion: $12 per month = $144 per year
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Deductible for theft: $150
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Total cost after theft: $294
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New replacement phone value: $500
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Verdict: Get insurance. Theft would cost you full price without it.
FAQs
1. Can I get AppleCare+ on a refurbished iPhone from Amazon?
No. Apple only sells AppleCare+ for phones bought directly from Apple. Amazon refurbished phones do not qualify.
2. How soon must I buy insurance after getting my phone?
Most companies give you 30 days. Some give only 14 days. Check the policy before buying.
3. Does insurance cover a cracked screen from dropping the phone?
Yes. Most plans cover accidental drops. That includes cracked screens.
4. Can I insure a refurbished iPhone bought from a friend?
Yes, but you need a receipt. Ask your friend to write a simple receipt. Include the date, price, and IMEI number.
5. What happens if insurance cannot fix my phone?
They send you a replacement phone. The replacement is also refurbished. It will work the same or better than your old one.
6. Is insurance worth it for a cheap refurbished iPhone?
No. For phones under $150, skip insurance. Put that money into a strong case and screen protector instead.
7. Does insurance cover water damage?
Some plans do. Some do not. Read the policy. Look for the words “liquid damage” or “water damage.”
8. Can I cancel insurance anytime?
Yes for monthly plans. No for yearly plans. Monthly plans let you stop paying any time. Yearly plans lock you in for 12 months.
Conclusion
Yes, you can get insurance on a refurbished iPhone. Apple sells AppleCare+ for its own refurbished phones. Third-party companies like Asurion, Akko, and Worth Avenue cover refurbished phones from any seller. Just buy the insurance within 30 days of getting your phone. Keep your receipt. Check the phone for existing damage first.
But insurance is not always the right choice. For phones under $200, skip the insurance. Buy a strong case and a glass screen protector instead. For phones over $300, insurance gives you peace of mind. One cracked screen or stolen phone pays for years of premiums.
Do the math before you decide. Compare the insurance cost plus the deductible against a local repair shop. Pick the cheaper option. A refurbished iPhone saves you money upfront. Smart insurance choices save you money later. Protect your phone. Protect your budget.