Cell phones — we all have one, but let’s be honest: they’re crazy expensive.
In years past, flagship smartphones would sell for $600 to $800 depending on storage size, but now you’re more likely to pay upwards of over $1,000. Upgrade to more storage and a larger screen, and you’re paying top dollar.
Because the loss, damage, or theft of your cell phone can be expensive and inconvenient, now’s the time to secure protection that could help offset the economic damage should such an occurrence occur.
Oftentimes you can purchase cell phone insurance from your phone carrier, but that requires a hefty up-front fee (think AppleCare+) or a monthly charge from your carrier. When it comes time to actually use the insurance, you may still be stuck paying a high deductible.
Thankfully, a slew of credit cards offer complimentary cell phone insurance when you pay your phone bill with the card. The best part is that this insurance is free — there’s no added monthly fee, though you may be required to pay a small deductible to use it.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the best credit cards that offer cell phone insurance and determine if that coverage might be a sufficient alternative to purchasing coverage. We’ll give you a quick overview of each card and explain the associated cell phone insurance benefits you can expect to receive with the card.
Let’s get started!
What Is Credit Card Cell Phone Protection?
Cell phone insurance is exactly what it sounds like: an insurance plan for your cell phone. As discussed in the intro, this is slowly becoming a more common credit card benefit.
Most of the time, credit card cell phone insurance is secondary to any other coverage you might have. For example, you may have a monthly protection plan you purchase from your phone carrier, or perhaps there’s cell phone coverage on your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. You’d have to claim this insurance before claiming your credit card benefits.
Many credit cards have other limitations, such as not covering a lost phone. Instead, cell phone insurance usually covers things like theft and damage — more on that later.
Who’s Covered
Most credit card cell phone protection will cover the phones associated with the monthly service bills you pay with your eligible card. In other words: the phone numbers must typically be listed on the monthly bill to be covered by your credit card’s insurance plan. This makes credit card cell phone insurance extremely valuable for family plans as everyone on the plan will be covered.
Some card issuers limit the number of additional lines covered, such as Citi, which has a limit of 4 additional lines, while others can be unlimited. Make sure to double-check these limits if you have a large family plan.
What’s Covered
Most credit card coverage comes with a deductible that you must pay when you claim the insurance benefit — this can range from $25 to $100 and is usually deducted from the insurance payout.
Also, if you have cell phone coverage other than that on your credit card, that coverage will be primary before the credit card coverage kicks in. With this in mind, you may decide to forgo coverage from your carrier or the manufacturer when you purchase your cell phone.
Standard covered losses include accidental damage that makes your phone less functional or non-functional, water damage, and most cases of theft.
To cover your phone, you must pay your monthly cell phone bill with your credit card. Coverage typically takes effect on the first of the month after you start paying the monthly service on your card.
What’s Typically Not Covered
As with most protection, more losses are not covered than are covered. Here’s a list of common exclusions for cell phone protection found on your credit card:
- Phone accessories
- Phones purchased for resale
- Mysterious disappearance
- Phones stolen from carry-on baggage or under the control/care of a common carrier
- Cosmetic damage to the phone
- Pay-as-you-go, prepaid, leased, borrowed, or rented phones
- Intentional or illegal acts
- Voluntary parting with the phone (involuntary and accidental parting may be covered)
- Replacement phones not purchased from the retailer
- Taxes, delivery, and transportation fees
Bottom Line: You can cover more cell phones than just your own by paying for the monthly service with your eligible card. Plus, theft and damage are the most common losses covered, while the act of losing your phone may or may not be covered. Coverage specifics solely depend on the credit card’s coverage terms and conditions.
The 5 Best Personal Credit Cards That Offer Cell Phone Insurance
Now, let’s take a look at the best credit cards that offer cell phone insurance. We’ve summarized the cards and cell phone coverage in the table below, then added card and coverage details in the following paragraphs.
| Card | Card Protection Limits | Earnings per Dollar Spent on Cell Phone Bill |
| Chase Freedom Flex℠ | $800 per claim, 2 claims per 12-month period, up to $1,000 total, $50 deductible | 1 Ultimate Rewards point per dollar |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | $800 per claim, maximum 2 claims annually, $1,600 total, $50 deductible | 1 Amex Membership Rewards point per dollar |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | $800 per claim, maximum 2 claims in a 12-month period up to $1,600 total, $50 deductible | 2 Capital One miles per dollar |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | $800 per claim, maximum 2 claims annually up to $1,600 total, $50 deductible | 1 Delta SkyMile per dollar |
You’ll receive a lot of value with the no-annual-fee Freedom Flex card. With 5% earnings on rotating quarterly bonus categories, plus elevated earnings for purchases on the Chase travel portal, dining, and at drugstores, there are plenty of ways to earn cash-back and Ultimate Rewards points.
Pair the card with a Chase premium card, and you’ll have access to increased value (up to 1.5 cents per point) when redeeming for travel, plus the ability to transfer points to the Chase travel partners for even greater potential value.
Cell Phone Insurance Overview
Pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card and receive coverage for theft and damage. There is a maximum of $800 per claim, a limit of 2 claims per 12-month period, and a $50 deductible per claim.
2. Amex Platinum Card (Best for Cosmetic Damage & Premium Benefits)
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)
The Amex Platinum card is one of the best travel cards on the market thanks to its jam-packed, excellent benefits like the most access to airport lounge networks, rental car benefits, hotel elite status with Marriott and Hilton, statement credits for specific purchases, and even cell phone insurance!
Frequent flyers will love the earn rates on the Amex Platinum card, which include:
- 5x points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel
- 5x points per dollar on hotels booked with Amex Travel
Plus, the Amex Platinum card earns 1x point per dollar on all non-bonused purchases.
Cell Phone Insurance Overview
With your Amex Platinum card, you’ll receive up to $1,600 in cell phone protection against theft and damage per 12-month period, including cosmetic damage like cracks to your phone screen. Coverage is limited to up to 2 claims per year with a total of $800 per claim. You’ll be responsible for a $50 deductible each time you submit a claim.
In order to receive this coverage, you’ll need to pay your monthly phone bill with your Amex Platinum card.
We like that the Capital One Venture X card nearly pays for itself with a $300 statement credit for using Capital One Travel for your purchase. Add in the additional value of 10,000 miles at card renewal, and you’ll find the card delivers enough value to more than offset the fee.
In addition to a long list of travel benefits and protections such as worldwide lounge access, primary rental car coverage, trip cancellation/interruption/delay, baggage insurance, and roadside assistance, you’ll also find the card has excellent cell phone protection.
Cell Phone Insurance Overview
First, you’ll want to pay your monthly bill with your card. Then, you’ll have up to $800 in coverage if your phone is lost or stolen. There is a limit of 2 claims per 12-month period, a maximum of $1,600 total, and you’ll pay a $50 deductible for each claim.
An excellent option for Delta flyers, the Delta Platinum card offers benefits like free checked bags, discounts on inflight purchases, an annual companion certificate, and much more.
The card also earns Delta SkyMiles on the following purchases:
- 3x SkyMiles per dollar on Delta and eligible hotel purchases
- 2x SkyMiles per dollar at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets
You’ll also receive 1 SkyMile per dollar on all other eligible purchases that fall outside of the above categories.
Cell Phone Insurance Overview
The Delta Platinum card includes up to $1,600 in cell phone protection against theft and damage per 12-month period, including cosmetic damage, which is not often covered with most plans. You can submit up to 2 claims per year for a total of $800 per claim, and keep in mind that each claim will come with a deductible of $50.
As with the other cards mentioned, you’ll need to pay your cell phone bill with your Delta Platinum card to be eligible for the coverage.
5. Delta Reserve Card (Best for Frequent Delta Flyers & Lounge Access)
The Delta Reserve card is a must-have for Delta loyalists. The card offers access to Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges when flying Delta, and you’ll also receive complimentary upgrades on Delta flights, an annual companion certificate, priority boarding, and more.
The Delta Reserve card has just 1 bonus category that allows you to earn 3x SkyMiles per dollar on all Delta purchases. Still, you’ll receive 1 SkyMile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Cell Phone Insurance Overview
As with the Delta Platinum card, the Delta Reserve card also includes up to $1,600 in cell phone protection per 12-month period, including cosmetic damage. You can submit up to 2 claims per year for a total of $800 per claim, and keep in mind that each claim will come with a deductible of $50.
Again, you’ll need to pay your cell phone bill with your Delta Reserve card to be eligible for the coverage.
Hot Tip: Cell phone protection is a World Elite Mastercard benefit, but not all World Elite Mastercards offer the benefit. The specific financial institution that issues the card will decide whether to include it as one of the benefits. If your card has the coverage, you can expect up to $800 per claim, a maximum of 2 claims each year for a total of $1,000, and each claim will have a $50 deductible.
The 4 Best Business Credit Cards That Offer Cell Phone Insurance
Looking for a business credit card that offers cell phone insurance for you and your employees? Consider the following options.
1. Amex Business Platinum Card (Top Pick: Best Business Card for Cosmetic Damage & Premium Benefits)
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)
Business owners looking for a great travel card that also offers cell phone insurance will be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Amex Business Platinum card. With it, you’ll receive access to the best-in-class American Express Global Lounge Collection, Hilton and Marriott elite status upon enrollment, up to $400 annual Dell credit, plus excellent travel and purchase protections.
With your Amex Business Platinum card, you’ll earn rewards at these rates:
- 5x points on flights and hotels purchases through Amex Travel
- 1.5x points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year)
Cell Phone Insurance Overview
The cell phone insurance coverage provided with the Amex Business Platinum card is top-notch, giving cardholders up to $1,600 in cell phone protection each year. Better yet, the coverage includes cosmetic damages to your phone, like a cracked screen, which is something that many other phone insurance policies exclude.
Amex Business Platinum cardholders can make 2 claims per year for themselves or any employee phone, and each claim will cover up to $800 in damages after paying a deductible of just $50. Of course, you’ll need to pay your monthly cell phone bill with your Amex Business Platinum card to receive the coverage.
Business owners who spend a lot of time flying with Delta will love the benefits of the Delta Platinum Business card, like the annual companion certificate and free checked bags.
With the Delta Platinum Business card, you’ll earn on the following purchases:
- 3x miles per dollar on Delta and hotel purchases
- 1.5x miles per dollar on purchases over $5,000
You’ll also receive 1 mile per dollar on all purchases that fall outside the above categories.
Cell Phone Insurance Overview
Just like the personal version of the card, the Delta Platinum Business card offers cardholders up to $1,600 in cell phone protection against theft and damage per 12-month period. You can submit up to 2 claims per year, with a maximum of $800 per claim and a $50 deductible per claim.
To receive this coverage, you’ll need to pay for your business’s monthly cell phone bill with the Delta Platinum Business card.
3. Delta Reserve Business Card (Best Business Card for Frequent Delta Flyers & Lounge Access)
Any business owner who is Delta frequent flyer should consider adding the Delta Reserve Business card to their wallet. It offers cell phone insurance and gives you access to complimentary upgrades, along with Amex Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta.
Plus, you’ll earn 3x miles per dollar on all Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. However, once you’ve spent $150,000 on the card, your non-Delta purchases will begin to earn 1.5 miles per dollar, making it an excellent option for Delta loyalists with a lot of expenses.
Cell Phone Insurance Overview
The cell phone coverage on the Delta Reserve Business card is the same as all of the other Delta cards included in our list, with up to $1,600 in cell phone protection per 12-month period. Cardholders can submit 2 claims per year, up to $800 per claim, and each claim includes a deductible of $50.
Like the other Delta cards, you’ll need to pay your monthly phone bill with your Delta Reserve Business card to use the cell phone insurance coverage.
While some personal credit cards offer cell phone protection, you can receive both protection and greater earnings with select business credit cards.
The Ink Business Preferred card is one of the best Chase business credit cards (or any business card!) on the market and also one of the best for cell phone protection.
The card earns Ultimate Rewards points on each purchase and has several 3x point categories (up to $150,000 in spend), including:
- Travel
- Shipping purchases
- Internet, cable, and phone services (yes, this includes your cell phone bill!)
- Advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines
This means that you can earn up to 450,000 Ultimate Rewards points per year in these bonus categories alone. These points can be transferred to several airline and hotel partners, meaning you can redeem them for business class tickets to Europe, suites at Hyatt hotels, and more! Check out our article on the best Chase Ultimate Rewards redemptions for more info.
Plus, an attractive welcome bonus and a slew of other benefits make this card one of the most rewarding credit cards for small and medium-sized business owners.
Cell Phone Insurance Overview
Not only do you earn 3 points per dollar when you pay your cell phone bill with the Ink Business Preferred card, but you also get complimentary cell phone insurance. Chase will reimburse you up to $1,000 per claim, and you can make up to 3 claims per year. There is a $100 deductible attached to each claim, so you’re effectively getting $900 in value from each claim.
As you’d expect, this coverage covers both theft and damage, and you’re responsible for paying the excess on claims that are over $1,000. Regardless, this can be an excellent benefit, especially if you have employees with company-issued cell phones.
Filing a claim is easy, too. Just head to the Card Benefit Services website, and you’ll be prompted to sign in with your credit card info. After signing in, upload the requested documentation and submit your claim. You should hear back from Chase within a couple of weeks regarding your claim’s status; if approved, you’ll be paid via a check in the mail.
Hot Tip: To learn about other business credit cards that offer cell phone protection and earn rewards when paying your monthly bill, check out our guide.
Limited Cell Phone Protection via Purchase Protection Coverage
If you purchased your cell phone with a credit card that offers purchase protection, you might have a limited period of coverage if your phone is lost, damaged, or stolen — but only within a certain amount of time from the day of purchase.
For protection to be valid on your cell phone, you must have paid for the phone in full with your eligible card and/or rewards points earned on that card. The following are some of the most popular cards that provide purchase protection that can cover a cell phone in the first few months of ownership:
| Card | Purchase Protection Benefit |
| Amex Platinum card
American Express® Gold Card | $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account, coverage is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | $1,000 per claim, $50,000 per account, coverage is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase |
| Capital One Venture X card | $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account, coverage is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account, coverage is valid for 120 days from the date of purchase |
| Citi Premier® Card
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® | $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account, coverage is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase or delivery of the item, whichever is first |
| Freedom Flex card | $500 per claim, $50,000 per account, coverage is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase |
Hot Tip: If your cell phone is damaged or stolen within the first few months of ownership and you purchased it with a card that offers purchase protection, you may have coverage available.
Limited Cell Phone Protection With Extended Warranty Coverage
Further, some credit cards offer extended warranty protection. This coverage generally extends the manufacturer’s warranty for an additional year or more on eligible items (including cell phones). However, things like theft and accidental damage are usually not covered by this benefit, only the perils listed in the original warranty, such as manufacturer’s defects, etc.
Dozens of credit cards offer extended warranty coverage — way too many to list here. You can determine if your card has this coverage by calling the number on the back of your card, accessing your card account online, or referencing the Guide to Benefits that came with your card.
Here’s how coverage breaks down by card issuer:
| Card Issuer | Extended Warranty | Coverage Limits Up To |
| American Express | Manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less are extended by 1 year | $10,000 per item/$50,000 per account |
| Capital One | Manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less are doubled, maximum of 1 additional year |
| Chase | Manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less are extended by 1 year |
| Citi | Manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less are extended up to 2 years |
Bottom Line: Even if your card does not offer cell phone protection, you may find coverage, depending on the timing and type of loss, under your card’s purchase protection or extended warranty coverage.
Tips for Filing a Cell Phone Protection Claim
Damaging your phone or having it stolen is already a stressful experience — don’t make things more stressful by filling out your claim improperly.
Make sure to include the following in your credit card cell phone insurance claim:
- Take note of the details of the incident (where, when, etc.)
- If your phone was damaged, do not throw it away; you may be asked to send it to the claim administrator
- If your phone was stolen, obtain a police report as soon as possible
- To quickly start the claim process, call the number on the back of your card, and they can transfer you to the claim administrator so that you can request a claim form
- Pay attention to deadlines — you have a limited amount of time (usually 60 days, but possibly less) to file a claim and ensure the claim administrator receives all the required documents
Knowing what you might need to file a cell phone claim could save you some serious time and frustration.
You may be asked to provide any of the following:
- Completed and signed claim form
- A copy of your bill showing that the monthly service for the phone for which you’re making a claim was paid for with your eligible card
- An itemized repair estimate
- The damaged phone
- Receipt for a replacement phone, if applicable
- Documentation of any other insurance claim settlement
- Substantiation of the time, place, and cause of the damage/theft
- Documentation of the original price of the cell phone
Final Thoughts
Each of these cards offers good cell phone insurance, so it’s up to you to determine which card fits your spending mix, has redemption options that fit your priorities, and offers other benefits you can actually use.
In short, examine your spending habits and find which of these credit card’s bonus earning categories best aligns with your usual spending. Then, apply for the card and move your cell phone plan’s billing to autopay from your new credit card. Now, you’ll earn valuable travel rewards or cash-back and protect your cell phone from damage and theft at the same time.
Note that this list is not an all-encompassing collection of every credit card that offers cell phone protection, just some of the most popular cards.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
For the cell phone protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company. For the purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the cell phone protection benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company.
For the cell phone protection benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company.
For the cell phone protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company. For the purchase protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the cell phone protection benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company.
For the cell phone protection benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company.
For the purchase protection benefit of the American Express® Gold Card, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the purchase protection benefit of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express, click here.
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32 comments
George
December 06, 2019
“All World Elite Mastercards include cell phone insurance when you pay your cell phone bill with your eligible credit card.”
Unless something changed since September – when my Citi Premier claim was denied – this is false.
From the Mastercard site:
“Disclosure | Coverage is determined by the terms, conditions and exclusions of the Policies applicable to your Card, as specified by the underwriter, and is subject to change with notice. This site does not supplement or replace the Policy and/or Program Terms. Submission of a claim does not guarantee coverage or coverage availability.”
“Please note: Benefits referenced on this site may not always be available on your card product. Selection of benefits on your Mastercard card may vary by card issuer. Please refer to your issuing financial institution for more details. Submission of a claim does not guarantee coverage.”
My Guide to Benefits does not have cell phone insurance.
Jarrod West
December 12, 2019
Hi George,
Can you confirm that you use that card to pay your monthly cell phone bill? My understanding is that this benefit is still in effect. Did they give you a reason why your claim was denied?
Matthew@airsicktravel
October 10, 2020
I just was denied a claim on my Citi Premier card, as of Oct 2020. Please remove Citi Premier as a card that offers cell phone protection. And yes, of course I pay my monthly bill with the Premier.
Christine Krzyszton
October 11, 2020
Hi Matthew. Yes, it is correct that the Citi Premier card offers very limited coverage for cell phones via Extended Warranty and Purchase Protection coverages only.
me2
April 02, 2022
Chase IHG cards removed this benefit on Dec 31, 2021
Christine Krzyszton
April 03, 2022
Yes, we are aware of the change. All of our IHG card articles are in the process of being updated due to the new business card being introduced and changes to existing cards. Thanks for your patience.
John
March 25, 2020
Hello,
I just called Bank of America Master Card Cash Rewards World, credit card. They said they do NOT offer cell phone protection. Today is Mar 26, 2020.
Please let me know if this is true, I was hoping it really had protection as that is what you stated here.
Jarrod West
March 30, 2020
Hi John,
You are correct. Bank of America does not offer cell phone protection on the Cash Rewards World card. I’ve updated the post to remove that information. Thank you for pointing this out so we could correct it!
Greg
July 05, 2020
What happens if it’s a phone that is no longer sold?
Christine Krzyszton
July 05, 2020
Hi Greg. I’m sure this is a scenario that has happened. Each card issuer has its own claims administrator handling the claims process so each one might handle the claim differently. Perhaps an equivalent newer model, a set amount towards a newer phone, etc. But that is speculation on my part, the terms and conditions of the coverage on each card will dictate the settlement. You could always call the number on the back of your card and ask the claims administrator.
Jay
July 08, 2020
Will any of these cards provide coverage when the card is used to make a partial payment of the cell phone bill (and the bill is paid in full with another card) each month?
Christine Krzyszton
July 08, 2020
Jay, in reading the terms and conditions, each card states that the cell phone bill must be paid for with the eligible card. I did not find any mentions of a partial payment qualifying.
Jay
July 09, 2020
Thank you – unfortunately, that was my interpretation, too. I was hoping I was being overly conservative in my read. I am trying to invoke this insurance while also getting the $20 per month credit from my AMEX Platinum.
BC
September 27, 2020
For the IHG Traveler card, I don’t believe these statements are true:
“Do note that this card isn’t open to new applicants. You can only get the card if you already have an IHG Premier card and want to downgrade (usually to avoid the annual fee). Simply call Chase and ask to downgrade to this product if you’re interested.”
In fact, in your post there is a direct link to a 75k SUB for this card.
Jarrod West
September 28, 2020
Hi BC,
You’re correct about that – and thank you for pointing it out! I’ve updated the post to the correct information.
Thanks for reading!
JuJu
October 11, 2020
You should update this list to include Chase Freedom Flex.
Christine Krzyszton
October 12, 2020
Hi JuJu. We are in the process of updating dozens of articles to include the new Chase Freedom Flex card. Thanks for your patience.
Linda
December 20, 2020
If I pay the monthly bill to Tello (as supposed to the big cell phone companies like Verizon), do I also get the insurance offered by Chase Freedom Flex? My monthly bill is only around $10/month. Thanks.
Christine Krzyszton
December 21, 2020
Hi Linda. It should qualify, provided you meet the other criteria (no leased phone, etc.)
Heather
January 13, 2021
Is a cracked screen considered cosmetic damage? The phone still works. That’s most of the damage now with dropping a phone.
Jarrod West
January 14, 2021
Hi Heather,
Yes, that would likely be classified as cosmetic damage.
Max cash
September 12, 2021
A new good choice is the Max Cash Preferred Mastercard. This card is really issued by Elan, but is available from multiple credit unions either as a Visa or as World Mastercard. The world mastercard offers the usual $600 per incident coverage, but what makes it attractive is you can choose Cell Phone as one of your 5% categories, thus getting 5% off your bill + getting reasonable coverage.
me
September 27, 2021
Incorrect. The Max Cash World Mastercard DOES NOT offer cell phone insurance. Just checked their website 9/27/21. Not ALL World Mastercards offer cell phone insurance.
Sam
October 23, 2021
All Uber cards were changed to Barclay View cards sometime in October and no longer provide cell phone insurance.
Jarrod West
October 25, 2021
Hi Sam,
Thanks for pointing that out! I’ve just updated the post.
PATRICK BUTLER
December 13, 2021
I received a notice in November that IHG World Elite MasterCard would not provide cell phone insurance beyond Dec 31, 2021 and claims to be submitted by Jan 31, 2022. That’s why I am on your site looking for alternatives.
Randy
February 22, 2022
The same goes for Barclays JetBlue World Elite Mastercard – no longer provides coverage.
Jarrod West
February 22, 2022
Hi Randy,
Thank you for pointing that out. I’ve just updated the post.
Mark Miravich
March 21, 2022
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® Stopped it’s cell phone protection 12/31/2021
Christine Krzyszton
March 22, 2022
Hi Mark. Just verified the same. Thanks for the heads up; we’ll update the list.
Robert
April 11, 2022
Hi. I use RedPocket as my provider and pay my bill annually. Do you think this would be covered? Which cards are offering cell phone protection in 2022? Thanks.
Christine Krzyszton
April 11, 2022
Hi Robert. Normally prepaid plans are excluded. The article has been updated with some of the best cards currently offering cell phone protection.
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