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Insurance Won't Cover Smartphones, When Pricey Alternatives Exist

Posted by timothy on from the not-even-penny-wise dept.

consonant writes "The NY Times has an article on insurers refusing to cover cheaper devices such as iPhones and netbooks which may be used by the speech-impaired, and instead requires them to acquire devices that cost from 10 to 20 times as much. The reason? 'Insurance is supposed to cover medical devices, and smartphones or PCs can be used for nonmedical purposes, like playing video games or Web browsing.' From the article: 'For the millions of Americans with A.L.S., Down syndrome, autism, strokes and other speech-impairing conditions, the insurance industry's aversion to covering mainstream devices adds to the challenges they face. Advocates say using an everyday device to communicate can ease the stigma and fear of making the adjustment. At the same time, current policies mean that the government and private insurers may be spending unnecessary dollars on specialty machines.'"

6 of 419 comments (clear)

  1. IT'S MADONNA'S BIRTHDAY TODAY! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I made it through the wilderness
    Somehow I made it through
    Didn't know how lost I was
    Until I found you

    I was beat incomplete
    I'd been had, I was sad and blue
    But you made me feel
    Yeah, you made me feel
    Shiny and new

    Chorus:

    Like a virgin
    Touched for the very first time
    Like a virgin
    When your heart beats (after first time, with your heartbeat)
    Next to mine

    Gonna give you all my love, boy
    My fear is fading fast
    Been saving it all for you
    cause only love can last

    You're so fine and you're mine
    Make me strong, yeah you make me bold
    Oh your love thawed out
    Yeah, your love thawed out
    What was scared and cold

    MADONNA IS THE BEST!

  2. Fraud or stupidity by zoomshorts · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    When will it stop? These devices can be lost or stolen far to easily , not to mention go into the wash
    by accident. The number of claims would clog the system. What is next? Insuring pall point pens?!?!

    1. Re:Fraud or stupidity by mdwh2 · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      I'm still a bit confused by the article - if she's paying for it herself, why does she need the insurance to pay for it? I presumed this must be about insurance that covers products being stolen?

      Yes, the whole thing seems mad that insurers would prefer expensive products, but in some sense, she's still gained by moving technology: she can now spend $300 on a Samsung N110 or phone, instead of $8,000. Even if she can't get it insured, on average she'd still be better off - unless her device gets stolen over 26 times during its lifetime.

      And how many of us here bother to spend insurance on electronic items (I know some do, but I don't think it's universal)? Or is the article on about something else altogether?

    2. Re:Fraud or stupidity by dissy · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      And how many of us here bother to spend insurance on electronic items (I know some do, but I don't think it's universal)? Or is the article on about something else altogether?

      Indecently, my standard renters insurance policy covers my home computer gear, and has an add-on "floater" policy to cover my laptops when not at home.
      The floater costs a little bit extra each month (~$40, but changes on your level of coverage), but covers theft as well as damages like fire, etc.

      My iPhone is relatively new, so not insured at all, but I imagine they would let me add it to the floater policy similar to how my laptops are covered.

      I would never have dreamed of attempting to claim it was for medical purposes and get medical insurance over the thing, when normal insurance is so cheap and plentiful!

      Check with your renters or home owners insurance company and see what they offer. You might be surprised how inexpensive it can be.

    3. Re:Fraud or stupidity by Relyx · · Score: 0, Offtopic
      The only insurance I have is for my photographic gear (which I depend on to make a living) and my iPhone.

      Normally I wouldn't bother taking insurance out on a mobile, but the iPhone is pretty easy to lose and expensive to replace. Now one could easily say,"Well, just take good care of your mobile so you don't need insurance." With the best will in the world though, accidents happen - even to otherwise very careful people. That's life.

      Earlier this year I did indeed lose my iPhone. No problem though - I quickly obtained a police reference number, visited the store I bought my iPhone from, and walked out ten minutes later with a brand new one! And iTunes had already backed up my data. Within twelve hours of losing my phone I was back in business as if nothing had happened. The cost of insurance was nothing compared to the full cost of replacing the iPhone.

      - Andrew

  3. [citation needed] by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    [citation needed]