Will vzw's insurance cover ebay-bought phone?

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yerk5@hotmail.com - 25 May 2005 19:07 GMT

For several years I used a Nokia 5185i (aka a big fat brick thats been
used since the 90s). A few months ago, I renewed my contract and
upgraded to the Samsung a670. This thing was everything I ever wanted
in a phone and plenty that I didn't even know I wanted. And it was
stolen after like 2 months.

vzw tells me because I just renewed my contract, if I want a new A670,
my only options are 1) pay the full $240 retail or 2) have them look
for a cheap refurbished one for me.

Neither of these sound good to me. So I want to get one off ebay or
some web site. Now I have two questions about doing this...

1. If I get a new A670, I definitaly want the vzw "insurance" (or
whatever they call it) where I can lose, break, vaporize, cook, etc my
phone and they'll replace it for about $50. But will they be nasty
about this, and not let me buy the insurance since I'm not buying the
phone through them?

2. Will they give me a hard time about activating the phone since I'm
not buying it though them? I'm not especially worried about this one,
since I have a friend who works at a Verizon-authorized Radio Shack who
says if I get the phone, he can activate it for me.

Many TIA for the advice!

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J.H. Holliday - 25 May 2005 19:40 GMT

> For several years I used a Nokia 5185i (aka a big fat brick thats been
> used since the 90s). A few months ago, I renewed my contract and
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> Many TIA for the advice!

VZW's over priced insurance covers only phones they sell -- sort of like the
extended warranty on a TV you get from Best Buy or Wal-Mart. If you want
insurance, it's available much cheaper from your insurance agent who can
write an all-risk floater on your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy
covering the phone. Last time I had that coverage, it was $30 per year for
two phones.

You can use any non-locked CDMA phone on the system. Phones manufactured
within the last few years are Over The Air (OTA) programmable meaning you
can activate it yourself online at the VZW website. Just enter your new ESN,
click "finish", wait 10-15 minutes, turn on the phone and dial *228 and
select option 1.

It's free if you do it this way-- but VZW charges an "activation fee" if
they do it for you at the store.

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yerk5@hotmail.com - 25 May 2005 20:04 GMT

Interesting stuff. Thank you much!

While I'm on the topic of the insurance, does anyone know/experienced
that if you make a claim, will they possibly give you a different model
and/or refurb'd phone, instead of a new replacement for the ill-fated
phone?

I also just read that at least one vzw location kind of "outsources"
the insurance, and if you ever do claim a lost/stolen/broken phone,
they give you the contact info of this company and ask that you call
them and work it all out. Is this true?

If so, I wonder if I can find out who that company is and see if I can
haggle them into insuring my phone directly, if vz wont.

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Quick - 25 May 2005 20:23 GMT

> Interesting stuff. Thank you much!
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> see if I can haggle them into insuring my phone directly,
> if vz wont.

There is a subtle difference between VZW insurance that
you can get on a new phone purchased directly from VZW
and the "other" insurance that you also get through VZW
but is provided by a third party (lockline or Asurian).

My understanding is as follows:

Both have a deductible. (now $50?)
Both cover accidental damage.
Neither cover "cosmetic" damage (phone still functions)
Both cover theft (police report # required for lockline/Asurian)

VZW covers manufacturing defects (even past the 1 year warranty)
Assurian and lockline do not cover manufacturing defects (technically).

VZW costs $1/month more?
VZW will cover all accessories for the phone that
are damaged/stolen/defective (accessories that
you purchased for the phone that did not come with
it).

VZW will replace immediately at a store if in stock.
If not in stock express delivery (2/3 days?)
lockline/Assurian will express deliver (2/3 days?).

So they are about the same except that VZW covers
manufacturer defects and additional accessories.

You can get lockline/Assurian through VZW on any(?)
phone you have activated on a VZW plan. Doesn't
matter where, when, or how old the phone is (assuming
lockline/assurian still have them).
VZW you can only get on new(or recently purchased)
equipment purchased directly from VZW.

-Quick

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dr.news@wire.snip.more.biz - 29 May 2005 04:00 GMT

You can insure a new phone from any source. You do NOT need to get the
phone from Verizon. But the rules of insurance have changed. The insurance
is available for NEW phones starting this year.

If you have insurance on your current phone: do an esn change to your new or
used phone, and then call Lockline and make sure they know you've switched
handsets.

If you don't have insurance, you may have difficulty putting insurance on
it. But may I suggest this:
- contact VZW and do your esn change, AND since it is a new phone on the
line (careful choice of words in that I said new phone ON THE LINE), as
opposed to just "new phone" ask for the insurance; call lockline, and this
may work. We wish you the best. Also, a cheaper option is also to call
your homeowners and have it added; and also you can buy insurance $30/yr in
ADVANCE, and the deductible is $25.00 1/2 of verizon. AND, in this way,
you'll pay state tax on the insurance as opposed to 20% premium with all the
taxes if it appears on your vzw bill.

If you rarely loose your phone, cheapest and best is thru your homeowners.
Hope that helps!

Signature

dr. wireMORE (don't accept wire"less", demand wire"MORE")
Ask the dr at: dr.news@wire.snip.more.biz; or get all carriers at
www.better-price-wireless.com

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