Better Cell Phone Protection: AMEX Plat Business or Chase Freedom Flex?

[CoSprings99]

I have both of these cards and they both offer Cell Phone protection. I am curious which is the better one to use from someone maybe with experience?

[simplynoir]

Both AMEX and Chase offer cellphone protection through their third party AIG Insurance so you'll get the same experience regardless since it will be them and not the banks handling your claim. At that point it's just a matter of preference on who you want to go with

[wasCB14]

If you are considering a BP, then this is just part of the overall value calculation.

If you have or will get a BP anyway, you might as well get the $10 monthly credit.

My reasons for using BP:

1. Easy recordkeeping for business

2. $10 monthly credit

3. Most policies exclude cosmetic damage, so coverage will *very likely be as good* as any CC-based coverage. *Amex explicitly says in their policy that cracked screens are not cosmetic damage.*

4. The maximum loss is only about $1k

[GatorGuy]

By all reviews, the Platinum is considered to have the best insurance. The FB Platinum page has numerous accounts of people who have used the insurance and it was very easy.

I have no first hand or seconds hand knowledge of the freedom flex insurance.

However they both have $800/claim limit with a $50 deductible. However the FF is limited to $1000/year where the platinum is $1600/year. So despite having the same insurance company, they don't appear to be the exact same plans.

Also, one key point is that Amex specifically notes that cracked screens are covered. Whereas many coverages will consider it cosmetic damage and not cover it. As mentioned, again I have seen many people with the Amex report they have had their screens replaced without issue. Even the glass backs of iphones have been replaced. 

[CoSprings99]

Thanks for this. We have both cards, so I will use the business platinum for the monthly bill and the insurance. Since there is a limit for each plan, can I segment it? Our monthly bill is for 10 people and runs about 550. Can I put half on one card hand half on the other and have both insurances? Seems like a no, but I'm not sure.

[wasCB14]

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@GatorGuy wrote:

By all reviews, the Platinum is considered to have the best insurance. The FB Platinum page has numerous accounts of people who have used the insurance and it was very easy.

I have no first hand or seconds hand knowledge of the freedom flex insurance.

However they both have $800/claim limit with a $50 deductible. However the FF is limited to $1000/year where the platinum is $1600/year. So despite having the same insurance company, they don't appear to be the exact same plans.

Also, one key point is that Amex specifically notes that cracked screens are covered. Whereas many coverages will consider it cosmetic damage and not cover it. As mentioned, again I have seen many people with the Amex report they have had their screens replaced without issue. Even the glass backs of iphones have been replaced. 

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I had missed this before, but you're right! Good to know!

"A Cracked Screen is not Cosmetic Damage."

[K-in-Boston]

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@CoSprings99 wrote:

Thanks for this. We have both cards, so I will use the business platinum for the monthly bill and the insurance. Since there is a limit for each plan, can I segment it? Our monthly bill is for 10 people and runs about 550. Can I put half on one card hand half on the other and have both insurances? Seems like a no, but I'm not sure.

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That seems a bit grey.  It likely depends on whether the insurance broker will want to see that the bill reflects full payment with the card or whether simply showing that a payment was made with the card is sufficient.  I know in the case of Verizon, it doesn't even show the payment method for the previous balance on the statements, just the payment amount that was received.

Edit: Looking at the guide to benefits for the Amex card:

A. To get coverage: You must charge your monthly Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill to your Eligible Card Account. You are eligible for coverage the first day of the calendar month following the payment of your Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill using your Eligible Card Account. If you pay an Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill with your Eligible Card Account and fail to pay a subsequent bill using your Eligible Card Account in a particular month, your coverage period changes as follows: 1. Your coverage is suspended beginning the first day of the calendar month following the month of nonpayment to your Eligible Card Account; and 2. Your coverage resumes on the first day of the calendar month following the date of any future payment of your Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill using your Eligible Card Account.

...

Written proof of loss must be submitted to our Administrator within 120 days of the loss or the claim may not be honored. Required documentation may include but is not limited to the following:

• Your Eligible Card Account statement reflecting the monthly Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone payments for the month preceding the date the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone was Stolen or suffered damage;

• A copy of your current Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone service provider’s billing statement;

...

While there is no wording including nor excluding partial payments, the inclusion of asking for both the credit card statement and the wireless statement makes me suspect they'll want to see the amounts match in order to provide coverage.

[Mones]

Hi K-inBoston, I actually had a quesion about how to get the coverage specifically on the freedom flex but I think this question would apply overall. What if the cellphones are already paid off, does the card still cover the phone as long as the phones wireless plan is paid for by the card? For the Freedom Flex, since they are Mastercard benefits I guess I would just need to research the terms and conditions?

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A. To get coverage: You must charge your monthly Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill to your Eligible Card Account. You are eligible for coverage the first day of the calendar month following the payment of your Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill using your Eligible Card Account. If you pay an Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill with your Eligible Card Account and fail to pay a subsequent bill using your Eligible Card Account in a particular month, your coverage period changes as follows: 1. Your coverage is suspended beginning the first day of the calendar month following the month of nonpayment to your Eligible Card Account; and 2. Your coverage resumes on the first day of the calendar month following the date of any future payment of your Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone bill using your Eligible Card Account.

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[Anonymous]

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@Mones wrote:

Hi K-inBoston, I actually had a quesion about how to get the coverage specifically on the freedom flex but I think this question would apply overall. What if the cellphones are already paid off, does the card still cover the phone as long as the phones wireless plan is paid for by the card? For the Freedom Flex, since they are Mastercard benefits I guess I would just need to research the terms and conditions?

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AFAIK, all credit card insurance is predicated just on paying the monthy bill, which can be for service only.  So paid off phones will be covered like phones still being purchased.

[digitek]

I have used the cell phone insurance on Amex Delta Business on paid off phones twice. They didn't seem to mind, but did ask for purchase receipts for the phone or some way of tying that phone to the bill. Most providers will get you a detailed bill that shows the model of phone so you technically don't need the purchase receipt either.

Bunch of paperwork and forms but I've had no issues either time. You can get the phone fixed right away and then they will reimburse you after the claim has been approved.