[MooseNYC]

Hello,

I've done a search on this but cannot seem to find anything pertinent to my question, so here goes:


For any Cingular customers out there - "Do you have insurance on your Blackberry??"
I just bought a 7100g from them (yes directly) and when I inquired about equipment insurance the rep responded "The insurance that we offer through Lockline insurance does not cover PDA devices." there was nothing more... I am a bit puzzled here.

Does this mean that for all you Cingular customers out there you're up the creek without equipment insurance? I realize that its an additional cost but certainly a lot less than the cost of having a broken phone and having to shell out an additional $300-$400 for a new unit... Ouch

What are the Cingular customers doing about this? Are there any alternatives?

Thanks for any replies

Regards,

Dave

[scotth]

I don't know about alternatives, but I know when I call to RMA BlackBerries, it gives you different prompts if you have Lockline coverage, so I would assume they do not consider the BlackBerry a PDA. The warranty is a year...

[MooseNYC]

Originally Posted by scotth

I don't know about alternatives, but I know when I call to RMA BlackBerries, it gives you different prompts if you have Lockline coverage, so I would assume they do not consider the BlackBerry a PDA. The warranty is a year...

Scott,
Thanks for the reply. Does this mean you do have insurance coverage for the BB's via Lockline?

Dave

[scotth]

No I don't, just have heard the prompt when you are trying to get to an operator to RMA a BB. We haven't had any of ours past a year yet!

[Lowtrac]

My rep also told me that equipment insurance wasn't available on the Blackberries. I'm just trying not to drop it. I'm usually pretty rough on phones.

[scotth]

The BlackBerries are amazingly tough. I have dropped mine a few times and watched others bounce theirs accross concrete (not on purpose) and they survive!

[hughvh]

I was researching this last night. The fine print on Cingular's web site says that the insurance company will not cover any PDA/Smart Phone. Blackberries, PalmOne, and Nokia were specifically named. While it didn't list the 7100g, I'm sure it will be added soon.

[Steve]

Consider this...

My wife and I put our wedding rings on a separate policy under our homeowner's insurance. After receiving our Blackberries we paid a visit with our insurance agent. Since covering the rings was already $x.xx amount, they added our BBs and the fee for the policy didn't change. There are no restrictions on this policy either.

Peace of mind!



Steve

[GTNTP]

I got insuracne through t-mobile for my 7100t. :P

[mrod7280]

I specifically asked the Cingular rep if lockline was available for my 7280 and was told YES. I have been paying about $4 a month for lockline but plan to call and re-confirm that it applys to my 7280. I will post my findings.

[mrod7280]

Just spoke to a Cingular Rep and was told Lockine is NOT available for the 7280. They are refunding the $4 per month I have been paying. Guess I better not drop this thing.

[Brad00111]

Originally Posted by Steve

Consider this...

My wife and I put our wedding rings on a separate policy under our homeowner's insurance. After receiving our Blackberries we paid a visit with our insurance agent. Since covering the rings was already $x.xx amount, they added our BBs and the fee for the policy didn't change. There are no restrictions on this policy either.

Peace of mind!



Steve

Couple things to keep in Mind, because I was thinking about this as well until I talked to my insurance agent. First, your deductable on your policy, mine is 500, its usually a little high, so even if you make a claim in my case my deductable is higher than replacing the phone.

Second, now when you make a claim on your homeowners it stays with you pretty much forever. Companies track your claim and keep records of it, so when you go to sell your home, or get new insurance on a new home, that claim stays with you.

Just a word of warning I got from my insurance agent, just wanted you to be aware.

[guinda35]

Originally Posted by mrod7280

Just spoke to a Cingular Rep and was told Lockine is NOT available for the 7280. They are refunding the $4 per month I have been paying. Guess I better not drop this thing. :cry:

Don't sweat it. If you defeat your best efforts and drop your Berry it'll be fine. I live in an active household. My BB has been dropped so that it looked like a basketball (bare naked and without a case). My dog has used it as a bone (in a case), and my kids even asked to use it as a hockey puck, it's so tough. Your only real risk is probably that you might (horrors) lose it, because it's everywhere you are. For that reason alone you need insurance. If you can't get it directly from your carrier, be sure it's covered under the loss/theft provisions of your auto and your homeowner's or renter's insurance. (Renter's insurance is cheap by the way and well worth the price.)

[jnyost]

Originally Posted by Brad00111

Couple things to keep in Mind, because I was thinking about this as well until I talked to my insurance agent. First, your deductable on your policy, mine is 500, its usually a little high, so even if you make a claim in my case my deductable is higher than replacing the phone.

Second, now when you make a claim on your homeowners it stays with you pretty much forever. Companies track your claim and keep records of it, so when you go to sell your home, or get new insurance on a new home, that claim stays with you.

Just a word of warning I got from my insurance agent, just wanted you to be aware.

This is only if you use your home owners policy. Your insurance agent should have suggested a better route. Your best bet is to get a personal items policy. I have one for my Treo and my wifes Samsung because it is so much cheaper. I pay about $36 per year for $500 coverage on hers and $700 coverage on mine. It covers everything from loss, to theft, to dropping it. There is no deductible and is completely seperate from you home owners. It will not raise your insurance. Your home owners policy is best used for your home and contents only.

Fyi.... This is through State Farm.

Thanks
Jared

[Brad00111]

wow thanks for the great info i will be looking into this for sure!

[teskew]

FYI just my 2 cents...

A friend of mine had the lockline policy on her cellphone through Cingular. She accidentially flushed it down the toilet and made a claim, etc. The lockline people did send her a phone as per the fine print...however it was a USED phone and not comparable to the one she flushed. Needless to say, she was not happy. Lockline told her that per the insurance coverage agreement they did agreed to provide her with a replacement phone, but it did not have to be her exact model and it did not have to be new.