Credit Card Cell Phone Insurance Compared – Get $600 In Coverage For Free

Reposting we’ve now added information on the Citi Prestige insurance.

Offering cell phone insurance as a credit card benefit seems to be something that is trending (credit card issuers are very eager to get cardholders to put recurring charges on their cards) so I thought I’d compare the different policies currently available. I’ve only compared the major credit card issuers that offer this benefit, at the end of this post you can view a list of smaller card issuers that also offer a similar benefit.

Currently the following credit card issuers offer cell phone insurance:

• Wells Fargo covers all personal credit cards (does not include business cards or debit cards).
• Chase (only on the new Chase Ink Preferred)
• Citi (only on the Citi Prestige, coverage starts on May 1st, 2019)
• First National Bank of Omaha (only on their Absolute Rewards card)
• U.S. Bank (only on their Platinum Visa)
• Barclaycard (only on their Uber card)

To be eligible for these insurances you need to put your entire monthly cellular phone bill on the card. Coverage starts following the payment of the entire monthly cellular phone bill. If you don’t make payment in a particular month the protection is suspended until payment is made again. You’re also only covered if you purchase the phone new (used and refurbished aren’t included).

Comparison Table

	Chase	Barclaycard	Wells Fargo	FNBO	U.S. Bank	NFCU Visa	NFCU Mastercard	Citi
Cards Covered	Chase Ink Preferred	Uber	All personal credit cards	Absolute Rewards	Platinum Visa	All NFCU Visa Cards	All NFCU Mastercard cards	Prestige
Coverage amount	Up to $600 per claim, up to three claims per 12 months	Up to $600 per claim, up to two claims per 12 months	Up to $600 per claim, up to two claims per 12 months	Up to $600 per claim, $1,000 max per 12 month period	Up to $600 per claim, $1,000 max per 12 month period	Up to $250 per claim, $5,000 max per 12 month period	Up to $600 per claim, $1,000 max per 12 month period	Up to $1,000 per claim, $1,500 annual max
Deductible	$100.00	$25.00	$25.00	$50.00	$25.00	$50.00	$50.00	$50
# of cell phones	No limit	No limit	No limit	Up to 4	Up to 4	Up to 3	Up to 3	Up to 5
Covers	Damage & theft (excludes phones not purchased new)	Damage, accidental parting & theft  (excludes phones not purchased outright)	Damage, theft	Damage & theft	Damage & theft (excludes phones not purchased outright)	Damage & theft	Damage & theft	Damage & theft
Exclusions	Lost phones & more	Lost phones	Lost phones	Lost phones	Lost phones	Lost phones	Lost phones	Unknown
Earning Rate	3x Chase UR points	1% cash back	Up to 1.5% cash back	5x points	None	Up to 1.5% or 2x points	1x point	1x point

Exclusions

• Chase excludes the following:
  • Cellular wireless telephone accessories other than standard battery and/or standard antenna provided by the manufacturer.
  • Cellular wireless telephone purchased for resale.
  •  Cellular wireless telephones that are lost or “mysteriously disappear.” “Mysterious disappearance” means the vanishing of an item in an unexplained manner where there is absence of evidence of a wrongful act by a person or persons.
  • Cellular wireless telephone under the care and control of a common carrier (including, but not limited to, U.S. Postal Service, airplanes, or delivery service).
  • Cellular wireless telephone stolen from baggage unless hand-carried and under Your personal supervision, or under the supervision of Your traveling companion who is previously known to You.
  • Cellular wireless telephone which has been rented, leased, borrowed or cellular wireless telephones that are received as part of a pre-paid wireless service plan or “pay as you go” type service plans.
  • Cosmetic damage to the cellular wireless telephone or damage that does not impact the cellular wireless telephone’s capabilities and functionalities of the phone.
  • Damage or theft resulting from abuse, intentional acts, fraud, hostilities of any kind (including, but not limited to, war, invasion, rebellion, or insurrection), confiscation by the authorities, risks of contraband, illegal activities, normal wear and tear, flood, earthquake, radioactive contamination, or damage from inherent product defects.
  • Damage or theft resulting from misdelivery or voluntary parting with the cellular wireless telephone.  Replacement cellular wireless telephone not purchased from a cellular service provider’s retail or Internet store, (for example: Verizon Wireless, Sprint Wireless, etc.) or from an authorized cellular phone retailer.
  • Taxes, delivery and transportation charges, and any fees associated with the cellular service provider.
• Barclaycard:
  • Cellular wireless telephone accessories other than standard battery and/or standard antenna provided by the manufacturer.
  • Cellular wireless telephone purchased for resale, professional or commercial use
  • Cellular wireless telephones that are lost or “mysteriously disappear.” “Mysterious disappearance” means the vanishing of an item in an unexplained manner where there is absence of evidence of a wrongful act by a person or persons.
  • Cellular wireless telephone under the care and control of a common carrier (including, but not limited to, U.S. Postal Service, airplanes, or delivery service).
  • Cellular wireless telephone stolen from baggage unless hand-carried and under Your personal supervision, or under the supervision of Your traveling companion who is previously known to You.
  • Cellular wireless telephone which has been rented, leased, borrowed or cellular wireless telephones that are received as part of a pre-paid wireless service plan or “pay as you go” type service plans.
  • Cosmetic damage to the cellular wireless telephone or damage that does not impact the cellular wireless telephone’s capabilities and functionalities of the phone.
  • Damage or theft resulting from abuse, intentional acts, fraud, hostilities of any kind (including, but not limited to, war, invasion, rebellion, or insurrection), confiscation by the authorities, risks of contraband, illegal activities, normal wear and tear, flood, earthquake, radioactive contamination, or damage from inherent product defects.
    Damage or theft resulting from misdelivery or voluntary parting with the cellular wireless telephone.  Replacement cellular wireless telephone not purchased from a cellular service provider’s retail or Internet store, (for example: Verizon Wireless, Sprint Wireless, etc.) or from an authorized cellular phone retailer.
    Taxes, delivery and transportation charges, and any fees associated with the cellular service provider.
• Wells Fargo
  • Cellular Wireless Telephone accessories other than standard battery and/or standard antenna provided by the manufacturer.
  • Cellular Wireless Telephones purchased for resale, professional, or commercial use.
  •  Cellular Wireless Telephones that are lost or “mysteriously disappear.” “Mysterious disappearance” means the vanishing of an item in an unexplained manner where there is absence of evidence of a wrongful act by a person or persons.
  • Cellular Wireless Telephones under the care and control of a common carrier (including, but not limited to, U.S. Postal Service, airplanes, or delivery service).
  • Cellular Wireless Telephones stolen from baggage unless hand-carried and under Your personal supervision, or under the supervision of Your traveling companion who is previously known to You.
  • Cellular Wireless Telephones stolen from a construction site.
  •  Cellular Wireless Telephone which has been rented, leased or borrowed or Cellular Wireless Telephones that are received as part of a pre-paid plan.
• FNBO excludes the following:
  • Cellular Wireless Telephone accessories other than standard battery and/or standard antenna provided by the manufacturer.
  • Cellular Wireless Telephones purchased for resale
  • Cellular Wireless Telephones that are lost or “mysteriously disappear.”
  • Cellular Wireless Telephones stolen from baggage unless hand-carried the Eligible Person’s supervision or under the supervision of the Eligible Person’s traveling companion who is previously known to the Eligible Person
  • Cellular Wireless Telephones stolen from a construction site
  • Cellular Wireless Telephone which has been rented, leased or borrowed or Cellular Wireless Telephones that are received as part of a pre-paid plan
  • Cosmetic damage to the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone or damage that does not impact the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone’s ability to make or receive calls
  • Damage or theft resulting from abuse, intentional acts, fraud, hostilities of any kind (including but not limited to war, invasion, rebellion or insurrection), confiscation by the authorities, risks of contraband, illegal activities, normal wear and tear, flood, earthquake, radioactive contamination, or damage from inhere product defects or vermin.
  • Damage or theft resulting from mis-delivery or voluntary parting from the eligible cellular wireless telephone
  • Replacement Cellular Wireless Telephone(s) purchased from other than a cellular service providers retail or internet store, or taxes, delivery or transportation charges or any fees associated with the service provided.
• U.S. Bank:
  • Cell phone accessories other than standard battery and/or standard antenna provided by the manufacturer
  • Cell phones purchased for resale, professional, or commercial use
  • Cell phones that are lost or “mysteriously disappear,” meaning that the phone vanished in an unexplained manner without evidence of a wrongful act by a person or persons
  • Cell phones under the care and control of a common carrier (including, but not limited to, the U.S. Postal Service, airplanes, or delivery service)
  • Cell phones stolen from baggage unless hand-carried and under Your personal supervision, or under supervision of Your traveling companion
  • Cell phones which have been rented, borrowed or are part of a pre-paid or “pay as you go” type plans
  • Cosmetic damage to the cellular wireless telephone or damage that does not impact the cellular wireless telephone’s capabilities and functionalities of the phone
  •  Damage or theft resulting from abuse, intentional acts, fraud, hostilities of any kind (including, but not limited to, war, invasion, rebellion, or insurrection), confiscation by the authorities, risks of contraband, illegal activities, normal wear and tear, flood, earthquake, radioactive contamination, or damage from inherent product defects
  •  Damage or theft resulting from misdelivery or voluntary parting with the cell phone
  • Replacement cell phones not purchased from a cellular service provider’s retail or online store or other authorized cell phone retailer
  • Taxes, delivery and transportation charges, and any fees associated with the cellular service provider
• NFCU Visa excludes the following:
  • Cell phone accessories other than standard battery and/or standard antenna provided by the manufacturer
  • Cell phones purchased for resale, professional, or commercial use
  • Cell phones that are lost or “mysteriously disappear,” meaning that the phone vanished in an unexplained manner without evidence of a wrongful act by a person or persons
  • Cell phones under the care and control of a common carrier (including, but not limited to, the U.S. Postal Service, airplanes, or delivery service)
  • Cell phones stolen from baggage unless hand-carried and under your personal supervision, or under the supervision of your traveling companion
  • Cell phones stolen from a construction site
  • Cell phones that have been rented or borrowed, or are part of a pre-paid or “pay as you go”-type plan
  • Cosmetic damage to the cell phone or damage that does not impact its ability to make or receive calls
  • Damage or theft resulting from abuse, intentional acts, fraud, hostilities of any kind (including, but not limited to, war, invasion, rebellion, or insurrection), confiscation by the authorities, risks of contraband, illegal activities, normal wear and tear, flood, earthquake, radioactive contamination, or damage from inherent product defects or vermin
  • Damage or theft resulting from misdelivery or voluntary parting with the
    cell phone
  • Replacement cell phones not purchased from a cellular service provider’s
    retail or online store, or other authorized cell phone retailer
  • Taxes, delivery, and transportation charges, and any fees associated with the cellular service provider
• NFCU Mastercard excludes the following:
  • Cellular Wireless Telephone accessories other than the standard battery and/or standard antenna provided by the manufacturer
  • Cellular Wireless Telephones purchased for resale or for professional or commercial use
  • Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones that are lost or Mysteriously Disappear
  • Cellular Wireless Telephones under the care and control of a common carrier, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Postal Service, airplanes, or delivery service
  • Cellular Wireless Telephones stolen from baggage unless hand-carried and under the Eligible Person’s supervision or under the supervision ofthe Eligible Person’s traveling companion who is previously known to the  Eligible Person
  • Cellular Wireless Telephones stolen from a construction site
  •  Cellular Wireless Telephones that are not received as a part of a recurring monthly plan from a cellular provider
  • Cosmetic damage to the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone or damage that does not impact the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone’s ability to make or receive phone calls
  • Damage or theft resulting from abuse, intentional acts, fraud, hostilities of any kind (including, but not limited to, war, invasion, rebellion, or insurrection), confiscation by the authorities, risks of contraband, illegal activities, normal wear and tear, flood, earthquake, radioactive contamination, or damage from inherent product defects or vermin
  • Damage or theft resulting from mis-delivery or voluntary parting from the
• Citi: Currently unknown

How To File A Claim

Chase

• Call 888-320-9956 (800-874-7702 for Chase Ink Preferred) within 60 days of damage or theft. They will ask for some information and send a claim form. The claim form must then be completed within 90 days from the date of damage/theft. You need to submit the following:
  • Your completed and signed claim form.
  •  Copies of Your card statement reflecting the entire monthly cellular wireless telephone payment(s) preceding the date of damage, theft or involuntary and accidental parting.
  • A copy of Your cellular wireless service provider billing statement that corresponds with the above card statement.
  • A copy of Your cellular wireless telephone provider’s wireless device page or other sufficient proof, as determined in the Benefit Administrator’s sole discretion, of the cellular wireless telephone model currently linked to Your cellular wireless telephone account.
  •  If the claim is due to theft or criminal action, a copy of the police report or incident report filed within 48 hours of the occurrence.
  • If the claim is due to damage, a copy of an insurance claim or other report as the Benefit Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary to determine eligibility for coverage. In addition the Benefit Administrator may in its sole discretion require (a) an itemized estimate of repair from an authorized cellular wireless telephone repair facility or (b) the Cardholder to submit the cellular wireless telephone to the Benefit Administrator to evaluate the damage or (c) an itemized store receipt for the replacement cellular wireless telephone showing the purchase was made at an authorized cellular service provider’s retail or Internet store.
  •  Documentation (if available) of any other settlement of the claim.
  • Any other documentation deemed necessary, in the Benefit Administrator’s sole discretion, to substantiate Your claim. All claims must be fully substantiated as to the time, place, cause, and purchase price of the cellular wireless telephone

Barclaycard

• Call 1-866-894-8569 or outside the U.S. call collect at 1-303-967-1096 within 90 days of the date of damage or theft. They will ask you to return a completed and sign claim form with the requested documentation within 120 days of the date of damage or theft.
  • Your completed and signed claim form.
  • A copy of your cell phone providers billing statement demonstrating that the entire monthly payment for the cell phone bill was made the month prior to the date of damage or theft and has been paid with the card
  • If your cell phone provider’s billing statement doesn’t show payment with the card, a copy of your card monthly billing statement that corresponds with the above cell phone monthly billing statement
  • A copy of the device summary page from your cell phone bill or other sufficient proof of the claimed cell phone model linked to your cell phone account. Eligible cell phones are the lines listed on your most recent cell phone providers monthly billing statement for the billing cycle prior to when the incident occured
  • If the claim is due to theft or criminal action, a copy of the police report filed within forty eight hours of the event
  • Based on the details of the claim, the Benefit Administrator may request additional vertification included:
    • An itemized repair estimate from an authorized cell phone repair facility
    • The damaged cell phone, for evaluation of its damage
    • An itemized store receipt for the replacement cell phone
  • Documentation (if available) of any other claim settlement such as your cellular provider or manufacturer’s insurance settlement (if application)
  • Any other documentation deemed necessary, in the Benefit Administrator’s sole discretion, to substantiate Your claim. All claims must be fully substantiated as to the time, place, cause, and purchase price of the cellular wireless telephone

Wells Fargo

• Call  866-804-4770 (or collect at 0-410-581-9994) within 60 days of damage or theft. They will ask for some information and then send you the claim form. The claim form must then be completed within 90 days from the date of damage or theft. You need to provide the following information:
  • Your completed and signed claim form.
  • Copies of Your card statement reflecting monthly Cellular Wireless Telephone payments for the month preceding the
    date of damage or theft.
  • A copy of Your current wireless service provider billing statement.
  • A document from the Cellular Wireless Telephone provider or other sufficient proof, as determined by the benefit administrator, that the telephone you are claiming is currently linked to your Cellular Wireless Telephone account.
  • If the claim is due to theft or criminal action, a copy of the police report.
  • The benefit administrator may in its sole discretion require (a) an itemized estimate of repair from an authorized Cellular Telephone repair facility or (b) the Cardholder to submit the Cellular Wireless Telephone to the benefit administrator to evaluate the damage or (c) an itemized store receipt for the replacement Cellular Wireless Telephone showing the purchase was made at a cellular service provider’s retail or Internet store (for example Verizon Wireless, Sprint Wireless, etc.).
  • Documentation (if available) of any other settlement of the claim.
  • Any other documentation deemed necessary, in the benefit administrator’s sole discretion, to substantiate Your claim. All claims must be fully substantiated as to the time, place, cause, and purchase price of the Cellular Wireless Telephone.

FNBO

• Call 844-717-5574 to request claim form, must report the claim within 90 days of the lose or the claim may not be honored. Must submit the following documentation within 120 days of the date you report the claim:
  • Your completed and signed claim form.
  • Eligible persons card statement reflecting monthly Cellular Wireless Telephone payments for the month preceding the date of damage or theft.
  • A copy of Eligible Person’s current wireless service provider billing statement.
  • A copy of the original Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone purchase receipt or other sufficient proof of the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone model currently linked to the Eligible Persons’ Eligible Cellular Wireless Telelphone Account
  • A copy of the insurance claim to the Eligible Person’s homeowner’s, renter’s or personal automobile insuranc eor any applicable cellular telephone insurance, or in the event that the claim amount is less than the Eligible Person’s deductible a copy of the policy’s declarations page.
  • If the claim is due to theft or criminal action, a copy of the police report.
  • If the claim is due to damage, a copy of the repair estimate and photos of the damage

U.S. Bank

• Online at cardbenefitservices.com
• By calling 866.894.8569

You’ll need to provide the following:

• The completed signed claim form.
• A copy of your monthly credit card statement (showing the last 4 digits of the account number) demonstrating that the entire monthly payment for the cell phone bill was made the month prior to the date of damage or theft.
• A copy of your cellular wireless service provider billing statement that corresponds with the above credit card statement.
• A copy of the device summary page from your cell phone provider or other sufficient proof of the claimed cell phone model linked to your cell phone account. Eligible cell phones include the primary line and up to the first three supplemental lines based on the order in which the line was activated by the Cellular wireless provider.
• If the claim is due to theft or criminal action, a copy of the police report filed within forty-eight (48) hours of the event.
• Additional information may also be required, see Guide to Benefits PDF for terms and conditions.

If you’re phone is stolen you must file a police report within 48 hours of becoming aware. You then must contact the benefit administrator within 60 days and submit your completed forms and supporting documentation within 90 days.

Citi

Currently unknown, but online claims will be possible.

Navy Federal Credit Union

Visa

• 1-866-894-8569 or call collect outside the U.S. at 303-967-1096 within 60 days of the loss
• Online at cardbenefitservices.com

You need to provide the following:

• Completed claim form
• Copies of your Visa Card statement showing that the entire monthly payment for the cell phone bill was made the month prior to the date of damage or theft
• A copy of your cellular wireless service provider billing statement that corresponds with the above Visa Card statement
• A copy of the original cell phone purchase receipt or other sufficient proof, as determined by the Benefit Administrator, of the cell phone model currently linked to your account
• If the claim is due to theft or criminal action, a copy of the police report filed within forty-eight (48) hours of the event
•  If the claim is due to damage, a copy of your insurance claim or other verification as requested by the Benefit Administrator. Other requested verification may include:
  • An itemized repair estimate from an authorized cell phone repair facility
  • The cell phone, for evaluation of its damage An itemized store receipt for a replacement cell phone showing purchase at a cellular service provider’s retail or online store
• If the claim amount is less than your personal homeowner’s, renter’s, or automobile insurance deductible, a copy of your policy’s personal Declarations Page is sufficient for your claim. “Declarations Page” means the document(s) in your insurance policy that list(s) names, coverages, limits, effective dates, and deductibles. If the claim amount is greater than your personal homeowner’s, renter’s, or automobile insurance deductible, you are required to file a claim with your insurance company and submit a copy of any claims settlement from your insurance company along with
  your claim form.
• Documentation (if available) of any other claim settlement
•  Any other documentation deemed necessary, in the Benefit
  Administrator’s sole discretion, to substantiate your claim. All claims must be fully substantiated as to the time, place

Mastercard

• Call 1-800-MASTERCARD within 90 days of the loss

You need to submit the following within 120 days of the date you report the claim

• Completed and signed claim form
• Eligible Person’s card 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 the Eligible Person’s current wireless service provider’s billing statement
• A copy of the original Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone purchase receipt or other sufficient proof of the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone model currently linked to the Eligible Person’s Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone account
• A copy of the insurance claim to the Eligible Person’s cellular telephone insurance, or in the event that the claim amount is less than the Eligible Person’s deductible, a copy of the policy’s declarations page
• If a claim is due to damage, a copy of the repair estimate and photos of the damage If the claim is due to theft, a copy of the police report filed within forty-eight (48) hours of the theft

Earning Rates On Cell Phone Bills

• Chase Ink Preferred: 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent
• Barclaycard Uber: 1% cash back on all purchases
• Wells Fargo:
  • Wells Fargo Cash Wise: 1.5% cash back on all purchases
  • Wells Fargo Propel 365 American Express Card: 1x point
  • Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card: 1x point
  • Wells Fargo Propel World American Express: 1x point
  • Wells Fargo Visa Signature Card: 1x point
  • Wells Fargo Home Rebate Visa Signature Card: 1x point
  • Wells Fargo Rewards Card: 1x point
  • Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card: 1x point
  • Wells Fargo Platinum Card: None
  • Wells Fargo Secured Credit Card: None
• FNBO:
  • Absolute Rewards: 5x points on cellular phone bills
• U.S. Bank:
  • Platinum: No rewards program
• NFCU:
  • Mastercard:
    • Go Rewards: 1x point
    • Platinum: No rewards program
    • Secured: No Rewards program
  • Visa:
    • Flagship Rewards: 2x points on all purchases
    • Go Rewards: 1x point
    • cashRewards: 1.5% cash back
• Citi:
  • Prestige: 1x ThankYou Point

It’s important to note that you can earn at higher rates up to 5%/5x points on cell phone bills/telecommunication purchases with other cards.

Smaller Card Issuers

The following smaller credit card issuers also offer cell phone protection, let me know if I missed any in the comments below.

• First Citizens Bank: $500, $50 deductible
• Hancock Bank: $500, $50 deductible
• Purdue Federal Credit Union: $250, $50 deductible
• Quorum Credit Union: $250, $50 deductible
• Suntrust (limited to Visa Signature cards): $250, $50 deductible

Our Verdict

Wells Fargo has the better protection ($25 deductible instead of $100), but Chase has the better earning rate. I’d say that the Wells Fargo protection would be better for the majority of people, unless your bill is extremely high and in that case the extra earning potential with Chase might make sense (although in that case it might be best to forgo any protection to get 5x points). Citi might be interesting for some people as well as the maximum claim is $1,000 vs $600 with other issuers.

FNBO has the better earning rate than Chase and lower deductible and much higher earning rate than Wells Fargo but slightly higher deductible. If you’ve used any of the cell phone protections, please share your experiences in the comments below.

Credit Card Benefit Posts:

• Credit Card Price Protection Policies Compared: Chase, Citi, Discover, Barclaycard, U.S. Bank & MasterCard
• Credit Card Benefits: Purchase Protection Review for Theft, Damage, or Loss
• Credit Card Cell Phone Insurance Compared – Get $600 In Coverage For Free
• Credit Card Benefits: Extended Warranty Review
• Credit Card Benefits: Return Protection Review
• Handy Roadside Assistance Cards For Premium Credit Cardholders
• [Future Post] Credit Card Benefits: Car Rental Insurance Review