Buying a new laptop, smartphone, tablet or other electronics can be a major expense. You want to make sure your expensive tech purchases are protected in case of theft, accidental damage or loss. Many credit cards provide purchase protection as a benefit to cardholders that can cover these incidents for a certain time period after buying an electronic device.
What is Credit Card Purchase Protection?
Purchase protection is a benefit offered by credit card companies like Visa, Mastercard and American Express to protect new items you buy with your card. It acts as secondary insurance if an eligible purchase is stolen, accidentally damaged or sometimes even lost within the first few months of owning it.
Purchase protection kicks in after you’ve filed a claim with your primary insurance company, like homeowners or renters insurance. It covers the remainder of the cost to repair or replace the item up to specified limits.
Coverage time periods and claim limits vary depending on your credit card network:
- American Express: 90 days, up to $10,000 per claim
- Mastercard: 90-120 days, up to $1,000 per claim
- Visa Signature/Infinite: 90 days, up to $10,000 per claim
You’ll need to file a claim with your credit card company as soon as possible after the incident, usually within 30-90 days. Claim forms are available on card issuer websites or you can call them directly. Police reports are required in cases of theft.
What Electronics Are Covered?
Purchase protection applies to most new tangible goods charged fully to an eligible credit card, including:
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Smartphones
- Digital cameras
- Televisions
- Gaming systems
- Headphones
- Smartwatches
Coverage excludes used, antique or collectible items. Computer software and services like music/video downloads or subscriptions are also not covered.
Best Credit Cards for Electronics Purchase Protection
Here are some of the top credit cards that offer robust purchase protection for your electronics buys:
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- 120 days coverage
- Up to $10,000 per claim
- Annual fee: $550
American Express Gold Card
- 90 days coverage
- Up to $10,000 per claim
- Annual fee: $250
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature
- 120 days coverage
- Up to $10,000 per claim
- Annual fee: $0 intro for first year, $95 after
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card
- 120 days coverage
- Up to $10,000 per claim
- Annual fee: $0
Citi Premier® Card
- 90 days coverage
- Up to $10,000 per claim
- Annual fee: $95
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- 90 days coverage
- Up to $500 per claim
- Annual fee: $95
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- 90 days coverage
- Up to $1,000 per claim
- Annual fee: $0
How Purchase Protection Works
Here are some examples of how credit card purchase protection would cover electronics:
Example 1: You buy a $2,000 MacBook Pro with your Wells Fargo Visa credit card that offers purchase protection. A month later, your laptop is stolen from your car. You file a police report and claims with your renters insurance and Wells Fargo within 60 days. Your renters insurance covers $1,500. Wells Fargo purchase protection kicks in to cover the remaining $500 cost for the laptop replacement.
Example 2: You purchase a new $900 iPhone using your Citi Premier Card that has purchase protection. Two months later you accidentally drop the phone and crack the screen. You pay $200 for screen repairs using a different card. You then file a purchase protection claim with Citi within 90 days and are reimbursed the $200 repair fee.
Example 3: You buy a $600 Samsung smartwatch with your Capital One SavorOne card, which offers purchase protection. Three weeks later you lose the watch and have no idea where it is or what happened to it. Unfortunately, lost items are not covered under Capital One’s policy, so you can’t file a successful claim in this case.
Purchase Protection vs. Extended Warranty
Purchase protection covers accidental damage and theft shortly after purchase. It differs from extended warranty protection offered by many credit cards.
Extended warranty extends the manufacturer’s warranty on an item by a year or more. It covers mechanical breakdowns or defects in materials/workmanship, but not accidental damage caused by you.
Some credit cards offer both purchase protection and extended warranty. They work together to protect your electronics buys. Purchase protection kicks in after extended warranty expires.
Purchase Protection Claims Process
Here are some tips for successfully filing and receiving payment on a purchase protection claim:
- Call the card issuer or file a claim online as soon as possible after the incident. Claims are often required within 30-90 days.
- Be prepared to submit the claim form, documentation of loss/damage, credit card statement showing the purchase, police report and any other supporting documents.
- You may need to send the damaged item back to the credit card company for evaluation. Keep the damaged product until the claim is finalized.
- Make sure you have fully used any primary insurance coverage before filing a purchase protection claim. It pays out what primary insurance does not cover.
- If your claim is approved, expect payment within 30-90 days either as a check sent to you or account credit. Reimbursement amount will not exceed per claim limits.
Purchase protection can provide valuable coverage for high-ticket electronics buys made with eligible credit cards. Just be sure you understand your card’s specific policy limits and exclusions before counting on this benefit. With proper documentation after an unfortunate incident, you can receive compensation to repair or replace your stolen, damaged or lost device.
FAQ about Credit Card Purchase Protection for Electronics
What are the main differences between credit card purchase protection policies?
The main differences are:
– Coverage time period (90-120 days usually)
– Maximum claim payout amount ($500-$10,000)
– What’s covered (damage/theft or also lost items)
– Eligible credit cards (Visa Signature, Mastercard World Elite, etc)
American Express tends to have the most generous coverage at 90 days and up to $10,000 per claim. Capital One covers up to just $500 per claim. Visa and Mastercard coverage depends on your specific card.
Does purchase protection cover accidental damage from spills or drops?
Yes, purchase protection does cover accidental damage to an eligible item within the coverage time frame after purchase. That includes spills, drops or other mishaps that damage your device. You’ll need to submit repair cost documentation and the damaged item may need to be evaluated.
Can I buy the extended warranty on an electronic item then file a purchase protection claim if it’s damaged?
Most credit cards with purchase protection state the coverage is secondary. That means it kicks in for damage/theft only after the manufacturer’s warranty (or purchased extended warranty) expire.
You can’t “double-dip” and file both a warranty claim for a defective item, then a purchase protection claim for physical damage on the same product.
What documentation do I need to submit a purchase protection claim for a damaged tablet?
Typical documentation required includes:
– Completed claims form
– Credit card statement showing the purchase
– Repair estimate/invoices
– Photos of the damaged item
– Letter explaining when/how the damage occurred
– Police report if stolen
You may need to surrender the damaged tablet for inspection if required by the credit card issuer. Follow all claim instructions carefully.
How long does it take to receive reimbursement after a successful purchase protection claim is approved?
Most credit cards state it takes 30-90 days after claim approval to receive your reimbursement payment, either by check or as an account credit. Actual payment time can vary depending on your bank. Make sure your claim documentation is complete to avoid processing delays.
Can I file a purchase protection claim if I only partially paid for my laptop with my eligible credit card?
No, you can only file a claim if the full purchase price is charged to the card with purchase protection. Any partial payment or splitting payment methods will void the coverage. This includes using rewards points for part of the purchase.
Purchase protection offered by major credit cards can provide important safeguards for expensive electronics purchases. Just make sure you understand exactly what is and isn’t covered under your card’s specific policy. Read the benefits guide thoroughly so you know time limits for filing claims, reimbursement amounts, eligible items and documentation required. With certain premium travel rewards cards, you can get up to $10,000 coverage for 90-120 days against theft, accidental damage or loss of new electronics when you make the full purchase on that card. This perk can give you peace of mind for those major tech buys. For more helpful articles on getting the most from your credit cards, visit fixmyspeaker.online.