9 Best Credit Cards for Cell Phone Insurance Protection [2023]

Cell phones — we all have one, but let’s be honest: they’re crazy expensive.

In years past, flagship smartphones would sell for $600 to $800 depending on storage size, but now you’re more likely to pay upwards of over $1,000. Upgrade to more storage and a larger screen, and you’re paying top dollar.

Because the loss, damage, or theft of your cell phone can be expensive and inconvenient, now’s the time to secure protection that could help offset the economic damage should such an occurrence occur.

Oftentimes you can purchase cell phone insurance from your phone carrier, but that requires a hefty up-front fee (think AppleCare+) or a monthly charge from your carrier. When it comes time to actually use the insurance, you may still be stuck paying a high deductible.

Thankfully, a slew of credit cards offer complimentary cell phone insurance when you pay your phone bill with the card. The best part is that this insurance is free — there’s no added monthly fee, though you may be required to pay a small deductible to use it.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the best credit cards that offer cell phone insurance and determine if that coverage might be a sufficient alternative to purchasing coverage. We’ll give you a quick overview of each card and explain the associated cell phone insurance benefits you can expect to receive with the card.

Let’s get started!

Table of contents

What Is Credit Card Cell Phone Protection?
The 5 Best Personal Credit Cards That Offer Cell Phone Insurance
The 4 Best Business Credit Cards That Offer Cell Phone Insurance
Limited Cell Phone Protection via Purchase Protection Coverage
Limited Cell Phone Protection With Extended Warranty Coverage
Tips for Filing a Cell Phone Protection Claim
Final Thoughts

Card	Welcome Offer and Annual Fee	Benefits
Chase Freedom Flex℠	Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months. Annual fee of $0	5% cash-back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards 3% cash-back on dining and drugstore purchases 1% cash-back on all other purchases Cell phone insurance 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%
The Platinum Card® from American Express	Earn 80,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $695 (rates and fees)	5x points on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year) 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel Access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass (upon enrollment), Plaza Premium Lounges, and more Complimentary hotel elite status and car rental privileges Statement credits on select purchases with your card Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit Top-notch travel insurance No preset spending limit
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $395	10x miles on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel 5x miles on flights purchased through Capital One Travel 2x miles on all other purchases Up to $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel Access to Priority Pass Lounges, Capital One Lounges, and Plaza Premium Lounges 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit Cell phone insurance
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card	Earn 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases in your first 6 months. Annual fee of $250 (rates and fees)	2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases Free checked bag, priority boarding, 20% inflight food/beverage purchase statement credit, Pay with Miles benefit Annual companion certificate
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card	Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Annual fee of $550 (rates and fees)	2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases Free checked bag, priority boarding, 20% inflight food/beverage purchase statement credit, Pay with Miles benefit Annual companion certificate Complimentary Delta Sky Club for cardholder when flying same-day on Delta
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express	Earn 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $695 (rates and fees)	5x points on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel 1.5x points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies) Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline Statement credits on select purchases with your card 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year) Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card	Earn 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. Annual fee of $250 (rates and fees)	2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases Free checked bag, priority boarding, 20% inflight food/beverage purchase statement credit, Pay with Miles benefit Annual companion certificate
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card	Earn 70,000 miles after spending $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $550 (rates and fees)	2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases Free checked bag, priority boarding, 20% inflight food/beverage purchase statement credit, Pay with Miles benefit Annual companion certificate Complimentary Delta Sky Club for cardholder when flying same-day on Delta
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card	Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95	3x points on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites Cell phone protection

Table of Contents

What Is Credit Card Cell Phone Protection?
The 5 Best Personal Credit Cards That Offer Cell Phone Insurance
The 4 Best Business Credit Cards That Offer Cell Phone Insurance
Limited Cell Phone Protection via Purchase Protection Coverage
Limited Cell Phone Protection With Extended Warranty Coverage
Tips for Filing a Cell Phone Protection Claim
Final Thoughts

What Is Credit Card Cell Phone Protection?

Cell phone insurance is exactly what it sounds like: an insurance plan for your cell phone. As discussed in the intro, this is slowly becoming a more common credit card benefit.

Most of the time, credit card cell phone insurance is secondary to any other coverage you might have. For example, you may have a monthly protection plan you purchase from your phone carrier, or perhaps there’s cell phone coverage on your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. You’d have to claim this insurance before claiming your credit card benefits.

Many credit cards have other limitations, such as not covering a lost phone. Instead, cell phone insurance usually covers things like theft and damage — more on that later.

Who’s Covered

Most credit card cell phone protection will cover the phones associated with the monthly service bills you pay with your eligible card. In other words: the phone numbers must typically be listed on the monthly bill to be covered by your credit card’s insurance plan. This makes credit card cell phone insurance extremely valuable for family plans as everyone on the plan will be covered.

Some card issuers limit the number of additional lines covered, such as Citi, which has a limit of 4 additional lines, while others can be unlimited. Make sure to double-check these limits if you have a large family plan.

What’s Covered

Most credit card coverage comes with a deductible that you must pay when you claim the insurance benefit — this can range from $25 to $100 and is usually deducted from the insurance payout.

Also, if you have cell phone coverage other than that on your credit card, that coverage will be primary before the credit card coverage kicks in. With this in mind, you may decide to forgo coverage from your carrier or the manufacturer when you purchase your cell phone.

Standard covered losses include accidental damage that makes your phone less functional or non-functional, water damage, and most cases of theft.

To cover your phone, you must pay your monthly cell phone bill with your credit card. Coverage typically takes effect on the first of the month after you start paying the monthly service on your card.

What’s Typically Not Covered

As with most protection, more losses are not covered than are covered. Here’s a list of common exclusions for cell phone protection found on your credit card:

Phone accessories
Phones purchased for resale
Mysterious disappearance
Phones stolen from carry-on baggage or under the control/care of a common carrier
Cosmetic damage to the phone
Pay-as-you-go, prepaid, leased, borrowed, or rented phones
Intentional or illegal acts
Voluntary parting with the phone (involuntary and accidental parting may be covered)
Replacement phones not purchased from the retailer
Taxes, delivery, and transportation fees

Bottom Line: You can cover more cell phones than just your own by paying for the monthly service with your eligible card. Plus, theft and damage are the most common losses covered, while the act of losing your phone may or may not be covered. Coverage specifics solely depend on the credit card’s coverage terms and conditions.

The 5 Best Personal Credit Cards That Offer Cell Phone Insurance

Now, let’s take a look at the best credit cards that offer cell phone insurance. We’ve summarized the cards and cell phone coverage in the table below, then added card and coverage details in the following paragraphs.

Card	Card Protection Limits	Earnings per Dollar Spent on Cell Phone Bill
Chase Freedom Flex℠	$800 per claim, 2 claims per 12-month period, up to $1,000 total, $50 deductible	1 Ultimate Rewards point per dollar
The Platinum Card® from American Express	$800 per claim, maximum 2 claims annually, $1,600 total, $50 deductible	1 Amex Membership Rewards point per dollar
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	$800 per claim, maximum 2 claims in a 12-month period up to $1,600 total, $50 deductible	2 Capital One miles per dollar
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card	$800 per claim, maximum 2 claims annually up to $1,600 total, $50 deductible	1 Delta SkyMile per dollar

1. Chase Freedom Flex℠ (No Annual Fee Card)

You’ll receive a lot of value with the no-annual-fee Freedom Flex card. With 5% earnings on rotating quarterly bonus categories, plus elevated earnings for purchases on the Chase travel portal, dining, and at drugstores, there are plenty of ways to earn cash-back and Ultimate Rewards points.

Pair the card with a Chase premium card, and you’ll have access to increased value (up to 1.5 cents per point) when redeeming for travel, plus the ability to transfer points to travel partners for even greater potential value.

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

Pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card and receive coverage for theft and damage. There is a maximum of $800 per claim, a limit of 2 claims per 12-month period, and a $50 deductible per claim.

2. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 150,000 points with the Amex Platinum card! The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Platinum card is one of the best travel cards on the market thanks to its jam-packed, excellent benefits like the most access to airport lounge networks, rental car benefits, hotel elite status with Marriott and Hilton, statement credits for specific purchases, and even cell phone insurance!

Frequent flyers will love the earn rates on the Amex Platinum card, which include:

5x points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel
5x points per dollar on hotels booked with Amex Travel

Plus, the Amex Platinum card earns 1x point per dollar on all non-bonused purchases.

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

With your Amex Platinum card, you’ll receive up to $1,600 in cell phone protection against theft and damage per 12-month period, including cosmetic damage like cracks to your phone screen. Coverage is limited to up to 2 claims per year with a total of $800 per claim. You’ll be responsible for a $50 deductible each time you submit a claim.

In order to receive this coverage, you’ll need to pay your monthly phone bill with your Amex Platinum card.

3. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

We like that the Capital One Venture X card nearly pays for itself with a $300 statement credit for using Capital One Travel for your purchase. Add in the additional value of 10,000 miles at card renewal, and you’ll find the card delivers enough value to more than offset the fee.

In addition to a long list of travel benefits and protections such as worldwide lounge access, primary rental car coverage, trip cancellation/interruption/delay, baggage insurance, and roadside assistance, you’ll also find the card has excellent cell phone protection.

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

First, you’ll want to pay your monthly bill with your card. Then, you’ll have up to $800 in coverage if your phone is lost or stolen. There is a limit of 2 claims per 12-month period, a maximum of $1,600 total, and you’ll pay a $50 deductible for each claim.

4. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

An excellent option for Delta flyers, the Delta Platinum card offers benefits like free checked bags, discounts on inflight purchases, an annual companion certificate, and much more.

The card also earns Delta SkyMiles on the following purchases:

3x SkyMiles per dollar on Delta and eligible hotel purchases
2x SkyMiles per dollar at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets

You’ll also receive 1 SkyMile per dollar on all other eligible purchases that fall outside of the above categories.

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

The Delta Platinum card includes up to $1,600 in cell phone protection against theft and damage per 12-month period, including cosmetic damage, which is not often covered with most plans. You can submit up to 2 claims per year for a total of $800 per claim, and keep in mind that each claim will come with a deductible of $50.

As with the other cards mentioned, you’ll need to pay your cell phone bill with your Delta Platinum card to be eligible for the coverage.

5. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta Reserve card is a must-have for Delta loyalists. The card offers access to Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges when flying Delta, and you’ll also receive complimentary upgrades on Delta flights, an annual companion certificate, priority boarding, and more.

The Delta Reserve card has just 1 bonus category that allows you to earn 3x SkyMiles per dollar on all Delta purchases. Still, you’ll receive 1 SkyMile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

As with the Delta Platinum card, the Delta Reserve card also includes up to $1,600 in cell phone protection per 12-month period, including cosmetic damage. You can submit up to 2 claims per year for a total of $800 per claim, and keep in mind that each claim will come with a deductible of $50.

Again, you’ll need to pay your cell phone bill with your Delta Reserve card to be eligible for the coverage.

Hot Tip: Cell phone protection is a World Elite Mastercard benefit, but not all World Elite Mastercards offer the benefit. The specific financial institution that issues the card will decide whether to include it as one of the benefits. If your card has the coverage, you can expect up to $800 per claim, a maximum of 2 claims each year for a total of $1,000, and each claim will have a $50 deductible.

The 4 Best Business Credit Cards That Offer Cell Phone Insurance

Looking for a business credit card that offers cell phone insurance for you and your employees? Consider the following options.

Card	Cell Phone Protection	Earnings per Dollar Spent on Cell Phone Bill
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express	$1,600 in claims, 2 claims annually, $800 per claim maximum, $50 deductible	1 Amex Membership Rewards point per dollar
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card		1 Delta SkyMile per dollar
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card	$3,000 in claims, 3 claims annually, $1000 per claim maximum, $100 deductible	3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar

1. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Top Pick)

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 150,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum card! The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Business owners looking for a great travel card that also offers cell phone insurance will be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Amex Business Platinum card. With it, you’ll receive access to the best-in-class American Express Global Lounge Collection, Hilton and Marriott elite status upon enrollment, up to $400 annual Dell credit, plus excellent travel and purchase protections.

With your Amex Business Platinum card, you’ll earn rewards at these rates:

5x points on flights and hotels purchases through Amex Travel
1.5x points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year)

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

The cell phone insurance coverage provided with the Amex Business Platinum card is top-notch, giving cardholders up to $1,600 in cell phone protection each year. Better yet, the coverage includes cosmetic damages to your phone, like a cracked screen, which is something that many other phone insurance policies exclude.

Amex Business Platinum cardholders can make 2 claims per year for themselves or any employee phone, and each claim will cover up to $800 in damages after paying a deductible of just $50. Of course, you’ll need to pay your monthly cell phone bill with your Amex Business Platinum card to receive the coverage.

2. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Business owners who spend a lot of time flying with Delta will love the benefits of the Delta Platinum Business card, like the annual companion certificate and free checked bags.

With the Delta Platinum Business card, you’ll earn on the following purchases:

3x miles per dollar on Delta and hotel purchases
1.5x miles per dollar on purchases over $5,000

You’ll also receive 1 mile per dollar on all purchases that fall outside the above categories.

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

Just like the personal version of the card, the Delta Platinum Business card offers cardholders up to $1,600 in cell phone protection against theft and damage per 12-month period. You can submit up to 2 claims per year, with a maximum of $800 per claim and a $50 deductible per claim.

To receive this coverage, you’ll need to pay for your business’s monthly cell phone bill with the Delta Platinum Business card.

3. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Any business owner who is Delta frequent flyer should consider adding the Delta Reserve Business card to their wallet. It offers cell phone insurance and gives you access to complimentary upgrades, along with Amex Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta.

Plus, you’ll earn 3x miles per dollar on all Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. However, once you’ve spent $150,000 on the card, your non-Delta purchases will begin to earn 1.5 miles per dollar, making it an excellent option for Delta loyalists with a lot of expenses.

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

The cell phone coverage on the Delta Reserve Business card is the same as all of the other Delta cards included in our list, with up to $1,600 in cell phone protection per 12-month period. Cardholders can submit 2 claims per year, up to $800 per claim, and each claim includes a deductible of $50.

Like the other Delta cards, you’ll need to pay your monthly phone bill with your Delta Reserve Business card to use the cell phone insurance coverage.

4. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Best Chase Business Card)

While some personal credit cards offer cell phone protection, you can receive both protection and greater earnings with select business credit cards.

The Ink Business Preferred card is one of the best Chase business credit cards (or any business card!) on the market and also one of the best for cell phone protection.

The card earns Ultimate Rewards points on each purchase and has several 3x point categories (up to $150,000 in spend), including:

Travel
Shipping purchases
Internet, cable, and phone services (yes, this includes your cell phone bill!)
Advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines

This means that you can earn up to 450,000 Ultimate Rewards points per year in these bonus categories alone. These points can be transferred to several airline and hotel partners, meaning you can redeem them for business class tickets to Europe, suites at Hyatt hotels, and more! Check out our article on the best Chase Ultimate Rewards redemptions for more info.

Plus, an attractive welcome bonus and a slew of other benefits make this card one of the most rewarding credit cards for small and medium-sized business owners.

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

Not only do you earn 3 points per dollar when you pay your cell phone bill with the Ink Business Preferred card, but you also get complimentary cell phone insurance. Chase will reimburse you up to $1,000 per claim, and you can make up to 3 claims per year. There is a $100 deductible attached to each claim, so you’re effectively getting $900 in value from each claim.

As you’d expect, this coverage covers both theft and damage, and you’re responsible for paying the excess on claims that are over $1,000. Regardless, this can be an excellent benefit, especially if you have employees with company-issued cell phones.

Filing a claim is easy, too. Just head to the Card Benefit Services website, and you’ll be prompted to sign in with your credit card info. After signing in, upload the requested documentation and submit your claim. You should hear back from Chase within a couple of weeks regarding your claim’s status; if approved, you’ll be paid via a check in the mail.

Hot Tip: To learn about other business credit cards that offer cell phone protection and earn rewards when paying your monthly bill, check out our guide.

Limited Cell Phone Protection via Purchase Protection Coverage

If you purchased your cell phone with a credit card that offers purchase protection, you might have a limited period of coverage if your phone is lost, damaged, or stolen — but only within a certain amount of time from the day of purchase.

For protection to be valid on your cell phone, you must have paid for the phone in full with your eligible card and/or rewards points earned on that card. The following are some of the most popular cards that provide purchase protection that can cover a cell phone in the first few months of ownership:

Card	Purchase Protection Benefit
Amex Platinum card American Express® Gold Card	$10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account, coverage is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express	$1,000 per claim, $50,000 per account, coverage is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase
Capital One Venture X card	$10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account, coverage is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	$10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account, coverage is valid for 120 days from the date of purchase
Citi Premier® Card Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®	$10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account, coverage is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase or delivery of the item, whichever is first
Freedom Flex card	$500 per claim, $50,000 per account, coverage is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase

Hot Tip: If your cell phone is damaged or stolen within the first few months of ownership and you purchased it with a card that offers purchase protection, you may have coverage available.

Limited Cell Phone Protection With Extended Warranty Coverage

Further, some credit cards offer extended warranty protection. This coverage generally extends the manufacturer’s warranty for an additional year or more on eligible items (including cell phones). However, things like theft and accidental damage are usually not covered by this benefit, only the perils listed in the original warranty, such as manufacturer’s defects, etc.

Dozens of credit cards offer extended warranty coverage — way too many to list here. You can determine if your card has this coverage by calling the number on the back of your card, accessing your card account online, or referencing the Guide to Benefits that came with your card.

Here’s how coverage breaks down by card issuer:

Card Issuer	Extended Warranty	Coverage Limits Up To
American Express	Manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less are extended by 1 year	$10,000 per item/$50,000 per account
Capital One	Manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less are doubled, maximum of 1 additional year
Chase	Manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less are extended by 1 year
Citi	Manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less are extended up to 2 years

Bottom Line: Even if your card does not offer cell phone protection, you may find coverage, depending on the timing and type of loss, under your card’s purchase protection or extended warranty coverage.

Tips for Filing a Cell Phone Protection Claim

Damaging your phone or having it stolen is already a stressful experience — don’t make things more stressful by filling out your claim improperly.

Make sure to include the following in your credit card cell phone insurance claim:

Take note of the details of the incident (where, when, etc.)
If your phone was damaged, do not throw it away; you may be asked to send it to the claim administrator
If your phone was stolen, obtain a police report as soon as possible
To quickly start the claim process, call the number on the back of your card, and they can transfer you to the claim administrator so that you can request a claim form
Pay attention to deadlines — you have a limited amount of time (usually 60 days, but possibly less) to file a claim and ensure the claim administrator receives all the required documents

Knowing what you might need to file a cell phone claim could save you some serious time and frustration.

You may be asked to provide any of the following:

Completed and signed claim form
A copy of your bill showing that the monthly service for the phone for which you’re making a claim was paid for with your eligible card
An itemized repair estimate
The damaged phone
Receipt for a replacement phone, if applicable
Documentation of any other insurance claim settlement
Substantiation of the time, place, and cause of the damage/theft
Documentation of the original price of the cell phone

Final Thoughts

Each of these cards offers good cell phone insurance, so it’s up to you to determine which card fits your spending mix, has redemption options that fit your priorities, and offers other benefits you can actually use.

In short, examine your spending habits and find which of these credit card’s bonus earning categories best aligns with your usual spending. Then, apply for the card and move your cell phone plan’s billing to autopay from your new credit card. Now, you’ll earn valuable travel rewards or cash-back and protect your cell phone from damage and theft at the same time.

Note that this list is not an all-encompassing collection of every credit card that offers cell phone protection, just some of the most popular cards.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

For the cell phone protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company. For the purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the cell phone protection benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company.

For the cell phone protection benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company.

For the cell phone protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company. For the purchase protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the cell phone protection benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company.

For the cell phone protection benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12-month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG company.

For the purchase protection benefit of the American Express® Gold Card, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the purchase protection benefit of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points

Frequently asked questions

Does free cell phone insurance cover all types of cell phones?

Yes, it will cover whatever cell phone you have so long as you pay your cell phone bill with the credit card that offers free cell phone insurance.

Is cell phone insurance offered by a credit card considered primary or secondary?

Most credit card cell phone insurance is secondary, meaning that it pays out after your carrier or manufacturer insurance (if you have it). If you don't have these, the card coverage will be primary.

How does credit card cell phone insurance compare to AppleCare+?

AppleCare+ is billed as either a monthly subscription or up-front cost. Further, the deductible varies depending on what type of damage or loss you incur and the kind of iPhone you have.

We recommend looking at the AppleCare+ cost for your specific phone and comparing it to your credit card cell phone insurance coverage and deductibles.

Does the Amex Platinum card have cell phone coverage?

Yes, the Amex Platinum card offers cell phone coverage. The Amex Platinum card covers up to $1,600 in claims, with up to 2 claims annually. Each claim will cover up to $800 in damages with a $50 deductible.

Which is the best credit card for cell phone protection?

It may not make sense to select a credit card based on cell phone protection alone.

The best credit card for cell phone protection will be the one that offers other card features that match up with your spending habits, desired benefits, and redemption options that make sense for you. If all of these align first, then it makes sense to pay your monthly bill with that card and secure the cell phone protection.

Business credit cards tend to have better earnings when paying for cell phone service than personal cards and can even offer better coverage.

Does my credit card have cell phone insurance?

The best way to tell if your call has cell phone protection coverage is to call the number on the back of your card. You can also access a list of benefits by logging in to your online credit card account and looking under the Benefits tab.

What's covered with credit card cell phone protection?

Normally you'll receive coverage for theft or damage of your cell phone, up to a specified limit, with the protection that is included on your credit card.

Depending on the card, you may also have additional coverage for "involuntary and accidental parting" from your cell phone.

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About Andrew Kunesh

Andrew was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now splits his time between Chicago and New York City. He’s a lifelong traveler and took his first solo trip to San Francisco at the age of 16. Fast forward a few years, and Andrew now travels just over 100,000 miles a year, with over 25 countries, 10 business class products, and 2 airline statuses (United and Alaska) under his belt.

Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.

32 comments

George December 6, 2019

“All World Elite Mastercards include cell phone insurance when you pay your cell phone bill with your eligible credit card.”

Unless something changed since September – when my Citi Premier claim was denied – this is false.

From the Mastercard site:
“Disclosure | Coverage is determined by the terms, conditions and exclusions of the Policies applicable to your Card, as specified by the underwriter, and is subject to change with notice. This site does not supplement or replace the Policy and/or Program Terms. Submission of a claim does not guarantee coverage or coverage availability.”

“Please note: Benefits referenced on this site may not always be available on your card product. Selection of benefits on your Mastercard card may vary by card issuer. Please refer to your issuing financial institution for more details. Submission of a claim does not guarantee coverage.”

My Guide to Benefits does not have cell phone insurance.

Reply
- Jarrod West December 12, 2019
  
  Hi George,
  
  Can you confirm that you use that card to pay your monthly cell phone bill? My understanding is that this benefit is still in effect. Did they give you a reason why your claim was denied?
  
  Reply
  - [email protected] October 10, 2020
    
    I just was denied a claim on my Citi Premier card, as of Oct 2020. Please remove Citi Premier as a card that offers cell phone protection. And yes, of course I pay my monthly bill with the Premier.
    
    Reply
    - Christine Krzyszton October 11, 2020
      
      Hi Matthew. Yes, it is correct that the Citi Premier card offers very limited coverage for cell phones via Extended Warranty and Purchase Protection coverages only.
      
      Reply
- me2 April 2, 2022
  
  Chase IHG cards removed this benefit on Dec 31, 2021
  
  Reply
  - Christine Krzyszton April 3, 2022
    
    Yes, we are aware of the change. All of our IHG card articles are in the process of being updated due to the new business card being introduced and changes to existing cards. Thanks for your patience.
    
    Reply
John March 25, 2020

Hello,

I just called Bank of America Master Card Cash Rewards World, credit card. They said they do NOT offer cell phone protection. Today is Mar 26, 2020.

Please let me know if this is true, I was hoping it really had protection as that is what you stated here.

Reply
- Jarrod West March 30, 2020
  
  Hi John,
  
  You are correct. Bank of America does not offer cell phone protection on the Cash Rewards World card. I’ve updated the post to remove that information. Thank you for pointing this out so we could correct it!
  
  Reply
Greg July 5, 2020

What happens if it’s a phone that is no longer sold?

Reply
- Christine Krzyszton July 5, 2020
  
  Hi Greg. I’m sure this is a scenario that has happened. Each card issuer has its own claims administrator handling the claims process so each one might handle the claim differently. Perhaps an equivalent newer model, a set amount towards a newer phone, etc. But that is speculation on my part, the terms and conditions of the coverage on each card will dictate the settlement. You could always call the number on the back of your card and ask the claims administrator.
  
  Reply
Jay July 8, 2020

Will any of these cards provide coverage when the card is used to make a partial payment of the cell phone bill (and the bill is paid in full with another card) each month?

Reply
- Christine Krzyszton July 8, 2020
  
  Jay, in reading the terms and conditions, each card states that the cell phone bill must be paid for with the eligible card. I did not find any mentions of a partial payment qualifying.
  
  Reply
  - Jay July 9, 2020
    
    Thank you – unfortunately, that was my interpretation, too. I was hoping I was being overly conservative in my read. I am trying to invoke this insurance while also getting the $20 per month credit from my AMEX Platinum.
    
    Reply
BC September 27, 2020

For the IHG Traveler card, I don’t believe these statements are true:
“Do note that this card isn’t open to new applicants. You can only get the card if you already have an IHG Premier card and want to downgrade (usually to avoid the annual fee). Simply call Chase and ask to downgrade to this product if you’re interested.”
In fact, in your post there is a direct link to a 75k SUB for this card.

Reply
- Jarrod West September 28, 2020
  
  Hi BC,
  
  You’re correct about that – and thank you for pointing it out! I’ve updated the post to the correct information.
  
  Thanks for reading!
  
  Reply
JuJu October 11, 2020

You should update this list to include Chase Freedom Flex.

Reply
- Christine Krzyszton October 12, 2020
  
  Hi JuJu. We are in the process of updating dozens of articles to include the new Chase Freedom Flex card. Thanks for your patience.
  
  Reply
Linda December 20, 2020

If I pay the monthly bill to Tello (as supposed to the big cell phone companies like Verizon), do I also get the insurance offered by Chase Freedom Flex? My monthly bill is only around $10/month. Thanks.

Reply
- Christine Krzyszton December 21, 2020
  
  Hi Linda. It should qualify, provided you meet the other criteria (no leased phone, etc.)
  
  Reply
Heather January 13, 2021

Is a cracked screen considered cosmetic damage? The phone still works. That’s most of the damage now with dropping a phone.

Reply
- Jarrod West January 14, 2021
  
  Hi Heather,
  
  Yes, that would likely be classified as cosmetic damage.
  
  Reply
Max cash September 12, 2021

A new good choice is the Max Cash Preferred Mastercard. This card is really issued by Elan, but is available from multiple credit unions either as a Visa or as World Mastercard. The world mastercard offers the usual $600 per incident coverage, but what makes it attractive is you can choose Cell Phone as one of your 5% categories, thus getting 5% off your bill + getting reasonable coverage.

Reply
- me September 27, 2021
  
  Incorrect. The Max Cash World Mastercard DOES NOT offer cell phone insurance. Just checked their website 9/27/21. Not ALL World Mastercards offer cell phone insurance.
  
  Reply
Sam October 23, 2021

All Uber cards were changed to Barclay View cards sometime in October and no longer provide cell phone insurance.

Reply
- Jarrod West October 25, 2021
  
  Hi Sam,
  
  Thanks for pointing that out! I’ve just updated the post.
  
  Reply
PATRICK BUTLER December 13, 2021

I received a notice in November that IHG World Elite MasterCard would not provide cell phone insurance beyond Dec 31, 2021 and claims to be submitted by Jan 31, 2022. That’s why I am on your site looking for alternatives.

Reply
Randy February 22, 2022

The same goes for Barclays JetBlue World Elite Mastercard – no longer provides coverage.

Reply
- Jarrod West February 22, 2022
  
  Hi Randy,
  
  Thank you for pointing that out. I’ve just updated the post.
  
  Reply
Mark Miravich March 21, 2022

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® Stopped it’s cell phone protection 12/31/2021

Reply
- Christine Krzyszton March 22, 2022
  
  Hi Mark. Just verified the same. Thanks for the heads up; we’ll update the list.
  
  Reply
Robert April 11, 2022

Hi. I use RedPocket as my provider and pay my bill annually. Do you think this would be covered? Which cards are offering cell phone protection in 2022? Thanks.

Reply
- Christine Krzyszton April 11, 2022
  
  Hi Robert. Normally prepaid plans are excluded. The article has been updated with some of the best cards currently offering cell phone protection.
  
  Reply

What Is Credit Card Cell Phone Protection?

Who’s Covered

What’s Covered

What’s Typically Not Covered

The 5 Best Personal Credit Cards That Offer Cell Phone Insurance

1. Chase Freedom Flex℠ (No Annual Fee Card)

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

2. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

3. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

4. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

5. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

The 4 Best Business Credit Cards That Offer Cell Phone Insurance

1. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Top Pick)

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

2. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

3. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

4. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Best Chase Business Card)

Cell Phone Insurance Overview

Limited Cell Phone Protection via Purchase Protection Coverage

Limited Cell Phone Protection With Extended Warranty Coverage

Tips for Filing a Cell Phone Protection Claim

Final Thoughts

Frequently asked questions

Does free cell phone insurance cover all types of cell phones?

Is cell phone insurance offered by a credit card considered primary or secondary?

How does credit card cell phone insurance compare to AppleCare+?

Does the Amex Platinum card have cell phone coverage?

Which is the best credit card for cell phone protection?

Does my credit card have cell phone insurance?

What's covered with credit card cell phone protection?

About Andrew Kunesh

32 comments

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