Best Credit Cards for Cell Phone Protection
How the benefit works
Cards with this perk cover your phone against damage and theft (not loss, usually) when you pay the monthly bill with the card. Coverage typically runs up to a few hundred dollars per claim, a couple of claims a year, with a deductible. It often covers all lines on the bill, which can protect a whole family phone plan. See cell phone protection explained.
Which cards have it
Cell phone protection appears on a range of cards, from no-annual-fee everyday cards to premium ones, so you do not need an expensive card to get it. The key is simply paying the phone bill with a card that offers it. Compare the coverage limits and deductibles, since they vary.
Activate it and use it
There is no enrollment beyond paying your phone bill with the card, but keep that autopay set to the right card so coverage stays active. If your phone is damaged or stolen, file with the benefits administrator with your bill and a repair or police report. It frequently beats paying a carrier insurance add-on; see recurring bills.
Frequently asked questions
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