New AppleCare+ Extended Warranty Now Covers Accidental Damage

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Murphy’s law on mobile phones states that if you have a mobile phone, you’re likely to drop it, submerge it in liquid, or have it fall off a few flights of stairs — or something to that effect. In most cases, your phone would be a goner, but with Apple’s AppleCare+, you can have peace of mind knowing the warranty can fix or replace the phone even with accidental damage.

AppleCare has traditionally involved extended warranties for Apple products like Macs, iPhones, iPads and just about any product that the company offers. But in most cases, extended warranty only covers factory defects past the usual one-year warranty. While you are assured of free parts and services (not really free, since you paid for it), this is often voided when damage is due to accidents such as drops and submersions.

Apple’s new AppleCare+ plan goes beyond the usual Applecare extended warranty, in that it also covers accidental damage. So if your butterfingers are fond of dropping your iPhone to the ground or inside the sink, Apple will honor the warranty, and can have your phone replaced.

Apple’s usual warranty is one year parts and service from date of purchase, plus 90 days telephone technical support. With AppleCare+, iPhone buyers get two years of warranty and coverage for two incidents of accidental damage from handling. Apple says users will be charged $49 for repair or replacement in each incident of damage, but that will surely be worth it, considering the cost of buying a new iPhone.

AppleCare used to cost $69 for the iPhone, but the new AppleCare+ replaces this old plan, and is priced at $99. At least you get the option to have repairs or replacement within warranty. Apple launched this new service alongside its iPhone 4S Let’s Talk iPhone announcement.