iPhone Insurance

To get a quote by telephone or email, please contact us on 01273 773 017 or chris@jsinsurance.co.uk

iPhone Insurance:

The iPhone is a range of multimedia-enabled smartphones produced by Apple Inc.

Models:

There are currently four main models, or generations, of the iPhone, with the fifth generation to be launched soon.

The original model iPhone, known as the iPhone 2G, iPhone EDGE or simply the original iPhone, was released by Apple in 2007.

This generation of the iPhone has the following features:

• Multi touch touchscreen display
• iOS 3.1.3 operating system
• Two speakers
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• 2G
• Safari web browser
• iTunes store
• App store
• MobileMe
• 2 megapixel camera

The original iPhone was succeeded by the iPhone 3G.

This generation of the iPhone has the following features:

• iOS 4.2.1 operating system
• 8 GB or 16 GB flash memory
• 128 MB of memory
• Multi touch touchscreen display
• 2 megapixel camera
• Safari web browser
• iTunes store
• App store
• MobileMe
• iBookstore
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth

The third generation of the iPhone is the iPhone 3GS. It was released in June, 2009.

The main updates to the iPhone 3GS compared to the preceding models include:

• iOS 4.3.3 operating system
• 8 GB, 16 GB or 32 GB flash memory
• Video capability
• Voice control
• 3 megapixel camera
• Updated Bluetooth
• Faster connectivity - About Flash Memory Wikipedia

The fourth generation of the iPhone is the iPhone 4.

The iPhone 4 was released in June 2010 and is an upgrade specifically marketed towards features such as video calling and the ability to utilise media such as music, books, periodicals, films, games and for web and email access.

It is also the first model to have two cameras, located on the front and the rear of the iPhone, to enable video calling.

Some of the updated features this model has include:

• iOS 4.3.3 operating system
• 5 megapixel rear camera
• LED flash
• 0.3 megapixel front camera
• SD video
• iBookstore
• 512 MB memory
• Apple A4 processor

iPhone Damage:

Getting a brand new iPhone 4 can be an exciting experience, but that euphoria can quickly turn to disappointment if you drop the phone. iPhone insurance is something everyone with an iPhone should invest in.

These phones are not cheap to replace and Apple does not cover damage due to dropping the phone or submerging it in water.

It also is nearly impossible to repair these phones yourself. It has to be done by a trained professional, and it will often cost more than the phone is worth.

The most common damage that occurs when an iPhone is dropped is damage to the glass shell which covers the outside of the phone. It often cracks, which can make it very hard to read the screen and can even cause the screen to stop working all together.

The back of the phone also has a glass cover on it which can crack if dropped or if the phone is placed in your back pocket and then sat on.

This normally will not cause the phone to stop working, but is unsightly to look at, and the cracks can spread over time. Unfortunately, it is not possible to fix the screen yourself.

The phone needs to be sent in to a service centre, and this will cost a fair bit of money if you do not have insurance.

Another problem that can happen if the iPhone is dropped is circuit board damage.

This normally happens on falls from a higher distance and can often make the phone totally useless.

Much like the cracked glass screen, this is not a problem that can be fixed by the user of the device. The phone must once again be sent in for service, and the extreme cost of fixing this problem makes it not worth the money in most cases.

Dropping your iPhone in the pool or a puddle is also bad for the phone. It is not water sealed at all, and water will seep in almost immediately.

If the phone is on when this happens, it most likely will not survive being exposed to water and will need to be replaced.

However, if the iPhone is not powered on when it is submerged in water it often can be saved, though the warranty is voided by being exposed to water.

If your iPhone has been submerged, retrieve it as fast as possible and seal it in a bag full of rice. The rice helps wick the moisture away from the phone, which dries it out.

Do not power the phone on while you are doing so, as this can cause a short-circuit, destroying the phone.

Keep the phone in the rice for about a week. After that, take the iPhone out and see if it powers on and works properly.

You may just luck out and not have to replace it.

Of course, with an iPhone warranty plan, none of these situations would be a huge deal.

Simply call up the insurance company, tell them about your problem and you will have a new phone shipped out to you.

There may be a deductible to pay depending on the plan, but this is usually far cheaper than having to replace the phone if it was not covered by insurance.

Common Problems:

Some of the most common problems that exist across the board with iPhones include:

• Lack of replaceable battery in the first two generations of the iPhone.
• Too short a battery life on the original iPhone. This can be helped by turning off features such as Bluetooth, 3G and Wi-Fi.
• Connectivity problems which extend to affecting phone calls.
• Issues with the phone restarting itself, freezing or automatically locking up.
• Many users with the iPhone 3G, which has a plastic cover, reported cracks in the cover.
• Many iPhone users have complained that the performance of the phone is too slow and sluggish.
• The iPhone 3Gs 2 MP camera is below par compared to the high quality cameras found on most other smartphones.
• The iPhone glass screen means that the phone is vulnerable to cracks or a smashed screen. For this reason, investing in a case may be a worthwhile solution.
• Users have reported that they do not receive any sound through the headset whilst on a call.
• The iPhone 4 has had many users reporting poor antennae problems, which results in calls being cut off mid conversation. This can be remedied by holding your phone in a certain way to achieve more signal.
• Yellow tints and discolouration of the screen has also been reported with the iPhone 4. This is not a permanent problem, but simply happens as a result of the bonding glue that seals the screen to the phone not yet being properly dry. In time this will dry and the discolouration will go.
• The virtual shutter on the updated camera found on the iPhone 4 can often get stuck.
• As well as this, the cameras automatic white balance can result in low quality photos. Updating the software can solve this problem.
• Some iPhone 4 users have reported that the volume buttons work in the reverse order, although this is not a common complaint with the phone.

Support Numbers:

If you should come across any of these problems, for technical support, contact Apple on 0844 209 0611.

You can also make an appointment with the Genius Bar at your nearest Apple store.

Security Devices:

Some of the functions available on the iPhone that will increase the security of the phone include:

• Passcode Lock: enabling this feature means that you will be required to enter a password after a period of inactivity.
• Auto-lock: the function can be set so that the phone automatically locks after a set time of inactivity.
• Wi-Fi: ensure that you are connected to a trusted Wi-Fi connection. You can adjust the internet settings to ensure the phone does not ever connect to any unknown network, or turn off the Wi-Fi when it is not in use.
• Secure Sockets Layer (SSL): SSL can encrypt your email on the iPhone, meaning it will remain secure.
• Safari Browser Settings: enabling your browser security on your phone will increase your protection when browsing the internet.

Serial Numbers:

The serial and IMEI numbers can be found on the phone by going to Settings, General, About and scrolling down.

Alternatively, the numbers can also be located on the original packaging of the phone.

Insurance covers:

When purchasing insurance for your iPhone, the phone will then be covered for:

• Theft
• Loss
• Water damage
• Accidental damage
• Unauthorised claims of up to £1,000 after a valid theft claim
• Worldwide cover for up to 90 days per year

Useful Websites: Apple UK

To get a quote by telephone or email, please contact us on 01273 773 017 or chris@jsinsurance.co.uk

This policy is issued by JS Insurance and underwritten by Amtrust International Limited.