What does Metro (by T-mobile) Phone Insurance cover and what can you claim?

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by Aidan Kang, CFA

Senior Writer

Insurance

UPDATED: October 13, 2022

If you’re planning to purchase or have just bought a Metro device, you’re probably wondering how you can protect your phone. It can be quite inconvenient when your phone gets damaged, stolen, or lost.

To minimize, if not avoid completely, the hassle, getting phone insurance can be a big help. Now you might be considering Metro insurance. But what does it cover, how much does it cost, and how can you get it? 

Let’s delve into that. 

What Does Metro Insurance Cover?

Metro by T-Mobile, previously known as MetroPcs, offers The Premium Handset Protection Program. It’s a comprehensive insurance plan that covers your device and its major components, such as the standard battery, home charger, and SIM card.

Metro insurance plan covers the device regardless of your location in the US. It includes PHP Device Insurance and McAfee mobile security.

The price of insurance starts at $5 depending on your device tier and area code.

How Much Does Metro by T-mobile Premium Handset Protection (PHP) Costs per Month?

For customers in states other than New York, the monthly cost of the Premium Handset Protection plan is $6 per device. It still includes both device insurance and McAfee mobile security. You may opt to get each plan separately for $3 per device.

For clients with a New York state area code, the monthly cost of PHP consists of PHP Device Insurance, which varies depending on your device tier, and McAfee mobile security for $3.

Premium Handset Protection cost by tier:

Check My Deductible to find your device tier.

The coverage includes damages due to drops, falls, or malfunctions as well as theft and loss. 

Sign up for Metro by T-Mobile Premium Handset Protection Program when you activate or upgrade your device. The monthly premium will be deducted from the credit or debit card you used on your account upon approval.

What Happens If Your Device Is Lost or Stolen?

You have to call customer service support at 1-800-316-2075 right away if you lost your device or if it was stolen. Otherwise, you may be held responsible for any usage charges that your account will incur on top of your existing rate plan charges. 

Other costs may apply such as surcharges and additional fees for late notification.

When Can You Get Your Replacement Phone?

Your replacement phone, when available, will be shipped the next day for free if your claim is approved from Monday to Friday before 8:30 p.m. EST. 

If the date of claim’s approval took place on Saturday or Sunday before 8 p.m. ET, the expected delivery date will be on the following Tuesday.

What Is The Price of The Replacement Phone?

The deductibles for damaged and phone malfunctions range from $25 to $99 per claim.

What is the Metro Insurance Deductible?

Metro Insurance deductible and monthly premiums are as follow:

When Must You Register for Coverage?

You must add device insurance to your device within 30 days of activation or upgrade. Your phone must undergo a visual mechanic inspection.

Visit your local Metro by T-Mobile store if you want to add device protection or for more information about the insurance program. 

Meanwhile, you can add the McAfee® Security for Metro® by T-Mobile with ID Theft Protection to your protection anytime.

How Can You Apply for Coverage?

Applying for coverage is easy. Contact the Metro by T-Mobile’s customer support team or visit your local retail store.

How Do You File a Metro Insurance Claim?

Filing a Metro insurance claim is easy. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Go to the “File, Continue and Track My Claim” page.
2. Call Assurant hotline number 1-800-316-2075 to speak with a care specialist. Prepare the following details:

• Mobile number, serial number, or IMEI
• Your device, make and model
• A complete description of what happened to your device
• Date of incident
• Contact information (may include details on valid government ID)
• Account PIN number
• Security question
•  Payment method for the deductible (credit card, debit card)
• Preferred place to have the replacement sent

In case you don’t know where to look for the serial number of your device, you search for a 15-digit IMEI underneath the battery of your phone or on the purchase receipt or original packaging of your device. You can also dial *#06# if your device is still working to display your IMEI number.

When Should You File Your Claim?

You must file a claim within 60 to 90 days from the date of the incident. If the device was damaged or is malfunctioning, be sure to have it on hand along with its original prepaid shipping label.

What Other Protection Plan Does Metro Insurance Have?

Aside from the Premium Handset Protection program, MetroPCS or Metro by T-Mobile offers the following protection plans.

PHP Device Insurance

For only $2 per month per device, you will get comprehensive coverage for:

• loss
• theft
• accidental damage, including liquid damage
• mechanical malfunctions
• electrical malfunctions

You must add the device insurance within 30 days after you bought, activated, or upgraded your device.

Premium Service Bundle

You can get all of the essential services in one bundle. The price for Metro by T-mobile’s premium service bundles starts at $9 per month per device, depending on other factors like the area code and device tier.

The Premium Service Bundle includes device insurance and other services that will protect your device from unexpected threats and unwanted calls.

The services included in the bundle are:

• Device protection
• McAfee® Security for Metro® by T-Mobile with ID Theft Protection
• Scam Shield™ Premium
• Call Forwarding
• Unlimited Directory Assistance

Scam ID, Scam Block, and Caller ID

Metro by T-mobile also offers Scam ID, Scam Block, and Caller ID for free and can be turned off anytime. You can turn Scam Block on by dialing #662# and off by dialing #632#.

Scam ID informs you if calls come from possible scammers. As its name suggests, Scam Block lets you block possible scammers while Caller ID identifies callers including unknown contacts.

McAfee Security for Metro by T-Mobile

For only $3 per month, you can protect your device from online threats, data loss, and risky apps. One account can cover up to 10 devices, including tablets, smartphones, Macs, and PCs.

This protection allows you to track lost devices, trigger an alarm, lock and wipe data remotely. It includes identity protection and gives you access to a password manager called the TrueKey app.

Scam Shield™ Premium

This $2 per month protection plan gives you access to advance scam blocking technologies so you can keep scammers at bay. 

The coverage includes managing your block list, giving you access to reverse phone number lookup, and receiving text notifications when you get voicemails.

Storage and Security Bundle

Enjoy 200GB of cloud storage for your important files and data with Google One Membership. 

This plan also includes the scam shield premium for better phone security. You can get this coverage for $3 per month.

Security Bundle

The security bundle costs $5 per month. It includes the Scam Shield Security and the McAfee® Security with ID Theft Protection.

Is Metro Insurance Worth It?

Metro by T-Mobile offers various plans for phone protection. The Premium Handset Protection program is an excellent option if you’re looking for insurance coverage that comes at a reasonable price. You may also choose from the other standalone plans that the company has to offer.

Aidan Kang, CFA

Aidan has been writing about personal finance for over 6 years. Prior to this, he worked as a Corporate Finance Analyst where he specialized in Due Diligence, Company Valuations and more. He is a CFA charterholder.