by T. Scott Randolph

Created on: March 27, 2010

I am one of those people that need very little from my phone. If I can make and receive phone calls and text messages, along with taking and sending pictures, I am a happy camper. I usually don't even buy new phones. I get hand me downs from my friends that feel they need to have a mini laptop that can re-task weather satellites. This is not something that I need on a phone.

The uselessness of modern phones is not the question that we are asking ourselves here though. The question at hand is about insurance. While it is true, anytime you go into a mobile device retail outlet (Verizon, Alltel, Sprint, it doesn't really matter) they do give you the auto mechanic sales pitch.

They make it seem like you HAVE to have every available (and costly) gadget in order for your device to work at it's full potential. I have found this is not even close to the case. The long term contract plus all the various hidden fees and taxes are get plenty of my money.

Insurance on the other hand is not a bad idea. It is usually not very expensive and can come in very handy. I wrecked my motorcycle and my phone took the pavement slide at 50 mph with me. Thanks to the insurance, I got a new phone with no questions asked. Not long after that, my phone fell out of my pocket and got ran over by a car. Even though the phone worked, the front screen was destroyed. They did ask a few questions about this one.

In both cases, having insurance saved me a good deal of money. Make sure that you are not getting a plan that will exceed the life of your phone (which is the date you are eligible for an upgrade. Not all insurance policies will transfer). The point is, spend a little extra cash when you get the phone. Hopefully you won't need it, but if you do, that extra money you spent on the insurance will save you in the long run.

Watch your pocket book, the sales associates will attempt to sell you everything in the store. Some of it you may need, or want for that matter. A lot of people are truly in love with their gadgets. The one thing that you do not want to be cheap about is the insurance. If something happens, it will save you money.

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