Repairing or replacing a smartphone can be expensive, so you may want to consider buying a protection plan if you have concerns about damaging your phone and the cost to fix it. You also likely count on your phone to complete daily tasks and stay connected with family and friends, and a protection plan may help get your phone back up and running sooner.

When considering a protection plan, it's a good idea to understand what is and isn't covered. Consider asking potential plan providers questions such as:

Will I need to pay anything out of pocket before the plan kicks in to help with cellphone repairs or replacement?
Does the plan only pay for phone repairs up to a certain dollar amount?
Am I limited to a certain number of claims per year?
If I upgrade my smartphone, will my protection plan transfer over to it?
Is phone loss or theft covered by the plan?
Where would I take my phone for repairs?
Would the parts used to repair my phone be certified by my phone's manufacturer?
Does the plan include any additional features like tech support to help troubleshoot issues I may experience with my phone?