July is a bad month for cell phones, according to insurance company Asurion

2. AdamLeonard posted on 28 Jun 2012, 10:32 3 0

How about this for a reason: A lot of hot new phones come out in June/July each year. Could the data just show that people who have insurance are damaging their phones to get a cheap upgrade?

3. jsd0108 posted on 28 Jun 2012, 10:41 0 0

Asurion replaces the phone with the same phone or comparable model. Intentionally damaging the phone won't get them an cheap upgrade.

4. mas11 posted on 28 Jun 2012, 10:46 2 0

Heat damage is also a big issue in the summer. Phones can overheat in someone's pocket when it's 90 some degrees outside.

8. stjcripes posted on 28 Jun 2012, 11:32 4 0

Ugh, I hated working in-store during a holiday weekend - explaining who Asurion was, the difference between insurance and warranty, the claims process, and the dreaded deductible.

Fortunately, they do (at least then they did) overnight shipping, which is great for claims made on weekdays, but telling a customer Saturday evening they should receive their replacement device from Asurion on Tuesday was the worst.

"Well, if I'm gonna be without a phone for three days, I should get some kind of credit toward my bill!"

*Nicely* explain that it's not the carrier's fault that their phone is damaged, and that a credit is not warranted. Offer to activate previous device - it doesn't work anymore, that's why they got the new one, or they just came over from another carrier.

"You don't understand, I run my business from this phone!"

I had no idea how many "business owners" there were until I worked for a carrier. Honestly, though, if your revenue stream is reliant on one line of communication, and you don't have any contingency in place, you probably shouldn't be in business.

There is a loophole for those weekend claims, though. Asurion has a hotline setup for store employees to call when a customer can't wait overnight or weekend for their replacement. This line is only to be used in emergency situations (e.g., close relative in hospital, or you're an RN at the local ER who's on call 24/7). I would call in and state the customer's circumstances. Asurion, though, reserves the right to deny an in-store claim, so you had better have a *good* story [note: I am not endorsing fraud]. I would then hand the phone over to the customer and they would give the rep their credit card info to pay the deductible. Meanwhile, I would grab a new device out of the inventory room, and ring it out at full retail. Once the deductible was paid, I would get back on the line with the Asurion rep who would pay for the device with a company credit card. A few minutes later, the phone was activated, and the customer left a happy camper. Most of my coworkers seemed unaware of this process. I don't even remember how I came across it - I know it wasn't covered in training. Maybe it was buried in one of those company emails that no one reads.

I recommend always keeping a backup phone or two handy. Grab a cheap one off CL or just get a burner for the weekend.

11. DOUBLE_BASS posted on 28 Jun 2012, 12:13 0 1

already spoiled one at the pool :/

12. DOUBLE_BASS posted on 28 Jun 2012, 12:15 0 2

This indian bitch up ^ needs his ass to be kicked out

13. DOUBLE_BASS posted on 28 Jun 2012, 12:16 0 1

,,,,,

14. douglasman100 posted on 28 Jun 2012, 12:59 0 0

I dropped my Gnex two days ago...and got the replacement yesterday :D

15. OptimusOne posted on 28 Jun 2012, 14:24 0 1

YEAH no android phones are smashed!

ONLY BLACKBERRYS AND IPHONES ARE SMASHED GOOD JOB PHONEARENA

16. RORYREVOLUTION posted on 28 Jun 2012, 14:43 1 0

Make sure you get a phone case that also covers the sides and corners of your touch screen phone. That is the number one reason for screen shattering due to it dropping on its sides or corners.

21. JC557 posted on 28 Jun 2012, 21:45 0 0

That smashed BB Storm is what I always dreamed of doing to my Storm. Damn that was a piece of crap.

As for insurance claims it could also be people doing scams for a new phone or selling on Craigslist only to report it stolen afterwards (heard of cases of such).

22. BattleBrat posted on 28 Jun 2012, 23:43 0 0

I use otterbox commuters and squaretrade insurance, never had to use the insurance, I baby my toys....