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AppleCare Theft and Loss Coverage: What You Need to Know

By TheFinanceBase Team 10 min read

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AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss can cover a lost or stolen eligible iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch—but ordinary AppleCare+ does not automatically include that protection. In the U.S., an approved claim generally results in a replacement device after you pay the applicable deductible. Find My must have been enabled when the device disappeared and must remain enabled throughout the claim.

The rules below reflect current U.S. information. Your state-specific coverage documents, purchase date, device model, and plan type control if they differ from Apple’s summary pages.

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Quick facts

Question Current U.S. answer
Which plan covers theft and loss? AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, or eligible theft-and-loss coverage under AppleCare One
Eligible devices iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch; AppleCare One may cover other Apple products for ordinary AppleCare benefits
AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss limit Up to two theft-or-loss incidents every 12 months
AppleCare One limit Up to three theft-or-loss incidents every 12 months under the plan; do not assume this means three incidents per device
U.S. theft-or-loss deductible $149 for iPhone, $129 for iPad, and $119 for Apple Watch, subject to the applicable terms
Critical eligibility condition Find My must be enabled at the time of loss or theft and throughout the claims process
Typical enrollment window Within 60 days of an eligible new purchase, subject to device, location, and inspection requirements
Current claim deadline Generally within 60 days of the incident under current U.S. program documents

Check Apple’s AppleCare legal overview, service-fee table, and state-specific theft-and-loss documents before relying on a price or deductible.

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What AppleCare plan covers a lost or stolen device?

The relevant product name is AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss. It combines ordinary AppleCare+ benefits with a separate theft-and-loss insurance benefit.

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  • Apple’s standard limited warranty: Covers certain manufacturing defects for a limited period. It does not normally cover accidental damage, loss, or theft.
  • AppleCare+: Adds technical support, extended hardware service, battery service under the plan’s conditions, and accidental-damage service. Ordinary AppleCare+ does not automatically cover a phone that has disappeared.
  • AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss: Adds theft-and-loss protection to AppleCare+ for eligible devices, subject to incident limits, deductibles, Find My requirements, and the applicable insurance terms.
  • AppleCare One: A recurring plan for multiple Apple devices. Its theft-and-loss benefit applies to eligible iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch devices, while other products may receive AppleCare benefits without the same theft-and-loss protection.

Some carrier plans advertise “AppleCare Services.” That phrase alone does not prove that AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss is included. Read the carrier’s actual protection plan for theft, loss, deductibles, claim limits, and enrollment rules.

What is covered—and what can invalidate a claim?

For a covered device, the plan can address accidental damage, hardware service, battery service, technical support, and—if the theft-and-loss benefit is included—an eligible disappearance caused by loss or theft. The exact exclusions and conditions come from the plan and state insurance documents.

The Find My rule is essential

Apple says Find My must have been enabled on the device when it was lost or stolen and must remain enabled throughout the claims process. The device must also remain associated with the Apple Account until the claim is fully approved.

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Do not remove the device from your Apple Account or turn off Find My while a claim is pending. Doing so can jeopardize eligibility.

Sharing your location with another person is not the same as enabling Find My on the covered device. If Find My was never enabled, a claim will normally be ineligible. Disabling it after the incident or removing the device too early can also cause problems.

Other common failure points include expired coverage, buying ordinary AppleCare+ instead of the theft-and-loss version, filing after the deadline, inconsistent account or incident information, and trying to claim a device or accessory outside the plan’s covered categories.

How many theft-or-loss claims are allowed?

With AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, the current U.S. limit is up to two theft-or-loss incidents in every 12-month period beginning under the plan. This is not two claims for the entire life of the plan, and the period does not necessarily reset on January 1. Accidental-damage service is governed separately.

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  • Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
  • Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.

AppleCare One provides up to three theft-or-loss incidents every 12 months under the plan. Treat this as a plan-level limit unless your applicable documents expressly provide otherwise; do not assume that every covered device gets three incidents.

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Plans purchased before September 15, 2020 may have materially different terms. Purchase-date and state-specific documents control.

How much does a theft-or-loss claim cost?

The current U.S. summary deductible is:

Device Theft-or-loss deductible
iPhone $149
iPad $129
Apple Watch $119

Taxes may apply, and deductibles can vary by state, model, purchase date, and plan. These theft-or-loss amounts are separate from accidental-damage fees. Apple’s current summary lists examples such as $29 for eligible iPhone screen or back-glass damage, $99 for other iPhone accidental damage, and separate iPad and Apple Watch fees.

Your real cost is:

Total claim cost = premiums paid before the incident + theft-or-loss deductible + applicable taxes or other charges.

For example, a $149 deductible is not the full cost of protection if you have also paid monthly or annual premiums. Conversely, an approved claim generally avoids paying the full replacement price of the original device. Whether the plan is worthwhile depends on your model, risk, premium, savings, and alternative coverage.

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How much does AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss cost?

Device-specific pricing varies by iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch model and by payment method. Current U.S. disclosure examples include:

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  • No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
  • Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Malfunctions covered after the manufacturer's warranty. Power surges covered from day one. Real experts are available 24/7 to help with set-up, connectivity issues, troubleshooting and much more.
  • Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. We will send you an e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product. In some instances, we will replace or repair it.
  • Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
  • Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
  • iPhone SE: $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
  • iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e: $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
  • iPhone Air and certain Pro and Pro Max models: $13.99 per month or $139.99 per year.

These examples are not universal prices. Confirm the live price during Apple’s purchase flow because model, plan term, state, and eligibility can change the amount.

AppleCare One pricing

Apple’s current U.S. AppleCare page lists AppleCare One at $19.99 per month for up to three Apple devices, plus $5.99 per month for each additional device. It is a recurring monthly plan. A household should compare the total cost with separate plans and count only the theft-and-loss protection actually needed.

When can you buy coverage?

Apple generally allows an eligible new iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch to be added to AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss within 60 days of purchase, subject to location, device, sales channel, and eligibility rules. Apple’s current information also describes adding a plan through Settings during that period.

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If coverage is added after the original purchase process, Apple may require a diagnostic check or inspection. Coverage is not retroactive: you cannot wait until a phone has disappeared and then buy protection for that incident.

Use Apple’s AppleCare eligibility guidance and the purchase screen for the device’s current options.

What to do immediately after an iPhone is lost or stolen

  1. Open Find My. Use the Find My app on another Apple device or visit iCloud.com/find.
  2. Select the missing device and mark it as Lost. Follow Apple’s security prompts.
  3. Contact your carrier if appropriate. Ask about suspending service or protecting the cellular account.
  4. Preserve Find My and the Apple Account association. Do not remove the device from your account or turn off Find My.
  5. Start the claim promptly. Use Apple’s theft-and-loss claims page, especially because current documents generally require filing within 60 days.
  6. Provide accurate information. The claims administrator may request identity, account, device, incident, or other documentation.
  7. File a police report when appropriate. A report may be requested depending on the facts, state, or claims process; there is no single universal rule established by Apple’s summary page.
  8. Pay the deductible and applicable charges as directed after approval or during the claims process.
  9. Track the claim and follow replacement instructions. Apple’s claims page provides a claim-status path.
Security warning: After a theft, criminals may send fake Apple messages asking for your Apple Account password or verification code. Do not give those credentials to an alleged finder, thief, or unsolicited support contact.

How the claim process works

Apple is the customer-facing starting point, but the theft-and-loss component is handled under separate insurance terms and may involve a third-party insurer or claims administrator. Current Apple and AIG materials identify theft-and-loss protection as an insurance benefit rather than ordinary repair coverage.

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  • Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. We will send you an e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product. In some instances, we will replace or repair it.
  • Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
  • Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
  1. Sign in using the Apple Account associated with the covered device.
  2. Begin the claim through Apple’s online theft-and-loss claim flow.
  3. Describe what happened and provide requested identity, account, and device information.
  4. Complete any verification or documentation requested by the claims administrator.
  5. Pay the applicable deductible and taxes or other charges as directed.
  6. Track approval, delivery, and activation through the available claim-status tools.

Approval is not the same as immediate delivery. Replacement inventory, verification, shipping, model availability, and regional logistics can affect timing.

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What replacement device do you receive?

The benefit is generally a replacement device, not a cash reimbursement for the original retail price. Depending on the applicable terms and fulfillment process, the replacement may be new or refurbished. Color, storage configuration, exact model availability, and delivery options can vary.

The replacement is subject to the program’s maximum claim amount, generally tied to the device’s retail price. Apple says an approved international replacement may be possible while you are traveling, including shipment to another country where the coverage is available. Apple notes that international replacement delivery may take up to four business days after approval, but country, model, inventory, customs, taxes, cellular-band, eSIM, and activation issues can affect the practical result.

What if the device is recovered?

Do not remove a recovered device from Find My or your Apple Account while the claim is pending. Contact Apple or the claims administrator before using, selling, returning, or otherwise transferring it.

After a replacement has been issued, the original device may be subject to return, remote-lock, ownership, or recovery rules in the applicable terms. Do not assume you can keep both devices without consequences.

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Does AppleCare cover accessories?

Protection is centered on the covered primary device. Some program documents refer to accessories included with the device’s original packaging, subject to their terms. That does not mean every separately purchased case, charger, Apple Pencil, keyboard, AirTag, or other accessory is covered for theft or loss.

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ASURION 2 Year Electronics Protection Plan ($125 - $149.99)
  • No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
  • Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Malfunctions covered after the manufacturer's warranty. Power surges covered from day one. Real experts are available 24/7 to help with set-up, connectivity issues, troubleshooting and much more.
  • Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. We will send you an e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product. In some instances, we will replace or repair it.
  • Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
  • Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.

How AppleCare One differs

AppleCare One is most useful when a household has several eligible Apple products and wants one recurring plan. The base price covers up to three devices, and additional devices cost extra. Theft-and-loss protection is identified for eligible iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch devices—not every product that can receive AppleCare benefits under the plan.

It may be attractive when separate AppleCare premiums approach or exceed $19.99 per month, particularly if at least one covered device needs theft-and-loss protection. It may be a poor fit for a single inexpensive device, for a household that does not need AppleCare on its other products, or for someone who expects theft protection for a Mac, AirPods, Apple TV, or separately purchased accessories.

Remember that AppleCare One’s limit is up to three theft-or-loss incidents under the plan every 12 months. Read the applicable disclosure before assuming how incidents are allocated among devices.

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AppleCare versus other protection options

Criterion AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss AppleCare One Carrier protection Homeowners/renters insurance
Apple repair ecosystem Strong Strong Varies by carrier and provider Usually not the central service
Theft/loss coverage Yes, if included and conditions are met Yes for eligible devices Usually, but plan-dependent Policy-dependent
Deductible Device-specific Device-specific Plan-specific Usually the policy deductible
Coverage scope Primarily the covered Apple device Multiple Apple devices, with category limits Carrier/account-dependent Potentially broader personal property
Claim limit Up to two incidents per 12 months Up to three incidents per 12 months under the plan Varies Policy-dependent
Main concern Find My, deadlines, premiums, and deductible Plan-level economics and incident limits Third-party rules and carrier eligibility High deductible, exclusions, depreciation, or underwriting effects

Carrier insurance

Verizon Mobile Protect, AT&T device protection, and T-Mobile Protection 360 may appeal to customers who want protection bundled into a wireless bill, carrier-specific repair options, or same-day service where available. Their deductibles, monthly prices, claim limits, replacement models, repair providers, and enrollment rules differ. Coverage may depend on the carrier account or installment agreement, and changing service can affect eligibility.

Compare the actual plan available through your carrier rather than assuming that every carrier program is equivalent to AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss.

Homeowners or renters insurance

A homeowners or renters policy may already cover personal property away from home or offer broader protection than an Apple-specific plan. However, a high policy deductible can make a single-phone claim uneconomical. Consider depreciation, coverage limits, proof-of-loss requirements, exclusions, and possible effects on premiums or future underwriting before filing.

Self-insuring

Self-insuring can make sense if you can comfortably replace the device, have low theft or loss exposure, and would rather keep the premiums in savings. Compare the likely replacement cost with several years of premiums plus the AppleCare deductible—not just the advertised monthly price.

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Who is AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss a good fit for?

  • Consider it if your device is expensive to replace, you travel or commute frequently, you use it in crowded places, you want Apple’s repair and support ecosystem, and you can reliably keep Find My enabled.
  • Ordinary AppleCare+ may be enough if accidental damage and battery service are your main concerns, your theft risk is low, or you have savings or another policy for replacement.
  • Consider AppleCare One if several eligible Apple devices need AppleCare and the combined cost of separate plans approaches the One price.
  • Compare carrier or property insurance if you want broader coverage, carrier billing, or protection beyond Apple devices—but include the actual deductible, claim limits, exclusions, and possible premium consequences.

Important state, country, and purchase-date qualifications

The examples in this article are primarily U.S. examples. Insurance terms, deductibles, taxes, insurers, claim procedures, and eligibility vary by jurisdiction. A plan purchased in one country or state may not have identical terms elsewhere.

Use Apple’s state-document selector for the document tied to your purchase date and state. Apple’s legal materials also separate newer documents from archived terms; do not mix documents for plans purchased after March 2, 2026 with older or pre-September 15, 2020 terms.

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ASURION 3 Year Electronics Protection Plan ($30 - $39.99)
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ASURION 3 Year Electronics Protection Plan ($60 - $69.99)
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ASURION 2 Year Electronics Protection Plan ($125 - $149.99)
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No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
$16.99

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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