Asurion Protection Plans: What Are They, and Do You Need One?

With over 280 million customers, Asurion is a global leader in tech care and device protection plans. They offer phone and home tech protection plans, both directly to customers and through many of the nation's largest wireless carriers and online retailers. Asurion plans don't just cover tech accidents and issues; they also include access to tech support experts who can help troubleshoot tech frustrations. And who hasn't had those before?

You might also recognize Asurion as the parent company of tech repair retailer uBreakiFix by Asurion. When your tech breaks, repair experts at the more than 700 uBreakiFix  stores nationwide are ready to help, regardless of whether or not you have an existing Asurion protection plan. With more than 20 million repairs under their belt, including everything from fixing cracked phone screens to restoring vintage arcade games, uBreakiFix by Asurion stores can help with your protection plan claim or any other walk-in repair.

Since its inception in 1994, Asurion has repaired and replaced millions of tech devices, and has solved millions of tech problems via its network of more than 10,000 experts. Asurion protection is sometimes offered with a device purchase, which is why you might recognize the name. But you can enroll in some plans independently, like Asurion Home+, which covers nearly all the tech in your home for $24.99 per month.

Is a protection plan right for you?

Everyone's situation is different, but it's worth weighing the number of devices you own, the value of each, how heavily you rely on those devices and how much you're willing to spend on repairs or replacements if something goes awry.

If you're lucky, your devices will last for years without breaking down. But we all know that tech breaks, and when it does it can be a hassle. Protection plans can prevent having to pay for unexpected repairs or replacements.

How many connected devices are in the room with you right now? What about across your whole home? On average, U.S. households had 16 connected devices in 2022 according to research from Parks Associates, an international research firm. When we say "connected devices," think TVs, streaming devices, gaming systems, soundbars, computers, tablets, voice assistants, thermostats, locks, doorbells, security cameras and more. If you have a lot of big-ticket items, a protection plan that bundles those items together can help you save.

The math is pretty simple. For example, the average cost to repair a TV in 2022 was $210, according to data from HomeAdvisor, a home contractor services database. Replacing your TV costs far more, and that's just one device in your household. Alternatively, you could pay just $24.99 a month to protect nearly all the tech in your home. Even if your items each stopped working only once over the next five years, you'd still save money.

For any protection plan, it's important to understand the full scope of what's included both in the device coverage itself and any added benefits, like tech support. Read on for more about the features included with Asurion's protection plans.

Smart tech support 

A major benefit of Asurion protection plans is expert tech help. Some plans even include 24/7 live support for any tech problem. That means that instead of spending time researching and watching several YouTube videos to learn how to pair your TV to your sound bar or troubleshoot your smart thermostat, you can simply call an expert to help you solve it live.  

Calling Asurion gets you a real person who can walk you through setup, connectivity issues, feature tutorials and anything else you need help with to learn your way around your devices. Asurion has more than 10,000 experts who understand your tech (and the frustrations that sometimes come with it). With more than 17 million tech support calls last year alone, their live, friendly support network helps fill an important gap in how people experience and enjoy their tech.

Coverage for the connected home

These days , everything from your doorbell to your fridge can be connected to WiFi, which means there are more ways than ever before that your tech can go on the fritz. Individual protection plans for each of your smart home devices can add up quickly, but Asurion Home+ bundles coverage for an unlimited number of eligible devices under one umbrella. It also covers both past and future purchases.

This means if your smart lock stops working or game console overheats, Asurion will repair or replace it. Some issues, like connectivity or synchronization problems, can be fixed remotely. Others, like physical damage or mechanical failure, can be fixed hands-on. If your device needs to be replaced rather than fixed, Asurion will quickly provide you with a replacement device.

A repair network on your side

When your device needs some in-person attention , Asurion has the repair infrastructure to fix it quickly at one of over 700 uBreakiFix by Asurion stores nationwide. The repair experts at uBreakiFix by Asurion fix phones, laptops, tablets, game consoles and most everything in between. If you have a protection plan, your repair needs can often be addressed at a nearby uBreakiFix by Asurion store. The stores fix just about anything with a power button using high-quality parts, including original manufacturer components for popular phone repairs.

The most common phone repairs (cracked screen, anyone?) can often be completed in a few hours, so you don't have an extended disruption.

Why device protection matters

For the accident-prone among us, device protection is a no-brainer. But for many, giving up on a device because you can't figure out how to set up network connectivity or reset your settings is just as big of a loss. Device protection plans can help with both.

Asurion has earned its reputation as the most comprehensive one-stop shop for total tech care. Whether it be fixing a finicky phone, troubleshooting a tricky WiFi setup issue or protecting pricey home tech devices, Asurion protection plans provide the expertise and infrastructure to serve as your tech safety net. Let Asurion's combination of convenience, quality and human touch keep your devices in working order to ensure you enjoy your tech for years to come.