Credit cards with cellphone protection: What to know

Ever fumbled your smartphone and watched it crash toward the hard floor? Thought it was stolen and gone for good? That sinking feeling is about more than just the cost of repairing a cracked screen or having to purchase a new phone. 

Being without a phone can complicate everything: keeping up with the group chat, shopping online or staying on top of the news. But the temporary loss of your phone might not have to be as stressful if you have a credit card with cellphone protection. 

What you’ll learn:

• Cellphone protection is a type of insurance that’s available on some credit card products.

• Insurance can also be purchased through wireless carriers.

• Cellphone protection can help cover the cost of repairing or replacing a phone if it’s damaged or stolen.

• Capital One Venture X cardholders have cellphone protection among the many benefits available to them.

Some credit cards offer cellphone protection as a complimentary cardholder perk. 

If your card offers cellphone protection, you may be reimbursed in certain situations, like if your phone is stolen or damaged. It’s important to check your coverage, because plans may not cover your phone if you misplace it.

Cellphone protection insurance is also available through the phone manufacturer, your mobile service provider or your homeowners insurance.

If you have a credit card that offers cellphone protection, it’s typically activated for as long as you charge your monthly cellphone bills to the card.

Credit card phone insurance is often secondary, or supplemental, insurance. That means it’s available after other coverage has been applied. 

Secondary insurance plans may vary depending on the credit card issuer. And there are usually limits on coverage, the number of claims you can make and the maximum payout. You may also need to pay a deductible.

Capital One Venture X cardholders can find information about your coverage in your card’s benefits guide.

The Venture X card is a rewards credit card that comes with cellphone coverage that could pay for replacement or repairs. 

• What’s covered? Among the things that Venture X cellphone protection will reimburse you for are theft of and damage to your cellphone.¹

• What’s not covered? Cellphones stolen from checked baggage and cosmetic damage are a couple of the events not covered.¹

• When does it apply? You’re covered when you make your monthly cellphone bill payment with your eligible Venture X card. Coverage starts on the first day of the calendar month following payment with your covered card. And coverage continues as long as you continue to pay your cellphone bill each month with the covered card.

• How do I file a claim? To start a claim, contact your benefits administrator within 60 days of the date of the covered incident. 

• How will I be reimbursed? If your claim is approved, you’ll be reimbursed for either your phone’s repair or replacement. Reimbursement is based on your deductible and the terms of the coverage. And it typically arrives within 10 business days after your claim has been approved.

Coverage for a phone is just one of the benefits Venture X cardholders enjoy. The card rewards travel with flexible benefits like a 75,000-mile early spend bonus, a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel and a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus.²

Whether you opt for coverage is up to you. 

You may just want the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re covered. But to decide, you might think about things like how much your phone costs and whether you’ve had to pay to replace one in the past. 

If you don’t have separate coverage, considering a credit card with cellphone protection might be a natural fit.

Phones aren’t cheap. And they’ve become a central part of home and work life. Having cellphone protection through a card like Venture X can help if you have to pay to have your phone repaired or replaced.