Understanding Sprint's Insurance Charges: A Guide To Unexpected Fees

Sprint offers its customers an insurance option called Sprint Complete, which covers defects after the standard warranty expires, as well as accidental damage, theft, and loss. The pricing of this insurance depends on the device tier and ranges from $9 to $19. Sprint's website now redirects to T-Mobile, and current Sprint customers can keep their pricing and plans.

Sprint Complete insurance coverage

Sprint Complete is the only insurance option offered by Sprint. The pricing of Sprint Complete depends on the device tier and ranges from $9 to $19.

Sprint Complete Coverage

Sprint Complete covers defects after the standard warranty expires, accidental damage, theft, and loss. All screen repairs cost $29, and other repairs range between $25 and $140. Theft and loss replacement fees range from $50 to $275. AppleCare is packaged in the plan for eligible iPhones and offers coverage through Apple for the first two years (or two claims). All other claims are handled by Asurion.

Additional Benefits

• Unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos
• Online password management tools
• Next-day device replacement
• Unlimited access to a tech expert

Deductibles by Phone Tier

Malfunctioning Phone Deductible

• Tier 1: $25
• Tier 2: $65
• Tier 3: $115
• Tier 4: $140
• Tier 5: $140

Accidental Damage Deductible

• Cracked screen repair (all phones): $29
• IPhones with AppleCare: $99 (first 2 years/2 claims)
• Other smartphones: Tier 5: $140, Tier 4: $140, Tier 3: $115, Tier 2: $65, Tier 1: $25

Loss or Theft Deductible

• IPhones with AppleCare: $199–$269 (first 2 years/2 claims)
• Other smartphones: Tier 5: $275, Tier 4: $275, Tier 3: $225, Tier 2: $125, Tier 1: $50

Sprint Complete pricing

Sprint offers just one insurance option: Sprint Complete. Pricing depends on the device tier and ranges from $9 to $19 per month.

• Tier 1: $9 per month (e.g. Motorola E4, LG K30, Samsung Grand Prime)
• Tier 2: $11 per month (e.g. iPhone XR, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6S)
• Tier 3: $14 per month (e.g. iPhone 11, iPhone XS, iPhone X)
• Tier 4: $17 per month (e.g. iPhone 11, iPhone XS, iPhone X)
• Tier 5: $19 per month (e.g. iPhone 11, iPhone XS, iPhone X)

Sprint Complete covers defects after the standard warranty expires, accidental damage, and theft and loss. All screen repairs cost $29, and other repairs range between $25 and $140. Theft and loss replacement fees range from $50 to $275.

Additional benefits of Sprint Complete include unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos, online password management tools, next-day device replacement, and unlimited access to a tech expert.

Sprint's first wireless bill

If you've received your first Sprint wireless bill and are surprised by the amount, there are a few reasons why it may be higher than expected. Firstly, according to Sprint's policy, your first bill will only include the amount of data used in the billing cycle, plus taxes and fees. However, you are likely to be double-billed on your first bill, especially if you joined mid-billing cycle, as it includes a prorated first month of service.

Here's a breakdown of the fees you may encounter:

• Line activation fees
• Subsidized fees
• Prorated bills
• A one-time fee upon activating your account
• The first bill, which acts as a deposit on your account
• A fee for discounted phones bought under a two-year agreement or instant discount, often via third-party purchases, additional to your instalment payments
• A $25 per month, per phone fee for upgrading your device
• A fee for access to your BYO phone line—this doesn't apply to new Sprint plans
• Additional high-speed data if you're on a pay-by-the-gig plan and run out
• $15 per 1GB of high-speed data
• Administrative charges, which cover fees Sprint pays to other mobile carriers when you use their cell towers or call their customers
• Taxes and government fees, including federal, state, and county taxes, ranging from 8.74% to just under 27.55% of your monthly bill
• Your monthly device payment
• Higher lease payments if you received a discount on your device, which may take 1-3 billing cycles to show up on your bill
• An account spending limit charge if you're not signed up for eBill and AutoPay

To avoid some of these fees in the future, consider the following:

• Set your bill to AutoPay and eBill
• Ask for discounts like waived activation fees when signing up, rather than device discounts
• Ask a Sprint specialist when their billing cycles begin and wait to activate your line on that day, letting them know in advance that you want to avoid prorated fees

Sprint's policy vs customer feedback

According to Sprint's policy, your first bill will only include the amount of data used in the billing cycle, plus applicable taxes and fees. However, customer feedback suggests that you are likely to be double-billed on your first bill, especially if you joined mid-billing cycle, as it is a "prorated first month of service fee".

Sprint offers just one insurance option: Sprint Complete. Pricing depends on the device tier and ranges from $9 to $19. Sprint Complete covers defects after the standard warranty expires, accidental damage, and theft and loss. All screen repairs cost $29, and other repairs range between $25 and $140. Theft and loss replacement fees range from $50 to $275.

Sprint's wireless bill includes a variety of fees, such as line activation fees, subsidised fees, prorated bills, and more. One of the fees is an administrative charge, which covers any additional fees paid to other mobile carriers when you use their cell towers or call their customers.

To avoid extra fees, Sprint suggests setting your bill to AutoPay and eBill. You can also ask for discounts like "waived activation fees" and find out when their billing cycles begin so you can avoid prorated fees.

Sprint wireless bill tips

If you're a Sprint customer, you may be wondering how to make sense of your wireless bill. Here are some tips to help you understand and potentially lower your Sprint wireless bill:

• Set your bill to AutoPay and eBill: Signing up for AutoPay and eBill can help you save money on your monthly bill. With AutoPay, Sprint will automatically charge your card each billing cycle, and you'll receive a discount for doing so.
• Ask for waived activation fees: Instead of opting for device discounts when signing up, consider requesting waived activation fees. This can help reduce the overall cost of your bill.
• Time your line activation: Ask a Sprint specialist about their billing cycles and try to time your line activation to start on the first day of the billing cycle. This can help you avoid paying prorated fees for your first month of service.
• Compare plans: Take the time to compare Sprint's different wireless plans to find the one that best suits your needs. This can help you get the most value for your money.
• Avoid unnecessary fees: Familiarize yourself with the various fees and charges that Sprint may include on your bill. Knowing what to look out for can help you avoid unnecessary costs and make informed decisions about your plan and device choices.
• Consider insurance: While Sprint offers device insurance, it may not be the most economical option. Weigh the cost of the insurance against the likelihood of needing to file a claim. Alternatively, you can invest in a high-quality case and screen protector to protect your device.
• Track your data usage: If you're on a pay-by-the-gig plan, keep an eye on your data usage to avoid unexpected charges for exceeding your data limit.
• Understand your bill: Take the time to review your wireless bill in detail. If you notice any unexpected or unfamiliar charges, don't hesitate to contact Sprint's customer support for clarification and to resolve any issues.

Frequently asked questions