Thought Press.

It finally happened. A few weeks ago I dropped my iPhone on the sidewalk as I was trying to plug in my headphones. The result was a few dents and nicks on one side and the casing popped out a bit. While the phone still worked, my nerves were cringing.

The Apple Store would not help me since the phone was still working. I guess I’d have to live with it the way it was. Just then I realized I had purchased the phone with my American Express card. It had the Purchase Protection Plan!

I ran home and looked up the terms and conditions and discovered that accidental damage was covered within 90 days of purchase. I went to americanexpress.com/onlineclaim to determine what documentation I needed: Your Amex charge receipt (statement), original store receipt, photograph or repair estimate for damage, and any insurance documentation if you went through homeowner’s or renter’s insurance first. I went to the Apple Store to get a repair estimate ($279.45). I faxed the documents in and two weeks later I got a communication saying that this payment has been approved and will be credited to my account!

It worked. Now I have to go to the Apple Store, set up the repair, get their loaner phone, and smile. Hooray for American Express.