We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our
goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you
with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original
and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare
information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with
confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to,
American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and
Discover.
Steven Dashiell is an editor for Bankrate and CreditCards.com with expertise in rewards credit cards, financial literacy, and helping consumers build and maintain their credit.
The advice in this article is offered by the
team independent of any bank or credit card issuer.
This article may contain
from our partners, and terms may apply to offers linked or accessed through this page.
as of posting date, but offers mentioned may have expired.
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one
you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly,
people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit
card industry year-round to:
Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options.
Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you're well-equipped to make confident decisions.
Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you.
At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience.
Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way,
we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next.
Editorial integrity
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first.
Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right
financial decisions.
Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have
editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial
content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and
our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.
Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you
make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced
by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked
to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and
dependable information.
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You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master
your money for over four decades.
We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to
succeed throughout life’s financial journey.
Bankrate follows a strict
editorial policy,
so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and
reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial
decisions. The content created by our editorial
staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.
We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and
useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison
service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and
services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore,
this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within
listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity
and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary
website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your
self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear
on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not
include information about every financial or credit product or service.
*Our writers and editors used an in-house natural language generation platform to assist with portions of this article, allowing them to focus on adding information that is uniquely helpful. The article was reviewed, fact-checked and edited by our editorial staff prior to publication.
In addition to perks like earning rewards and statement credits, some top credit cards also offer the under-utilized perk of cellphone insurance. This benefit can provide additional security when your cell phone is lost or damaged. Here’s a breakdown of the best credit cards for cellphone insurance and how to choose the right one for your needs.
Comparing the best credit cards with cellphone insurance
Take a look at some of our top choices for credit cards with cellphone insurance, complete with coverage, claim and deductive limits.
The Chase Freedom Flex card is the only Chase personal card that provides cellphone protection. And with an outstanding reward structure for a no-annual-fee card and the ability to pool points with other Chase cards, it can be the most valuable cash back card for insuring your cellphone.
Pros
You’ll get a well-rounded set of bonus categories and benefits for no annual fee.
The cellphone protection value matches cards with much higher annual fees.
Cons
While you can claim up to $800 per claim, there is an annual cap of $1,000 total.
You must remember to activate rotating bonus categories to earn full rewards.
Best for luxury perks
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
As one of the most elite travel cards on the market, it should come as no surprise that the Amex Platinum Card offers cellphone protection. Like many of Platinum’s benefits, the protection plan is among the best on a personal credit card. However, the annual fee is one of the highest of any card, so make sure you’ll utilize enough of the laundry list of benefits before applying for this card.
Pros
The cellphone protection benefits are one of the strongest you can find on a personal credit card.
Maximizing this card's numerous benefits can provide outsized value, even for a card with an annual fee this high.
Cons
The high annual fee may scare away anyone who doesn’t expect to maximize the benefits.
Card reward categories are weak outside the travel category and some perks are difficult to use.
Best for travel rewards
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5
The Capital One Venture X may offer the best overall value of any premium card. Well-rounded benefits, including cellphone insurance, easily offset its annual fee. Compared to other premium cards, the Venture X is easy to understand and straightforward to maximize: simply make all your purchases with this card, including your cellphone bill, to earn flat-rate rewards and unlock your coverage.
Pros
This card is a great standalone option for regular travelers thanks to its combination of boosted travel rewards and solid flat rewards on all other purchases.
The card’s cellphone insurance coverage is among the highest available.
Cons
There aren’t many opportunities to earn bonus points on this card outside of the boosted travel rates.
The annual fee is tough to offset if you don’t use the card’s travel credits.
Best for flat-rate rewards
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
The Wells Fargo Active Cash card offers exceptional cellphone insurance for a no-annual-fee card. It has the lowest deductible per claim on any card and consistently ranks near the top of our list of best cash back cards. You’ll get a simple flat-rate reward structure, solid benefits and affordable protection when your cell phone gets lost or damaged.
Pros
The $25 deductible per cellphone claim is the lowest available on a credit card.
This card is a top choice for a simple standalone card thanks to its powerful cash back rate on all purchases.
Cons
The card lacks travel benefits and protections compared to other cards on our list.
The annual coverage limit and maximum per claim are lower than some of its competitors.
Best for business owners
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
The Ink Business Preferred card offers elevated rewards on telecommunications, making it a smart choice for paying your phone bill and having exceptional cellphone coverage. Your business will get higher maximums per claim, annual coverage limits, and the ability to file up to three claims annually, which can help cover any employee phones.
Pros
This card offers top reward rates for paying your cellphone bill, giving your business more incentive to use this card for those expenses.
You can combine points with other Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning cards to boost point value further.
Cons
The elevated bonus rates are capped at $150,000 annually in combined purchases for shipping, travel, advertising with social media sites and search engines, internet, cable and phone services.
The spending requirement for the welcome offer is high for the short timeframe.
How to choose the best credit cards with cellphone insurance
While many cards offer cellphone insurance, there are differences in each issuer’s offering. Consider these factors when choosing which credit card with cellphone insurance is right for you:
Take some time to understand the details.
Read the fine print. Like with any form of insurance, you’ll want to read the fine print to spot potential “gotcha” scenarios. Having your claim denied due to a technicality can be highly frustrating.
Make sure you’re comfortable with your deductible. Your deductible is the amount you’ll be responsible for paying out-of-pocket, so you’ll want to make sure you can pay your deductible when considering a card with cellphone insurance.
Know your coverage limits. There are three limits to pay attention to: your maximum amount per claim, the annual coverage limit, and the number of claims you can make in a calendar year. The math doesn’t always add up on some cards, meaning you could have a card with two claims per year at an $800 maximum per claim but an annual limit lower than $1,600.
Pay your bill with your card. Cellphone insurance coverage on your credit card is only activated when you pay your entire cellphone bill with your credit card. While coverage on some cards takes effect the day after paying your bill, some cards may only become active at the start of the following month.
What’s covered with cellphone insurance
Having a good understanding of your coverage can prevent headaches when issues arise.
Costs to repair or replace your cell phone when damaged
Costs to replace your cell phone when stolen (police report usually required)
Costs to replace your cell phone when it is unrecoverable due to involuntary or accidental parting (think dropping it into a river or similar situations)
Anything on a cell phone not paid fully with the eligible card
Cosmetic damage that doesn’t impact the phone’s capabilities or functionality
Cellphones that are leased (not including phones purchased on installment plans) or purchased for resale
Accessories other than the standard battery
Mysterious disappearances without evidence of a wrongful act or intentional damage
Employee phones that aren’t listed on the monthly bill
Theft from checked baggage
Losses covered by phone warranty
Frequently asked questions
Cell phone insurance generally covers a range of incidents for different cell phones, but specifics can vary based on the provider and policy. However, coverage may be limited by the phone’s age, make, model, and condition, and certain modifications or repairs could void the policy. Always check the details of your insurance plan for exact coverage limitations.
Your need for additional cellphone insurance depends on your credit card’s coverage scope and limitations. If it sufficiently protects against theft and damage, using your card to pay the bill may be enough. However, consider extra coverage if your card’s policy has restrictions, such as coverage exclusions, reimbursement limits, or high deductibles. Always review your card’s insurance details, as credit card coverage is often secondary.
Secondary cellphone insurance kicks in after other insurance policies, like your phone carrier’s protection plan or your homeowner’s/renter’s insurance, are exhausted. Coverage typically has limitations on amounts, number of claims, and types of covered incidents, and deductibles may apply.
What’s next?
Enter some basic information into CardMatch™, Bankrate’s prequalification tool, to find a card that best suits your needs. For more insight, our Spender Type Tool can point you in the right direction.
While cellphone insurance shouldn’t be the sole reason for choosing a credit card, it can help you recoup some cash on your phone in the event of a covered event.
*Although not stated explicitly in the public benefit terms, this maximum annual coverage limit is implied by the maximum coverage per claim plus the maximum number of yearly claims. Check with your issuer to be certain of your potential annual coverage.
Quick citation guide
Select a citation to automatically copy to clipboard.
APA:
Flanigan, R. (2024, August 15). Best credit cards with cellphone insurance. Bankrate. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/rewards/best-credit-cards-financing-cell-phones/
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MLA:
Flanigan, Ryan. "Best credit cards with cellphone insurance." Bankrate. 15 August 2024, https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/rewards/best-credit-cards-financing-cell-phones/.
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Chicago:
Flanigan, Ryan. "Best credit cards with cellphone insurance." Bankrate. August 15, 2024. https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/rewards/best-credit-cards-financing-cell-phones/.
We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our
goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you
with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original
and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare
information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with
confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to,
American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and
Discover.
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one
you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly,
people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit
card industry year-round to:
Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options.
Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you're well-equipped to make confident decisions.
Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you.
At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience.
Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way,
we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next.
Editorial integrity
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first.
Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right
financial decisions.
Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have
editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial
content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and
our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.
Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you
make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced
by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked
to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and
dependable information.
How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master
your money for over four decades.
We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to
succeed throughout life’s financial journey.
Bankrate follows a strict
editorial policy,
so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and
reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial
decisions. The content created by our editorial
staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.
We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and
useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison
service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and
services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore,
this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within
listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity
and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary
website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your
self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear
on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not
include information about every financial or credit product or service.
Quick citation guide
Select a citation to automatically copy to clipboard.
APA:
Flanigan, R. (2024, August 15). Best credit cards with cellphone insurance. Bankrate. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/rewards/best-credit-cards-financing-cell-phones/
Copied to clipboard!
MLA:
Flanigan, Ryan. "Best credit cards with cellphone insurance." Bankrate. 15 August 2024, https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/rewards/best-credit-cards-financing-cell-phones/.
Copied to clipboard!
Chicago:
Flanigan, Ryan. "Best credit cards with cellphone insurance." Bankrate. August 15, 2024. https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/rewards/best-credit-cards-financing-cell-phones/.
