Guide to Credit Card Cell Phone Protection Benefits

[Updated 2025.1] We removed cards that no longer offer this benefit, and added cards such as Bilt and Capital One that do offer it. We also added the best credit cards for paying your cell phone bill.

About Cell Phone Protection

Quite a few credit cards now offer free cell phone protection. This is essentially complimentary insurance provided by the credit card issuer. In most cases, the issuer partners with a third-party insurance company. If you are a cardholder and meet the requirements, your phone is automatically covered. If your phone is damaged and you incur repair costs, you may be able to get reimbursed by submitting the relevant documents and supporting evidence.

However, reimbursement terms vary by credit card, and the requirements are not always the same. Even different cards issued by the same bank may have different coverage limits. Below, we will go over the cell phone protection benefits offered by a variety of major credit cards.

A Few Key Terms

Before getting into specific credit cards, let’s first review some common terms used in cell phone insurance. That will make the benefit terms much easier to understand. Here we use the AMEX Platinum Guide to Benefit for cell phone protection to explain some common terminology. Cell phone protection from other issuers is broadly similar. Note that the terms below are specifically from the AMEX Platinum cell phone protection policy and are provided only for explanation and reference.

The biggest differences among cards are usually in the scope of coverage. Key terms include:

• The maximum liability is $ 800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account.: The maximum reimbursement is $800 per claim.
• Each claim is subject to a $ 50 deductible.: You must pay the first $50 of each claim, and the insurance company covers the rest.
• Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period.: Each card is limited to two claims per 12-month period.

In addition, you should make sure that both your phone and your card qualify for coverage:

• Card Member: You must be the holder of the card, and you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. the holder of an Eligible Card Account in good standing who is a U.S. citizen or a legal resident of the U.S. or a U.S. territory, including the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
• Eligible Card Account: The account must still be open, and the card must be issued in the U.S. means all open and valid Eligible Accounts in good standing with a Card Member of a U.S. Issued American Express account as defined: Centurion, Platinum, Delta Reserve, and Delta Platinum for which the Participating Organization has applied for enrollment.
• Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones: Both the primary line and additional or supplemental lines on the cardholder’s cell phone account may qualify. At the time the damage occurs, the monthly bill must be paid with this card. means the cellular telephones associated with the primary line and additional or supplemental lines on the Eligible Person’s monthly billing statement from a cellular provider for the billing cycle preceding the month in which the theft or damage occurred.
• Group Policy: AMEX’s cell phone insurance carrier is New Hampshire Insurance Company. means the Cellular Protection Insurance Policy that New Hampshire Insurance Company issued to American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. and its Related Grantor Trust, which is the subject of this Guide to Benefits.

What is NOT covered:

• Damage to third-party accessories • Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone accessories other than the standard battery and standard antenna provided by the manufacturer;
• Phones used for business purposes or purchased for resale are not covered, meaning the coverage is generally for personal-use phones only. Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones purchased for resale or for professional or commercial use. Exclusion applies for Consumer card accounts only;
• Mysterious disappearance is not covered. Presumably you need to show that the phone was actually stolen, for example with a police report. Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones that are lost or Mysterious Disappearance;
• Contract phones may not qualify (likely because the cardholder does not own the device). • Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephones which have been rented, leased, borrowed or Cellular Wireless Telephones that are received as part of a pre-paid plan;
• Minor scratches do not qualify. • Cosmetic damage (i.e. superficial abrasions or scuffs) to the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone or damage that does not impact the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone’s ability to make or receive phone calls;
• Intentional damage, natural disasters, war, and inherent defects are not covered. • Damage or theft resulting from abuse, intentional acts, fraud, hostilities of any kind (including, but not limited to, war, invasion, rebellion or insurrection) , confiscation by the authorities, risks of contraband, illegal activities, normal wear and tear, flood, earthquake, radioactive contamination, or damage from inherent product defects or vermin;
• Damage during shipping does not count. • Damage or theft resulting from mis-delivery or voluntary parting from the Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone;
• Repairs or replacements from unauthorized third-party sellers are not covered. • Replacement Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone (s) purchased from anyone other than a cellular service provider’s retail or internet store that has the ability to initiate activation with the cellular service provider;
• Taxes and fees are not included • Taxes, delivery or transportation charges or any fees associated with the service provided; or
• If the loss is already covered by a warranty, this coverage does not apply to that portion. • Losses covered under a warranty issued by a manufacturer, distributor or seller

Finally, credit card insurance is usually secondary coverage. In other words, if you have other primary insurance, such as AppleCare or another property insurance policy, that coverage should pay first, and this cell phone protection would apply only after that.

• Policy provides secondary coverage only.

Of course, if you are not sure, you can compare your card’s benefit terms to see whether you meet the cell phone protection requirements, or simply call the issuer.

Common Credit Cards With Cell Phone Protection

AMEX

• Coverage: up to $800 per claim, up to 2 claims per 12 months, with a $50 deductible

At the link below, you can see all AMEX credit cards that offer cell phone protection, along with the terms for each card. The main participating cards include AMEX Platinum, Delta Platinum, Reserve, Centurion, Marriott Brilliant, and Business Gold.

• AMEX cell phone protection overview

Based on the terms, these cards all provide up to $800 per claim, require a $50 deductible for each claim, and allow at most 2 claims per 12 months.

Capital One

Capital One offers cell phone protection on two premium cards: the Venture X and the Venture X Business.

• Venture X: up to $800 per claim, up to 2 claims per 12 months, $1,600 total per 12 months; $50 deductible
• Venture X Business: up to $800 per claim, up to 2 claims per 12 months, $1,000 total per 12 months; $50 deductible

You need to call 844-288-2140 to file a claim.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo offers cell phone protection on all of its cards. The deductible is only $25, with up to 2 claims every 12 months and up to $600 per claim.

• Benefit details: $25 deductible with an allowable maximum of two paid claims per 12 month period. Each approved claim has a benefit limit of $600.
• Common Wells Fargo cards
• If you need to file a claim, call 866-804-4770.

In addition, its premium card Autograph Journey offers better cell phone protection, with up to $1,000 per claim; everything else is the same as the regular cards.

Its Bilt card also offers this benefit, with a higher limit of up to $800 per claim; everything else is the same as the regular cards. You need to file a claim within 60 days of the damage. You can call 800-316-8051.Or file online

Chase Credit Cards

Some Chase cards are Mastercards, and they provide cell phone protection based on the World Mastercard standard above, or better. Among Chase Visa cards, Ink Business Preferred offers this protection. IHG cell phone protection was removed in 2022.

• Chase Freedom Flex: $800 per claim, $50 deductible; 2 claims per year, up to $1,000 total annually
• Ink Business Preferred: $1,000 per claim, $100 deductible, up to 3 claims per year (benefit details)

Some World Mastercard/World Elite Mastercard Cards

[Note] Some cards do not have this benefit even if they are WM or WE, because some banks remove it to save costs. If your card does not clearly state whether this benefit is included, it is best to call customer service to check. For example, all Citi cards have removed this benefit.

Some cards are Mastercards and use the Mastercard payment network. Mastercard comes in three tiers: standard Mastercard, World Mastercard, and World Elite Mastercard. Mastercard provides different extra benefits for each tier, including cell phone protection. You can check the card face or the approval letter you received to see which version you have. World Mastercard offers up to $600 per claim, up to 2 claims per year, and up to $1,000 total per year.

• Benefit Guide

Which Credit Card Is Best?

Cards with Annual Fees

First, in terms of claim convenience, AMEX is much more generous than other cards, and its customer service is also much better. So if you simply want the best experience, an AMEX card is recommended. Many readers probably have the AMEX Platinum. In addition, if you have the AMEX Marriott Brilliant, that is also a great option.

If you also care about earning bonus rewards when paying your cell phone bill, then the Chase Ink Preferred Business is the best fit. Cell phone bills earn 3x UR, which is roughly equivalent to 5% back. On top of that, this card allows the most claims, with three per year! (That said, if you break your phone three times a year, you may want to switch brands and get a better phone case.)

Also, the Capital One Venture X is a card well worth keeping long term, since the reimbursements and benefits can offset the annual fee. It also earns 2x points on all purchases, or about 2.6% back. It is also a solid option for paying your cell phone bill.

No Annual Fee

If you only want to keep a no-annual-fee card and still have this benefit, the top recommendation is the Chase Freedom Flex. The card itself offers 5x back in rotating quarterly categories, so it is worth keeping long term. While it does not offer a fixed bonus category for cell phone bills, Chase occasionally has good offers for paying your cell phone bill or discounts with certain wireless carriers.

Wells Fargo cards are also a good fit. The Autograph has no annual fee and also offers bonus rewards on travel purchases. Its points can also be transferred to airline miles and hotel points, making it one of the most well-rounded no-annual-fee cards.

How to Get Reimbursed

The basic process is as follows:

• Use a card with cell phone protection to pay your monthly cell phone bill, or your entire line's bill
• After your phone is damaged, contact customer service to confirm the benefit details
• Repair the phone at an approved shop and keep all receipts
• Upload the required documents at the designated site
• Wait for reimbursement

We also have a detailed real-world case study on getting reimbursed through the Chase IHG card's cell phone protection benefit. Feel free to read it carefully.

• Cell phone protection reimbursement case study