Just picked up my new 8703e from Verizon and the sales guy was promoting the 4.99 / month insurance deal that covers theft and all the rest with a $50 decductable. What do you all think? i went for the extended mfg warrany at $1.99 / month, but the other seemed a little high. I am going to check with my regular insurance company after the holidays to see if I can get a rider, but was curious what everyone's experience might have been.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

I've always been pretty skeptical when it comes to insurance for your phone but I went ahead and got it for my Sprint BlackBerry 8703e. This is the FIRST time I purchased insurance for a cell phone since I started using them over 8 years ago. I'm very cautious with all of my high tech gadgets, mostly because I sell them after about a year or so to upgrade to the newest model. It all depends, with the full coverage, you get a replacement phone, most likely refurbished if you're already outside of the manufacturer's warranty.....if you're one of those who fumble things or are normally careless then go for it. With the Sprint plan, it comes out to $72.00 per year plus $50.00 for the replacement, so that comes out to about $122.00 for a new/refurbed phone versus paying full price for a brand new one.

Insurance is not offered via Cingular or I would have taken that option. Like anything else, is it worth the price if you have to replace the unit? Is there any kind of warrenty that VZ offers for the 1st year to cover problems with the unit (not damaged by the user)?
IMHO I would have insurance via my carrier if it was offered. Granted the BB's are tough little devices (I can't tell you how many times I've dropped mine) and it still works like a charm.

Cingular does not offer insurance for any Blackberry units to anyone including internal ATT units. wish they did.