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Best Credit Cards with Cell Phone Protection: Top Offers in 2025

The best credit cards with cell phone protection in 2025 offer peace of mind for phone owners like this woman scrolling on an iPhone while wearing an orange sweater and blue jeans.
Business Insider compares the best credit cards with cell phone protection in 2025. Oscar Wong/Getty Images
Updated

Breaking or losing your smart phone is expensive and frustrating. But many of the top credit cards come with cell phone protection that can help pay for repair or replacement.

To qualify for coverage, often all you need to do is pay your cell phone bill with the card that offers this benefit.

Cell phone protection credit cards vary widely across issuers. Some cover cracked or damaged screens, while others exclude coverage for cosmetic damage and misplaced phones.

Business Insider's team of experts researched dozens of credit cards with cell phone protection to identify our top recommendations. We evaluated benefit terms for overall coverage, limitations, and deductibles, as well as the maximum number of eligible claims that can be approved in a year. We also considered each card's overall value, including earning rates, rewards and benefits, and annual fees.

These are the best credit cards for cell phone protection you can get right now based on your unique needs.

Best Credit Cards with Cell Phone Protection in 2025

Best forCardAnnual Fee
Everyday useWells Fargo Active Cash® Card$0 (rates and fees)
0% intro APRChase Freedom Flex® $0
Digital nomadsOne Key™ Card $0
RentersBilt Mastercard®$0 (rates and fees)
TravelersWells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card$95 (rates and fees)
FamiliesCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card$395
High spendersThe Platinum Card® from American Express$695 (rates and fees)
Business ownersInk Business Preferred® Credit Card$95 (rates and fees)

Best for Everyday Use

Best cell phone protection credit card for everyday use
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4.3/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening

Regular APR

19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable

Intro Offer

Earn $200 cash rewards bonus

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good welcome bonus for a $0 annual fee card
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Straightforward 2% cash rewards on purchases with no categories to track
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong benefits including cell phone protection, Visa Signature perks, and an intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If you've opened a Wells Fargo card in the past six months, you may not qualify for an additional Wells Fargo credit card
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Foreign transaction fees
Insider’s Take

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is definitely worth considering if you want to earn a strong rate of cash rewards on purchases without rotating categories or earning caps and with no annual fee. It's got a solid welcome bonus and intro APR offer, which puts it high on our list of best credit cards with an introductory zero-interest offer.

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is one of the best credit cards for everyday use because it earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, making it an easy option to use for autopay on your monthly cell phone bill.

Cardholders can also take advantage of an introductory zero-interest period, which can be useful for buying a new phone and paying it off over time without incurring any interest.

Annual fee: $0

Coverage terms:

  • Up to $600 per eligible claim after a $25 deductible
  • Covers the lowest-cost option out of:

    • Phone repair minus the deductible
    • The cost to replace the Cell Phone with similar features and functionality at the current market value at time of loss, less the deductible.
  • Up to two paid claims per 12-month period or up to $1,200 within a 12-month period
  • Secondary to any other coverage you may have, such as homeowners' or renters' insurance

Earning rate: unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

0% intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening (then 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR)

Learn more in our Wells Fargo Active Cash credit card review.

Pro tip: Wells Fargo credit cards are unique for offering cell phone insurance as a standard benefit, even on credit cards with no annual fees. Complimentary coverage ranges from $600 to $1,000 per claim after a $25 deductible; limits and exclusions apply.


Best for Zero Intro APR

Best cell phone protection credit card for zero intro APR
Chase Freedom Flex®
Chase Chase Freedom Flex®
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4.4/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months

Regular APR

18.99% - 28.49% Variable

Intro Offer

Earn a $200 bonus

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous bonus cash-back categories
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Great welcome bonus
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Booking through Chase Travel℠ can restrict outside earning potential
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Varying percentages and rotating calendar categories require extra attention
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. 3% foreign transaction fees
Insider’s Take

The Chase Chase Freedom Flex® is a great pick if you want one of the best no-annual-fee cards with big earning potential and impressive benefits. It's an even better choice if you already collect Ultimate Rewards points with other Chase cards, because you can combine your points and potentially get even more value.

Chase Freedom Flex review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."

The Chase Freedom Flex® is one of the best zero interest credit cards for cell phone protection. It comes with a lengthy 0% intro APR period on both new purchases and balance transfers, which can help you pay off outstanding debt (or a new phone) without incurring more interest.

And if said new phone gets damaged, the Chase Freedom Flex® is also one of the best no annual fee credit cards with cell phone protection, thanks to a generous ceiling for reimbursement on eligible claims.

This card earns generous rewards on rotating bonus categories each quarter, which have included cell phone bills in the past, although not in a few years.

Annual fee: $0

Coverage terms:

  • Up to $800 per eligible claim after a $50 deductible
  • Covers the lowest-cost option out of:

    • Phone repair minus the deductible
    • Replacing the phone with the most similar model available
  • Up to two paid claims and up to $1,000 total reimbursement per 12-month period
  • Secondary to any other coverage you may have, such as homeowners' or renters' insurance

Earning rate: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases

0% intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR

Learn more in our Chase Freedom Flex credit card review.

Pro tip: Not all Chase Freedom credit cards are created equally. The Chase Freedom Flex® is a World Elite Mastercard, which comes with cell phone insurance as a complimentary benefit, while its close sibling, the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, is a Visa card with different benefits, including no cell phone protection.


Best for Digital Nomads

Best cell phone protection credit card for digital nomads
One Key™ Card
Wells Fargo One Key™ Card
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4.3/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 3% in OneKeyCash™ on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo (up to 9% on Expedia and Hotels.com when booking VIP Access properties and up to 5% on Vrbo when combined with One Key benefits). Earn 3% in OneKeyCash™ at gas stations, grocery stores, and on dining. Earn 1.5% in OneKeyCash™ on other purchases.

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable

Intro Offer

Earn $300 in OneKeyCash™

Recommended Credit

N/A

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn 3x on Expedia brands, gas, groceries, and dining
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Automatic One Key Silver elite status
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cellphone insurance
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No foreign transaction fees
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Expedia bookings don't earn hotel chain elite status

The One Key™ Card offers strong cell phone protection for digital nomads who value earning Expedia travel rewards without paying an annual fee.

This credit card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, making it a good credit card to use for everyday expenses on international trips. Cardholders earn 3% OneKeyCash per dollar spent on gas, groceries, dining, and Expedia Group travel expenses, including Hotels.com and Vrbo purchases. You'll earn 1.5% on other transactions. OneKeyCash can be used like cash back on most Expedia Group purchases.

This card offers some of the most generous terms for credit card cell phone insurance coverage: a super-low deductible of just $25, and a maximum payout of up to $1,000 per eligible claim (terms and conditions apply).

Annual fee: One Key™ Card

Coverage terms:

  • Includes all cell phones listed on the monthly wireless bill
  • Up to $1,000 per eligible claim after a $25 deductible
  • Covers the lowest-cost option out of:

    • Phone repair minus the deductible
    • Replacing the phone with the most similar model currently available
  • Up to two paid claims and up to $2,000 within a 12-month period
  • Secondary to any other coverage you may have

Earning rate: 3% in OneKeyCash™ on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo purchases and at gas stations, grocery stores, and on dining, and 1.5% on all other purchases

Learn more in our Expedia One Key credit card review.

Pro tip: The upgraded version of this card, the One Key+™ Card , also includes cell phone protection as one of its complimentary benefits.


Best for Renters

Best cell phone protection credit card for renters
Bilt Mastercard®
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 1 point on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. Earns 3 points on dining. Earn 2 points on travel. Earn 1 point on other purchases. Earn double points on the first of each month (excluding rent, up to 1,000 bonus points). Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points. Also earn up to 5 points on Lyft rides when you link your Bilt account and pay with your Bilt card.

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

See Terms

Intro Offer

N/A

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only credit card to offer rent payments to any landlord
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Excellent range of airline and hotel transfer partners through the Bilt App
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. World Elite Mastercard benefits and no annual fee
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If you’re not a renter, other cards offer better welcome bonuses and rewards
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Must make 5 transactions per statement period to earn points
Insider’s Take

The Bilt Mastercard® is the first credit card to offer up to 100,000 points in a calendar year rewards for paying rent without the transaction fee — and you can redeem your points for travel, merchandise, and more. While it now offers bonus points on dining and select travel, if you're not a renter, you should consider other no-annual-fee rewards credit cards as well.

Bilt Mastercard® review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • $0 Annual Fee
  • Earn 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
  • Earns 3x points on dining
  • Earn 2x points on travel
  • Earn 1x points on other purchases
  • Earn double points on the first of each month (excluding rent, up to 1,000 bonus points)
  • Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
  • Earn up to 5x Bilt points on Lyft rides when you link your Bilt account and pay with your Bilt card
  • Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent payments, credit card statement credits, toward a down payment on a home, etc.
  • Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions

The Bilt Mastercard® is a credit card with cell phone protection that's great for renters who enjoy maximizing rewards on every dollar spent.

Bilt cardholders can pay rent with a credit card without incurring transaction fees while earning rewards. It also earns generous rewards on dining and travel, making it one of our best credit cards for dining in restaurants.

You can earn up to 1,000 bonus points each Bilt Rent Day by paying your utilities, including your monthly cell phone bill, on the first day of each calendar month. The easiest way to maximize this benefit is by setting up autopay for that date on each account.

Annual fee: $0 (rates and fees)

Coverage terms:

  • Includes all cell phones listed on the monthly wireless bill
  • Up to $800 per eligible claim after a $25 deductible
  • Covers the lowest-cost option out of:

    • Phone repair minus the deductible
    • Replacing the phone with the most similar model currently available
  • Up to two paid claims and up to $1,600 within a 12-month period
  • Secondary to any other coverage you may have

Earning rate: 1 point on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year), 3 points on dining, 2 points on travel, and 1 point on other purchases (use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points)

Learn more in our Bilt Mastercard card review.


Best for Travelers

Best cell phone protection credit card for travelers
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4.2/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.

Annual Fee

$95

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.24% Variable

Intro Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points

Recommended Credit

Good or Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation and lost baggage protection
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Airline and hotel transfer partners available
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Welcome bonus
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous cellphone protection
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Low annual fee
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Transfer partner network not as diverse or robust as competitors
Insider’s Take

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is a true travel credit card, with benefits that rival many of the best travel rewards credit cards currently on the market. This card has a low annual fee on par with that of popular competing credit cards and Wells Fargo's also has a Points Transfer program that allows cardholders to juice maximum value from every point they earn.

Autograph Journey℠ Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
  • Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
  • $95 annual fee
  • Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
  • Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
  • Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is one of the best credit cards with cell phone protection for travelers, who are particularly vulnerable to phone damage or theft while on vacation.

Cardholders don't pay foreign transaction fees, which is valuable for international expenses. This card also reimburses up to $1,000 per eligible claim after a very low deductible of just $25.

Annual fee: $95

Coverage terms:

  • Up to $1,000 per eligible claim after a $25 deductible
  • Covers the lowest-cost option out of:

    • Phone repair minus the deductible
    • Replacing the phone with the most similar model currently available
  • Up to two paid claims and up to $2,000 total reimbursement per 12-month period
  • Secondary to any other coverage you may have

Earning rate: 5 points on hotels, 4 points on airlines, 3 points on other travel and dining and 1 point on other purchases

Learn more in our Wells Fargo Autograph Journey credit card review.


Best for Families

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the best credit cards with cell phone protection for families because you can share your benefits by adding family members as authorized users on your credit card.

While this credit card has a relatively high annual fee of $395, you won't pay any additional fees for adding up to four authorized users to your account.

Each authorized user enjoys the same cell phone insurance benefit — as well as credit card airport lounge access to Capital One Lounges, plus Priority Pass Select membership after enrollment.

Annual fee: $395

Coverage terms:

  • Includes all cell phones listed on the monthly wireless bill
  • Up to $800 per eligible claim after a $50 deductible
  • Covers the lowest-cost option out of:

    • Phone repair minus the deductible
    • Replacing the phone with the most similar model currently available
  • Up to two paid claims and up to $1,600 within a 12-month period
  • Secondary to any other coverage you may have

Earning rate: 10 miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles on all other purchases

Learn more in our Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card review.

Pro tip: Authorized users who are on your wireless family plan will file claims for cell phone insurance through your primary cardholder account. An authorized user who pays their own monthly phone bill with the authorized user credit card would file a claim through their own card account.


Best for High Spenders

Best cell phone protection card for high spenders
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4.4/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 5 Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®. Earn 1 Point on other purchases.

Annual Fee

$695

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Intro Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Statement credits with Saks and Uber (enrollment required)
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Bonus categories leave something to be desired
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards
Insider’s Take

If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and more.

Amex Platinum Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
  • A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 per Calendar year in statement credits, when you pay for a CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card.
  • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best-known cards, synonymous with luxury benefits and high-end experiences. It has a high annual fee to match, but it can be worth it if you take advantage of all the perks.

Generous cell phone insurance is one of the card's many perks, including coverage for cracked screens (which many other credit card policies do not cover) (terms apply).

Annual fee: $695

Coverage terms:

  • Includes all cell phones listed on the monthly wireless bill
  • Up to $800 per eligible claim after a $50 deductible
  • Covers the lowest-cost option out of:

    • Phone repair minus the deductible
    • Replacing the phone with the most similar model currently available
  • Up to two paid claims within a 12-month period
  • Secondary to any other coverage you may have

Earning rate: 5 points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®, and 1 point on other purchases

Learn more in our American Express Platinum card review.


Best for Business Owners

Best cell phone protection credit card for business owners
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4.5/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Annual Fee

$95

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

20.24% - 26.24% Variable

Intro Offer

Earn 90,000 bonus points

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High sign-up bonus
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 3 bonus points on several spending categories, including travel and advertising purchases
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes comprehensive travel coverage
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Welcome bonus has a very high minimum spending requirement
Insider’s Take

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers a huge welcome bonus and solid earning and benefits for a moderate annual fee. If your small-business expenses line up with the card's bonus categories and you like redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for travel, this is one of the best small-business credit cards to consider.

Ink Business Preferred Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
  • Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
  • Member FDIC

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is the best credit card with cell phone protection for business owners who pay for phone service for themselves and any employees

The Ink Business Preferred Card also earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points on select business expenses including cell phone bills, offering an easy opportunity to double up on rewards as well as insurance benefits.

Annual fee: $95

Coverage terms:

  • Includes all cell phones listed on the monthly wireless bill
  • Up to $600 per eligible claim after a $100 deductible
  • Covers the lowest-cost option out of:

    • Phone repair minus the deductible
    • Replacing the phone with the most similar model currently available
  • Up to three paid claims and $1,800 within a 12-month period
  • Secondary to any other coverage you may have

Earning rate: 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases

Learn more in our Chase Ink Business Preferred card review.


What is Credit Card Cell Phone Protection?

Credit card cell phone protection reimburses you for certain types of damage or theft to your phone when that phone line is listed on your monthly wireless bill paid with that credit card.

Terms and conditions vary between cards and issuers — most benefits reimburse you for repair or replacement costs up to a certain dollar amount, less a deductible. The best cell phone protection credit cards reimburse up to $1,000 per eligible claim, with deductibles as low as $25.

Cell Phone Protection Depends on How You Pay Your Monthly Bill

Your cell phone protection coverage almost always depends on you paying each month's wireless bill with the right credit card.

If you skip paying your monthly bill at any point, many issuers suspend cell phone insurance coverage beginning the first day of the calendar month following the month you skipped, and resume coverage on the first day of the calendar month following the date on which you begin paying this benefit with your eligible card

So if you quit paying your cell phone bill on June 20 and begin repaying it on July 20, you will not be covered between July 1 through July 31; your coverage resumes August 1.

How Does Credit Card Cell Phone Insurance Work?

Every card has different policies and conditions for cell phone protection, so read your benefits guide for full details and exclusions before filing a claim.

And of course, you must still be an active cardholder when you file a claim for cell phone insurance coverage.

Noteworthy Terms and Exclusions

The following conditions are relatively standard across all cell phone protection credit cards:

  • Your phone number must be on the phone bill paid with the card that offers coverage — If the number linked to your phone isn't listed on your cell phone bill, that device isn't eligible for coverage even if you pay with the right credit card
  • Coverage is usually for the primary cardholder's cell phone bill only — However, additional lines on the same bill may be covered
  • Damage and theft are generally covered, but losing your phone isn't — Most cell phone insurance credit cards won't provide coverage if your phone is lost or "mysteriously disappears," or for minor damage that doesn't affect its function
  • Funny business can disqualify you from coverage — Most credit card cell phone insurance policies exclude phones purchased for resale or professional/commercial use or lost due to an airline or shipping company's mismanagement; confiscation by a government, public authority, or customs official; or fraud or illegal activity
  • You'll pay a deductible — There's usually a small deductible ($25 to $100, depending on the card) that you'll need to pay before the coverage kicks in
  • Coverage is usually secondary to other insurance. If you have another policy — such as homeowner's or renter's insurance — that will cover your loss, you'll have to submit your claim with that policy first; the credit card insurance will only kick in for what's not covered by your primary policy

Credit Card Cell Phone Insurance vs. AppleCare

Many people rely on AppleCare to help defray the cost of repair or replacement. But AppleCare expires after a certain amount of time, and doesn't cover Android devices.

In contrast, credit cards with cell phone protection usually cover any phone that's listed on your monthly wireless bill regardless of manufacturer.

Cell Phone Protection vs. Purchase Protection

If something goes wrong with a brand-new cell phone you purchased with one of the best credit cards, you may also qualify for purchase protection, which covers eligible damage or theft for up to 120 days from the date of purchase.

This benefit differs from cell phone protection because you don't need to pay your phone bill with this card to qualify for coverage.


Cell Phone Protection Credit Cards by Issuer

Many of the best credit cards with cell phone insurance share the same benefits, terms, or exclusions.

For example, Wells Fargo is well known for offering complimentary cell phone coverage on its consumer credit cards with low deductibles. Meanwhile, Amex cards with cell phone protection include cracked screens as eligible damage for reimbursement claims.

American Express Credit Cards with Cell Phone Protection

Amex offers cell phone protection on many of the best American Express cards (terms apply), and cracked screens are eligible for coverage — a rare inclusion among cards with this benefit.

All of the eligible cards have high annual fees — the American Express® Gold Card, the lowest-cost option, costs $325 a year. But for the right cardholder who values American Express card benefits, its cell phone insurance is well worth taking into consideration.

Noteworthy Amex cards with cell phone protection include (terms apply):

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  • American Express® Gold Card
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
  • Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

You'll find many of these cards listed in our guides to the best small business credit cards, the best airline credit cards, and the best hotel credit cards.

Chase Credit Cards with Cell Phone Protection

Chase is one of the most popular credit card issuers, and the best Chase cards come with a slew of benefits such as transferable rewards and credit card travel insurance.

You'll find cell phone insurance on a few Chase credit cards, including:

  • Chase Freedom Flex®
  • Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
  • Ink Business Premier® Credit Card

U.S. Bank Credit Cards with Cell Phone Protection

U.S. Bank credit cards often have no or low annual fees, and many earn cash back rather than travel rewards.

Some come with cell phone protection benefits, including:

  • U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
  • U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card

Wells Fargo Credit Cards with Cell Phone Protection

Wells Fargo offers cell phone insurance as a standard benefit on many credit cards, even the ones with no annual fees.

Some of the most noteworthy Wells Fargo credit cards with cell phone protection include:

  • Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
  • Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card
  • Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
  • Bilt Mastercard®
  • Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

How to File a Credit Card Cell Phone Protection Claim

If you need to file a claim, the process usually involves either calling the number on the back of your card or reaching out to the benefits administrator — check your card's guide to benefits for details. Some banks allow you to file your claim online.

You'll typically need to include:

  • Your most recent credit card statement showing you paid your full phone bill with the card
  • A copy of your current cell phone service provider's billing statement
  • A copy of the original phone purchase receipt or proof that the phone is currently linked to your wireless account
  • A copy of the insurance claim to your homeowner's, renter's, auto, or wireless company insurance (if applicable)
  • If a claim is due to damage, a copy of the repair estimate and/or photos of the damage
  • If the claim is due to theft, a copy of the police report (usually filed within 48 hours of the incident)

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the Best Credit Cards with Cell Phone Protection

We reviewed the best credit cards for cell phone protection by evaluating all the options on the market against the following criteria:

What is covered? — Does the insurance policy cover all phones under the same phone plan? Do cardholders need to buy their phone with this credit card in order to qualify for coverage? Does the policy exclude certain types of damage or loss?

How much is covered, and what's the deductible? — How much money will the policy pay out if the phone is considered lost or damaged under the terms of coverage? How much does the cardholder need to pay out of pocket for the replacement or repair deductible?

How many claims can you make? — Are cardholders limited to a single claim for the lifetime of the business relationship, or can they make multiple claims within a certain amount of time?

Ancillary benefits — Beyond the cell phone insurance benefit, what other perks does the credit card offer?

Learn more about how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.

FAQs

Which credit card has the best cell phone protection?

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Some of the best credit cards with cell phone protection include the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, the Bilt Mastercard®, and the One Key™ Card. Wells Fargo offers complimentary credit card cell phone insurance on many of its cards, even those with no annual fees.

Is credit card cell phone protection worth it?

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Yes, credit card cell phone protection is extremely valuable for people with expensive smartphones, especially if it's a credit card you already use on a regular basis. Some credit cards also offer monthly credits or earn extra rewards on cell phone bills, which can save you even more money.

Do any Chase cards provide cell phone protection?

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Yes, some Chase credit cards offer cell phone insurance including the Chase Freedom Flex®, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, and the Ink Business Premier® Credit Card.

Does Amex cell phone protection cover cracked screens?

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Yes, many of the best American Express cards with cell phone protection, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card, include coverage for cracked screens.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, please click here.

For a guide to the benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, please click here.

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