SquareTrade now covers jailbroken iPhones

Élyse Betters | May 4 2012 - 10:23 am PT

Third-party warranty firm SquareTrade now covers jailbroken iPhones, unlike Apple’s own AppleCare service program.

A jailbroken iPhone simply means it is freed from the limitations imposed by Apple for safety measures. It gives users extensive access to the internal system with options to install non-App Store third-party software. The procedure, however, voids Apple and carriers’ warranty offerings.

SquareTrade’s Vice President of Strategy Vince Tseng told 9to5Mac exclusively that jailbroken iPhones are eligible for coverage, but the firm does not cover issues that occur as a result of jailbreaking. When jailbreak-related software mishaps occur, Tseng said SquareTrade will only provide support options. Moreover, iPhones with jailbreak-related hardware mishaps are not eligible for coverage, and such situations will void any SquareTrade warranty.

The warranty offered through SquareTrade covers when a “techie” jailbreaks an iPhone, and then drops or breaks it. At that point, the coverage guarantees a replacement or repaired smartphone—depending on a user’s preference and case. The inclusive change affects both existing and new coverage holders.

“The warranty service is for all iOS devices,” Tseng further elaborated, “and it covers four claims, where as Apple only covers two claims.”

SquareTrade also features different options under its service plan. For those attached to their specific device, overnight shipping and having it replaced in one day is readily available. Users can also choose an advanced exchange service, where a new device ships overnight and SquareTrade receives the old one.

Interestingly, Tseng said his firm offers longer protection plans for the iPad, because consumers view it as an “investment.” He compared the tablet to a notebook or laptop and said consumers tend to keep an iPad model for longer lengths of time. On the other hand, iPhone owners upgrade every one or two years; although, Tseng attributed the iPhone’s turnover to carriers’ contract upgrade options.

SquareTrade has sold warranties since 2004, but it gained worldwide attention when it first offered accidental damage coverage on the iPhone way before Apple launched its AppleCare+ program.