I have had my Verizon Phone for less than 6 months. Three days ago my receiver stopped working and I was unable to hear anything on it. This is a huge issue for me because I am out of town on business for three months and it is my only means of communication when I am away from the office.
I took the phone to a local Verizon store here in Tallahassee and was told that there was water damage to it and therefore not under warranty. They told me to go through the insurance provider of Assurion and I could get a new phone in a week or two for $50. I explained to them that the phone had never been submerged in water and therefore could not have water damage. The tech informed me that either small amounts of rain or sweat can cause the damage.
I reported this to Verizon's online customer service center and told them that I needed a phone immediately and could not wait two weeks. They said my options were to purchase a new one at retail (around $250) or use Assurion. They assured me that Assurion would respond immediately and I could get a phone in two days.
I immediately filed a complaint on Assurion's web site and have yet to hear from them at all. I sent another email to Verizon today and they basically told me I had no choice but to wait!
I offered to pay a nominal fee for a replacement phone from them and was refused. They kept saying that if it is not a manufacturers defect they won't replace it.
I have never had my phone in any circumstance where it could get extremely wet. I think that if a phone corrodes with extremely small amounts of rain or sweat that it is a manufacturers defect. I think Verizon should have done a little more to help out in a situation where I am unable to communicate while I am on the road.
I also feel that the insurance offered by Verizon is a huge ripoff. When I purchased it I was told that all I would need to do is bring the phone in under any circumstances and it would be replaced. I was never told about a $50 deductible or that it would take weeks to get it back.
While I am stuck in a 2 year contract with Verizon, I will cancel the service and pay the $200 fee just so I can find a more customer friendly provider.
I recommend not using Verizon and if you do, I strongly advise against purchasing any insurance they offer.
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