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For most of us, our cell phones allow us to connect with loved ones, find directions to a new restaurant, get recommendations for things to do in a new city, retrieve our boarding pass, translate an unknown language, take pictures, or listen to music. Twenty years ago, we might have had several different devices and methods to accomplish these tasks, but today, our smartphone can just about do it all.
Whether you're an Android or iPhone user, as phones have increased in capabilities, they've also increased in cost. And somehow, they've become increasingly fragile — not a great combination. A flashy new phone is also a great target for pickpockets worldwide, and they are small enough to be easily left on a cafe table or in an airplane seatback.
What does all this mean? It's incredibly common for your phone to break, get lost, or get stolen, especially while you're bouncing from country to country on buses, planes, taxis, and trains. Thankfully, there are several credit cards that you might already have in your wallet that offer some sort of cell phone insurance. Here are the best credit cards for cell phone insurance and how you can make a claim.
Best No Annual Fee Card With Cell Phone Insurance: Wells Fargo Autograph
If you want cell phone protection without paying an annual fee, it's hard to beat the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card (Rates & Fees). You'll enjoy up to $600 of protection against damage or theft, subject to a $25 deductible. You can make a maximum of two claims per 12-month period, for a total of $1,200 in coverage.
What makes the Wells Fargo Autograph unique is that you'll also earn 3X Wells Fargo Rewards points on your cell phone and landline providers. This makes the Wells Fargo Autograph a great card for coverage and earnings alike. Outside of cell phones, it's a lucrative card to keep in your wallet. It also earns 3X points at restaurants, travel, gas, transit, and popular streaming services. You can then transfer those points to 10 airline and hotel partners.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
- Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR thereafter.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- 3x on travel – including airfare, hotels, car rentals, timeshares, cruises, and more
- 3x on transit – including parking, tolls, subways, ride shares, railways, ferries, and more
- 3x on dining – including dining in, take-out, catering, delivery and more
- 3x at gas stations – including gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
- 3x on phone plans – including landline providers and cell phones
- 3x on streaming services
- 1x on other purchases
You can take advantage of Wells Fargo's Cellular Telephone Protection policies on several other cards.
These cards offer an equivalent policy to the Wells Fargo Autograph — up to $600 in coverage subject to a $25 deductible:
The following co-branded Choice Privileges cards offer up to $800 in coverage, subject to a $25 deductible:
While these cards offer some of the best coverage on the market, with a claim maximum of $1,000 and a $25 deductible:
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card(Rates & Fees)
- One Key™ Card (Rates & Fees)
- One Key+™ Card (Rates & Fees)
Related: Wells Fargo Autograph Full Review
Best Credit Card for Cell Phone Protection With Premium Perks: Platinum Card®
If you don't mind an annual fee, how does an $895 annual fee (Rates & Fees) on the American Express Platinum Card® sound? It's a bit of a whiplash going from the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph to a card that charges one of the highest annual fees on the market, but American Express offers a very generous cell phone protection policy.
As a cardholder of the Platinum Card®, you can be reimbursed for the cost to repair or replace a stolen or damaged phone, including a cracked screen. You can receive up to $800 in coverage up to two times per 12-month window, for a maximum of $1,600 in coverage. You'll need to pay a slightly higher $50 deductible, but it could be worth it if you want to be covered for replacing your phone screen. Dropping your phone and cracking the screen is incredibly common and can get fairly expensive to fix.
Just like the other cards on this list, you need to pay your phone bill to receive coverage, and you aren't covered if you lose your phone.
(Terms apply)
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
- $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the 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.
- Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM late check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
Here are some personal cards that offer a comparable policy:
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Centurion® Card from American Express
And here are a few business cards with cell phone insurance:
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express® Business Gold Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
You can view each policy on the American Express cell phone insurance policy page.
Related: Platinum Card® Full Review
Best Value Credit Card With Cell Phone Insurance: Capital One Venture X
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the most well-rounded credit cards on the market. You'll earn a flat 2X Capital One Miles on all spending, including your cell phone bill or your new phone purchase. Then, you'll be covered against theft and damage up to $800 per claim and up to $1,600 per 12 months.
The $395 annual fee might be concerning to some, but it's effectively brought down to $95 if you can maximize your $300 annual Capital One Travel credit. You'll also receive 10,000 bonus miles on each account anniversary, which, according to recent AwardWallet user redemptions, are worth roughly $205.
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment
- 5X miles per $1 on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
The Capital One Venture X Business also offers coverage of up to $800 per claim and two claims per year, but has a 12-month claim maximum of $1,000. There are other business options out there that offer better cell phone protection.
Related: Capital One Venture X Full Review
Best Credit Card Cell Phone Insurance for Renters: Obsidian Card
The Bilt Obsidian Card (Rates & Fees) is the only $95-annual-fee consumer card that made this list. It's also one of the only cards that operates on the Mastercard network that offers a cell phone insurance policy.
You're covered up to $800 per claim, subject to a $50 deductible, which is equivalent to most other cards. However, although you can make up to two claims per 12-month period, you're only covered up to $1,000 during this window. That means if you have a $1,200 phone, and it gets stolen twice in one year, you'll be covered up to $800 the first time and just $200 the second time.
- Earn points on housing payments with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 3X points on your choice of grocery (up to $25K/year) or dining. Your 3X category choice remains in effect for the entire calendar year.
- 2X points on travel
- 1X points on everyday spend
- Welcome offer: $200 of Bilt Cash when you apply and get approved.
- $100 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $50 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 3X points on your choice of grocery (up to $25K/year) or dining. Your 3X category choice remains in effect for the entire calendar year.
- 2X points on travel
- 1X points on everyday spend
The two other Bilt cards — the Bilt Blue Card (Rates & Fees) and Bilt Palladium Card (Rates & Fees) offer the same policy, so each card could be worth considering depending on your shopping habits, travel goals, and willingness to pay an annual fee.
Regardless of whether you are a renter, holding a Bilt card can be very advantageous. Bilt's 24 transfer partners can unlock some seriously high-value redemptions. Although you won't earn bonus points on phone plans, you can earn a ton of Bilt Points as a Obsidian Card cardholder thanks to several bonus earning categories, and you can offset the annual fee with up to $50 in semi-annual Bilt Travel hotel credits.
Related: Obsidian Card Full Review
Best Business Card With Cell Phone Insurance: Ink Preferred
Our favorite credit card for cell phone protection, the Chase Freedom Flex®, is losing coverage on September 20, 2026. That means that, surprisingly, Chase only has a few cards that offer protection against damage or theft of your phone.
When you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), you'll be covered up to $1,000 per claim with a maximum of three claims in 12 months. That's more coverage than any other card on this list. Ideally, your phone won't get damaged or stolen three times in 12 months, but the more coverage, the better. That said, you'll have a $100 deductible per claim, which is higher than the other cards on this list.
It also earns 3X Ultimate Rewards points on cable and phone service spending (up to $150,000 of bonus category spending annually), equating to a roughly 6% return.
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 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
- Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- 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
- Go further when you book with Chase Travel℠. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.
- Member FDIC
- 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
- 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
The Ink Business Premier® Credit Card (Rates & Fees) and the Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (Rates & Fees) also offer the same cell phone insurance policies. However, they are more expensive to keep in your wallet, so the Ink Preferred takes our spot for the best business card with cell phone coverage.
Related: Ink Preferred Full Review
Typical Exclusions to Cell Phone Coverage Through Credit Cards
Plenty of issuers offer cell-phone protection as a benefit on select cards. Generally, you activate this coverage simply by paying your monthly phone bill with an eligible credit card — and some card issuers cover multiple phones on the same plan. Coverage terms vary depending on the issuer and card type. But in most cases, phones must be purchased new, and protection begins once your bill is paid with the eligible credit card. If you stop paying your bill with the card, your coverage may be suspended.
Most policies are secondary, so you might need to prove that your phone isn't covered under another policy when you submit a claim. And there are plenty of exclusions to be aware of. You will not be covered under the vast majority of policies if you lose your phone. Select policies will cover you if you know exactly where you left it and you can't get it back, but this isn't guaranteed.
You'll want to check your specific guide to benefits to determine what is and isn't covered, but here are some examples of likely exclusions:
- Accessories other than the standard battery and antenna provided by the manufacturer.
- Cell phones purchased for resale, professional, or commercial use.
- Cell phones that are lost or “mysteriously disappear.”
- Cell phones under the care and control of a common carrier.
- Cell phones stolen from your luggage unless your bags are “hand-carried” and under your supervision.
- Cell phones which have been rented, borrowed, or are part of pre-paid or “pay as you go” type plans
- Cell phones stolen from a construction site.
- Cosmetic damage to the cell phone or damage that does not impact the cell phone’s capabilities and functionalities.
- 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.
- Damage or theft resulting from misdelivery or voluntary parting with the cell phone.
- Taxes, delivery and transportation charges, and any fees associated with the cellular wireless service provider.
- Losses caused by or resulting from a Cyber Incident.
- Replacement cell phones not purchased from a phone provider’s retail or internet store.
- Electronic issues (“inability to charge, mechanical, or battery failure”) when your phone shows no other signs of damage.
How To File a Claim
To file a claim, you'll need to contact your benefits administrator and provide necessary documentation within a strict timeframe:
- American Express: Call 1-833-784-1467 or visit aig.claimnotify.com/americanexpress. You must report the claim within 90 days of the loss or as soon as reasonably possible. You must then provide written proof of the loss within 120 days of the loss.
- Bilt: Call 1-800-Mastercard or go to www.mycardbenefits.com within 90 days of the loss or as soon as reasonably possible. Written proof of loss and other requested documentation must be provided within 120 days of the loss.
- Capital One: Contact the benefit administrator at 1-844-288-2140 within 60 days of the damage or theft. Return the completed and signed claim form with the documentation within 90 days of the date of the damage or theft.
- Chase: Contact the benefit administrator within 60 days of the incident, and paperwork must be filed within 90 days.
- Wells Fargo: Call 1-800-316-8051 or visit https://mycardbenefits.assurant.com within 60 days of the loss or as soon as reasonably possible. Required documentation must be submitted within 120 days of the loss.
Requested documentation will vary by issuer, but can include:
- A copy of your wireless bill showing that you paid with a covered card.
- A copy of the device summary page from your wireless bill showing the claimed cell phone model is linked to your wireless bill account.
- A copy of a police report if submitting a claim due to theft.
- Proof you do not have coverage elsewhere.
- Itemized repair or replacement estimate.
In some cases, there are timelines on how quickly you need to submit your police report if you are claiming due to theft, typically within 48 hours of the theft. It's not fun to make your way to a police station on vacation, but do so as soon as you notice your phone has been stolen if you want better chances of your claim being approved.
Bottom Line
The best credit card for cell phone insurance will ultimately depend on your preferences. If you want a card with the lowest deductible and no annual fee, the Wells Fargo Autograph is a fantastic choice, offering up to $600 in coverage with a low $25 deductible. If you don't mind a moderate annual fee, the Autograph Journey offers the same deductible with up to $1,000 in coverage per claim.
However, if you want the most coverage you can find, the Ink Preferred is your best option, offering up to $1,000 per claim and up to three claims per year. Regardless of which card you choose, understanding the terms and conditions of your coverage is crucial to ensure your claim will be accepted.
- 3x on travel – including airfare, hotels, car rentals, timeshares, cruises, and more
- 3x on transit – including parking, tolls, subways, ride shares, railways, ferries, and more
- 3x on dining – including dining in, take-out, catering, delivery and more
- 3x at gas stations – including gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
- 3x on phone plans – including landline providers and cell phones
- 3x on streaming services
- 1x on other purchases
$95Rates & Fees
- 5X points per $1 spent with hotels
- 4X points per $1 spent with airlines
- 3X points per $1 spent on other travel and restaurants
- 1X points per $1 spent on other purchases
$95Rates & Fees
- 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
- 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
Page Contents
- Best No Annual Fee Card With Cell Phone Insurance: Wells Fargo Autograph
- Best Credit Card for Cell Phone Protection With Premium Perks: Platinum Card®
- Best Value Credit Card With Cell Phone Insurance: Capital One Venture X
- Best Credit Card Cell Phone Insurance for Renters: Obsidian Card
- Best Business Card With Cell Phone Insurance: Ink Preferred
- Typical Exclusions to Cell Phone Coverage Through Credit Cards
- How To File a Claim
- Bottom Line
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees), Bilt Obsidian Card (Rates & Fees), Bilt Blue Card (Rates & Fees), Bilt Palladium Card (Rates & Fees), Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), Ink Business Premier® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), and Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (Rates & Fees)
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