The 10 Best Credit Cards with Cell Phone Protection

Credit cards are known to come with a large variety of perks and benefits that can be of great value for consumers in many different situations. One benefit you may come across is cell phone protection.

Whether we like it or not, our cell phones and smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. Popular smartphone brands such as Apple and Samsung often list their newest flagship devices for over $1,000, so it’s more important than ever to make sure an asset as valuable as your cell phone is protected.

To learn more about the basics of cell phone protection, why it’s essential you have it, and which cards come with it for free, continue reading below.

How cell phone protection works

Cell phone protection or insurance focuses on protecting just your cell phone and often has no timeframe restriction relating to the purchase date of your phone. Instead, a common requirement to qualify for a claim is that you have to be paying your monthly cell phone service bill with the credit card that provides the coverage.

For example, if you want to take advantage of cell phone coverage with the Chase Freedom Flex℠, you need to have been paying your monthly cell phone bill with your Chase Freedom Flex.

Cell phone protection vs. purchase protection

Cell phone protection can sometimes be confused with other similar benefits, such as Chase purchase protection, a benefit commonly found on many Chase credit cards. Purchase protection gives you the benefit of having any new purchases covered for a certain amount of days — normally against damage or theft and up to a specified amount per claim and account. 

With cell phone protection, there usually is no specified period of time like with purchase protection. A damaged or stolen phone may qualify for this benefit regardless of when you bought it, as long as your cell phone plan is paid in full using the card that offers this protection. 

What cell phone protection covers

If you meet that requirement, then your phone, as well as any other phones listed on your cell phone bill, would be eligible for the claims process on any covered theft or damage. Quite often, you’ll find that credit cards with this benefit have a limit on how many claims you can make in a 12-month period or a limit on how much money you can be reimbursed for in that same amount of time. There is also usually a deductible that may range from $25 to more than $100. That’s the amount you pay before the cell phone insurance kicks in.

If you already have primary phone coverage through a service such as AppleCare+, Asurion, or SquareTrade, then that coverage would go into effect before your credit card coverage. Knowing this, you might be able to save some money on phone insurance by skipping the primary coverage completely and relying just on your credit card cell phone insurance.

In addition, insurance policies vary by credit card company and even from card to card within any given company. So it's always a smart practice to read the terms and conditions of your card's coverage so you know the coverage limits, whether you need to file a police report or get a repair estimate, what sort of damage is covered, and what the exclusions are. For example, some protection plans will cover cosmetic damage such as a cracked screen while others will not.

10 best credit cards with cell phone protection

Although there are no longer many credit cards available with the benefit of cell phone protection, you can still find a select few. Even better, these are rewards credit cards that will pay you in cash back or points and miles on your purchases. Plus, these all come with a lot of other cool features and card benefits that could be valuable for you as well.

Card name	Welcome bonus	Earnings rate	Annual fee
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card	Earn $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months	Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases	$0
Chase Freedom Flex℠	Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening	5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service); and 1% cash back on all other purchases	$0
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card	Benefit from a long introductory APR period on purchases and qualifying balance transfers		$0
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card	0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 18.74% - 29.74%		$0
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card	Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months	Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1X points on other purchases	$0
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card	Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening	5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center; 4X points on travel, gas stations, and EV charging stations; 2X points on grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining, and streaming services; and 1X points on all other eligible purchases	$95 (waived first year)
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card	Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening	3X points 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; and 1X points per $1 on all other purchases	$95
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening	2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel	$395
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card	Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases in the first 6 months	3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and 1X miles for all other eligible purchases	$550 (terms apply)
The Platinum Card® from American Express	Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases on your new card in the first 6 months	5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases	$695 (terms apply)

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card offers a cell phone protection benefit that covers up to $600 per claim on covered theft or damage as long as you pay your monthly cell phone bill with this card. Keep in mind that there's a small $25 deductible if you file a claim, and you're allowed up to two paid claims per calendar year.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash credit card has several other benefits. With this card, you can earn a generous 2% cash rewards on purchases. This rate doesn't come with a spending cap.

You can also earn a welcome offer of a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months. Remember that cash advances and balance transfers don't count toward the welcome bonus.

For more details, read our Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex offers many benefits found on multiple Chase credit cards, including purchase protection, extended warranty protection, auto rental collision damage waiver, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

But most Chase cards, and credit cards in general, don’t also include cell phone protection. As a World Elite Mastercard, the Freedom Flex provides protection against theft or damage for phones attached to a monthly cell phone bill you pay in full with this card. You get up to $800 per claim and up to $1,000 total per year. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible, and you’re limited to two claims per 12-month period.

The Freedom Flex offers a sign-up bonus of $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months after account opening. You can also earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service); and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

For more details, read our Chase Freedom Flex review.

Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card

The Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card is one of the Wells Fargo credit cards that offers cell phone protection. If you charge your eligible cell phone plan to this card, you can receive cell phone protection for the phones on your plan. You can be covered for up to $600  per claim against damage or theft with a $25 deductible, with a limit of two paid claims per 12-month period.

This card doesn't have a welcome bonus. However, it offers 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, then 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR. You also get 0% intro APR on purchases for 21 months from account opening, then 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR.

For more details, read our Wells Fargo Reflect Card review.

U.S. Bank Visa^® Platinum Card

The U.S. Bank Visa^® Platinum Card isn’t a rewards credit card, but it still has some helpful benefits. This includes 0% intro APR options if you have big purchases coming up or you need to do a balance transfer. The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum has a 0% intro APR on purchases for 18 billing cycles (then 18.74% - 29.74% (Variable) APR) and a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 billing cycles (then 18.74% - 29.74% (Variable) APR).

And as an added benefit, you also have the option of cell phone protection if you need it. If you pay your monthly cell phone bill with this card, your attached cell phones are automatically provided this coverage. The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum cell phone protection includes up to $600 per claim against theft and damages, with a maximum limit of two claims (or a total of $1,200) per 12-month period. Each claim is subject to a $25 deductible.

For more details, read our U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card review.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card carries the same cell phone protection as other Wells Fargo credit cards on this list. If you pay your monthly cell phone bill with this card, you can receive up to $600 of protection (minus a $25 deductible) per successful claim against phone damage or theft, with a limit of two paid claims per 12-month period.

Other Wells Fargo Autograph benefits include a chance to earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. You're also eligible for up to $50,000 in car rental coverage toward a covered accident or theft on eligible car rentals, along with access to a pay-per-use roadside assistance program.

For more details, read our Wells Fargo Autograph Card review.

U.S. Bank Altitude^® Connect Visa Signature^® Card

This U.S. Bank Altitude^® Connect Visa Signature^® Card offers a hefty sign-up bonus, allowing cardholders to earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening. 

You also earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center; 4X points on travel, gas stations, and EV charging stations; 2X points on grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining, and streaming services; and 1X points on all other eligible purchases. 

It could be a good choice for travelers, as it provides up to $100 in statement credits to cover TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years. 

If you pay your cell phone bill with the card, you could be eligible for up to a $600 reimbursement if your phone is stolen or damaged. There is a $100 deductible, however. 

For more details, read our U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card review.

Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

With the Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card, the cell phone protection benefit covers up to $600 per claim on any covered theft or damage. This coverage applies to you and any employees listed on a cell phone bill that is paid for by this card. You can file a maximum of three claims in a 12-month period, and you must pay a $100 deductible per claim.

As one of the best business credit cards out there, the Chase Ink Business Preferred has many other built-in benefits, such as auto rental collision damage waiver, extended warranty protection, no foreign transaction fees, and employee cards at no additional cost.

In addition to the potential welcome bonus of 100,000 points, you can also earn 3X points 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; and 1X points per $1 on all other purchases.

For more details, read our Ink Business Preferred Credit Card review.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will cover up to $800 per claim against covered theft or damages for any phones listed on your cell phone bill as long as that bill is paid for with this card. You can have a maximum of two claims in a 12-month period and a maximum of $1,600 total in reimbursement during that time. Each insurance claim has a $50 deductible.

As a premium travel credit card, this card comes with benefits that specifically have the avid traveler in mind. There’s a comprehensive set of travel benefits that includes $300 in annual travel credits, 10,000 anniversary miles each year, and a Priority Pass membership.

With this card, you earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. You can also earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

For more details, read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card covers your phone for up to $800 per claim on theft or certain damages. You can have up to a maximum of two claims per 12-month period, with each claim subject to a $50 deductible. You must pay your cell phone bill in full to be eligible for this benefit.

Apart from cell phone protection, the Delta Reserve Amex also includes many great travel-oriented benefits, such as Delta Sky Club and The Centurion Lounge access, first checked bag free, an annual companion certificate, and up to $100 every 4 years for Global Entry or up to $85 every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck applications. Select benefits require enrollment.

With this card, you also earn 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and 1X miles for all other eligible purchases, and potentially a welcome bonus of: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.

For more details, read our Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card review.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Platinum Card^® from American Express is a luxury travel card that rewards card members with some of the best travel perks and benefits available. You get up to $200 in Uber Cash each year for use with Uber Eats orders or Uber rides, as well as up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits each year, and up to $100 every 4 years for Global Entry or up to $85 every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck applications. You also get complimentary elite hotel statuses and airport lounge access with this card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

In addition to these benefits and more, you also get cell phone protection. The Amex Platinum cell phone protection offers up to $800 per claim for eligible stolen or damaged cell phones. You can have up to two claims per 12-month period, and each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. To be eligible for this benefit, you must pay your cell phone bill in full with this card.

The Amex Platinum has a welcome offer of 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months. Cardmembers earn 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

For more details, read our Amex Platinum Card review.

Is cell phone protection worth it?

Specifically signing up for a business or consumer credit card because it has cell phone protection may not make sense for everyone. As an added benefit, though, it’s never going to be a bad thing to have. Here are a couple scenarios when getting credit card cell phone protection could make sense for you.

You’re a small business owner or side hustler

For example, you may be a small business owner looking to apply for a business credit card or perhaps you run a side hustle and could use a business card to simplify your bookkeeping. Chase's Ink Business Preferred Credit Card might be a good choice for you regardless of its cell phone coverage.

That’s because you’ll start off by earning 100,000 points after spending $8,000 in first 3 months, and you’ll continue to earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points on many of your business-related purchases. In addition, you’ll also have purchase protection and extended warranty protection.

With all these benefits, cell phone insurance may not be the main reason you’d apply for this particular card, but having your phone covered could still be useful in the event of a mishap.

You’re a frequent traveler trying to save money

For frequent travelers, it can be beneficial to have a card like the Chase Freedom Flex. That's because with this rewards card you earn 5% on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, and 3% on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service). Those bonus points can really add up if you use this card regularly.

Additionally, this card has a $0 annual fee, which makes this card a great choice for casual credit card users that want cell phone protection.

Bottom line

Having a credit card that offers cell phone protection can be extremely helpful when the unexpected occurs, whether you’re at home or traveling abroad. Considering how essential our phones are in this modern world, it’s hard to imagine being without one. And none of us want to suddenly spend a big amount of money to get one replaced. For this reason, it may make sense for you to choose from the credit cards that offer cell phone insurance.

Each one of the credit card offers we’ve mentioned has its own unique rewards bonus categories and benefits structures. Some may require different credit scores of new applicants, as well. So picking the right card will be different for everybody. If the benefits of a certain rewards card align well with your own situation, then it very well may be the best choice for you. 

If you're specifically interested in earning points or miles, then make sure to check out our list of the best travel credit cards. Some of them do also offer cell phone protection.

Methodology

To choose the best credit cards for cell phone protection, we identified cards that offer cell phone protection benefits and compared features such as welcome offers, annual fees, and rewards rates. We did not include all possible options.