The first thing to know is that SquareTrade is just another name for Costco’s Allstate Protection Plans. SquareTrade is a subsidiary of Allstate, exclusively providing insurance plans for consumer electronics and appliances. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.
An Allstate Protection Plan or SquareTrade warranty is an optional insurance plan that can be purchased alongside a Costco electronics or appliance purchase. These plans work in tandem with existing manufacturer warranties, covering anything that the basic warranty may not cover. Allstate Protection Plans last between two and three years depending on which plan you choose.
Your SquareTrade warranty is considered active as soon as you complete your purchase. If you need to make a claim on your warranty, simply visit this link and click “start claim.”
Contents
What Does It Cover?
According to SquareTrade.com, “Allstate Protection Plans covers all mechanical/electrical failures that happen during normal use, such as button failure, depleted (non-replaceable) batteries, and non-responsive charging ports or audio jacks. Plans that include accident protection also cover damage from accidents like drops and spills.”
Your Allstate Protection Plan covers both repairs and replacements, including all costs for parts and labor in the case of repairs.
Keep in mind that not all Allstate Protection Plans cover accidental damage, so be sure to check if this coverage is included in your plan. In most cases, you have to purchase an additional accident coverage plan alongside your standard protection plan in order to be protected on all fronts.
Exclusions
Squaretrade warranties do not cover damage from normal wear and tear, misuse, negligence, loss, or theft. If your plan does not explicitly cover accidental damage, then your warranty will not cover drops, spills, etc.
Your SquareTrade warranty does not cover any damage, defect, or any other issue that occurs after the warranty period has expired or before it started. SquareTrade warranties never cover intentional damage.
How To Buy A SquareTrade Warranty?
The easiest way to buy a SquareTrade warranty is to shop Allstate Protection Plans on Costco.com. There, you can browse for the exact type of plan you need based on the type of device or appliance you plan on purchasing.
If you purchase your device or appliance in person at a Costco Warehouse location, you will need to purchase your Protection Plan separately online.
Costco.com offers Allstate Protection Plans for the following item categories:
- Televisions
- Major appliances
- Computers
- Laundry suites (washer and dryer)
- Cameras and tablets
- iPads
- Kitchen suites (fridge, microwave, oven)
Be sure to choose the plan that corresponds to the price of the item you plan on purchasing, as the plans differ based on the price of the device or appliance.
Remember that your warranty coverage starts as soon as your plan has been purchased, so it’s best to bundle the purchase of your item with your warranty. If you do not purchase your SquareTrade warranty at the time of your device or appliance, you have 90 days from your purchase date to purchase your care plan. If you end up returning your item after that, you have a 60-day return window for your SquareTrade warranty with the guarantee of a 100% refund.
Pricing
Costco’s Allstate Protection Plans range in price from $29.99 to $399.99 depending on the price and type of item for which you are purchasing coverage.
Here is a table showing the current prices for each type of SquareTrade warranty available on Costco.com:
Plan Type | Price |
2-Year Coverage for Cameras/Tablets under $300 | $29.99 |
3-Year Coverage for TVs under $500 | $34.99 |
2-Year Coverage for Cameras/Tablets $300-$750 | $49.99 |
3-Year Coverage for TVs $500-$1000 | $64.99 |
3-Year Accident Protection for Computers under $500 | $69.99 |
2-Year Coverage for Cameras/Tablets above $750 | $79.99 |
2-Year Coverage for iPads | $79.99 |
3-Year Coverage for Major Appliances under $1000 | $89.99 |
3-Year Coverage for TVs over $1000 | $99.99 |
3-Year Accident Protection for Computers over $500 | $99.99 |
3-Year Coverage for Major Appliances $1000-$2000 | $119.99 |
3-Year Coverage for Major Appliances over $2000 | $159.99 |
3-Year Coverage for Laundry Suites under $2000 | $174.99 |
3-Year Coverage for Kitchen Suites under $2000 | $174.99 |
3-Year Coverage for Laundry Suites over $2000 | $219.00 |
3-Year Coverage for Kitchen Suites $2000-$4000 | $299.99 |
3-Year Coverage for Kitchen Suites over $4000 | $399.99 |
Steps To Redeem Your Warranty
To redeem your SquareTrade warranty, follow these steps:
- Find your original purchase receipt
- Visit SquareTrade.com/costco/ and click on “start claim”
- If you have not registered your item, you will be prompted to set up a SquareTrade account using the email address you provided when you purchased your plan (if you did not provide an email at the time of purchase, simply enter any valid email address)
- Once you have an account, SquareTrade will walk you through the rest of the steps for filing your claim (this will involve providing information from your purchase receipt and about your item)
- According to SquareTrade, most claims are approved instantly
- Once your claim has been approved, you will be provided with instructions for how to either ship your item to SquareTrade for repairs or arrange for a repair person to come to your home for larger appliances
If you do not have access to a computer or if you would rather file your claim over the phone, you can file a claim with SquareTrade at any time by calling 1-877-927-7268.
Claims Limit
Your Allstate Protection Plan covers up to $2000 in repairs per claim, and up to $5000 in total claims in a 12-month period.
To review the full terms and conditions for Allstate Electronics Protection Plans, you can find the details here.
How Long Do Repairs Take?
The amount of time it takes for SquareTrade to repair your device or appliance will depend on the type of device and the extent of the damage.
Some items, such as small electronics, can be repaired or replaced within two days of receiving them. However, larger items such as laundry or kitchen suites may take up to two weeks to repair.
According to SquareTrade.com, mail-in repairs typically take between two and five days. Keep in mind that this does not include shipping time to and from the repair facility.
Is The Warranty Worth It?
When it comes to deciding whether or not SquareTrade warranties are worth it, the reviews are pretty mixed.
This Reddit user won’t be buying another Allstate Plan anytime soon:
Another user recommends Best Buy over Costco when it comes to electronics and their warranties:
On the other hand, this Costco Canada customer is very happy with their Allstate Protection Plan, deeming it “so worth it:”
FAQs
What happens if SquareTrade can’t repair my device?
If your claim is covered by your warranty, SquareTrade will pay to have your device replaced in the event that repairs cannot be completed.
How much is the deductible for SquareTrade?
According to SquareTrade.com, most SquareTrade warranty plans do not require customers to pay any deductible. 100% of the cost of repairs, labor, and replacement will be covered by your protection plan.
Does SquareTrade require a receipt for warranty claims?
Yes. Your purchase receipt is required to file a claim.