What's Covered vs. What's Not
To help you make confident, informed decisions about protecting your devices. This page outlines exactly what ProtectSmart covers, what we don't, and why we're different from traditional warranties or insurance providers.
ProtectSmart gives you full reimbursement — not just repairs — when your device breaks due to eligible reasons.
| Covered Scenario | Description |
|---|---|
| Accidental Damage | Drops, falls, and impacts that physically damage your device |
| Spills & Liquid Exposure | Coffee, water, soda spills during regular use |
| Power Surge Damage | Malfunctions caused by unstable electricity or charger surges |
| Mechanical or Electrical Failure | Sudden breakdown of internal components after normal use |
| Touchscreen & Input Failures | Non-responsive screens, keyboard/mousepad malfunctions |
| Overheating & Internal Malfunctions | Device stops functioning due to hardware heat/failure |
| Non-Warranty Hardware Defects | Manufacturer defects that appear after the limited warranty expires |
Up to original purchase value
Full value protection over time
3–5 day average reimbursement
ACH, Visa Gift Card, or Cash App
Zoom, Onsite, or Store visit
Real-time status tracking
To keep our protection sustainable and affordable, some situations are excluded.
| Excluded Scenario | Reason Not Covered |
|---|---|
| Theft or Lost Devices | We do not insure against stolen or misplaced devices |
| Intentional or Negligent Damage | Damage from abuse, misuse, throwing, slamming, etc. |
| Cosmetic Damage Only | Scratches, dents, or blemishes that don't affect functionality |
| Unauthorized Repairs or Modifications | Devices tampered with or opened by unauthorized personnel |
| Software Issues / Viruses | We don't cover bugs, viruses, or software configuration problems |
| Battery Degradation | Normal battery wear is expected over time |
| Accessories or External Parts | Chargers, headphones, monitors, or external mice |
| Used or Refurbished Devices | Only new, verified devices purchased in the last 72 hours are eligible |
Submitting false information, fake receipts, or repeated suspicious claims will result in immediate denial and potential account cancellation.
Quick reference guide for coverage by device category
| Device Type | ✓ Covered | ✗ Not Covered |
|---|---|---|
LaptopsMacBooks, PCs, Chromebooks |
Liquid spills
Internal hardware failure
Power supply failure
|
Cracked screens
Theft, lost
Battery degradation
|
DesktopsPCs, iMacs, Workstations |
PSU failure
Motherboard issues
Port malfunctions
|
User-installed upgrades
Software bugs
|
TabletsiPads, Surface, Android |
Spills, drops
Touchscreen failure
|
Cracked back panel with full function
Old damage
|
Game ConsolesPlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo |
HDMI port damage
Power issues
Board failure
|
Online bans
User modding
Resale units
|
TVsSmart TVs, OLED, LED, QLED |
Internal hardware failure
Power supply failure
HDMI/port failures
|
Cracked/broken screens
Streaming service issues
Software/app bugs
|
Learn from real-world examples to understand how claims are evaluated
A student drops their $899 laptop while commuting and the screen cracks beyond usability.
Claim approved. Reimbursed $899 within 3 days via ACH.
A user reports their tablet as stolen from a hotel room with no damage or incident report.
Denied — loss and theft are not covered by ProtectSmart.
A business registers 15 devices. One overheats and becomes non-functional within 14 months.
Approved — internal failure within covered term. Reimbursed full $1,199.
A customer submits a receipt for a $2,000 gaming PC purchased 6 months ago with altered purchase date.
Denied — fake or altered proof of purchase invalidates eligibility.
See how ProtectSmart compares to traditional warranties and insurance
| Feature |
ProtectSmart
|
Traditional Warranty
|
Insurance
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Purchase Value Reimbursement |
|
(depreciated or repair only)
|
(deductible-based)
|
| Covers Accidental Damage |
|
Some plans only
|
|
| Covers Hardware Failures |
|
(with limits)
|
|
| Easy Online Claim Filing |
|
|
|
| Payout Speed (3–5 Days) |
|
1–4 weeks
|
Weeks to months
|
| Choose How You're Paid |
(ACH, Visa, Cash App)
|
|
|
| No Depreciation |
|
|
|
Get 100% of your purchase price back, not a depreciated amount. Your device's value doesn't decrease with time in our eyes.
3-5 day average payout vs weeks or months with traditional options. Get your money when you need it most.
File claims online, track status in real-time, and get paid via your preferred method. No phone calls or paperwork.
Take our comprehensive coverage guide with you for offline reference
Complete reference guide including:
Complete breakdown by device type with specific coverage details
Clear visual distinction between covered and excluded scenarios
Photos and diagrams showing common claim situations
Perfect for onboarding new users or team members
Free download • No email required • 2.4 MB PDF
At ProtectSmart, we believe in transparency and simplicity. That's why we pay you back at full value, make claims painless, and cut out the fine print.
Speak with our protection experts
Common questions answered
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