ASURION Desktop Protection Plan Review: Conditional Buy Verdict
"It’s been the best $35 I ever spent," one Amazon verified buyer declared after ASURION Desktop Protection Plan refunded their full purchase following a fatal Dell failure. With an average rating of 4.4–4.5 stars across multiple price tiers, this extended warranty seems to deliver for many—but the data shows some frustrating misfires. Overall score: 8/10.
Quick Verdict: Conditional Buy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast claim approvals for many users | Slow shipping and repair timelines in some cases |
| Covers power surges from day one | Reports of repairs returned with same problem |
| Full refunds via Amazon gift card when unrepairable | Some claims denied for "outside normal use" or manufacturer’s warranty overlap |
| Covers accidental drops/spills for portable items | Requires purchase within 30 days of product buying |
| 24/7 tech support access | Refunds in gift card form only, not cash |
| Good value for high-ticket or portable electronics | Quality-control issues at repair centers |
| No additional parts/labor/shipping costs | Difficult escalations for persistent faults |
Claims vs Reality
Marketing promises an “easy claims process… most approved within minutes” and “coverage from day one for power surges.” This does match numerous customer experiences. One Amazon buyer recounted a lightning strike taking out multiple devices: “bam it got me… Asurion has been the best. They immediately tried to fix over the phone, then sent a UPS box. A week later I got an Amazon gift card for the full purchase price.”
However, the “quick repairs” claim sometimes falters. Reddit user u/kjtonjm reported: “When I called they had no record of my plan even though I could see it on my account.” Others described weeks-long waits just to get a shipping label, followed by extended repair downtime—contradicting the “minimize downtime” promise.
Another major claim is “expert support anytime.” While some embraced the 24/7 help, such as Redditor u/ksaevb who got a leaking tent refunded “after sending some pics… definitely not a scam,” others felt support scripts overruled common sense. One 1-star Amazon review seethed: “No quality control… problem was not corrected before returning to me.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
For customers with high-value desktops or portable electronics prone to drops or surges, the plan’s payoff can be dramatic. A verified Amazon buyer recounted buying a refurbished Dell that died days after its initial refurb warranty expired. “Within a week… shipped it, they repaired it. When it quit again, they reimbursed my entire purchase by Amazon gift card via email.”
Families with heavy-kid-device use especially appreciate the accidental damage coverage. One Redditor noted: “There isn’t enough allowance… to cover the amount of damage my kids have done to tablets and laptops alone,” underscoring the value of continuous replacements.
For complex failures, immediate reimbursement relieves stress. u/ls8rc4v reported, “When it stopped working just over a year later they refunded me the entire amount… balance.” The consensus is strong: if Asurion can’t fix it quickly, they tend to pay out.
Common Complaints
The flip side: repair quality and timelines. Some customers got devices back with unchanged issues—such as graphic card faults unresolved—and then endured the same failure again. Amazon reviewers labelled this “absurd,” especially when shipping box policy delays another repair cycle.
Reddit user u/lfn673q believed “the company has a clear agenda of denying and delaying to avoid coverage.” Denials often hinge on the defect being present before purchase or still under manufacturer warranty, which frustrates those expecting blanket coverage.
Persistent faults can undergo repeated, unproductive repair cycles. One long-suffering Acer owner told Amazon: “I lost the use of it for 4 months… finally they agreed to a full refund.”
Divisive Features
The gift card refund policy is polarizing. Some welcome Amazon credit for quick repurchase; others dislike being locked into Amazon spending. One reviewer summed it as: “Didn’t really like that because now he has to spend money on Amazon… but they did take care of warranty.”
Coverage scope also divides opinion. Fans praise accidental coverage (“Drops, spills… from day one”), while skeptics point to exclusions like “indoor only” devices used outdoors, which fall outside “normal use”—a sticking point for a Redditor hoping to protect porch cameras.
Trust & Reliability
Scam concerns exist, mostly from protracted disputes. One Reddit thread warned: “Tip: never purchase an Asurion protection plan… took me 6 months to get paid out for a TV.” Others even discussed gathering evidence for a possible class action over denied water damage claims.
Yet long-term stories also prove durability of coverage. A buyer who purchased coverage in 2018 reported eventual resolution after multiple failed repair attempts and months of escalation. While not swift, Asurion did “honor the warranty” once a supervisor intervened.
Alternatives
Comparison chatter on Quora and Reddit surfaces competitors like SquareTrade (cheaper but limited claims), Mulberry (browser integration, $9.99/month unlimited), and AppleCare (more expensive, covers Apple refurbs). Asurion’s advantage lies in extended accidental coverage beyond manufacturer warranties and multi-device Complete Protect subscriptions—which are praised for families and tech-heavy households.
Competitors may offer upfront clarity or cash refunds, but few match Asurion’s breadth of covered devices under one plan.
Price & Value
Amazon buyers for <$50 find value when repairs or refunds are triggered even once. Subscription Complete Protect at $16.99/month can be economical for serial Amazon shoppers with multiple electronics, compared to piecemeal warranties.
As Redditor u/kdhuthx explained: “We have made three claims and they were paid immediately—totally worth it to us.” The cost-benefit swings negative for low-value, low-failure items or those already protected via credit card benefits.
FAQ
Q: Does Asurion cover power surges immediately?
A: Yes. Many buyers confirmed surge coverage from day one, with several stories of quick reimbursement after electrical damage.
Q: Can I buy Asurion coverage after purchasing my computer?
A: Only within 30 days of buying the product on Amazon. Some plans auto-link to your order; if bought separately, manual application is still possible.
Q: How long do repairs take?
A: Timelines vary. Some report resolutions within a week; others faced multiple weeks for shipping, repair, and return—especially if a replacement box was required.
Q: Are refunds paid in cash?
A: No. Refunds come as Amazon gift cards for the full purchase and warranty cost.
Q: Does Asurion cover outdoor use of indoor devices?
A: No. That is considered outside “normal use,” even if partially sheltered.
Final Verdict: Buy if you own high-ticket desktops or fragile portable electronics, especially in households with kids or high accident risk. Avoid if you need cash refunds or expect flawless repair turnaround. Pro tip from community: Document the device condition at purchase and keep copies of all communications—these often speed up approval or appeal success.
