Asurion Desktop Protection Review: 7/10 Mixed Verdict
Some customers rave about the ASURION Desktop Protection Plan as a true safety net for expensive tech, while others openly call it “a total scam.” On balance, the plan scores a conditional 7/10, offering solid coverage for breakdowns and surges but revealing cracks in claim handling speed and transparency.
Quick Verdict: Conditional Buy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy online claim filing and shipping kits provided | Slow claim resolutions, sometimes months |
| Coverage after manufacturer warranty expires | Denials for unclear reasons |
| “No Lemon” policy offers refund after repeated failures | Poor communication on repair details |
| Amazon gift card refunds for irreparable devices | Some users report cosmetic damage after service |
| Wide eligibility for home tech under Home+ | Service centers misdiagnosing or not reproducing issues |
| 24/7 expert support available | Repairs can take weeks or even months |
| Unlimited claims under Home+ plan | Refunds often require persistent follow-up |
Claims vs Reality
Marketing emphasizes “hassle-free claims approved within minutes” and “fast repairs or full-value reimbursements.” Digging deeper into user reports, the picture is mixed. A verified Amazon buyer noted: “It’s easy to start a claim online… they sent me a shipping box and prepaid label… the process is easy to track.” For this customer, the ‘no lemon’ policy worked after recurring PC shutdowns and they received a full refund.
But Reddit user feedback shows the opposite extreme: “It took me over 6 months to finally get paid out for a TV… reps were clueless… filled out a long form then they said they don’t cover it.” Multiple Trustpilot reviewers echo the sentiment that the ordeal can stretch over months, often only resolving after threats of escalation.
The claim of “coverage from day one for surges” holds up — one Trustpilot user described a post-vacation desktop failure with rapid approval: “About 5 days later, they emailed that they couldn’t fix it and were sending me a gift card for full purchase price.” Yet for another verified Amazon reviewer whose computer wouldn’t boot, a failed HDD went unfixed for nearly a month, prompting frustration at prolonged downtime.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon and Trustpilot, many buyers value the ease of initiation and the peace of mind after the manufacturer’s warranty ends. Reddit comments on the Home+ plan note the appeal for households with “$11,000+ worth of tech”: for heavy home tech users, broad coverage is economical. A verified Amazon purchaser of a gaming PC shared: “Under warranty… returned the entire amount. This insurance really works!” One Trustpilot member summed it up: “Always make sure you get extended warranty… they came through and covered the product immediately.”
For remote workers or students, the plan’s prepaid shipping kits and expert support save stress. Asurion’s “No Lemon” protection resonates with gamers: one Amazon buyer sent in their desktop three times for the same fault, securing a refund the third time without extra hassle beyond wait times.
Common Complaints
The flip side: claim denials without clear explanation are a recurring theme. A verified buyer lamented, “Four hours working to file… was told approved… then denied with no specifics.” Shipping and repair timelines can be uncomfortably long — “29 days without my desktop so far… not happy,” one gamer wrote after SSD repair didn’t address the failed HDD.
Miscommunication plagues many experiences. A Trustpilot reviewer described repeated sends of an Acer Aspire for intermittent shutdowns: “Four months lost use… had to buy a laptop… finally got a refund.” Reddit’s harshest takes suggest outright refusal of legitimate claims when devices were submerged or physically damaged despite advertised coverage.
Divisive Features
Amazon gift card refunds divide buyers. While some appreciate immediate ability to repurchase (“Used it to buy another computer, with Asurion warranty of course”), others dislike the restriction to Amazon spending. The plan’s breadth under Home+ impresses tech-heavy households, but single-device owners sometimes feel drawn-out repairs aren’t worth the monthly cost. One Reddit user cautioned: “Never purchase an Asurion protection plan” after protracted service battles, yet others call it “definitely worth it” for high-end systems.
Trust & Reliability
Trustpilot patterns suggest two clear audience camps — satisfied claimants praising quick fixes and severe skeptics warning of “destroyed” devices returned with dents and functional failures. One Sitejabber reviewer wrote of a Dell desktop: “Got it back with a big dent… still would not power on… second return, case bent… eventually refund promised.” This aligns with Reddit accusations that Asurion “scams” customers by denying repairs it markets.
Long-term reliability shows variance. Some plans lasted the full three years without issue, offering peace of mind. Others faced initial faults within months and found the rigid process for reproducing issues costly in time and usability — the Acer Aspire shutdown case spanned years before resolution.
Alternatives
SquareTrade surfaces in community discussions as a simpler, sometimes safer bet for straightforward electronics coverage, albeit with limited claims. Mulberry offers an “unlimited subscription covering all online purchases for $9.99/month,” attracting buyers seeking universal coverage without per-device registration. AppleCare edges out Asurion on Apple refurbs but at higher cost and narrower scope.
Competitors like Akko reportedly “present conditions upfront” more transparently — a contrast to Asurion’s long terms and conditions that some find overwhelming. The trade-off: Asurion’s unlimited claims and bundling across myriad home tech is hard to match, making it inherently more suited to households with multiple connected devices.
Price & Value
On Amazon, fixed-term desktop plans range from about $120 for lower-tier pricing coverage to $34.99/month for Asurion Home+. eBay listings show four-year gaming protection with tech support in the $150–$175 band. Community consensus is that value scales with the number of devices covered: “For around $1 per day, we’ll cover nearly all the tech in your home,” reads the Home+ pitch — a price point appealing to large families as seen in Reddit anecdotes.
Verified buyers advise purchasing at the same time as the device or within the 30-day eligibility window, as retroactive coverage is unavailable. For resale-minded owners, having a warranty in place can enhance buyer confidence, potentially aiding value retention.
FAQ
Q: What’s the difference between Asurion Desktop Protection and Home+?
A: Desktop Protection is specific to one device bought with or soon after purchase. Home+ bundles desktops with thousands of other home tech devices under one plan, offering unlimited claims up to aggregate limits.
Q: How long do repairs take?
A: Officially, repairs aim for quick turnaround, but user experiences range from a few days to several months. Amazon gift card reimbursements can be faster if a device is deemed irreparable.
Q: Does cosmetic damage get covered?
A: No. Cosmetic-only damage unrelated to functionality is excluded. Several users reported dents or broken panels post-repair with no recourse.
Q: Are power surges covered immediately?
A: Yes, surge protection starts from day one of plan activation, unlike breakdown coverage which begins after the manufacturer’s warranty ends.
Q: Can I enroll after my device breaks?
A: No, devices must be enrolled at purchase or within 30 days. Failure before enrollment is not covered.
Final Verdict: Buy if you manage multiple high-value tech items or rely heavily on a desktop daily — persistent users often win refunds or replacements. Avoid if prolonged downtime would seriously disrupt you, as claim handling can be slow. Pro tip from the community: document every interaction and push for escalation early if progress stalls.
