For the first time, users of the iPad and Apple Watch can get theft and loss insurance cover for their devices, as Apple revamps its AppleCare options.
Alongside launching its new AppleCare One bundle, where a single payment can cover multiple devices, Apple has also expanded its existing AppleCare+. It's the policy's first major change since AppleCare+ became a subscription-only service in February 2025.
Most significantly, AppleCare+ has added theft and loss protection to both the iPad and the Apple Watch. The new protection is available from July 24, 2025, and in both cases, the cover gets users:
- Theft and loss coverage up to twice a year
- Unlimited repairs for drops and spills
- 24/7 priority support from Apple
The new cover is available for a monthly or annual fee. There is also, though, a service fee which applies to claims under the new theft and loss provision.
Including those service fees, the prices are:
- iPad: $4.99/month or $49.99/year
- iPad service fee: $129 per claim
- Apple Watch: $2.99/month or $29.99/year
- Apple Watch service fee: $199 per claim
Previously, AppleCare used to be available for a specific period, and users would pay upfront for the whole cost of typically two or three years.
Under the new system, the subscription is in theory unlimited and only ends when the user cancels it. However, while Apple does not appear to specify this for AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss, under its new AppleCare One bundle, it does say devices must be under four years old.
There are also multiple conditions regarding what will and won't be covered if your iPad or Apple Watch is stolen or lost. In both cases, Find My must be enabled on the device.
Then for iPad, neither the Apple Pencil nor the Magic Keyboard — or any other Apple-branded keyboards — will be replaced.
Note, though, that if you include them in the AppleCare One's three device limit, one Apple Pencil and one keyboard can be covered for accidental damage. Unless you are bereft of other devices, this seems like a bad use of the device limit, though.
With the Apple Watch, the band on the replacement will be an Apple-branded one, regardless of what band was stolen, such as Hermes or Nike.
Also note that the Apple Watch theft and loss provision does not cover you for losing just the band on its own. It is solely for the whole Apple Watch and strap.
