Mobile Device Protection Association Cell Phone Insurance Plan Scam Boca Raton, Florida

I bought my phone through an online reseller that offered cell phone protection through Mobile Device Protection Association for $6.99 per month.

The service was sketchy from the get go with limited ways to contact them and customer service outsourced overseas.

The first issue with the insurance program is that they make you ship the phone to a repair center to have it repaired.  They quote you 7 - 14 days without your phone while you wait for the repair.

I filed a claim online and while waiting for their "claim approval process" I researched other reviews on their service.  

I saw many reviews where they claim water damage and disallow coverage due to the water damage exclusion in the contract.

Therefore, I took photos of the sensors in the battery compartment of the phone as evidence that the phone had never had contact with water.

My claim approval came through and I mailed off the phone to the repair center.

Within a couple days, the response back via email was:

Re: Member # S1006.....; RFS #: 13-07...

This is in reference to your cellular request for service. As instructed, the damaged phone was sent to our repair center.

Upon inspection, the phone was found to be un-repairable due to liquid damage and/or corrosion.

Therefore, based on the below listed exclusion, we cannot further process this RFS.

WATER (LIQUID DAMAGE) AND PERVASIVE CORROSION

Should you have any questions, contact MDPA Customer Service Department through e-mail atcustomer.service@mobiledeviceprotection.com or fax to 561-721-0385.

We regret any inconvenience you may have been caused.

Sincerely,Mobile Device Protection Association
Membership Committee

 
When asked specifically where the "water damage" was, they went on to say:

There are several internal indicators in every cell phone which register moisture and corrosion. We are returning your liquid damaged phone.

Feel free to send your phone to the MANUFACTURER for inspection (SAMSUNG 888-987-4357).

Please be advised that a sales person in a store for your carrier has no knowledge or authorization to open the phone and verify this info.

Should the manufacturer verify NO LIQUID DAMAGE OR CORROSION in writing, we will be happy to replace that cell phone.

In the meantime we are maintaining your Membership awaiting receipt of proof of purchase and description and serial number of your replacement cell phone.

If you wish to discontinue an annual membership, please contact customer.service@mobiledeviceprotection.com; if you have a monthly membership and wish to cancel, please contact your dealer at www.whereismyorder.com, customersupport@cellstores.com, or 888-843-2485.

We are shipping you back your phone via USPS 9410 8102 ...

This response with an automatic denial of service and unwillingness to say specifically where the damage was located, along with all of the related reviews from other customers points to a systematic unwillingness to honor legitimate claims.

Not to mention, they use this unseen corrosion claim to put the responsibility back on the consumer to spend additional money by sending the device to the manufacturer for a "letter" before honoring any further claims.

Interestingly, as I was looking into it further, they have added a disclaimer in their terms and conditions specifically disallowing class action lawsuits against their company and directing any claims through arbitration.

All in all, this is a dubious service at best and it is highly recommended to not accept or pay for their insurance program.

Oh, and I still have that photo showing no water damage when it was sent in....