Google Drops Pixel 2 And Pixel 2 XL Deductibles For Preferred Care Extended Warranty
For Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL owners, Google's Preferred Care service is getting a significant upgrade. For those that don't know, Preferred Care is very similar to AppleCare+ for Apple devices. For $129, Preferred Care extends your device warranty from one year to two years, provides accidental coverage for two years, and customers receive 24/7 priority customer support. However, Google has enhanced the program by dropping the deductible that was previously required when processing an accidental damage claim (up to two during the coverage period).
The deductible for accidental damage was previously $79 per incident, which means that if you had two claims within your coverage period, you would have a total outlay of $287 (including the $129 price of Preferred Care). Now, if you file two claims, your out-of-pocket costs will still only be $129.
We can only think of one reason why Google would be making this change. Last month, Google extended the factory warranty on all Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones after a number of issues were reported by customers. The first major concerned related to the Pixel 2 XL's OLED display, which can be prone to premature burn-in. Some early users experience noticeable display burn-in after just a week of normal use. There were also reports of clicking sounds and high-pitched noises emanating from the Pixel 2.
Google promised software updates to address these issues, and also extended the factory warranty from one year to years for free. This no doubt miffed customers that had already plunked down $129 for Preferred Care. So, consider this "course correction" with regards to eliminating the deductible as a way to appease those early adopters.
Just for reference, the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL start at $649 and $849 respectively. A Pixel 2 XL with 128GB of storage will set you back $949. So, whether you get a case or opt for a protection plan like Preferred Care, you might want to protect that large investment.
