Quick Answer
Standard AppleCare+ for MacBook does not cover water damage. However, you can add accidental damage coverage for spills and drops, including water damage, for an additional fee. With this extra coverage, AppleCare+ will cover up to two incidents of accidental damage, each subject to a service fee.
Does AppleCare+ cover water damage?
The standard AppleCare+ plan for MacBook does not include coverage for water damage. AppleCare+ covers manufacturer defects and battery depletion for your MacBook, but any damage caused by liquid spills or submersion is not covered under the standard warranty.
However, you do have the option to add accidental damage coverage when purchasing AppleCare+ for your MacBook. This provides protection for up to two incidents of accidental damage from spills or drops, including water damage, during the coverage period. Each incident is subject to a service fee.
For MacBooks, the fees are $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for any other damage. So if your MacBook suffers water damage, you’d need to pay the applicable service fee, but Apple would repair or replace your MacBook.
Without the accidental damage coverage, any water damage to your MacBook would not be covered by AppleCare+. You’d need to pay Apple’s out-of-warranty repair fees, which can be expensive depending on the extent of the damage.
What does AppleCare+ cover?
The standard AppleCare+ plan for MacBook includes:
– Technical support for MacBook issues over chat or phone for 3 years after the original purchase date
– Hardware coverage for defects and battery depletion for 3 years after purchase date
– Up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage (with service fees), if purchased additionally
AppleCare+ does not cover:
– Damage caused by accident or unauthorized modifications (unless accidental damage coverage purchased separately)
– Normal wear and tear or consumable parts like batteries (unless battery capacity falls below 80%)
– Cosmetic damage that doesn’t affect function, like scratches
– Damage caused knowingly or intentionally
– Loss or theft
– Data loss or software issues
So in summary, the basic AppleCare+ covers manufacturer defects and battery issues, while accidental damage requires extra coverage. Water damage would fall under “damage caused by accident” and requires the additional coverage to be repaired under AppleCare+.
Does accidental damage coverage include water damage?
Yes, the accidental damage coverage that you can add to AppleCare+ for MacBook provides protection against water damage.
When purchasing AppleCare+, you have the option to add accidental damage coverage for an additional fee. This covers damage from spills, drops, electrical surges, and liquid submersion for your MacBook.
If your MacBook is damaged by water or any other liquid, Apple will repair or replace it, subject to a service fee per incident. For a MacBook, the service fee is $99 for screen or external enclosure damage only. For any other water damage, the fee is $299.
So if you spill water on the keyboard of your MacBook and it stops working, that would be covered under the accidental damage plan. You’d need to pay the $299 service fee, but Apple would repair or replace your MacBook.
Without the accidental damage coverage, any water damage would not be covered at all under the standard AppleCare+ plan. So it’s a good idea to add this extra coverage if you want protection from water damage.
How much does accidental damage coverage cost?
The cost of adding accidental damage coverage to AppleCare+ depends on the Apple product you have:
– For iPhone, it’s an additional $99 upfront for AppleCare+ with 2 incidents of accidental damage coverage.
– For iPad, it’s an additional $49 upfront.
– For MacBook Air and Pro, it’s an additional $249 upfront.
– For other Macs, it’s an additional $99 upfront.
So for a MacBook Air or Pro, you’d pay $249 at the time of purchase to get AppleCare+ with accidental damage coverage. Then you’d need to pay a service fee per incident if you actually need to use the coverage.
The service fees for MacBook accidental damage are:
– $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage only
– $299 for any other damage
So while the upfront cost is higher for MacBooks, you still save compared to paying full out-of-warranty repair fees if you do accidentally spill water or have other damage to your machine.
What are Apple’s out-of-warranty repair fees?
If your MacBook suffers water damage and you don’t have AppleCare+ with accidental damage coverage, you will have to pay Apple’s out-of-warranty repair fees. These fees vary based on the type of repair needed:
– Screen damage – $299
– Top case (keyboard, touchpad, battery) – $299
– Bottom case (logic board, ports) – $299
– Other repairs – $299
– Whole unit replacement – $475
In some cases, the damage from liquid may be so extensive that Apple determines the MacBook cannot be repaired. In this case, they will suggest you replace the machine entirely at your own cost.
As you can see, Apple’s out-of-warranty fees for significant water damage repairs are quite expensive. The fees to replace major components or the entire unit are comparable to or even higher than the upfront cost of AppleCare+ with accidental damage coverage.
So having the protection of AppleCare+ can literally save you hundreds of dollars if liquid damage does occur. The peace of mind alone makes it worth considering.
What liquid damage is covered by AppleCare+ accidental damage?
AppleCare+ with accidental damage coverage protects your MacBook from damage caused by a variety of liquids, including:
– Water – This includes damage from spills, submersion, and exposure to rain or other water.
– Coffee, tea, juice, soda, and other beverages.
– Toilet or sink overflows.
– Dishwater or standing water.
– Puddles.
– Humidity and condensation.
Essentially, any time a liquid manages to get inside your MacBook and affect its functionality, the damage would be covered if you have AppleCare+ accidental damage.
The coverage does not apply solely to clean water damage. As long as the damage was unintentional and not due to misuse, Apple will repair or replace your MacBook when you pay the applicable service fee.
Some common water damage issues covered include:
– Short-circuited or corroded logic boards
– Non-responsive keyboards, trackpads, speakers
– Display issues or screen damage
– Issues charging or turning on the laptop
So if you accidentally spill your morning coffee on your MacBook keyboard and it stops working properly afterward, AppleCare+ accidental damage has you covered.
Are any types of water damage not covered?
In general, any unintentional water damage from day-to-day spills and accidents is covered by AppleCare+’s accidental damage protection.
However, Apple may deny coverage if the water damage is a result of intentional misuse or reckless behavior that voids the warranty. Some examples include:
– Knowingly exposing the MacBook to liquid or moisture (e.g. using it in the shower).
– Submerging the MacBook fully in water intentionally.
– Operating the MacBook in extremely humid conditions.
– Using the MacBook in heavy rain.
In these cases, Apple could argue that the customer was negligent in exposing the laptop to liquids extensively. Damage that occurs in unreasonable situations may not be considered accidental.
Apple also will not cover pre-existing liquid damage that occurred before you purchased AppleCare+ coverage. Only new incidents after the purchase date will be eligible for repair under the plan.
And as with any damage, if Apple determines that replacing the machine is the only option, you will need to pay those fees yourself, even with AppleCare+ accidental damage coverage. But they will let you know upfront if this is the case.
As long as you take reasonable care when using your MacBook around liquids, and any spills or accidents are truly unintentional, AppleCare+ will provide coverage for resulting water damage repairs.
How can I prevent water damage to my MacBook?
Here are some tips to keep your MacBook safe from liquid damage:
– Keep drinks away from your laptop when working. Use a separate drink coaster.
– Don’t eat or drink over your MacBook. Crumbs and spills can fall between keys.
– Shut down and close the lid when moving around with your laptop.
– Don’t use your laptop near sinks or baths where overflow can occur.
– Be careful during storms in case of roof leaks.
– Use a protective case or bag when traveling with your laptop.
– Keep your MacBook away from small children and pets who could spill on it.
– Don’t leave your MacBook in a humid bathroom while showering.
– If you do spill liquid on your MacBook, drain excess liquid and allow time to fully air dry before turning on.
– Invest in a waterproof cover or shell if you’ll use your MacBook in wet conditions.
With some simple precautions, you can avoid exposing your MacBook to liquids that could cause damage. But accidents do happen, so AppleCare+ accidental damage is ideal for peace of mind.
What if my MacBook gets wet? Do’s and Don’ts
If your MacBook does get splashed or wet, here are some do’s and don’ts to handle the situation properly:
DO:
– Remove it from the liquid immediately if wet. The less liquid exposure, the better chance your laptop can be saved.
– Drain any excess liquid from openings like the keyboard. Hold it upright and let it drain.
– Gently wipe exterior liquid with a dry microfiber cloth if needed. Don’t rub.
– Turn off the MacBook if it’s still on. Don’t try to turn it on.
– Let the MacBook dry thoroughly for at least 24-48 hours before attempting to turn on again. Air drying is best.
– Contact Apple Support and be honest about the liquid damage. Get a repair quote.
DON’T:
– Try to turn on your wet MacBook! This could short circuit it.
– Leave it sitting in liquid. Remove it and drain liquid immediately.
– Shake the computer to drain liquid. This can damage internal parts.
– Use hairdryers or other heat to dry out your MacBook. This can damage it further.
– Try “quick fixes” like putting rice inside it. Just let it air dry.
– Delay getting help. Liquid damage can get worse over time if left untreated.
With the right response, you may avoid serious damage or expensive repairs if your MacBook has an accidental liquid encounter. Just remain calm, take the proper steps, and contact Apple Support. They can check it out and get you back up and running.
Does AppleCare+ cover any water damage for other Apple devices?
For iPhone and iPad devices, AppleCare+ also offers optional accidental damage coverage that includes protection against water damage. Here are the details:
iPhone
– Pay an additional $99 upfront for AppleCare+ with 2 incidents of accidental damage coverage.
– Service fee is $29 for screen damage, or $99 for any other damage, including water damage.
iPad
– Pay an additional $49 upfront for AppleCare+ with 2 incidents of accidental damage coverage.
– Service fee is $49 for any accidental damage, including water damage.
For all other Apple products like Apple Watch, Mac desktops, Apple TV, and more, AppleCare+ does NOT offer accidental damage coverage. Only manufacturer defects are covered for these devices.
So water damage would not be covered for Apple Watch or iMac under any AppleCare+ plan. Be especially careful to keep these products away from liquids, as any water damage repair would be very costly without coverage.
Check with Apple to confirm what coverage applies for your specific devices before purchasing AppleCare+. Accidental damage is essential for protection from spills and water damage.
Does AppleCare+ cover flood damage?
Unfortunately, AppleCare+ does not cover water damage to your MacBook or other Apple devices from flooding. Flood damage is considered an extreme incident and is excluded from AppleCare+ policies.
If your home or office suffers flooding from a burst pipe, heavy rains, or natural disaster, the water exposure can seriously damage electronics like laptops and smartphones beyond repair.
However, even AppleCare+ accidental damage coverage excludes flooding as it is difficult to protect against such extensive water exposure. No Apple devices are designed to be waterproof or flood-proof.
If your MacBook or other Apple device is damaged in a flood, you’ll have to pay all repair or replacement costs yourself. You can contact Apple Support to see if any restoration is possible, but it is typically very expensive.
To protect your expensive Apple electronics against flood damage, make sure you have a separate flood insurance policy for your home or business. This covers flood repairs and replacements not handled by Apple warranties.
Conclusion
To summarize, AppleCare+ can provide valuable protection against water damage for your MacBook – but only if you purchase the additional accidental damage coverage.
The basic AppleCare+ warranty does not include any water damage coverage. Accidental damage coverage adds protection for up to two incidents of spill or liquid damage, subject to service fees starting at $99 per incident for MacBooks.
Without AppleCare+ accidental damage, any water damage repair for a MacBook would require paying Apple’s high out-of-warranty fees. These start at $299 for screen or top case replacements.
So for anyone at risk of exposing their MacBook to liquids, the extra investment in AppleCare+ accidental damage coverage can really pay off in the event of spills. It provides peace of mind that your expensive laptop can be fixed or replaced for a reasonable service fee.
Just be sure to take precautions around liquids, act quickly if you do get your MacBook wet, and contact Apple Support for assistance with repairs to get your machine working again!