iPhones are expensive devices that most users want to protect from damage. One of the most common forms of iPhone damage is water damage, whether from dropping the phone in water or getting caught in the rain. Many iPhone owners wonder if their phone insurance covers water damage. This comprehensive guide will examine that question in detail.
What causes water damage in iPhones?
There are several ways an iPhone can sustain water damage:
- Dropping the phone in water – This includes dropping it in the sink, toilet, bath, puddle, lake, ocean, etc.
- Getting caught in heavy rain – If you get stuck in a downpour without an umbrella or case, water can seep into the phone.
- Spilling liquid on the phone – Coffee, soda, juice, etc. can all damage an iPhone if spilled on it.
- Using the phone in steamy environments – Shower steam, saunas, hot tubs, etc. expose the phone to moist air, which can condense inside it.
- Submerging the phone – Even brief submersion in water can allow liquid to get inside the iPhone.
The sensitive electronic components inside the iPhone can easily short circuit and corrode when exposed to water. Liquid causes oxidation on the logic boards and connectors, leading to permanent damage if not addressed quickly.
What types of iPhone water damage are there?
Not all water damage is the same. Some types are minor, while others can completely destroy the iPhone:
- Minor exposure – Brief contact with small amounts of liquid that evaporates quickly. May only cause superficial corrosion.
- Partially submerged – Lower half of phone was dunked in water but removed fairly quickly. Components may be salvageable.
- Completely submerged – Entire phone was fully immersed in water for an extended time. Usually causes irreparable damage.
- Saltwater immersion – Saltwater is much more conductive than freshwater and causes rapid short circuiting. Almost always destroys electronics.
- Trapped liquid – Water got inside the phone but cannot evaporate. Causes extensive damage over time due to corrosive oxidation.
Minor water exposure often only causes cosmetic damage like blurry speakers or foggy cameras. But anything beyond brief contact with water can damage internal components and connectors, leading to shorts, corrosion, and permanent failure.
Does AppleCare+ cover iPhone water damage?
The AppleCare+ extended warranty for iPhones does provide coverage for water damage, with some limitations:
- You get up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage every 12 months. Water damage counts as one incident.
- Each incident is subject to a service fee – $29 for screen damage or $99 for other damage like water exposure.
- Coverage only applies to defects that occur during the coverage period (up to 2 years).
- Cosmetic damage like scratches is not covered.
- Repairs are performed by Apple or an authorized service provider.
- iPhones must pass inspection and diagnostics to qualify for water damage repair.
So in summary, AppleCare+ does cover iPhone water damage, but only up to two low-cost repairs per year. Extensive damage likely exceeds the coverage limit and service fees.
Do iPhone insurance plans cover water damage?
Most major iPhone insurance providers like SquareTrade, Worth Ave Group, and Safeware do cover water damage under certain conditions:
- The plan must specifically list water or liquid damage coverage. Standard warranties usually don’t cover water damage.
- There is often a deductible, usually around $50 – $200 depending on the damage severity.
- Only a limited number of water damage claims may be allowed per year or term.
- The phone must be repairable – completely destroyed phones may exceed the coverage limits.
- Some insurers require you to return broken parts in order to claim water damage.
- Cosmetic damage like discoloration or rust usually isn’t covered.
So iPhone insurance can reimburse water damage, but you’ll likely have to pay a deductible. Make sure to read the fine print to understand the claim limits and criteria.
What kind of water damage can iPhone insurance handle?
Here are examples of iPhone water damage scenarios and whether they would likely be covered by insurance:
| Type of Damage | Repairable? |
|---|---|
| Brief splash that evaporates quickly | Yes |
| Drop in toilet, retrieved immediately | Probably |
| 30 minute immersion in lake | Unlikely |
| Trapped moisture inside phone | No – causes gradual damage over time |
| Saltwater immersion for 5+ minutes | No – saltwater causes rapid corrosion |
Minor splashes or drops that dry out quickly have the best chance of being covered for water damage. Prolonged submersion, trapped moisture, and saltwater exposure generally exceed coverage limits and causes irreparable damage.
What repairs does iPhone water damage require?
Some common iPhone repairs needed for water damage include:
- Drying out components – Using 99% isopropyl alcohol to displace moisture.
- Logic board cleaning – Using deionized water and fiber brush to clean corrosion.
- Component replacement – Swapping damaged ports, connectors, cameras, speakers.
- Chip-level microsoldering – Soldering new chips if corrosion spread to processors or RAM.
- Full device replacement – Extreme damage requires replacing the entire phone.
The extent of repairs depends on how quickly the phone was dried out and neutralized. The faster you can displace water and stop electrical shorts, the less damage is done. Component-level repairs and microsoldering can fix moderate damage. But prolonged exposure usually requires total replacement.
How can I prevent iPhone water damage?
You can take these steps to reduce the chance of water damaging your iPhone:
- Use a waterproof case – Cases create a seal to keep water out.
- Avoid humid environments – Limit shower and sauna use with your phone.
- Keep away from bodies of water – Don’t use near pools, baths, sinks, etc.
- Turn off immediately if wet – Prevents shorts while drying out.
- Dry with absorbent cloth – Gently blot up any moisture.
- Use moisture absorber – Place phone in sealed bag with desiccant pack.
- Avoid traps – Keep out of pockets and bags when wet to allow evaporation.
While iPhone water damage can’t always be prevented, these tips will greatly reduce your risk and minimize damage if it does occur.
Does homeowner’s or renter’s insurance cover iPhone water damage?
Standard homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies generally do not cover iPhone water damage. Electronics are only included under these policies in cases of major disasters like fires or floods. For example:
- Damage from a burst pipe may be covered under homeowner’s insurance.
- An iPhone destroyed in a kitchen fire would likely be reimbursed by renter’s insurance.
- But dropping your phone in the toilet or sink would not qualify.
You need to purchase separate electronics insurance or a protection plan to cover day-to-day water damage of phones and other devices.
Should I report all iPhone water damage to my insurance company?
Even minor iPhone water damage that seems purely cosmetic should be reported to your insurance provider. Here’s why:
- There could be unseen corrosion that worsens over time.
- Internal damage can cause sudden failure later on.
- Insurers need documentation of the damage timeline.
- Having a record will help you if more problems emerge.
- The insurer may provide steps for further protecting your phone.
Providing details through photos, diagnostics, and a written statement creates evidence for your claim down the road if needed. Never avoid reporting iPhone water damage, no matter how trivial it may appear initially.
What voids iPhone water damage protection?
Insurance providers may refuse to cover iPhone water damage if:
- Damage was from reckless behavior – Using in shower, underwater photography, etc.
- Liquid indicators show prior water exposure.
- You didn’t report the damage promptly.
- The phone had pre-existing problems before water damage occurred.
- You disassembled or tried DIY repairs on the phone.
- The damage resulted from another cause – Drop damage, cracked screen, etc.
Read your policy to understand the exclusions. Be sure to document water damage thoroughly so you have evidence that it was the cause of failure.
What are liquid contact indicators in iPhones?
iPhones have built-in liquid contact indicator (LCI) sticker strips that turn red if exposed to water:
- Located in SIM card slot, headphone jack, charging port.
- Adhesive strips have microchannels that draw in water.
- Water changes chemical composition, causing permanent pink/red color.
- Indicates past water exposure when phone is opened for repair.
Insurers may look for triggered LCIs to determine if prior water damage voids a new claim. Check strips yourself so you know the damage history.
Does rice actually help dry out a wet iPhone?
Placing wet iPhones in rice is a common DIY drying technique, but unfortunately rice is not very effective. Here’s why it doesn’t work well:
- Rice only absorbs surface moisture through direct contact.
- It does not draw water out from inside the iPhone.
- Any trapped moisture causes ongoing corrosion until evaporated.
- Rice can actually get stuck inside ports, causing further damage.
Silica gel packs work slightly better than rice since they actively absorb ambient humidity. But the best way to dry an iPhone is to use 99% isopropyl alcohol, which actively displaces water, then seal with desiccant packs.
How long does it take for water to damage an iPhone?
Water exposure can begin damaging an iPhone in just a few minutes. Here are some damage timelines:
- 30 seconds – Capacitive touchscreen fails as water shorts circuitry.
- 1-2 minutes – Speaker and microphone fail as water oxidizes metal.
- 5 minutes – Corrosion spreads to chips and connectors.
- 10+ minutes – Logic board, RAM, and processors short circuit.
- 1+ hours – Gradually destroys all components as corrosion advances.
The sooner you can dry out and disconnect power from a wet iPhone, the better chance you have of salvaging it. Water damage progresses rapidly, spreading across components. Act fast!
Can you fix an iPhone with water damage yourself?
It’s very difficult for untrained individuals to successfully repair an iPhone with water damage themselves. Some of the challenges include:
- Lacking proper tools – Heat guns, ultrasonic cleaners, moisture sensors, chip programmers, etc.
- Not removing power quickly – Causing shorts while phone is wet.
- No access to replacement parts – Charging ports, speakers, cameras.
- Unable to microsolder – Component-level soldering takes training.
- No quality assurance – Won’t know if corrosion is fully addressed.
With specialized equipment and electronics repair training, experts can salvage mildly damaged iPhones. But DIY attempts often make the damage worse. Let a professional handle any advanced water damage repairs.
Can you recover a water-damaged iPhone that won’t turn on?
If your iPhone suffered water damage and will no longer power on, data recovery is still sometimes possible. Here are a few options to try:
- Let it thoroughly dry out for several days. Residual moisture may be preventing power.
- Have the logic board professionally cleaned to remove corrosion.
- Use a donor board to test whether other components still function.
- Carefully disassemble and clean connectors to restore conductivity.
- If the logic board is damaged, specialist data recovery services may be able to access storage chips and offload data.
With advanced microsoldering repairs and chip-off data recovery tools, specialists can often recover data even from non-functional water damaged devices. But DIY chances are very low.
What are some common water damage repair scams?
Some unscrupulous repair shops take advantage of users with water damaged phones. Watch out for these common scams:
- Denying coverage – Claiming prior damage voided warranty, often due to triggered indicators.
- Inflated repair fees – Charging $500+ for basic cleaning services.
- Unnecessary part swaps – Replacing working components then charging user.
- Faking further damage – Sabotaging phones then showing “corrosion.”
- Withholding phones – Refusing to return device unless ridiculous fees are paid.
Protect yourself by documenting damage, getting multiple repair quotes, and checking reviews. Don’t give phone to unknown shops promising miraculous repairs.
Conclusion
iPhone water damage is covered under AppleCare+ and most insurance plans, but often requires paying a deductible for repair or replacement. Quick action is necessary to prevent corrosion of internal components that can permanently destroy an iPhone. You may be able to dry out and temporarily revive a water-damaged phone yourself, but repairs beyond cleaning connectors and replacing modules require professional microsoldering skills. Be wary of water damage scams preying on desperate users. With reasonable precautions and prompt response if an accident does occur, most iPhone water damage can be addressed via insurance – just make sure to read your policy’s fine print exclusions.