A Thorough Comparison of Smartphone Insurance Included with Major Cards
Here, we analyze and compare in detail the most representative and popular smartphone insurance plans included with credit cards, based on consistent criteria. This chapter serves as a core reference for your card selection.
JCB Smartphone Insurance: The Screen Cracking Specialist
Profile: The Screen Cracking Specialist An ideal choice for users whose primary concern is display damage. By specializing coverage on screen cracks, it has become a familiar insurance policy included with many cards.
Cost and Eligibility Conditions: Annual fees depend on the card, but the insurance premium is free. To be eligible, you must have paid your smartphone communication charges with the applicable JCB card for at least the last three consecutive months.
Coverage Scope and Limits: Basically, coverage is limited to display damage (screen cracks) only; water damage, loss, and other malfunctions are not included. However, with the top-tier 'JCB The Class' card, fire, water damage, and theft are also covered in addition to breakage. The coverage limit varies by card rank, with an annual maximum of 30,000 yen for JCB Card S, 50,000 yen for JCB Gold and Platinum, and up to 100,000 yen for the top-tier JCB The Class.
Deductible and Eligible Devices: A deductible of 10,000 yen is required per incident. Eligible devices are smartphones purchased within 24 months (36 months for JCB The Class members) at the time of the incident.
American Express Smartphone Protection: A Premium All-Rounder
Profile: A Premium All-Rounder Offers a wider range of coverage than JCB, making it a very comprehensive solution, especially for holders of higher-tier cards.
Cost and Eligibility Conditions: The insurance premium is free. The eligibility condition is the same as JCB: you must have paid your communication charges with the applicable Amex card for at least the last three consecutive months.
Coverage Scope and Limits: Covers a wide range including breakage (including screen cracks), water damage, fire, and even theft. The coverage limit varies significantly by card, ranging from 30,000 yen for the Green Card to 150,000 yen for the Platinum Card®.
Deductible and Eligible Devices: For incidents occurring on or after June 1, 2023, the deductible is a flat 5,000 yen per incident, which is attractively low. Smartphones purchased within 36 months at the time of the incident are eligible.
d Card Mobile Phone Compensation: The Champion of Device Replacement
Profile: The Champion of Device Replacement This insurance is fundamentally different from others. It does not cover repair costs. Instead, it compensates for the 'cost of purchasing a new device' if the device in use is lost, stolen, or deemed irreparable.
Cost and Eligibility Conditions: For d Card General, GOLD U, GOLD, and PLATINUM, the insurance premium is free. The most important condition is that you must purchase a new device of the same model and color as the lost or damaged device at a store designated by Docomo (such as a Docomo Shop) using your own d Card.
Coverage Scope and Limits: Coverage applies to loss, theft, and irreparable damage (total loss). The compensation amount varies by card type: 'd Card (General)' covers up to 10,000 yen for devices purchased within 1 year, 'd Card GOLD U' and 'd Card GOLD' cover up to 100,000 yen for devices purchased within 3 years, and 'd Card PLATINUM' covers up to 200,000 yen. Note that from January 2026, the limits are scheduled to be increased to 30,000 yen for the general card and 120,000 yen for GOLD.
Deductible and Eligible Devices: While the d Card GOLD does not have a set deductible, if the price of a new device exceeds the maximum coverage amount, the difference must be paid by the user.
Sumitomo Mitsui Card Smartphone Peace of Mind Plan: A free option that must be selected
Profile: A free option that must be selected Although it is a cost-free option attached even to cards with no annual fee, the user must manually perform the procedure to switch from the card's default insurance (usually travel insurance) to the smartphone plan.
Cost and Application Conditions: The insurance premium is free. It is part of the "Selectable Free Insurance" system, and the user must actively choose it.
Coverage Scope and Maximum Amount: It mainly covers repair costs for cracked screens, up to a maximum of 50,000 yen per year.
Deductible and Eligible Devices: A deductible of 5,000 yen is required per accident. Devices purchased within the last two years are eligible. For some cards, such as the Sumitomo Mitsui Card (NL), an additional condition is that communication charges must have been paid for two consecutive months. Also, please note that there is a 30-day waiting period after switching plans.
Niche Competitors
Tobu Card Gold (Premium Smartphone Insurance): Ideal for users who want peace of mind by "setting it once and forgetting it." It covers damage, water exposure, and even natural malfunctions for up to 50,000 yen per year (with a 5,000 yen deductible) as a truly automatic attachment.
AEON Card (Smartphone Insurance): A paid plan separate from shopping insurance. At an astonishingly low cost starting from 100 yen per month, it also covers "malfunctions," which is rare for low-cost plans. It is a powerful option for users who prioritize cost above all else.
EPOS Card (Smartphone Insurance): A paid option with a flexible fee structure. While there used to be a plan limited to budget SIM users, it is now available to users of the three major carriers as well, making it an option accessible to a wide range of users.
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