This credit card helped me get a new phone for free when mine was damaged

I could blame it on motherhood or being in my forties, but the truth is that I've always been a bit forgetful and accident-prone. I once walked off an airplane with a single AirPod in my ear, while the other AirPod was tucked safely into its case in the seatback pocket (I got it back from lost and found at the end of my trip). Another time, my laptop was destroyed midflight when the person in front of me reclined their seat a few years back.

So, when I found out my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is among those that come with cellphone protection when you use it to pay your monthly mobile bill, I knew it was in my best interest to switch my payment method. Making that switch was either really smart or a bad omen, because I've since used the cellphone protection twice this year.

My accident-prone life

Earlier this year, I dropped my phone on the kitchen floor one morning before putting on the protective case, and the screen suffered a large crack that needed to be repaired. I paid only a $50 deductible, and the rest of the screen replacement fee was covered just by paying my monthly bill with my Venture X card. If not for the insurance, I would have paid $350 for the repair.

My phone suffered an even worse fate a few weeks ago while on assignment in Curacao. While the gorgeous scenery helped to soften the blow, a faulty waterproof case rendered my phone useless after a short snorkeling adventure at my resort. (Side note: I've since heard from many people that the waterproof phone pouches are much more reliable than the cases designed specifically for your phone model.)

The next morning, after my phone suffered water damage, the screen turned on and off at random as if possessed by a spirit. Shortly after, the entire screen turned green and said its final goodbye (i.e., it went dark and never turned on again).

I did purchase a cheap phone in Curacao so I could communicate with my family and let them know I was safe. But knowing my credit card's cellphone protection would help me fix or replace my phone when I returned home allowed me to enjoy the rest of my trip ... and some more snorkeling (sans phone).

Venture X cellphone protection details

The qualification guidelines, coverage details and claim filing process vary based on which credit card(s) with cellphone protection you have, but to qualify for cellphone protection with the Venture X, I simply need to use the card to pay my monthly mobile bill. Each month that I pay the bill with the Venture X card, I am covered for the following month.

Related: Best cards for phone protection

The protection covers every line on my bill and can be used up to two times in a 12-month period (which means I need to be extra careful until next year). Cardholders are eligible for up to $800 per claim after a $50 deductible.

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Venture X cellphone protection reimburses you for loss, theft and damage that isn't covered by another insurance policy (like homeowner's insurance or AppleCare). It doesn't cover things like cosmetic damage or cellphones stolen from checked baggage.

Filing my cellphone protection claim

I began the claim process by visiting the Card Benefit Services website, as stated in my credit card's benefits guide. I filled out some general information about my claim and, because I've done this before, I knew that I would need to upload a few pieces of documentation to begin the claims process:

• A copy of my cellphone billing statement from the month prior to my phone being damaged
• A copy of my Venture X monthly billing statement showing that I paid my wireless bill with my eligible card
• A copy of the device summary page from my wireless provider showing that the damaged phone is linked to my wireless account

From there, a representative called to let me know everything looked good and I needed only to provide a repair or replacement estimate from an authorized repair facility like the Apple Store or Best Buy. I headed to the closest Apple Store, where they informed me they don't repair water-damaged phones and gave me a printed-out estimate for the replacement cost of my phone.

I submitted this estimate with my claim, and my reimbursement was approved the very same day. I opted to receive my funds via direct deposit.

I knew I was eligible for an upgrade on my now-ruined phone, so I visited my wireless provider to learn my options. I find cellphone plans unnecessarily confusing, but in this case, everything worked out in my favor. I signed up for the right plan at the right time and was able to trade in my damaged phone toward my upgrade. (Most plans only allow you to trade in a phone in good, working order.)

I only needed to pay off the remaining balance on my current phone to get a newer model iPhone for no cost, other than taxes and fees. My cellphone insurance reimbursement more than covered what I owed on my current phone, so I essentially got the new phone for free just by using my Venture X to pay my monthly wireless bill.

Bottom line

While I would have preferred for none of this to happen in the first place, I did come away with a new phone at no cost to me — save the embarrassment of telling everyone I knew that I ruined my phone in a foreign country.

Thanks to my Venture X card's cellphone insurance, I've easily covered the card's $395 annual fee several times over this year. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that I don't have any more cellphone mishaps, but I'm glad to know I'm covered if I do.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

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