What you need to know
- Google is now offering one-time payment options for Preferred Care plans.
- Previously only available for Fitbit products, these plans can now also be purchased for new orders of Pixel phones, tablets, and watches.
- With the one-time fee, buyers receive Preferred Care coverage for two years at a discounted price compared to the subscription cost.
Google announced changes to its insurance partner for Preferred Care plans starting on February 24. As part of the update, a new payment option has been introduced which provides coverage for Pixel phones, tablets, and watches for two years with a single payment. Previously, all Pixel devices required Preferred Care coverage through a subscription.
Preferred Care plans from Google work similarly to AppleCare Plus or Samsung Care, offering insurance for Pixel and Fitbit devices. As of today, there are two ways to purchase a Preferred Care plan. You can opt for a one-time payment for two years of coverage or choose a monthly subscription for up to 60 months of total protection. If your screen is damaged, you’ll pay $29 for a repair or up to $129 for a replacement.
The new payment option coincides with the change in Google’s insurance provider for Preferred Care plans. According to the support document, Asurion Warranty Protection Services, LLC, or its affiliates will be the new Service Contract Provider for devices shipped on or after February 24, 2025, while Assurant will remain the provider for devices shipped before that date.
The major consumer-facing change with this switch is the addition of the one-time payment option, which can be selected during checkout at the Google Store or within 30 days of purchase.
Here are the prices for the two-year Preferred Care plans:
- Google Pixel 9: $159
- Google Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL: $249
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: $279
- Google Pixel Fold: $279
- Google Pixel 8 Pro: $249
- Google Pixel 8: $159
- Google Pixel 8a: $109
- Google Pixel 7a: $99
- Google Pixel 7 Pro: $199
- Google Pixel 7: $149
- Google Pixel Tablet: $99
- Google Pixel Watch 3: $89
- Google Pixel Watch 2: $89
These prices offer a slight discount compared to the monthly subscription cost for two years of Preferred Care. However, the upfront payment option limits coverage to 24 months for your Pixel device.