Avoid the ‘oops!’: 3 easy ways to protect your iPhone, iPad and other digital devices from disaster

How do I say this politely: Stuff happens.

When you’re carrying around lightweight gadgets – with fragile screens and tiny components – threats like water and, um, gravity, can wreak havoc on your phone, tablet, or laptop.

You don’t need to be a klutz for accidents to happen, whether it’s a cracked screen, a child spilling a drink on an iPad, or an overheated laptop battery after being left in the sun too long.

“During a year that was shaped by sheltering in place and staying home, we were surprised at some of the spikes in damage to tech last year,” says Bettie Colombo, senior director of corporate communications at Asurion, a leading provider of device insurance, warranty and support services. The company also owns nearly 700 uBreakiFix stores in the U.S. and Canada.

In fact, uBreakiFix saw a nearly 90% spike in liquid-related incidents, a 25% increase in cracked screens, and a 65% jump in “unrecoverable” phones (those dropped where they cannot be retrieved).

And it’s not just damage: your devices might become lost or stolen this summer, too, especially among busy travelers who accidentally leave a phone in the back of a ride-hailing vehicle, on a coffee table in a hotel lobby, or in that little pouch in front of your airline seat.

In other words, when it comes to something happening to your tech, it’s often a case of when, not if.

But fret not: simple steps can better safeguard your digital devices – and perhaps more importantly, the data that resides on them.

Making the case

From the “duh” department, the first thing you should do is purchase a fitted case for your devices.

This is especially important for your smartphone if it’s knocked, dropped, or falls into water (many phones are water-resistant, but not waterproof).

And you need not break the bank on a case, as there are several available at your local dollar store, believe it or not. Well, for popular makes and models, that is, such as iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel.

There are reasons why many don’t want a case. Some feel it adds extra bulk to the device. Others man not want to cover up their expensive smartphone, as it’s a status symbol (iPhones, primarily) or they have a color they want to be seen. A third group just can’t be bothered to shop for and apply a protective case.

Regardless, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

While you’re at it, consider a transparent screen protector, too, whether it’s plastic or tempered glass, which could reduce the odds of a scratched or cracked screen. These, too, are relatively inexpensive and a smart way to protect your investment.

Consider an insurance plan

Manufacturers’ warranties will cover smartphones, tablets, laptops and other electronic gear, but typically only for a year, and they don’t often include damage from accidents (read the fine print before you buy). Some purchase extended warranties, if reasonable, for extra peace of mind.

When it comes to home insurance, your policy won’t pay out if your tech is damaged (such as a smartphone drop) or if a laptop is fried after a voltage surge following a power outage. Plus, portable electronics are typically covered only up to $1,500 under a standard homeowners policy, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.

Because mobile devices can be expensive to repair or replace, you may want to consider a dedicated protection plan, which may cover several devices and all kinds of situations, including accidental drops, liquid spills, power surges, burglary and robbery, as well as flood and fire.

Asurion, for example, offers Asurion Home+, a $24.99/month plan that protects virtually all home tech under one roof: smart home devices, TVs, computers, tablets, gaming consoles, wearables and so on – regardless of where it was purchased or how old it is. The company – which says it has about 300 million customers worldwide – will fix or replace tech that’s broken (often at a uBreakiFix store), or you’ll be reimbursed for it.

Smartphone insurance policies, however, usually must be bought through carriers at the time of purchase or within a short window of time afterward.

Enable ‘Find My’ apps

All iPhones and Android phones include software to find a missing device – but you need to set it up in advance.

Free services include Find My for iOS (iPhone, iPad), and Find My Device for Android phones and tablets.

Should your phone become lost or stolen, you can remotely lock it if you don’t have a passcode on it already; display a message, “Please call me for a reward”; wipe its data clean; or track it on an online map.

When you realize your phone is missing, you’ll need to log in on another device or web browser on a computer with the same account name and password as your phone. For iPhone, it’s iCloud.com (and sign in with your Apple ID), while for Android it’s android.com/find (and sign in with your Google ID).

Often with additional features, there are third-party tracking apps, too, such as iSharing (iPOS, Android), Glympse (iOS, Android), Life360 (iOS, Android), and Where’s My Droid (Android).

For the tracking to work, the device will need to be turned on; connected to the internet, either through a cellular carrier or Wi-Fi; and operating with at least some charge remaining in the battery. If all is set up correctly, you should see its last known location.

If your phone was stolen, never try to retrieve it on your own. Instead, contact the police with the information, such as the address where your device was located.

Follow Marc on Twitter for his “Tech Tip of the Day” posts: @marc_saltzman. Email him or subscribe to his Tech It Out podcast at https://marcsaltzman.com/podcasts. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Need iPhone insurance? 3 easy ways to protect your digital devices