The Top Season to Break or Lose Your Phone is Here, as Consumers Brace for Price Hikes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – June 3, 2025 – School is out, temps are on the rise, beach towns are filling up – it’s beginning to look a lot like summer. This year, however, the season arrives amidst a hum of uncertainty as Americans brace for much-speculated price hikes on consumer goods, from groceries to clothing to electronics. Regarding the latter, consumers are warned to be extra cautious this summer – chances of breaking or losing your phone shoot way up from June to September. (Your other tech devices face increased risk, too.)

Price tags aren’t the only thing expected to rise this summer.

For years, tech care company Asurion® has tracked the “summer surge” in tech accidents. Last year, the company saw insurance claims for lost and damaged phones increase more than 20% during the summer months compared to the rest of the year.

• Liquid damage incidents nearly doubled as record-breaking temperatures sent Americans (and their phones) flocking to pools, lakes, and oceans for refuge.
• The splash zone wasn’t the only risk factor; claims for “unrecoverable” phones – those dropped over the side of a boat, for example – surged 66%.
• Let’s not forget cracked screens and back-glass, which rose 18% and 43% respectively as people spent more time out and about.
• July 4th continues to rank as the most dangerous day for your phone, with 52% more incidents than an average day.

As for non-mobile devices – laptops, tablets, game consoles, and the like – Asurion saw a 13% lift in claims during the summer months. The most at risk? Gaming devices. Claims rose by nearly a quarter, often tied to increased use during summer break, plus transport-related accidents when traveling with consoles and handhelds.

Consumers have options, even if tech prices climb.

No one wants to be faced with unplanned repair or replacement expenses, especially in the current climate. Here’s the good news: whether you fall victim to gravity, circumstance, or plain bad luck, you have options beyond shelling out for a costly device replacement.

• If you have an Asurion-backed protection plan, your next steps are easy. Simply file a claim and once approved, Asurion will facilitate a repair or replacement, often as soon as same-day. The most you would have to pay is your deductible – though you might not owe anything at all, depending on your plan and the nature of the incident. Protection plans offer budget predictability and comfort in knowing that if something happens to your device, you’re covered – no matter what else is going on in the market.
• If you don’t have a protection plan, don’t stress. Most issues can be fixed at a fraction of the cost of buying a new device. uBreakiFix® by Asurion stores fix millions of gadgets every year, from screens, back-glass, and cameras to water damage, charging issues, data recovery, and more. Whether your phone crashed face-down on the concrete or your laptop got splashed while working poolside, the repair experts at uBreakiFix by Asurion can help. You can stop by one of nearly 700 stores nationwide, or they can even come to you in some cases.
• If your device is damaged beyond repair, you can still save on a replacement. Consider buying a refurbished or last-gen model – just make sure to do your due diligence to ensure you’re getting a good quality device at a fair price. Most uBreakiFix by Asurion stores offer quality-tested refurbished phones that work with any carrier and come with a 90-day warranty.

Tech longevity is the best bang for your buck.

Tech accidents aside, the best way to stretch your dollar is to hold onto your devices as long as possible before replacing. Getting the most from your gadgets may require some simple and inexpensive maintenance – things like replacing your phone battery when it starts to degrade; tuning up your laptop after years of downloads and delayed software updates; or cleaning your game console of dust and debris – all of which can add years to the life of your devices. Another part of maintenance: getting timely repairs when something does break, lest it develop into a bigger (and more expensive) issue. And for the love of tech, skip the rice next time a device gets doused. There are better ways to dry out wet tech – and the experts at Asurion and uBreakiFix by Asurion are always happy to help.

For more information about protection plans, repair services, and more: asurion.com and ubreakifix.com.