[EVO 4G General] Sunsparc:
I see a lot of misinformation being thrown around, so I'll just compile this little FAQ on how everything actually works. Feel free to point out anything I've left or any mistakes you think I may have made.

Q: What exactly is "Sprint insurance"?

A: Sprint TEP insurance is a combination of two things, ESRP and ERP. ESRP stands for Equipment Service and Repair Plan. ERP stands for Equipment Replacement Plan.

Q: So what's the difference?

A: ESRP is anything in a Sprint repair location. Including but not limited to part replacement, software updates, and advanced exchanges. Anything software related (such as updates, resets, etc) are always free. If you do not have ESRP or the full TEP, you may be charged $35 to replace a part or exchange the device.

ERP is everything else outside of that, which is handled by Asurion. This includes lost/stolen, liquid damaged, and physically damaged beyond repair. Depending on the type of device, there would be a $50 or $100 deductible to replace it. Usually, the replacement device is overnighted to you.

Q: So about the Evo and it's charging port, what is that covered under?

A: It depends. The technician would have to take it apart and look at it. If the charge port is broken cleanly free from the board, it's a known issue and can be replaced free of charge, even without TEP/ESRP. If the solder joints appear damaged and circuit board is peeled, it is not covered in-store and you would be referred to Asurion for ERP.

Q: Cracked screen?

A: No longer covered under ESRP, as per policy. Referred to Asurion. Sometimes a one-time courtesy screen replacement can be done, but the ESRP/TEP rules also apply in terms of a $35 charge.

Q: But what about warranty?

A: Warranty only applies to one thing in terms of Sprint: Batteries. 1 year after the initial activation of the device, a defective battery may be exchanged. After that one year, the system will not populate a replacement battery. As far as anything else with the actual device, the manufacturer warranty is not honored. If you think your problem would be covered under the warranty, you would have to contact the manufacturer, not Sprint.

Q: I'm paying $7 (soon $8) a month for insurance, why should I have to pay a deductible to get a replacement?

A: It works the same way as car insurance. If you damage your car, they don't just fix it or total it without a deductible. You're getting a "like new" device, for at least half (in terms of the Evo) of the original price. It doesn't matter what price you initially paid for it, you're not paying for a new one. Some times new ones do come, consider yourself lucky if so.

Q: Why does one store tell you one thing, then another store tell you another?

A: Every store is different. Each is bound by policy, called Methods & Procedues. However, there is some flexibility underneath that. Depending on the situation, it also may depend on who exactly you speak to in the store. From my experience, it happens most often with customer care/tech support and corporate retail locations. 3rd party dealers (preferred/co-branded/etc) have a lot stricter guidelines and therefore cannot operate with as much flexibility.

The one thing customers hate the most is the "run around" feeling. I cannot count the numerous times that a customer has called into Care to be told one thing, only to be told no in my store because we simply cannot do that. One good example is "Sure, just go into that store and they'll give you a brand new Evo out of the box". 1. Our store simply cannot do that, at all, period. 2. Care cannot see that the phone is clearly wet, but the expectation has been set that the customer is getting a brand new phone, so we get a bad score.

Again, this is just a FAQ to clear up any misconceptions. This is not pointed at anyone in general, I just hate when people spout off about things they don't understand.