In 2014, HTC rolled out the HTC Advantage, which offered a free cracked screen replacement, two years of updates, and up to 50GB of Google Drive storage space. Today, the company is going a step further. It has announced Uh-Oh Protection, which will provide one free replacement phone in the event of a cracked screen, water damage, or a carrier switch within the first twelve months after purchase.
Alternatively, if you don't get a replacement during this time frame, HTC will offer you $100 towards the purchase of your next HTC One.
Getting your replacement won't require going without a phone, either. HTC will ship the device out to arrive on the next business day before asking you to mail back your damaged device. It will, however, require a $299.99 credit card hold to make sure you don't pull a bait and switch.
If you don't want to deal with the hold, HTC will provide you with a prepaid shipping label and send you a replacement phone within two days of receiving your damaged device.
HTC will share more details during a previously teased Q&A event that will be live streamed today at 9 AM PST.
PRESS RELEASE
HTC LAUNCHES INDUSTRY-LEADING UH OH PROTECTION WITH THE ALL NEW HTC ONE M9 TO ENSURE THE WORLD’S BEST LOOKING SMARTPHONE STAYS THAT WAY
Innovative program covers cracked screen or water damage for 12 months, or provides $100 off the next HTC One.
Bellevue, WA —March 18, 2015 — Because bad things happen to good smartphones, HTC America Inc. unveils UH OHTM Protection, a new industry-leading initiative that protects U.S. customers who purchase the new HTC One M9 against life’s uh-oh moments. UH OH Protection includes one free replacement within the first 12 months for a cracked screen, water damage or if you decide to switch carriers.
HTC UH OH Protection provides consumers who damage their new HTC One M9 with an untimely fall onto the pavement or into a toilet with a free phone replacement within 12 months of purchase. Consumers who don’t take advantage of UH OH Protection within the first 12 months will receive $100 towards the purchase of a future HTC One.
“With the HTC One M9, we didn’t stop with creating an award-winning smartphone and amazing user experiences. We created an innovative new program that ensures the best phone on the market stays that way,” said Jason Mackenzie, president of HTC Americas. “We want our customers to have the confidence to use their new HTC One and the peace of mind that HTC has your back if something unfortunate happens to it.”
Based on a Google Insights Survey conducted in March 2015 with individuals that had damaged their smartphone:
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69% of respondents said they have damaged their phone in the past 12 months, and
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47% of those that have repaired their phone spent $100 or more, while
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25% are currently using a damaged phone
“While other smartphone companies look at uh-oh moments as a way to profit off of you, we are focused on adding value to owning an HTC One. If you don’t need UH OH Protection, we are going to give you $100 off your next HTC One,” said Mackenzie. “If something does happen, we’re going to take care of you – quickly.”
How UH OH Protection Works
UH OH Protection is automatically provided with HTC One M9, which will be going on sale soon. With a call to HTC Care at 1 (866) 449-8358, an HTC Care team member will arrange to overnight a replacement phone. It is a simple and hassle-free process.
For more information, visit www.htc.com/us/uh-oh-protection.
Source: HTC
