AppleCare+ coverage expanded to two accidents per year, purchase period extended

Apple this week updated its AppleCare+ warranty product to cover more accidental damage per year, while at the same time extending the time period in which owners can sign up for the service.

Under the new terms, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, HomePod and iPod owners are now covered for two incidents of accidental damage per 12-month period, according to the AppleCare webpage. Prior to the change, customers were granted two incidents of accidental damage protection every 24 months.

Apple's fine print notes customers are unable to roll over unused accidental damage incidents. The two covered cases expire after an initial 12-month period, with Apple granting protection of an additional two incidents to use within the next 12 months of continued coverage.

Unlike product defects and manufacturing flaws, owners must pay a flat service fee for accidental damage repairs. For example, iPad's deductible is $49 for tablet hardware or $29 for accessories, while iPhone fees range from $29 for screen damage to $99 for all other incidents. Mac fees run higher at $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other damage.

In addition to the updated coverage terms, Apple is extending the AppleCare+ subscription window to one year after purchase for users in the U.S. and Canada, Bloomberg reports. Currently, new buyers have 60 days to sign up for the program.