Brian, can I buy the Applecare supplemental insurance after the fact? I've had my phone a couple of weeks now.

I believe you can up to 60 days from purchase. You can go into an Apple store or call Apple. If you call them they text you a link and when activate it send a diagnostic check to Apple to make sure your phone is operational when you purchase the coverage.

IMO, your choices are Carrier Coverage (EXPENSIVE - but covers loss or theft), Apple Care+ (Preferred for my uses), or Square Trade coverage.

I went with Apple Care+ because there is an Apple Store in OKC and you will get a brand new iPhone in most cases. With Square Trade or Carrier Coverage you usually get a refurbished phone that will most likely not be Apple Certified.

Square Trade though is good coverage and they give you a lot more claims per coverage.

This. I think you're almost always best go to with OEM offerings than Carrier offerings. However, the ability to just tack on the deductible to your next bill is a bit too alluring for many folks.

I'm guessing a huge majority of purchasers buy from their carrier and their carrier is not about to remind them there are cheaper insurance offerings.

That said, Apple, nor Square Trade, offer loss or theft protection and that's a big deal IMO.

I am a huge fan of Apple Care though and I've never been let down by its coverage on any Apple product. Even out of the scope of warranty damages have always been covered when I've had an issue. I remember drowning my iPod Touch and going into the store knowing full well water damage was not covered. They handed me a new Touch anyway.