I have tried looking this up online, but the only answers I'm finding are about insurance that covers eye exams, and some of the costs involved with paying for new eyeglasses or contact lenses.
My question is: can eyeglasses be insured? Glasses, especially with progressive lenses, or special coatings, etc., can cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars!
So, if you drop them and break them or lose them, is there any insurance plan that would cover the cost of broken or lost eyeglasses? Or could it be part of your household property insurance? Has anybody ever heard of this? Thanks.
Thank you for all the helpful information!
I've never heard of buying insurance for glasses EXCEPT when you purchase them initially. Often, the vendor will offer insurance that you buy AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE.
If they don't mention it to you at the time, ask about it. I've always had it offered to me on any new glasses purchase, both for myself and my daughter.
For example: http://www.searsoptical.com/en/so-us/eyewear-protection-plan
It's the frames that can be expensive.
But you can shop around online and get some reasonably priced frames so you don't have to spend and arm and a leg on them (and don't have to worry about insuring them).
We often get glasses at
EyeBuyDirect.com
It's easy and affordable.
You can have a pair and a back up pair and STILL not spend a huge amount like you would at a local optometrists.
Three of our household members wear glasses. We all buy them from Americas Best and buy insurance with them. Even though my health insurance would cover the cost of glasses elsewhere.
At Americas Best we can get two pair of glasses (or one and contacts for dad) with insurance on both pair for 150-350 (depending on the frames we pick, finishes, and if we get transitions. Much better IMO than getting one pair at a reduced price through health insurance.
I've had to have a air replaced that fell off my face and the lens chipped. Dad usually has one pair replaced a year, and DD has had a pair stepped on, ran over, and one intentionally broken. If they weren't insured I would have made her wait for a pair-but that's not good for her eyes!
Check around for stores that offer insurance on their glasses. I will never go back to a store that doesn't offer it-even if the glasses were free without insurance!!
You can spend $25 when you buy that at lens crafters for a sort of insurance for a year.
Also if it matters to you, each company allows a certain amount that your prescription can be off in the glasses. Some places accept a wider differential. (This can be why lenses at one place can cost so much more, or less, then at a different eye glass place.
Just in case you might care. (I do not, and never have been employed by anything or anyone having to do with optical matters or anything else concerning eyes. I do not benefit from any optical purchase at aforementioned store. I stated purely for example.)
I work in insurance. Most regular Homeowners/Renters insurance policies cover glasses as normal household contents. Meaning the glasses are subject to your policy deductible and covered losses under the policy. This typically does not include dropping and breaking them, which even if it did, would likely be under your deductible unless you have a VERY expensive pair. You could possibly try getting a specialty policy through a standard insurance company, but the cost to insure would probably not be worth it. I'd ask whoever you are buying the glasses from if there is something that they offer.
Yes things can be insured but there's always a deductible. But some opticians offer insurance or free replacement service, so ask around among different optical shops.
hello
I think IF you buy them from a place like foreyes, their policy is something to the effect of if you break them you have a year to return them.. but double check me... Also.. try Zennioptical.com I've ordered from them and they are inexpensive.. however, you ll need your eye measurements to make sure you get the right fit... takes a few weeks to receive the glasses.. they have a big selection...
good luck
Check with your homeowner's or other insurance provider. You may be able to get something called a floater policy. This is a very specific policy for a specific item and typically has no deductible with replacement. They are common for pieces of jewelry, guns, etc. The premiums typiclly are quite low and the coverage usually covers loss, theft, breakage, etc. Depending on the value of your glasses, it may well be worth it.
Some optometrists offer a warranty on the glasses. My son's glasses are replaced for free if they break (or he breaks them) - we have had to replace them once in the 4 years he has had glasses. Some specific frames come with their own warranty - I had a friend who constantly destroyed hers (her dog ate them several times, she stepped on them, she sat on them, etc) - these frames came with a lifetime replacement - and she used it. I believe the lenses were covered but not certain. I don't know if you can add a particularly expensive pair to your homeowners. Maybe but my policy only asks that items >$1000 each be listed separately for small items (jewelry).
You can buy extended insurance when you get glasses. We go to Sears and for the kids, they are insured for the first year against breakage. My son's broke at one of the arms and they replaced them--ordered new frames and then put the lenses in. MY daughter lost one of the screws and they fixed that also. Usually, places cover kids for the first year as part of the purchase. You can ask about extended coverage too.
Many commercial opticals, like Sears and Lenscrafters offer a 12 month protection plan. They do not cover loss or theft, but if scratches or breakage happens to the frames or lenses, you pay a small copay to have that part replaced. It's much cheaper than the replacement cost of a new pair of glasses. I'm a fan of setting a reminder on your phone so you can replace the lenses at the end of the 12 months. Then if you get new glasses the following year, the current pair can function as a back up.
