You could be the most careful MacBook owner the world has ever seen, but accidents still happen. When they do, you could spend hundreds on repairs.

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The full cost of repairs depend on the type and level of damage. For instance, replacing the screen under warranty costs less than other types of damage.

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If you don’t think you need physical protection for your MacBook, take a look at how much it could cost you should you drop your MacBook or spill something on it.

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Damage Under Warranty

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MacBooks usually come with a limited one-year warranty. This covers damage caused by manufacturer defects. This means if you drop your MacBook and the screen shatters, it’s not covered by the warranty. As comforting as a warranty might sound, you’re not actually protected from accidents. This means damages caused by you are paid for out-of-pocket.

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Protection With AppleCare+

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Your original warranty doesn’t cover accidents, but AppleCare+ does. This program extends your warranty for up to three years from the original purchase date. The major difference is you get coverage for two accidental incidents too.

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For a MacBook Air, coverage costs your $249. This doesn’t include anything except the coverage. For a 13” MacBook Pro, the cost is $269. If your screen or external closure is damaged, you’ll have to pay a $99 service fee. Any other damage costs you $299.

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Your out-of-pocket costs to repair a broken screen for a MacBook Air under AppleCare+ would be a total of $348. Just remember, you’re only covered for two incidents during a three-year period. Anything other incidents mean you’ll pay the full cost of repairs.

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Surprisingly High Costs

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Tom Henderson discovered the hard way that even a seemingly simple repair isn’t cheap. His S key broke on his MacBook Air. It wasn’t under warranty and ended up costing him $475 to repair. That was just for a single key.

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According to Thumbtack, your out-of-pocket costs get higher if you’re not covered under AppleCare+. Hourly costs just for having a technician work on your MacBook range from $45 to $140. In most cases, you’re looking at a few hours worth of labor for most repairs.

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One of the most common repairs is the screen. Pricing begins at $250 (not including labor) and increases based on the age and model of the MacBook. If a hard drive needs to be replaced, you’ll pay anywhere from $225 to $450.

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Technicians provide you with a quote based on the type of damage. For instance, you can contact the Apple Genius Bar to get a quote on how much it will cost to repair your MacBook.

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Prevention Is Cheaper

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Assuming you have a MacBook Air that’s covered under AppleCare+, the least you’ll pay for damage is $348 for a broken screen. This includes the cost of the warranty and the incident. If it happens a second time, it’ll cost you an additional $99.

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Without any type of coverage, you have to pay hourly fees along with the cost of the hardware to repair your MacBook. On average, expect to pay over $300 for the simplest repairs.

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If paying a third or more of what your MacBook’s worth just for a damaged screen or even a broken key makes you uneasy, don’t let the damage happen to begin with. Prevention costs far less than paying for the repairs afterward.

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Investing in a protective case and/or sleeve means you don’t have to worry about paying hundreds if your MacBook takes a spill. For instance, the Hexpact MacBook case is only $49.99. That’s cheaper than the service fee even under warranty. Plus, this protects you from more than just two incidents.

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With the Bumptect Pro sleeve, you get full protection for an active lifestyle for just $39.99. You can even protect your keyboard from liquids with a clear cover for just $12.99. For less than $100, your MacBook gets preventive protection for years to come. It’s always better to prevent than have to fix something later.

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Don’t pay hundreds out-of-pocket for preventable damage. Accidents will happen, but having the right protection means no one ever has to know anything happened.

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