The affordable coverage is worth a look, but it isn’t for everyone.

AppleCare+ is relatively inexpensive for the Apple Watch SE 3: $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year for the Theft and Loss plan. That's much less than the average streaming subscription. The plan includes unlimited accidental damage incidents, along with battery service and up to two theft or loss claims per year.

But AppleCare+ is not a complete coverage option because there are stipulations and additional costs. Whether it's worth the cost depends on your typical day-to-day. There's a big difference between wearing an Apple Watch while working from home and welding for a living. Service for accidental damage to the SE 3 will still cost you $69 per incident, and a theft or loss replacement comes with a $119 deductible. There's no additional charge for battery service, but that's only if your battery retains less than 80 percent of its original capacity.

For additional context, an Apple Watch comes with a one-year warranty that covers manufacturer defects, so AppleCare+ is an addition to that standard warranty. For theft or loss, AppleCare+ will only cover you if Find My is enabled when the watch is stolen or lost, and it has to remain enabled throughout the entire claims process.

If you're in a trade, work in construction, play sports or regularly wear your watch in other situations that could cause substantial damage to it, it's much easier to justify coverage. If you're an adrenaline minimalist and the most dangerous part of your day is a run to the convenience store, not so much.

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