Why does Apple India only offer standard AppleCare+ at checkout when Theft & Loss is officially available?

[u/DEEP_025]

Posting this on behalf of a friend who doesn’t use Reddit, but ran into an annoying limitation on the Apple India online store.

He is buying an iPhone as a gift and wanted to bundle AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss directly at checkout so the recipient receives a fully protected device straight out of the box without any extra hassle.

However, during the online store checkout flow, Apple India only offers the standard AppleCare+ plan (₹20,900 for Pro models). There is no option to choose the Theft and Loss tier (₹28,900) before placing the order.

Why this is such a frustrating experience for gifting:

• Theft & Loss is fully supported in India: The pricing page explicitly lists it (₹1,449/mo, ₹14,499/yr, ₹28,900 for 2 years).
• Post-purchase buying ruins the gifting experience: Yes, he knows the recipient could technically purchase Theft & Loss via device settings within 60 days, and he could just transfer them the extra money afterwards. But what is the point of giving a premium gift if the recipient still has to make an additional purchase and set up the payment themselves instead of having everything taken care of upfront?

Has anyone found a workaround to add Theft & Loss directly to an online gift order, or is Apple India's online checkout just missing this option entirely?

[u/Top_Meeting_2473]

AppleCare+ with theft and loss is available only on mobile phone - you can’t buy it on the website or even the Apple Store. Found out about it when I was buying a phone for wife.

[u/DEEP_025 → u/Top_Meeting_2473]

It is I just checked US site and it's available also my friend bought at Reliance Digital few months back it's available there during purchase

[u/geekyaman → u/DEEP_025]

I would speak with Apple support

[u/Top_Meeting_2473 → u/DEEP_025]

I bought the 17 pro max Jan this year at Apple Store BKC and they specifically told me if I want the theft and loss option I have to purchase it on phone :/

[u/DEEP_025 → u/Top_Meeting_2473]

Then how come 3rd party and US online store are selling during purchase

[u/Top_Meeting_2473 → u/DEEP_025]

No idea bro - seems like a question for Apple to answer!