A Cuban living in the United States recently went viral on TikTok after accusing his phone company of fraud, drawing direct comparisons to ETECSA, the Cuban state telecommunications monopoly. The content creator, known as @onelvisalfonsoalfonso on TikTok and "Dale que no viene na," shared a video on Monday detailing his ordeal when attempting to claim his phone insurance.
In just a few days, the video garnered over 6,500 views, 568 likes, and 118 comments. He explained that he has been paying $50 monthly for his phone plan, along with an additional $16 for insurance, over the past two years. This amounts to a total of $384 just for the insurance. When he visited the company's office due to a cracked back on his phone, he was informed that they could replace it, but he would need to pay an additional $250 deductible.
"I've been paying sixteen dollars for insurance every month for the last two years, totaling three hundred eighty-four dollars, and now they're asking for two hundred fifty more. So, what was the point of all that insurance money?" he questioned. The employee explained that the insurance payments do not count toward purchasing a new phone, offering no convincing explanation. When he requested to speak with a supervisor, he still received no satisfactory answers.
In the U.S., phone insurance systems separate monthly premiums from deductibles: the monthly payment keeps the coverage active but doesn’t accumulate as a credit for future repairs. When an incident occurs, policyholders must pay a deductible, which can range from $25 to $299 depending on the device model. This distinction often confuses consumers, particularly those unfamiliar with the American insurance system.
Companies like Asurion and Assurant, which manage insurance for major carriers, often receive low ratings, between 1 and 2 stars on review platforms, due to these types of scenarios.
The Cuban's frustration led him to liken the American company to ETECSA, calling it a "cooperative," a term in Cuba associated with inefficient state entities. "I thought ETECSA was a scam," he stated sarcastically, implying that the practices of the American company seemed equally opaque.
ETECSA is Cuba’s sole legal provider of phone and internet services, boasting 8 million customers and operating under exclusive state concession. In August 2025, Cuban state media acknowledged ETECSA's inefficiency as a monopoly, with official economist Frank Rafael Quesada Espinoza admitting it publicly.
ETECSA has a long history of controversy, with complaints ranging from mobile data balance theft to widespread service outages affecting tens of thousands of users across the island.
The content creator concluded his video with a direct message to his followers: "I have no doubt that we are in the best country in the world, that God's plan is perfect, but this company's plan is a scam," urging them to switch providers because "it doesn't work." His experience highlights the challenges many Cubans face in the U.S. when adapting to the country’s service and contract systems.
Understanding Phone Insurance in the U.S.
What is the difference between a monthly premium and a deductible in phone insurance?
The monthly premium keeps your insurance coverage active but does not accumulate as credit for repairs. The deductible is an additional fee you must pay when filing a claim for a repair or replacement.
Why do consumers find U.S. phone insurance confusing?
Many consumers are confused by the separate costs of premiums and deductibles, especially if they are not familiar with how insurance systems typically work in the U.S.
How does ETECSA compare to U.S. phone companies?
ETECSA is often criticized for its inefficiency and monopolistic practices, similar to how some consumers feel about the opaque practices of U.S. phone insurance companies.