Protection plan

Protection plan includes some special perks that will require a monthly charge. For example, the customer will not have to pay for any accidental damages to any of the equipment (remote, receiver, cords etc.) If you were to break the remote or need an extra one, protection plan makes it simple by just ordering one off the DIRECTV website free of charge. If your receiver breaks or becomes non-functional due to a hard drive failure or something along the lines of that, protection plan has you covered. So now the question is, why would it be free? lol

Why would you expect it to be free?

I would expect it to included in the price of the cable service.  Service being the key word.

Many providers charge extra for Equipment Protection Plans. 

Hi @bld1531, we want to help clear things up.

@detuch254 and @litzdog911 we appreciate your prompt and accurate responses.

Please keep in mind protection plan includes a plenty amount of benefits to cover troubleshooting, repair, replacement or upgrade of your DIRECTV system and equipment, along with service calls for free. You can click here to check further information on this. 

Also, DIRECTV protection plan is optional to be added to your account.

Angie, DIRECTV Community Specialist

You own everything but the receivers to maintain, the basic protection plan covers service calls($99) and shipping($19.95) of replacement receivers and replacement remotes($15)

@bld1531 

Protection Plan is optional, similar to insurance. 

Covers cost of service calls ($99), delivery of replacement boxes ($19.95), and remotes ($15, though cheaper through mass retailers).

You own everything but the receiver/client boxes. As such per the Terms of Service, those costs are the customer's responsibility. Personally I find the one-time costs cheaper in the long run as opposed to paying $8.99 a month whether you use it or not.

Hope you now understand your service better.