Is Applecare Necessary? Have The Rules For Support Changed?

I'm confused about Apple Care. I know it covers accidental damage (up to 2 or 3 incidents, and you still have to pay a £39 excess for any repairs) but I've always been able to ring Apple with any issues on my iPad 1 (2010), then my Air (2013 to date) with no charge, no questions about having Apple Care, nothing. Always had great phone support from them.

Just bought a 128gb Air 2, and now phone support are saying that they are a) not giving support to any device older than 5 years, and b) any support calls without Apple Care will be charged at £25 per call!

Apparently, according to three advisors I've spoken to about this so far, I must have been granted an exception to have had free phone support. Really? Since 2010?

Anyone here still getting free phone support without Apple Care, or anyone here being charged £25 a pop? Is free phone support still available in the UK, or are they changing the rules? Or are they just trying to push it onto me?

My iPad rarely leaves my house. It stays in a full case, with screen protector, and it stays plugged in (my Air baffles them because the battery test they do when they're trying to convince you to go to an Apple Store for a new one shows that my 2013 Air has a better battery than most iPads that are only 6 months old), which is purely because I don't subject it to repeated draining and recharging, which uses up the available battery cycles), so I'vie never yet, not in 6 years, had to contend with any damage issues to screen, case, etc, because it rarely leaves the house, is well protected, etc. When it does occasionally leave the house, it goes into a thick protective sleeve, case and all. I don't understand why some people leave their devices bare, and chuck them around. I certainly don't do that! (I realise, of course, that even with me being so protective, accidents can still happen.)

Is it really worth forking out another £90 for something that lasts 2 years? Is it renewable after that 2 years? I don't understand how I've had free phone support in the UK for 6 years but now they're basically threatening me with this £25 per call charge. Are they just trying it on?

Many thanks,

Angel153