Mobile Phone Insurance: Make the Right Call

If you’ve ever dropped your mobile phone, you’ll know that sickening feeling as your life flashes before your eyes. The sight of that splintered screen is enough to make a grown man blub. Especially if it’s not insured. Ouch!

But where do you get mobile insurance from; what are the different options; and do you really need it?

Here we give you some facts to help you make the right call.

Where do I get it?

You have four main options when it comes to insuring your phone. You can buy it from your network or a dedicated insurance company. Alternatively, you can get it through your bank or home insurance.

Why do I need it?

Lots of reasons. It’s an expensive phone. You can’t afford to replace it. You rely on it for absolutely everything. You’re accident prone and have a history of lost, stolen or broken phones.

Why don’t I need it?

You’ve got a cheap handset, that’s old and in a bad state of repair and you hardly ever use it.

What will it cover?

The most basic cover will insure you if your phone is lost, stolen or broken. Some policies throw in whistles and bells (not literally) and cover stuff like unauthorised calls, accessories and valuable content such as music and apps. You need to check the small print.

What won’t it cover?

Exclusions include carelessness (poking the barbecue with it for example); theft while it’s left unattended (leaving it in the pub); water damage (Yes. The toilet.); no SIM or not the original one; taking too long to report it (i.e. more than 24 hours.) Again, read the small print as every policy is different.

How much will it cost me?

Depends on your phone brand, model and level of cover. It can be as little as £5 a month or as much as £15. Cheap insurance might not be worth having if it doesn’t cover all eventualities.

If you’re covered on your home insurance, it might not require any additional payments – although standard policies only cover you if the phone is stolen from within your own home. The excess on home insurance is sometimes steep too.

So, summing up, think about the risks; how much your phone is worth; how much your phone is loved; and how you’d survive if you didn’t have it.