Mobile phone insurance: how to get the best cover

What is mobile phone insurance?

Mobile phone insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing your mobile phone if it is lost, stolen or damaged.

What does mobile phone insurance cover?

In addition to covering the cost or repairing or replacing your mobile phone, most mobile phone insurance policies also cover the following:

• Unauthorised calls
• Phone accessories
• Protection abroad
• Downloads
• Apps, games, music and other valuable content

The level of cover offered by insurers will vary between providers so it's important to check the mobile phone insurance policy wording before buying. If you're still unsure, just give the provider a call for clarification.

Do I need mobile phone insurance?

When deciding whether or not you actually need mobile phone insurance, it worth asking yourself the following questions:

Are you accident prone?

If you have a history of losing, breaking or having your phone stolen, mobile phone insurance could be right for you

If you often run into trouble with your phone, mobile phone insurance could help you save in the long term, especially if you need to make multiple claims in a year.

Can you afford to replace your phone?

Smartphones can be very expensive to replace or repair, especially if you're looking at newer models.

Ask yourself: would be able to replace your phone if the worst happened? Or would at least be happy to purchase a cheaper model instead?

How much do you rely on your phone?

Consider mobile phone insurance if you rely on your mobile phone quite heavily and would need an instant replacement if it was lost stolen or damaged.

Not all policies will replace your phone instantly so be sure to check that yours does before buying.

Could you get protection elsewhere?

You already be able to protect your mobile phone under a pre-existing policy. For example, if you have contents insurance, you may be able to add your mobile phone to your policy under personal possessions cover.

How do I get mobile phone insurance

There are four main ways to get mobile phone insurance.

Packaged bank accounts

A packaged bank account is a current account that comes with a number of benefits, like mobile insurance, for a monthly fee.

• Find out more: best packaged bank accounts

Specialist gadget insurance

Specialist gadget insurance policies have been designed specifically to protect your mobile phone and other gadgets. They can tend to be cheaper.

Manufacturers insurance

Certain manufacturers offer their own insurance for the mobile phones and gadgets that they make.

Mobile network insurance

If you buy a phone or take out a contract with a mobile network provider, you may be able to get mobile phone insurance added on. This may be higher then a specialist policy (see above).

Common mobile phone insurance exclusions

Mobile phone insurance exclusions will vary from policy to policy but here are some of the common ones to look out for:

Alternatives to mobile phone insurance

If you don't think mobile phone insurance is for you, there are a number of alternatives which may be able to provide cover for your mobile phone.

Warranties

You may be able to get limited protection if your phone is still under warranty.

Warranties only tend to cover mechanical problems so check the terms and conditions before you decide against taking out separate cover.

Contents Insurance

If you have contents insurance you may be able to cover your mobile phone through personal possessions cover.

Personal possessions protects your belongings whenever you leave your home and could even offer protection when you travel abroad.

Adding your phone to your contents insurance could resulting you having to pay a higher excess if you claim.

Remember that making a claim could increase your home insurance premiums when you come to renew your policy.

Self Insurance

Self insurance involves putting money away in a savings account each month to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your mobile phone.

Be realistic about your ability to set aside enough money to cover any costs that could arise, especially if you have to foot the bill for or unauthorised downloads or calls to premium rate numbers.

Mobile phone insurance: your questions answered