Basic cover

All insurance providers are different, but you may want to check that your cover has at least the basics. These may include:

• theft cover which provides cover for your phone if it is stolen;
• damage cover which provides cover for your phone if you damage it in an accident;
• breakdown cover which covers your phone in the situation where your phone breaks down outside of the manufacturer’s warranty period.

For all of these basic cover levels, you may want to check what you are and are not covered for in each situation. For example, there may be circumstances when you may not be covered for theft or damage such as if you are not taking proper care of your phone.

Other levels of cover

In addition to the above, there are a number of other types of cover that various providers may or may not offer. These include:

• the excess, which is the amount that you pay when you make a claim, and it may typically differ from provider to provider;
• loss of the phone, which some insurers may provide cover for, but this typically varies between insurance companies, so you may want to look around and find out which ones can offer cover;
• unauthorised calls, which provides cover when someone steals your phone and uses it to makes call.

Find the most suitable cover for you

Needs vary between phone owners, so it may be a good idea to look around to find the cover that is most suitable for your requirements, whatever cover you are looking for. Your phone is precious and you probably want to take care of it as much as possible, so it may be worth looking around for the most suitable level of phone insurance that is appropriate for your specific needs.

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• mobile phones insurance may form part of a larger insurance category of cover called gadget insurance – you may be able to obtain some interesting discounts if you purchase policies to cover several of your gadgets at the one time (e.g. mobile phone, PDA, camera and laptop etc);
• for the purposes of insurance, you may find that insurance providers do not consider things such as iphones and PDAs, to be mobile phones – they may have their own categories of cover;
• it is necessary to look carefully at the policy detail to be sure what cover is being provided, however, cover will typically protect you against things such as breakdowns outside of the manufacturer’s warranty period, accidental destruction, theft and (optionally) loss;
• some insurers may differentiate between theft and unattended theft – the latter being a situation where the mobile phone is stolen while not in your possession (some policies may not cover that at all though some may, providing you left the phone securely locked away at the time);
• mobile phones insurance typically may not cover breakdown and repair costs that arise during the manufacturer’s warranty period – they may regard that as being the responsibility of the manufacturer or original retailer (or both);
• some policies may not cover damage you cause while trying to somehow fix your phone or while fitting accessories to it – they may not see those situations as being a true definition of an accident;
• you may be fortunate enough to find a policy whereby the provider will undertake to replace your phone within 48 hours of your claim receiving final approval;
• if you do make a claim for theft or loss, the insurance may expect to see evidence that you reported the event to the police within 24 hours and that you obtained evidence that you had done so – that’s typically in the form of a police crime or lost property number;
• if you travel abroad, you may appreciate a policy that offers global rather than UK-only cover;
• some caution may be advisable before lending your phone to others, as the policy may only be valid if the phone was in your possession at the time an incident took place;
• typically, you may find that insurance sold on a stand-alone basis (i.e. not as part of your service provision contract) may offer broader based and more cost-attractive cover, as the providers may be specialists in the field;
• mobile phones insurance may save you a lot of money and equal amounts of inconvenience – it may be time to find out more.

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Mobile phone costs

It’s often correctly said that technology costs are ever coming downwards. To some extent that’s true but it’s not quite the whole story.

While the cost of a very basic ‘call only’ mobile phone may have come down in recent years, in fact many people today tend to have phones that have additional features within them such as Camera, PDA, Internet and Palm Computer capabilities. As such, it is possible that you are spending more today than you would have done some years ago because your phone today is not directly comparable with the comparatively low-function phones of previous years.

However you interpret the statistics, one thing is sure – if you lose your phone it will not be cheap to replace.

Loss and ‘loss’

Any electronic gadget is vulnerable in several respects – particularly mobile phones. Yes, it is always easy to forget you have left in somewhere. If that ‘somewhere’ was a public place that may well be the last you’ll ever see of it.

In addition, as phones tend to still be regarded as chic and glamorous, they are very eye-catching to thieves and other criminals. This may be particularly true for the latest high-tech or fashionable models.

If that’s not bad enough, increased miniaturisation means that they can very easily slip through ones fingers ending up in many pieces on the floor or end up being trodden on.

The can also easily break down and that won’t be amusing if it happens just outside of warranty.

In all of the above circumstances you may end up reaching for your chequebook or plastic and holding your breath – unless you have mobile phone insurance UK cover standing by ready to help.

Mobile phone insurance UK cover

There are insurance policies specifically designed to cover these sorts of risks to your mobile phone (excluding loss for iPhones) Having this type of protection would typically provide:

• if the claim was successful, replacement of the item within 48hours – this may involve replacement of a part and not necessarily on a ‘new for old’ basis;

• free mobile phone data backup;

• cover for wherever you are in the world.

Some policies may have special cover conditions and terms for iPhones that may be worth specifically checking.

Gadget insurance

If, like most people, your mobile phone is only one of several gadgets you own, you may benefit from looking for mobile phone insurance UK in the context of general gadget insurance.

Some insurance policies may allow you to include your phone as one of several gadgets under protection. The additional costs may be marginal in terms of the additional protection you’re obtaining for things such as laptops, cameras and games consoles etc.

So if you’re thinking of mobile phone insurance UK cover, it might be worth spending a little extra time thinking about your broader ‘gadget insurance’ needs. It may end up saving you money.

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What is a mobile phone?

Today that’s a difficult question. Many mobile phones now bear little resemblance to the mobile phones of even 5-10 years ago. They have merged with palm computers, PDAs, cameras and Internet devices to form very powerful hand-held information technology tools.

Of course it is still possible to purchase these devices independently including a fairly basic ‘phone’ but if you have one that has any of these added features then there’s a fair chance that is a function-rich, complex and very probably expensive item.

What do you use a mobile phone for?

To put it bluntly, that question may sound daft. Yes, of course, making or receiving phone calls.

Yet if you peel away the surface, in fact the answer is often far more complicated:

• if you have a basic phone, you probably use it to keep your parents, families or partners in touch with where you are and what you’re doing as it may affect them;

• if you have smart phone or other form of function-rich device, you may also be using it for your business and professional activities;

• in the case of the more complex phones, you may also be using it to store important business or personal data.

The point is, that a phone today is rarely just a device to make the odd casual call on. It lay be the centre-point of a complex communication and information web that helps you manage your day-to-day life.

Losing your phone – a major financial problem?

The chances are that it may well be. You may wish to compare mobile phone insurance prices against the costs of replacing your phone if it is lost. You may have a shock, particularly if your phone is one of the more high end gadgets.

If you are about to compare mobile phone insurance in this fashion, it might be worth keeping in mind that ‘loss’ doesn’t only mean if you physically lose your phone through carelessness.

Mobile phones are also a prime target for thieves, they are easily dropped and broken and they can breakdown. In all these situations you may find yourself facing very significant costs to replace it.

Mobile phone insurance

For a typically modest cost, you can insure your mobile phone against these eventualities (though accidental loss is typically not offered on iPhones). The cover typically includes worldwide protection and replacement within 48 hours if your claim is successful.

As mentioned above, some iPhones may be subject to special terms – that may be worth looking out for.

To compare mobile phone insurance – the wider picture

Before just checking one insurance price against another, it may be advisable to think about your mobile phone in the wider context of gadget insurance that includes things such as games consoles, printers, and cameras etc.

Some policies may allow the inclusion of several gadgets ‘under cover’ as well as your phone for only a little extra. To really compare mobile phone insurance between suppliers, you may have to take that option into account.

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That’s because if you don’t, then the theft, loss, destruction or breakdown of your phone could end up costing you a lot of cash.

Although some phones are now moderately priced, many that have added features such as cameras, personal organisers, PC facilities and Internet connectivity, may be seriously expensive. If you lose them, for whatever reason, you may be in for not only inconvenience but also serious expense.

Other gadgets

If you’re living a modern life, you probably also have a range of other gadgets in addition to your mobile phone.

Cameras, laptops, camcorders; Sat Navs and game consoles all form part of our ‘electronic world’. They also constitute a serious financial investment for the average person.

It may be possible to think about mobile phone insurance cover as part of your overall gadget insurance to ensure that they are all covered against life’s uncertainties.

What are the risks?

Gadgets are among some of the most attractive items for thieves. They are often small and easily portable and are frequently carried around outside the home.

The fact that they are small also means that they’re easily lost. Offices, trains, taxis etc – they are all prime locations to leave your gadgets. It would be nice to think that they would always be found and returned but it may not be too wise to count on it.

Then there are those accidents that can instantly turn your phone or other gadget into virtually worthless scrap. The coffee spilled over the phone or the camera dropped onto the floor from a height, accidents like these could hit your finances hard unless you have mobile phone insurance cover or wider gadget insurance.

Finally, one can’t forget the breakdown. That impressive phone or other gadget isn’t much use if it’s not working.

What insurance can offer

Mobile phone insurance cover as part of a portfolio of gadget insurance typically will protect you by offering:

• replacement within 48hours after a successful claim has been made (this may not mean replacement as new);

• global protection;

• data protection through backups.

In the case of some policies you may be able to select several gadgets from a list and pay a reduced premium to cover them all. These lists typically include:

• mobile Phones;

• iPods;

• PSP’s and other portable games consoles;

• PDA’s;

• home audio systems;

• MP3 Players;

• cameras and camcorders;

• sat nav;

• answerphones;

• faxes;

• scanners;

• printers;

• bluetooth headset;

• video cameras;

• digital cameras;

• satellite receiver boxes;

• games consoles;

• DVD players;

• flat screen TV’s;

• personal media players;

• laptops and PC’s.

Protecting your finances

Your gadgets are important to you but probably so is your money. Mobile phone insurance cover or wider gadget insurance may offer you the possibility to protect both and for only a modest cost. It may be worth looking into.

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Your phone

Over the past 20 years, the mobile phone has evolved and changed to become an essential part of life for many people worldwide.

In business it would now be almost unthinkable for key people not to have a mobile with them when ‘out and about’. The days when it was acceptable for business people to be un-contactable while travelling are long gone.

Socially, they are also close to indispensable. It isn’t just teenagers chatting to each other either. Many parents now take for granted that they can contact their children if they’re out to find out where they are and ensure that all is well. The same is true for wider friends and family networks.

Complex functions

Mobile phones are now rarely just phones. Many contain cameras and have also merged with Internet and small computer technologies to produce the PDA and iPhone etc.

This means that they may well be at the absolute centre of your social and business planning and co-ordination.

Phones are vulnerable

Mobile phones are by definition small and typically valuable. They are also frequently taken everywhere we go.

The net result of this is that they are vulnerable to a number of risks including:

• theft;

• loss;

• accidental breakage;

• breakdown.

It’s a fair bet that if any of these things happens, you may be facing some serious expenditure.

Options for protecting your phone

If you are concerned about the above risks, you probably have two options:

• do nothing and hope you stay lucky – being prepared, of course, to pay a lot of money if your luck runs out;

• purchase mobile phone insurance.

Mobile phone insurance

Mobile phone insurance exists to help you cope with the financial effects of the loss of your mobile phone. Typically this insurance may be tailored to form part of a wider ‘gadget insurance’ policy designed to cover a range of devices including things such as cameras and laptops.

A policy of this type will typically cover a range of risks including theft, loss, breakdown and accidental destruction (the loss of iPhones may not be covered for loss on most policies).

They may also provide additional benefits such as:

• free data backups;

• cover for your travels worldwide;

• replacement of items within 48hours (though not necessarily new-for-old).

Conditions

All insurance carries conditions and these are outlines clearly in the policy and related documentation.

Typically iPhones cost a little more to insure and they may be subject to some special conditions. They will not usually be covered for loss.

Thinking about gadgets

Your mobile phone is probably just one of a number of gadgets that you now take for granted. Many of them are equally as vulnerable as your phone and may be in need of protection.

Thinking about mobile phone insurance in the context of your overall gadgets insurance needs may offer you options to save yet further money. You may be able to customise a policy to meet your exact needs across a range of your devices. Finding out more may be a smart move!

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The mobile phone – attractive to all

Unfortunately, it’s not only you who is likely to find your mobile phone attractive, appealing and perhaps essential – so do thieves!

Mobile phone theft is one of today’s commonest crimes. If yours is stolen, you have not only the financial cost of replacing it but also the inconvenience of trying to do without it for a period.

Mobile phones – becoming ever more clever

Once upon a time, mobile phones made phone calls. Then someone decided to add a camera, then Internet connectivity and on it went from there.

Today’s mobile phone can be just a phone but it is also likely to be a PDA, Smartphone or iPhone. As its sophistication and power increases then typically so will its price and therefore the cost to you if you have to replace it.

Thieves aren’t the only problem

A surprising number of people find it difficult to keep track of their phone. They can easily be lost or misplaced when using them on trains or buses, in restaurants or in parties or other social events.

Then there is the question of accidents and damage. The person who accidentally stood on your bag, crushing your phone in the process, is not likely to win any popularity contests with you – particularly if they don’t pay. Someone that spilled their drink over your phone while you had it on the table is also likely to come off your Christmas card list!

Finally, there is the question of breakdown. Although modern devices and gadgets are fairly robust, they can and do ‘go wrong’. That may be a nightmare for you, particularly if it involves a loss of data.

The point is, that in any of the above circumstances, you’re likely to face a hefty bill and major inconvenience unless you happened to have a taken out a cheap mobile phone insurance policy.

The role of cheap mobile phone insurance

For a very modest sum, you may be able to find cheap mobile phone insurance of this type to cover your mobile phone and other gadgets (excluding loss for iPhones).

Typically, such insurance provides cover along the lines of:

• replacement for items within 48 hours of a successful claim (not on a new for old basis);

• worldwide cover and protection;

• protection that covers most standard phones (iPhones may be subject to special terms and conditions and loss is usually not covered);

• possibility to include other gadgets such as camcorders, laptops and games consoles.

Reassurance at a modest price

Taking out cheap mobile phone insurance, perhaps as part of a wider gadget insurance policy, may provide you with a degree of reassurance when you’re out and about with your phone. Finding out more information may end up saving you a great deal of money and a lot of hassle!

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