Lost, Stolen or Damaged. We want to learn, is mobile phone insurance really worth it? We delve into some of the most asked questions, the potential pitfalls to help you decide whether it is an unnecessary luxury or if it could really help you out of a sticky situation.
Mobile phones have become bigger, smarter and ultimately more expensive. With the average cost of a smartphone coming in at over £350, and more advanced models reaching the heights of up to £1200, we can no longer see our phone as just a phone, but more of a luxury investment. We certainly couldn’t be without it, however, do we really want to be paying even more on top, simply for an insurance policy, ‘just in case’.
How does it usually work?
Mobile phone insurance comes in many different shapes and sizes. You’ll most often find insurance being categorised into a tiered system such as Bronze, Silver or Gold. What comes included does vary from provider to provider, although more often than not the fundamentals are the same.
Accidental Damage, Theft or Loss and Breakdowns are the three main phrases that you will see detailed on policies, with extras such as accessories coverage and international travel sometimes also included.
As with all insurance policies, the level of cover that you choose to opt for will vary in price. With some basic policies starting at just a couple of pounds a month rising to nearly £20 per month for some policies. The higher the level of insurance that you go for, the more that you can expect to pay.
Once you have chosen a policy that you’re happy with, it is worth noting that most policies won’t kick in for at least 14 days after you agree to the policy, and during this time most providers will not let you make a claim.
What does it usually cover?
Mobile Insurance is usually designed to cover you for such events that wouldn’t normally be covered under your warranty. Incidents such as accidental damage, drops, and spills to name some of the more common claims. Importantly they are also there to protect you from theft or loss. Is there anything much worse than losing your phone unintentionally, and then having to pull together a considerable amount of money to replace it?
Within every policy, it’s important to note that there will likely be some exceptions to what may or may not be covered, increasing the importance to read the policy breakdown fully before signing up to your chosen insurance.
Is mobile phone insurance right for you?
We certainly wouldn’t say that everyone needs to have mobile phone insurance, however, we think it could be very useful if;
- You have an expensive smartphone and/or you’re locked into a long term phone contract.
- The cost of replacing the phone would be too much, or you would rather not be required to downgrade your phone due to the high cost.
- You have a history of lost, broken or stolen phones.
- You prefer the peace of mind that your phone will be replaced very quickly in the event of losing or breaking your device.
If any of the above do apply, which to many of us they will then we would certainly advise looking into mobile phone insurance policies. Don’t forget that mobile phone insurance can also be taken out on Used/Refurbished devices as well as new devices!
What happens if I need to make a claim?
If the worst happens, and your device is lost, stolen or damaged then first and foremost, it’s a bad day. The first thing we recommend doing is remotely locking your device if it is lost or stolen. You can do this as long as you have Find My iPhone enabled, and then logging in via findmyiphone.com. This is the quickest and easiest way to secure your device, protect your personal information and ensure that no one else can benefit from your misfortune. Next up, if your phone has been stolen it is important to gain a CRN – Crime Reference Number. This is obtained via the Police non-emergency line and is very important for the Insurance claim that you’ll more than likely need to make.
Finally, it’s time to dig out those policy details deep from your email inbox. With the original set of sign up information, you would have been sent some policy specifics. These will tell you what is and isn’t covered, as well as giving you your Policy Number. Next, give the claims telephone number a call, and they will guide you through the simple claims process to get the claim underway.
You’ll be asked questions about the device, some details about what happened with your phone and then explain the rest of the process to you. Once a decision has been made, within days you should receive either a new, replacement or alternative device.
Claiming on insurance is of course something that all of us would rather not have to do, however with a fairly easy process in place we certainly don’t need to find it daunting.
Can I get cover with The Outlet?
When purchasing a device with The iOutlet, there is an option to take out various insurance levels with your refurbished device. This means peace of mind from the outset for you, and so the minute that you receive your device, you can begin enjoying it without worry.
Insurance from The iOutlet starts at just £4.50 per month for the Silver package, and £5.50 to gain access to Gold level cover. This increases with some of the newer models, but not by much! These come contract-free so you can cancel anytime, and include superfast repairs & replacements with Unlimited claims. Like we talked about earlier, you’re protected against Accidental Damage, Mechanical Breakdown, Liquid Damage and Cracked Screens as well as Theft, Loss and Unauthorised Usage.
To find out more about our Mobile Phone Insurance packages, or devices that we have available, give our Customer Service team a call on 01752 696844.
