How to buy mobile phone insurance
Your mobile phone network will usually offer you insurance when you buy your handset, but it is worth shopping around as many insurers sell specialist mobile phone policies.
Ask your mobile phone provider about the cover they offer, or use a price comparison website to shop around. You can also compare policies and prices by contacting insurers directly or through a broker via the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA).
Your home contents insurance may cover your mobile phone when it is outside the home, and your travel insurance may cover your mobile phone while you are abroad. Check your policy documents, or contact your insurance provider, to see if your mobile phone is already covered by your policy, but remember:
- these policies will only cover the cost of replacing your handset
- if you make a claim for your mobile phone on your home contents insurance you may have to pay a larger excess (than if you make a claim on a specialist mobile phone insurance policy), and you may also lose your no claims discount
Your mobile phone may also be covered by insurance you have through your bank account, so check with your bank to see if your handset is already included in your policy.
You can then decide what, if any, extra cover you might need.
ABI Good Practice Guide
The ABI has published a good practice guide for mobile phone insurance providers, administrators and retailers, to help firms ensure that their products closely match consumer expectations.
