Dealing with mobile phone problems Mobile phone insurance

Check terms and conditions before you buy mobile insurance

If you've just invested heavily in a new mobile phone deal, you may be tempted by the retailer's offer to take out insurance at the same time. 

But mobile phone insurance isn't cheap, and we have serious doubts about whether it's worth buying specialised phone insurance, especially when you may already be covered under your home insurance policy. 

Find out which companies offer the best home phone insurance policies. 

Weigh up mobile insurance costs

Premiums and the excesses are often so high that it can cost as much to buy and claim on mobile insurance as it does to replace your handset if it’s lost or damaged, particularly if you've chosen a relatively inexpensive handset. Plus, some policies have significant exclusions – for example, some don’t cover water damage. 

So before you buy, read the terms and conditions carefully, check the excesses and exclusions and weigh up how likely you are to lose or damage your phone against the cost of the insurance and the worst-case-scenario cost of replacing your handset.

It's worth bearing in mind that if you don't have mobile insurance, you'll be liable for the cost of any calls made if the phone is stolen. Most mobile insurance policies will cover this, though many may refuse your claim if you left your phone unattended in a public place or failed to report the theft to your mobile company and the police within 24 hours.  

Your rights when you've bought mobile phone insurance

Don't be pushed into buying the first mobile insurance policy you're offered. Taking a bit of time to shop around may find you a better deal. 

If you do buy mobile insurance, by law the seller must send you a policy summary setting out the key points in the cover and a 'statement of demands and needs' to show why you were recommended the insurance in the first place.

If you take out mobile phone insurance and then decide you don’t want it, you have a 14-day ‘cooling-off’ period, starting the day you purchased it, to cancel it and get the premium refunded in full.