Loss
(included in 83% of quotes)*
Super save on mobile phone insurance
In partnership with Comparison Creator
Mobile phone insurance covers your phone in case it gets accidentally damaged, stolen or lost. It protects your phone even after your warranty expires.
Mobile phone insurance is a lifeline for when things go wrong – and given how important smartphones are, it’s always worth having protection in place.
A mobile phone policy might be extra useful if:
You tend to be a little clumsy, or if you have a history of losing or breaking your phone
You have a very valuable smartphone that you can’t afford to replace
You’re in a long-term contract with your network provider
You’re reliant on your phone and would need a replacement immediately (not all policies offer this)
The level of protection your mobile phone insurance policy provides varies between insurers and their products, but you’ll generally be able to find cover for:
(included in 83% of quotes)*
(included in 85% of quotes)*
(included in 97% of quotes)*
*According to data provided by Comparison Creator, accurate as of April 2020
As well as basic protection against loss, theft and accidental damage, you’ll also be able to add the following features to your policy:
If you accidentally get your phone wet
For when you take your phone on holiday
To insure more than one device on a single policy
Which covers the cost of a new battery if yours is faulty
For things like your case and headphones
Which covers you for losses incurred as a result of fraud
To replace any paid apps or content on your phone
If your phone breaks as a result of a mechanical fault
Your mobile phone insurance premiums will depend on the make and model, as well as how you pay. It will also depend on the level of cover you take out and any extra features included in your policy.
Device | Average monthly cost† | Average annual cost† | Savings made by paying annually† |
|---|---|---|---|
iPhone 11 64GB | £8.20 | £86.13 | £12.27 |
Samsung S10 128GB | £8.47 | £88.12 | £13.52 |
Samsung Galaxy S20+ 128GB 5G | £9.44 | £100.96 | £12.32 |
iPhone X 64GB | £8.19 | £84.41 | £13.87 |
†According to data provided by Comparison Creator, accurate as of April 2020
You may already have cover in place for your mobile phone through your home contents insurance policy, or as an add-on with your current account.
Most mobile phone insurance providers will have clauses written into their policy documents which say that they won’t offer cover for things like:
A phone that’s been stolen from your car if it was in clear view and hadn’t been properly concealed
If the phone was stolen from a building or premise where there were no signs of forced entry
Any intentional damage to the phone that was caused by you and not a third party
Non-manufacturer-approved accessory repairs and damage that was caused by not following manufacturer instructions
Manufacturer’s defects or recall of the device
Cosmetic damage like scratches that doesn’t affect the device’s performance or safety
A lost sim card
Any damage claims where the damaged phone isn’t handed in for repair
You should always read the policy wording and policy summary documents carefully before taking out cover with a phone insurance provider so you know what won’t be covered.
You can also get your phone insured as part of a bundle with gadget insurance. If you have a mobile phone plus a laptop and tablet, you might want to insure all of your gadgets under one umbrella policy and get a multi-gadget discount.
You’ll get a claims allowance that’s broken down per gadget, and policies should cover each device for accidental damage, mechanical breakdown and theft as standard.
Warranties generally last between 12 and 24 months, and will cover the cost of phone repairs as long as the damage wasn’t your fault. But this might not apply to all types of repairs – for example, your warranty may only cover battery replacement for half the time.
Some policies have instant cover, which means you’ll get your replacement within standard delivery times – three to five working days usually. However you might not be able to make a claim straight away, as some policies have a deferral period that won’t allow you to claim for a set time after taking out cover.
If you need to make a claim on your phone insurance, you can either do it through the insurance provider’s website or over the phone. Your provider will be able to tell you what to do next, including any evidence required and how long it’ll need your phone for repairs.
Most providers say you need to let them know within 48 hours of discovering there’s a problem with your device.
If your phone is lost or stolen, it’s better to let your insurance provider know within 24 hours of discovery. You’ll also need to tell your network provider so it can block any fraudulent phone activity.
Mobile phone insurance can sometimes be a bit finicky to claim on. So before you buy insurance, there are a few wise moves to make sure you’ll be eligible:
Buy phones directly from certified retailers, your network provider or the manufacturer. Some insurers won’t insure second-hand phones, or those bought from less reputable websites
Make sure your phone isn’t already damaged when you buy insurance
Check how old the phone is; many insurers have maximum age limits on phones they will insure
Keep your proof of purchase in a safe place
Phone insurance covers a lot of things that can go wrong with your phone, but there are exemptions.
Most mobile phone insurance providers will have clauses written into their policy documents which say that they won’t offer cover for things like:
A phone that’s been stolen from your car if it hadn’t been properly concealed
A phone stolen from a building where there are no signs of forced entry
Any intentional damage to the phone that was caused by you and not someone else
Accessory repairs and damage caused by not following manufacturer instructions
Manufacturer’s defects or recall of the device
Cosmetic damage like scratches that doesn’t affect the device’s performance or safety
A lost SIM card
Any damage claims where the damaged phone isn’t handed in for repair
Moneysupermarket have teamed up with protectyourgadget.com who offer an external gadget insurance comparison service. ProtectYourGadget.com is a trading name of Comparison Creator Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (Registration Number 07336373). Comparison Creator Limited is an Appointed Representative of Moneyshake.com Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number 522581).
