Is it Worth Having Phone Insurance?
Mobile Phone Insurance plan covers the cost of repair or replacement if it’s lost, stolen or damaged. But do you need it? Do these insurance policies fit your needs?
Here, we provide you with guidance and better understanding as to why you may have been mis-sold a Mobile Phone Insurance you do not need.
Do you need a Mobile Phone Insurance?
There are a number of reasons why mobile phone insurance may appear to be a good deal. Consider the following scenario:
- l You've had phones stolen or smashed in the past
- l You have a high-priced smartphone and/or are committed to a long-term contract
- l You couldn't afford to replace the phone and didn't want to go with a less expensive model
- l You rely on your cellphone and would require an immediate replacement if it was lost, stolen, or destroyed (keep in mind that not all policies provide this service)
While all of these are true, mobile phone insurance is not for everyone. Consider the following scenario:
- l It is frequently costly
- l Alternatives that are more cost-effective are available
- l Many policies have exclusions that make filing a claim difficult,
- example: while most insurance policies cover the cost of replacing apps and music, they do not cover the expense of data loss
The PROs and the CONs:
What Mobile Phone Insurance will cover you for?
At a base level, mobile phone insurance covers you in case your phone is lost, stolen or broken.
Some policies also provide coverage for the following:
- l Unauthorised phone calls
- l Accidental damage
- l Cellphone Accessories
- l Protection while traveling and in the UK
- l Apps, games, music, and other important stuff are all available.
However, policies differ greatly in terms of the coverage they provide and the 'exclusions' (things that aren't covered).
Most Mobile Phone Insurance does not cover the following:
Negligence or Carelessness
If you drive away with your phone on the roof of your car, for example, your insurer may deny your claim because you didn't exercise reasonable caution. Similarly, any damage determined to have been purposefully caused by you would not be covered.
Theft while Mobile Phone is Unattended
You won't be protected if you leave your phone on the seat of your car or on a table at a cafe and it isn't there when you return for it.
Check your policy wording or ask your insurance company for clarification.
You reported your phone being lost or stolen late
There’s an urgent need for you to report your phone missing as soon as possible.
If you wait more than 24 hours (or even 12 hours for some insurers) before reporting it to them and/or the police, some insurers will refuse to cover you – either for the phone or for unauthorised calls and downloads.
Water damage
Check if your insurance covers you for water damage if you're prone to dropping your phone in the toilet or leaving it in your trousers while they're being washed — some don't.
Again, you might find you’re not covered here because you haven’t taken ‘reasonable care’.
No SIM card or not the original SIM card
If you don't have the original SIM card in your phone – possibly because you switched providers and inserted a new SIM card, or because you're temporarily using a different device - you might not be covered.
It's possible that you won't get a new phone as a replacement.
If your phone is broken or damaged, some insurers will attempt to repair it or offer you with a refurbished phone rather than replacing it.
If this is the case, you’ll have to prepare to be without a phone while yours is being fixed.
This normally takes between four and seven days.
Young Age
If you – or the child you're buying it for – are under the age of 16, you might have trouble finding coverage (or 18 in some cases).
What can you do if you have been mis-sold a Mobile Phone Insurance?
Many claims management company like Ingram Toft or yourself can file a complaint and possibly get a refund or a compensation as a result.
If any of these incidents has happened to you, then you may have been mis-sold a phone insurance:
- l You were forced to buy the insurance even if you didn't want it
- l You requested to cancel it but to no avail
- l You were persuaded through spin-selling
- l The sales consultant was poorly trained in concluding the sale and did not provide enough information to help you make a more informed decision.
