Is mobile phone insurance worth it?
Mobile phone insurance can offer valuable financial protection if you lose or damage your phone, but it can also be expensive. Here’s how to work out whether you really need it and how to pick the best cover.
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- Accidental damage
- Theft & loss
- Breakdown
What does mobile phone insurance cover?
Mobile phone insurance policies can offer financial protection against:
Some policies also offer specific cover for water damage, cracked screens and when you take your phone abroad.
As with most insurance policies, you have to pay an excess before you can make a claim. For phone policies these range from €25 to over €100.
Are there exceptions?
Even if you choose the highest level of insurance, there are some things you may not be covered for. They include:
Types of mobile phone insurance
Some insurance providers have just one level of cover, while others will offer a choice between standard cover and one that also includes protection against theft and loss.
Examples include:
Basic cover
Protection against accidental damage, such as cracked screens or liquid damage and mechanical failure.
Premium cover
This has the benefits of basic, but can also include loss and theft protection and unauthorised calls up to €10,000.
How much does it cost?
It depends on your handset and the level of cover you choose.
A basic mobile phone insurance policy could cost around €8.00 per month, but a more comprehensive policy for an expensive phone could cost over €15.00 per month.
If you’re looking to insure multiple handsets or gadgets for your business, you could save with a corporate policy or multi-gadget insurance.
Check if you’re already covered
Before you decide whether to pay for mobile phone insurance it’s worth understanding if you’ve already got cover in place, and what it actually protects you against.
Home insurance
You may have some cover on your home insurance policy, but the excess is likely to be much higher than mobile phone insurance.
The cover you get with your home insurance will usually be less comprehensive than dedicated mobile phone cover.
Your mobile phone travels with you everywhere but accidental damage, loss or theft away from the home won’t be covered by a standard contents policy. Most home insurers won’t cover unauthorised calls made on your phone if it’s stolen either.
Another factor to consider is any claim for your mobile phone may also result in higher monthly premiums or a long wait to have your claim processed.
If you’re not sure what your home insurance offers, contact your insurer to check.
Warranty
If you’ve got a new mobile phone contract then your handset may be protected by your manufacturer’s warranty if it breaks.
However, the warranty will only protect you if there is a fault with your handset.
This means you’ll be left out of pocket if your phone is:
- Lost
- Stolen
- Damaged by accident
How to choose the best mobile phone cover
If you do decide you need mobile phone insurance, here’s how to pick the best value cover:
This should give you several options to choose from and help you find the cheapest possible price.
Who offers the best mobile phone insurance in Ireland?
It’s important to shop around and compare multiple insurance providers to find one that suits your needs.
Most mobile providers like Three and Vodafone offer insurance too, and while that might be convenient, you should compare quotes and benefits before making your decision.
Other mobile phone insurance providers in Ireland with good Trust Pilot ratings include:
- Blue Insurance
- Chill Gadget Insurance
- Gadget Insurance
- Love It Cover It
- Mobile Cover.ie
- Quote Devil.ie
How do you claim on your mobile phone insurance?
If your mobile phone has been lost or stolen, here’s the steps you can take to make a claim:
- Find claims number: There will be a claims number to call on your policy schedule or you may need to complete an online form.
- Contact your insurer: Contact them as soon as possible after you discover your phone has been stolen, is lost, accidentally damaged or develops a fault.
- Contact your network provider: If your phone has been lost or stolen, let your network know so they can block the number and stop anyone else from using it.
- Report it to the police: If your phone is stolen, you must report it and request a crime reference number. You will need it to support your claim.
Is there any limit to how many claims you can make?
That will depend on your insurer. Some offer unlimited claims, whereas others may put a cap on how many times you can claim per year.
Always check your policy schedule to find out about claim limits, policy excess and any exclusions.
Mobile phone insurance FAQs
What if I change or buy a new mobile phone?
You will need to contact your mobile phone insurer to let them know as soon as possible. You will need to provide your policy number and the make and model of your new phone.
What is the IMEI number and where do I find it?
The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique number for identifying your handset on a mobile network.
The IMEI has 15 digits and is assigned to every phone. You will need it if your handset gets lost or stolen so it is worth taking a screenshot or noting it down.
You can access it by dialling *#06# or via Settings > About or you can find it under the removable back cover, under the SIM tray or simply on the back of the phone. You may also find it with the original packaging.
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