Top 5 Best Students & Adult Mobile Cellphone insurance- Unexpected cellphone repairs or replacements can leave you on the hook for several hundred dollars, but the right cellphone insurance policy can help make it more affordable. When purchasing a cellphone insurance policy, consumers will pay a monthly or annual premium, typically between $5 and $20 a month, and if the device is damaged, lost, or stolen, they’ll be able to repair or replace it for a fraction of the market value by paying a deductible.
Many insurance policies offer similar coverage, but it’s important to thoroughly review each provider and policy before making a decision. The best policies are cost-effective, with low deductibles, making it easy to file a claim. Additional factors like bundling discounts, multi-device options, and customer reviews can also be useful when selecting a provider. Read on to determine which provider best fits your needs.
What is Mobile phone insurance?
Phone insurance protects your phone should something happen to it that’s described on your policy. This can take the form of replacement, repair or payout if your claim is successful.
Do you need mobile phone insurance?
Ultimately, whether or not you get mobile phone insurance is down to personal choice. Think about how likely it is that you’ll need to make a claim and decide for yourself whether it’s a worthwhile investment.
To help you decide if you need mobile phone insurance, consider these points:
- How many times has your phone been lost, stolen or damaged in the past? If your answer is anything more than once a year, you could probably benefit from getting it insured.
- How long is your phone contract? It might be worth insuring your phone if you have a while left on your contract – particularly if it’s an expensive model.
Keep in mind that your phone may already be covered by another insurance policy.
Read: Travel Insurance Coverage for Students
Is your mobile phone already covered?
If you’ve insured the contents of your house, your mobile phone could already be covered. You’ll just need to check the small print of your contents insurance policy.
It’s worth pointing out that, more often than not, your phone will only be covered by contents insurance if it’s stolen or damaged while inside the property. Given that there’s still a big risk of something happening to your phone while you’re out, this cover might not be of much use to you.
Plus, claiming for your phone through a contents insurance policy will result in your premium going up when it’s time to renew. As contents insurance tends to be more expensive anyway, this could work out more costly than if you were to take out a phone insurance policy in the first place.
It’s also worth checking to see if you’re covered by your parents’ contents insurance and whether or not their policy offers the level of protection that you need.
What Does Mobile Cellphone Insurance Cover?
Cellphone insurance covers different types of damage that may impair or prevent a phone from working. Though coverage can vary based on the provider, as well as the age of and type of phone, many policies include the following:
- Accidental damage (e.g., drops)
- Liquid damage (e.g., spills or submersion)
- Mechanical issues
- Theft and sometimes loss
What does mobile phone insurance not cover you for?
Here are some of the main exclusions that can appear in a policy:
Carelessness
If you drive off with your phone on the roof of your car, for example, your insurer might reject the claim on the basis that you didn’t take reasonable care. Similarly, you won’t be covered for any damage found to have been caused by you intentionally.
Theft while unattended
If you leave your phone on the seat of your car or on a table in a cafe and it’s not there when you go back for it, you probably won’t be covered.
Check your policy wording or ask your insurance company for clarification.
Delays in reporting your phone lost or stolen
Make sure you report your phone missing as soon as possible.
Some insurers won’t cover you – for the phone itself or for unauthorised calls and downloads – if you leave it more than 24 hours (or even 12 hours for some insurers) before reporting it to them and/or the police.
Water damage
If you’re prone to dropping your phone in the loo or leaving it in your jeans while they go through the wash, check that your policy covers you for water damage – 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
You might not be covered if you don’t have the original SIM card in your phone – perhaps you’ve changed providers and inserted a new SIM card, or you’re temporarily using a different handset.
You might not get a new replacement phone
If your phone is damaged or breaks down, some insurers will try to repair it or provide a refurbished phone rather than give you a replacement.
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 people
You might struggle to find cover if you – or the child that you’re getting it for – are under the age of 16 (or 18 in some cases).
How Much Mobile Cellphone Insurance Coverage Do I Need?
Mobile Cellphone insurance providers frequently base coverage amounts on the make, model, and age of the phone to be insured. However, if you do need to determine the value of your policy, it’s a good idea to insure your phone for the market value. Doing so can make it easier to receive or purchase a comparable replacement in the event your phone cannot be repaired.
How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Mobile Cellphone?
The cost of cellphone insurance can vary based on the make, model, and age of the phone as well as the insurance provider you select. Generally, policies are available for anywhere from $5 to $20 a month, with most falling squarely in the middle.
Is Mobile Cellphone Insurance Worth the Cost?
Cellphone insurance may be a worthwhile expense if you frequently damage or lose your phone or if you can’t afford the upfront costs associated with repairs or device replacements. This is particularly true for smartphones, which can cost several hundred dollars to replace. Cellphone insurance may also make sense if you’re financing a phone and would need to pay off the damaged phone while also purchasing a new one.
Can You Insure a Used Mobile Cellphone?
Yes, many insurance providers will allow you to insure a used cellphone. In some cases, however, you may need to go through some additional steps. For instance, AppleCare+ customers can insure their iPhones within 60 days of purchase. After that point, customers must take their phone to an Apple retail location for an inspection before they can purchase a policy.
How much is phone insurance?
As you’ll see from the list of providers above, the cost of insuring your phone can vary massively depending on your phone’s age, model and which policy you take out.
Mobile phone insurance for students can cost as little as £1.49 with providers like Row.co.uk, but it’s possible to insure your phone for as low an amount as you wish if you decide to self-insure it.
We go into more detail about how to self-insure your phone below but, as a quick summary, it’s where you avoid taking out an insurance policy and instead put aside some money each month as an emergency fund for your phone. The amount you self-insure your phone for is entirely up to you.
Is my phone eligible for mobile phone insurance?
Each insurance provider will have its own eligibility criteria, but some policies only cover phones that are less than six or 12 months old.
Where you bought your phone from can also determine if you’re allowed a policy, as can whether or not it’s a refurbished device. Ask if this is the case before you take out any policy.
What does phone insurance cover?
Phone insurance will usually cover you for loss, damage and theft – sometimes the entire package, but normally with a few exceptions.
For example, some policies might not cover you if you lose your phone while away on holiday. Others won’t cover you for loss at all and will only pay out if your phone gets stolen.
There’s always the potential danger of under-insuring (where you won’t be protected for stuff like water damage, despite this being one of the biggest phone killers) or over-insuring (where you pay up needlessly for a policy that protects your phone in the event of fire damage – a.k.a. something that’s very unlikely).
What happens if my insured phone is stolen or damaged?
In the case of a damaged phone, different insurance providers will offer different solutions. Some will replace it with a similar model, some will ask for it to be sent off for repair, and some will offer cash.
Plus, some (but, unfortunately, not all) policies protect you against up to £2,000 of unauthorised calls. This would cover you in case someone steals and uses your phone, leaving you with a massive bill.
If this ever happens, always call your service provider as soon as you realise your phone’s missing – this will be proof when you make your claim. If you don’t, you could be accountable for the charges.
What is the excess on phone insurance policies?
The ‘excess’ on an insurance policy is essentially the sum you agree to pay upfront before your insurance provider covers the rest.
For example, if your phone is worth £300 and your excess is £50, you’ll receive £250 if it’s broken, lost or stolen.
The lower the excess you choose to pay, the more you’ll be charged for your insurance policy (annoying, we know). For that reason, think carefully about what you can realistically afford, and how likely it is that you’ll have to make a claim.
If you think the chances of having to make a claim for your phone are extremely low, opting for a higher excess will keep your monthly payments low. But if something does happen, do you really want to have to shell out big time just to save a quid or two each month?
Whatever your opinion on this is, it’s often the case that you won’t even get to choose your excess and monthly payments, but rather be told what your monthly set-up will be when you apply for the policy.
Is there a claim limit for phone insurance?
This varies from provider to provider, but some insurers will only allow you to make two successful claims every 12 months. Obviously, this is not ideal if you’re clumsy or a bit disaster-prone, so look out for the number of times you can claim in a year.
Best student phone insurance providers
These are the best places from which to compare phone insurance:
Your bank
Depending on who you bank with and what type of account you have, you could get offered a phone insurance policy through your account.
Deals vary from bank to bank, so don’t automatically assume that it’s the best option.
Nationwide offers one of the best options for packaged bank accounts. It’s a little on the pricey side, coming in at £13 per month, but it includes smartphone insurance, worldwide travel insurance and UK and European breakdown cover.
This is a good deal if you think you’d also use the travel insurance and breakdown cover. But if you just want to insure your phone, have a look at the other options below.
Protect Your Bubble
Protect Your Bubble is ideal for student phone insurance. Prices start at just a few quid per month for cheaper mobiles but vary depending on your phone’s model. It’s worth noting, though, that they offer a 15% discount on gadget insurance for students.
As an example quote, at the time of writing, insuring an iPhone 14 128GB (i.e. a top-of-the-range phone) cost around £6.99 per month.
Protect your Bubble will cover you for the most common mishaps, as well as water damage, a broken headphone jack and the dreaded shattered screen.
You’re limited to two claims for loss or theft per year, but you can make as many claims as you like when it comes to damage/repairs.
However, they’ll only insure your phone if it was bought in the last six months. They also have some conditions to qualify (like where you originally bought your phone from), so have a look at their website to see if they could cover you.
Asurion
Many cellphone providers allow customers to add insurance to their monthly bill, and Verizon, AT&T, USCellular, or Sprint customers have direct access to Asurion’s coverage. This coverage is affordable, the claims process is easy, and customers are generally satisfied with their experience. These factors make Asurion the best overall cellphone insurance provider on our list.
Asurion policyholders are covered if their device is lost, stolen, or damaged (e.g., broken screens and liquid damage). Plans also cover device defects, as well as some failures and device issues linked to normal wear and tear, like dust accumulation or internal heat and humidity problems.
The Asurion online claims portal makes it easy to submit a claim, and policyholders can typically expect a replacement phone to arrive via mail in as little as 24 hours. Not all damaged devices require a replacement, however. Customers with a cracked screen or those who want to work directly with a technician can take their issue to one of the more than 650 uBreakiFix by Asurion stores, which are being rebranded as Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions as of September 2021.
For added convenience, they can also schedule a home or office visit with an Asurion technician. With so many repair options, it’s easy for customers to find one that works best.
Key Specs
Deductible: $29 to $499
Average Monthly Premium: $12 to $15 per month (single device) $45 per month (multiple devices)
Available Policies: Single device, multiple devices.
AppleCare+
A new iPhone can easily cost close to $1,000, which can make insurance a smart investment. While most cellphone insurance providers will happily cover iPhones, customers looking for the best insurance may want to go straight to the source. AppleCare+ makes it easy to protect a phone and get ongoing support from experts who understand the hardware, operating system, and applications that make Apple products unique. That’s why we’ve selected AppleCare+ as the best option for iPhone users.
AppleCare offers two different policies: AppleCare+ and AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss. Both policies cover up to two incidents of accidental damage protection annually and offer coverage if a battery retains 80% or less of its original charging capacity. AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss provides additional coverage if the device is lost or stolen.
An AppleCare+ account also gives 24/7 priority access to Apple experts via phone or chat, onsite services (e.g., screen repairs), express replacement services, and mail-in repair options with prepaid shipping. AppleCare+ customers can also take their device to any Apple Store or Apple Authorized service provider for in-person repairs and troubleshooting.
For customers considering AppleCare+, it’s best to add the policy within 60 days of purchasing the iPhone. If that window has closed, a visit to an Apple Store may be required to add a policy.
Key Specs
Deductible: $29 to $149
Average Monthly Premium: $9.99 per month
Available Policies: AppleCare+, AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss
Samsung Care+
Samsung has been a leader in cellphone technology, so it makes sense that they also offer an insurance product to cover their phones. Like AppleCare+, Samsung Care+ leverages the expertise of Samsung technicians to offer affordable and reliable repairs for Samsung users. This makes Samsung Care+ the best provider for Samsung users.
Samsung Care+ insurance policies provide coverage for accidental damage, liquid spills, and screen cracks. Policyholders also get an extended warranty that protects against mechanical and electrical breakdowns after the 12-months manufacturer warranty expires.
Samsung Care+ customers can take advantage of 24/7 support, and if a phone needs repairs, they can rest assured that they’ll receive original Samsung parts and that their phone will be repaired by a Samsung expert.
The prices of Samsung Care+ policies fill a range, depending on the device being insured. Deductible costs depend on the reason for service (e.g., accidental damage or a screen repair).
Key Specs
Deductible: $0 to $99
Average Monthly Premium: $3.99 to $19.99 per month
Available Policies: Varies by device
Alternatives to mobile phone insurance
Self-insurance
To self-insure, you can simply save up the money you would have spent on mobile phone insurance and put it into a rainy day or emergency cash pot.
When you’ve built up a fund, you’ll have the money to replace your phone if you ever need to or any other unexpected costs. There are some important points to consider here:
- If you don’t lose or break your phone, the money is in your bank account rather than the insurance company’s.
- You might lose or break your phone before you’ve saved up enough money to cover a new one.
- One of the biggest expenses when a phone is stolen can be unauthorised calls to premium rate numbers made in the period before you report the phone as stolen – you’ll have to pay for these too. If you decide to self-insure, make sure you put the money into a savings account where you’ll be able to access your money quickly.