Is Mobile Phone Insurance Essential?

If you’re looking for a good mobile phone or have just signed up for it or even upgraded your handset, there are chances that someone has tried to sell you mobile phone insurance. But the important question is do you require it?

You perhaps need to consider buying mobile phone insurance if:

• You possess an expensive smartphone
• You have a history of lost or broken phones
• You are not in a position to replace the handset and don’t want to downgrade to a cheaper model
• You depend on your mobile phone and would require a prompt replacement if it was lost, stolen or damaged

Things that come under mobile phone insurance cover

Different Insurance companies have different criteria when it comes to any insurance and mobile or iPhone insurance in Mumbai is no different. However, at ground level, mobile phone insurance covers you in case your phone is stolen, lost or broken. Some policies also provide cover for:

• Damage through accident, fire, etc.
• Games. Apps, music and other valuable content
• Phone accessories

However, as mentioned earlier, policies differ widely, both in the cover they provide and their exclusions.

Things not covered under mobile phone insurance

Given ahead are some of the main exclusions that can appear in a policy:

Theft without Force

If your phone is stolen from your pocket in a busy market place, it’s quite possible that your phone is not covered under the insurance. Some insurance companies will only cover your smartphone if the theft is due to force.

Carelessness

If you don’t take reasonable care of your smartphone then it might not come under insurance cover. Your insurance company might not pay the claim on the basis that you didn’t take reasonable care.

Leaving the phone behind accidentally

If you leave your phone in the back seat of a taxi, you might think you can claim for loss, however, your insurance company could consider this as accidentally leaving the phone behind and decline the claim. In this case, ensure you check the policy wording around as to what counts as ‘loss’ and what it says about forgetting your phone or accidentally leaving it somewhere.

Damage due to water

If you have the habit of dropping your phone in the loo or leaving it in your jeans while it goes through the wash, you must check whether your policy covers it for water damage or not. Again here, you might find you’re not covered as you haven’t taken reasonable care.

Delay in Reporting the Loss of Theft of your Smartphone

Ensure that you report your phone missing at the earliest. Some insurers won’t cover you for the phone itself or for unauthorised calls and downloads if you leave it more than 24 hours prior to reporting it to the police.

New Replacement Phone not guaranteed

If your phone breaks down or gets damaged, some insurers would try to repair it or offer a refurbished phone instead of giving you a replacement. If such is the case then you’ll have to be ready to be without a phone while yours is being treated. This generally takes between 5 to 7 days.

Shubrajit Dash who has several years of experience and deep knowledge about mobile insurance and gives a clear insight to his readers about the ways to get iPhone insurance in Mumbai