How Does Gadget Insurance Work?

Featured gadget insurance providers

Last updated: 30/07/2024

Cover Cloud
CoverCloud provides gadget insurance you can rely on. From smartphones to iPads and from laptops to digital cameras we give your gadgets the cover you need.

Instant cover for all your gadgets

12-month warranty on all replacements

Backed by AXA - No 1 global insurance brand

No limit on claims while you're insured with us

Worldwide cover included

Protect your phone or gadget against: accidental damage, liquid damage. breakdown, theft, loss*, unauthorised calls.

^{*Only available for Elite cover options on mobile phones, tablets and smartwatches.}
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Nova Direct
Special Offer - Enter code ND15GAD for 15% Discount

Annual cover from £52.99 (Silver) or £5.50 per month (Gold)

Mechanical Breakdown, Accidental Damage, Screen Damage, Worldwide Cover and Theft covered as standard

5 levels of cover to choose from with a list of over 400+ gadgets to choose from
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Insurance2Go
£10 OFF all annual phone policies - Use Code: PHONE10OFF

Insurance2go was set up in 2007 and is the trading name of Loyal Insurance Services Ltd:

Mobile phone insurance from £2.99 /MONTH

Great value protection for mobile phones, tablets and laptops with a claims service you can rely on

Full cover includes loss, theft, damage and more

Instant protection and unlimited claims

93% of claims accepted

Cover for your new and refurbished devices

Personal and Business policies available
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Buy mobile phone insurance
Established in 2011, buymobilephoneinsurance.com is a trading name of Buymobilephone-Ins Ltd.

Loss, Theft & Accidental Damage with our Full Cover

Instant cover for all your devices

UK-based insurance company & customer service

New & Refurbished gadgets up to 36 months old are covered

Worldwide cover

Immediate family covered whilst using your gadget

14-day cooling-off period
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loveit coverit
We’re a gadget and mobile-phone insurer that love our customers and go above-and-beyond to provide excellent cover and the friendly face of insurance. With over 1 million insurance policies sold and 30 years industry experience, our outstanding rating with Trustpilot says it all when it comes to our world-class level of service.

Friendly UK customer service

In partnership with AXA

Multi-gadget discount

12-month replacement warranty

Unlimited claims and repairs

14-day money back guarantee

Insure more than one gadget for a 10% discount, visit our website now for a free instant quote.
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Switched On
Switched On Insurance is a brand of Taurus Insurance Services. We are a leading provider of lifestyle insurance and have been operating in the UK for 15 Years.

No Limit on Claims

48 Hour Replacement

Overseas Cover

No Impact on Home Insurance

Multi-Gadget Discount

Like-for-Like Replacement

Warranty on Replacements

Gadgets up to 18 Months Old

Use by Immediate Family (Any Age)

Cancel Cover at Anytime

14-Day Cooling Off Period
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HiddenApp - Insurance Alternative
HiddenApp is an anti-theft mobile device monitoring, tracking, and theft-recovery app for Apple and Windows devices. Think of Find My iPhone on steroids! Available in the App Store and through HiddenApp.com.

Ultra-accurate location tracking

Discover your device’s exact location and view it on Google Maps.

iSight photos

Gather evidence using iSight to capture thieves on camera.

Screenshots

Find out what your missing device is being used for with screenshots of on-screen activity.

Network data

Discover the name of the network your device is connected to, the proximity to the router and the IP &

Mac address so you can track it to an exact physical address.

Key logs

Collect information about the keys that have been used whilst your device is missing.
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Note

Links to third parties on this page are paid for by the third party. You can find out more about the individual products by visiting their site. Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will receive a small payment either if you click the links or if you use their services after you click through to their site. All information is subject is subject to change without notice. Please check all terms before making any decisions.

Disclaimer

The list of gadget insurance providers on this page is a selection of services available and gives you an idea of the kind of options available. You can find out more about the individual products by visiting any of the providers listed. All information is subject to change without notice. Please check all terms before making any decisions. This information is intended solely to provide guidance and is not financial advice. Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will not be liable for any loss arising from your use or reliance on this information. If you are in any doubt, Moneyfactscompare.co.uk recommends you obtain independent financial advice.

Gadget insurance explained

What does gadget insurance cover?

Every policy is different, but typically speaking, gadget insurance will cover:

Loss
Theft
Accidental damage (including cracked screens and liquid damage)
Mechanical failure/breakdown (if your device is out of warranty)

You should be covered when outside the home and ideally you’ll want protection when you’re overseas as well, particularly if you travel a lot. However, it’s important to remember that some insurers will ask you to pay extra for certain types of cover – some basic policies won’t cover loss as standard, for example – and others will let you create a package of cover that’s designed according to your needs.

What won’t gadget insurance cover?

This again depends on the insurer, though there are some things that most providers won’t cover, including:

Cosmetic damage
Damage that’s already covered by the manufacturer’s warranty
Loss or damage where you didn’t take proper care of your device
The contents of your device (such as photos or software)

There are a few other things to look out for as well. Some providers won’t insure a phone that’s over six months old, for example, while others won’t cover a second-hand model, and a few won’t insure a phone with a screen that’s over a certain size. Nearly all will require proof of purchase for any device you’re looking to insure, so make sure to have it to hand. It’s always important to carefully check the details of any potential insurance policy so you’re fully aware of any exclusions.

Are my gadgets already covered?

In some cases, your gadgets may already be covered by a separate insurance policy. Your home contents insurance may offer some form of protection, for example, though if you’ve got several high-value devices it may not be sufficient, and you may not be covered against accidental damage or damage that was caused outside the home. The excess can often be high, too, which may mean it isn’t worth claiming.

Alternatively, some current accounts come with a package of insurances, of which gadget or mobile phone insurance is often one. However, again you need to make sure that the level of cover is suitable and that the excess isn’t too high, and you’ll also want to check the claims rules – some will only allow you to make one claim in a single year, which if you’re accident prone, may not be sufficient.

Yet it’s still worth checking to see if you’re covered elsewhere; just take a close look at the small print to ensure the cover will be sufficient, and if not, it may be worth looking for a separate policy.

Will my warranty cover me?

Most electronic devices will come with some form of warranty, though this will usually only be for a short space of time, and will typically only cover mechanical breakdown. Things like accidental damage and loss/theft won’t normally be covered, so it may be worth investing in a basic policy if your device would cost a lot to repair or replace.

How much does gadget insurance cost?

This will depend on a number of different things, including the value of the gadget you’re looking to insure, the level of cover you want, the amount of excess you’ll pay in the event of a claim and the provider you’re considering. It will also vary depending on how many gadgets you’re looking to insure – while some consumers only want to insure a single device (typically a smartphone), others insure two or more devices, and there may be discounts available for those who insure several gadgets under a single policy.

As a ballpark figure, gadget insurance can cost anywhere from £1.50 per month to £15+, though this will of course depend on the device you’re insuring. See if your provider will offer a discount for paying in a lump sum rather than monthly – some will offer an annual discount – and always shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

What should I look for in a gadget insurance policy?

A few things you may want to look for when choosing your cover include:

Level of cover. Some insurers will offer a basic level of cover and will charge for optional extras, whereas others will offer a more comprehensive package as standard, but usually at a higher price. Always look closely at the details of each policy to make sure it offers the ideal combination of a decent level of cover at a reasonable price.
Excess. All policies will come with some form of excess, but make sure it isn’t too high. If it is, you could end up spending a lot anyway, which could make the policy far less suitable.
Claims process. If you lose a gadget that you’ve come to rely on, you don’t want a long claims process – you want to get your hands on a new (or repaired) device as quickly as possible. That’s why you should always check what your potential insurer’s claims policy entails, e.g., does it offer a 24hr claims line, how long does the approval process take, how quickly will it send a new device, etc.

Where can I find a gadget insurance policy?

There are plenty of well-known names as well as more niche insurers that offer gadget insurance, but it’s worth heading online to do your research and see what’s out there. Not only can it give you an idea of the options available, but comparing the options is one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting both the cost and cover that you need, and don’t always go for the in-store insurance offered when you buy your gadget, either – invariably, better deals can be found elsewhere.

Is gadget insurance worth getting?

If you’re wondering whether or not gadget insurance is worth it, you simply have to ask yourself if you could comfortably afford to replace your devices if they were lost or damaged in any way. If not, specialist gadget insurance could be worth getting, particularly if it’s for a device you just can’t live without.

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