| It's never fun to be left waiting on hold, but it's even | | | | cover to find out if it includes your mobile phone, or |
| less fun when you're waiting for your mobile insurance | | | | whether you can add it for less than standalone |
| provider to settle your claim. If your phone goes | | | | insurance will cost. |
| missing or is damaged, you want a replacement mobile | | | | Before you decide to if mobile insurance is right for |
| now if not sooner. Good mobile phone insurance can | | | | you though, ask yourself these questions: |
| help there - but how do you choose the best cover | | | | - How much will it cost you to replace your handset at |
| without spending more than you should? | | | | full price? If your annual premiums are close to the |
| Why You Might Need Mobile Phone Insurance | | | | cost of replacing your handset, you might do better to |
| While you may have got your phone free when you | | | | bank the cost of your premiums against the possible |
| signed a contract with your mobile provider, replacing it | | | | loss. |
| won't be quite so easy or cheap. Unless you have a | | | | - Are you clumsy? If you're likely to drop your handset |
| good insurance policy, you could be paying full price to | | | | in the loo, insurance may be worth the cost. |
| replace your handset - and if you've had the latest | | | | - Do you need the latest and best? |
| model with all the bells and whistles, that could be a | | | | - How much of a necessity is your phone? If you |
| substantial outlay. | | | | count on your handset for work reasons, for example, |
| Will You Need to Replace Your Handset? | | | | insurance will be well worth the cost. |
| A mobile phone is stolen every 12 seconds in the UK, | | | | Where Can You Get the Best Deal? |
| says Halifax home insurance. That's a lot of mobiles | | | | There are a number of different options for insuring |
| going missing. But mobile phone insurance doesn't only | | | | your mobile. The most popular sources of mobile |
| insure you against the theft of your handset. If you | | | | cover are: |
| leave it behind in a taxi or drop it down the gutter on | | | | - From your mobile service provider In most cases |
| the roadside, you could be eligible for a replacement | | | | you'll pay about £5-6 per month on your |
| with some policies. Mobile insurance for your handset | | | | account for handset cover. Check with your provider |
| will nearly always cover your loss as long as you can | | | | to find out exactly what is covered. |
| provide either parts of your phone or a police report of | | | | - From a standalone insurance provider You may be |
| its theft. | | | | able to purchase a policy for about £32 annually |
| There is an even more compelling reason for having | | | | - about half the cost of insuring through your provider. |
| mobile cover, though. Between the time your handset | | | | Shop around for the best deal. |
| is stolen is lost and the time you report its theft to your | | | | - A combo policy through a standalone provider These |
| mobile service provider, a thief can run up hundreds of | | | | policies may be available from your home insurance |
| minutes in overseas calls for which you may be | | | | provider. Sometimes called portable electronics policies, |
| responsible. Most handset insurance will cover the cost | | | | they can provide cover for all of your portable |
| of those calls so that you don't end up paying for | | | | electronics and communications devices, including your |
| someone else's conversation. | | | | MP3 player, your PDA, your mobile handset and even |
| Do YOU Need Mobile Phone Cover? | | | | your laptop. |
| Insurance for your handset will cost you £28-75 | | | | As with any insurance, don't just use price to measure |
| annually, depending on whether you choose to | | | | the suitability of different providers. Take into account |
| purchase cover from your provider or standalone | | | | policy features and reviews from existing customers |
| insurance. You might also look into your home contents | | | | who have claimed. |