We recently carried out a survey that showed millions of UK mobile users could be unknowingly paying twice to insure their handset. The research showed that approximately 5.7 million mobile customers in the UK could be doubling up – by taking on insurance from their mobile provider when their handset is already covered by their home insurance policy.
Of course, it's vital that you check your home insurance to make sure it covers your mobile but with the monthly average Insurance costing £8.20 per month (from mobile retailers), people could be paying £100 a year on unnecessary insurance.
The research also revealed a change in behaviour over the last five years, with an increase in the number of mobile users taking out insurance. In 2006, only three percent of respondents insured their handset, however, in 2011, out of the people who have an active insurance policy in place, 32 percent have taken up an insurance policy in the last 12 months – a number which is only set to grow as mobile handsets increase in capability and price.
To highlight our research findings we have issued a PR press release, which will hopefully get coverage in the Press, so keep your eyes peeled. (Update - I have attached the mention from today's Sun and Daily Mirror, great stuff).
Which? Mobile, the UK’s leading consumer association offer the following tips to consumers when considering their options for mobile phone insurance here, and below:
- Before you buy, read the terms and conditions carefully, check the excesses and exclusions and weigh up the policy.
- It's worth bearing in mind that if you don't have mobile insurance, you'll be liable for the cost of any calls made if the phone is stolen.
- Some retailers will try to bundle in mobile phone insurance when you sign up for a new contract and handset, especially for high-end models.
- But don't be pushed into buying the first mobile insurance policy you're offered. You could find a better deal if you take a bit of time to shop around.
- If you do buy mobile insurance, by law the seller must send you a policy summary setting out the key points in the cover and a 'statement of demands and needs' to show why you were recommended the insurance in the first place.
- If you take out mobile phone insurance and then decide you don't want it, you have a 14-day 'cooling-off' period, starting from the day you purchased it, during which you can cancel the policy and get your premium refunded in full.
Tara Evans at This is Money also offers great advice for those who may be considering getting an insurance policy here.
So what do you think about Mobile Insurance? Do you have it? Have you claimed? Let me know your experiences.
