On average, we Brits spend over two and a half hours online on our smartphones every day. We use it to schedule our work or social calendar, tell us the time or keep in touch with family and friends. Indispensable for modern life, it’s bad enough when you run out of battery. So the thought of losing our phone, or it breaking, is enough to bring many of us out in a cold sweat.

As with all mobile phone contracts, insurance provided by networks often have provisos tucked away in the small print. That means they won’t pay out if your phone is stolen, lost or damaged, even if the headline print says they will. So before you sign on the dotted line ‘because it’s easier’, take a few minutes to hop online and hunt around for mobile phone insurance that will give you the cover you want.

Why buy mobile phone insurance?

If you buy a new bicycle that costs a thousand pounds, or a top of the range laptop, you want to protect that investment with some insurance. It’s logical, then, that you’d do the same for a mobile phone. In fact, it’s more important to have insurance because your phone doesn’t spend half its time locked away in your home or garage. It’s in your pocket or bag wherever you go, and so it’s at much greater risk of being lost, damaged or stolen.

Having mobile phone insurance gives you the peace of mind that if your expensive iPhone does fall out of your pocket while you’re out and about, or is stolen from your bag, you’ll have the right kind of insurance to cover the cost of replacing it.

Why not just insure it under your household cover?

Modern house and content insurance policies also include a certain level of cover for personal belongings that you carry on you or have in the car. This can include things like mobile phones, but what you do need to consider is that many of these types of policies will not cover a single item if it’s above a certain value. That excludes many top-end mobile phones which cost much more than the single-item upper limit of the policy.

It can also be difficult to make a claim, especially if the insurance company thinks you may have been partly responsible for the loss or damage through negligence (for example, putting your phone on the table in a restaurant and forgetting to pick it up before you leave). Proving otherwise can be extremely difficult.

Why not just take up the phone network’s insurance offer?

It can be all too easy to simply tick the insurance box on your mobile phone contract when you sign up, without thinking about what exactly you’re buying. You may also find that, because they feel they have a ‘captive audience’ mobile phone networks can charge higher premiums than other insurance providers for mobile phone cover. It’s easy to miss exactly how much you’re paying, too, as the amount is often toggled onto your monthly tariff. Such a small additional fee is easy to overlook, but what you need to do is work out exactly how much you’re paying over the course of a year, and just what kind of cover your policy gives you. It may be much less than you originally thought…

Are you really getting a like-for-like replacement?

You may benefit from a next-day replacement if your phone is lost or stolen, but remember that you may be limited to the models your provider has, and it may not be a like-for-like replacement. So all those high-end accessories may not even be compatible with the replacement phone they give you!

There may also be big caveats as to what type of phone is covered. So you’ll only be covered for the phone that your network gave you as part of the contract. If you decide to upgrade with a SIM-free phone then your insurance policy won’t cover that phone.

Why buy extra mobile phone insurance?

Mobile phone insurance doesn’t just cover the loss or damage of the phone itself. One of the big problems people have, especially if their phone is stolen, is the costs of unauthorised calls. The network will charge the bill-payer or contract holder for any calls put through the phone, including those that a thief may make. Dedicated phone insurance includes cover for the cost of unauthorised calls and digital downloads, fou even more peace of mind.

I’ve got cover on my household contents insurance…

While mobile phone cover can be specified as part of your home contents insurance, there are, once again, caveats that could cause a problem if you make a claim. Not only do household insurance policies often leave out accidental damage as part of your phone cover, but if you do make a claim then it may push the cost of your house content insurance policy up next year.

What do the experts recommend?

At Easy2Insure, we know how difficult it can be to get the right kind of cover for such an important personal item. So we’ve done the research for you to find independent mobile phone insurance that’s both affordable and comprehensive.

Because our brokers have experience of finding specialist cover for mobile phones, they can source the best deals and the best prices for wide-ranging insurance cover that is separate from your home contents cover or any insurance that your network provider may offer. It can be tailored to suit your needs, making it a viable and often much cheaper way of protecting your phone.

We always advise being cautious when you’re out and about, as it’s all too easy to lose such a small item as a phone. But if the worst does happen and your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged, mobile phone insurance certainly helps to soften the blow!

 With prices hitting nearly £900, iPhones are an expensive investment. They’re also all too easy to drop or leave behind on the train and are a target for thieves. Insurance gives you peace of mind that your precious piece of tech can be fixed or replaced with no unexpected bills. But do you need iPhone insurance? Read on to find out.

First, do I need iPhone insurance?

Insurance is all about managing risk. You pay a relatively small sum of money for the peace of mind that if something does happen, you won’t have a big bill to pay. Of course, you may enjoy many years with your iPhone without the need to make a claim.

To decide if you need iPhone insurance, you’ll need to weigh up the following:

• Are you the sort of person who easily loses things?
• Would it be tricky to afford to replace your iPhone if it got damaged or stolen?
• Does the thought of not having a phone for a week or longer make you break out in a cold sweat?

If you’ve answered yes to any of the questions above, iPhone insurance is definitely worth considering.

What does iPhone insurance cover?

Different insurance policies include different features, so it’s important to always read the small print to see what you are buying.

Here’s our top five list of handy features to look out for when you buy iPhone insurance:

• Are downloads included? Some insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing downloads (like music) lost when your phone is damaged or stolen. If that’s important to you, make sure it’s included.
• Will you get a temporary replacement handset? If your phone is damaged, your insurance company is likely to send it for repair, which can take weeks. If you can’t bear the thought of being without your phone, make sure your insurance offers a temporary replacement handset whilst yours is being repaired. Some policies can even offer a rapid replacement guarantee, sending a new phone within as little as four hours. If that’s something you want, make sure it’s included.
• Unauthorised calls. Some mobile phone insurance policies will cover the cost of expensive calls made without your authorisation if your phone is stolen. Premium line calls can quickly mount up, so adding this cover buys extra peace of mind.
• Most Brits admit to using their phone on the toilet according to YouGov. But not every phone insurance policy will cover you if it suffers water damage, as a result of being dropped down the loo for example. For total peace of mind, check your phone insurance does include cover for water damage or other ‘careless’ situations, such as leaving it on the train.
• Cover overseas. If you like to Instagram your holiday pictures, you’ll be reassured with an insurance policy that includes overseas travel.

Remember: If you don’t need all these different types of cover, make sure you don’t pay for it. Look for a tailored policy so you only pay for what you want.

Next, is it covered already?

You may have decided that iPhone insurance is worth it for you. But don’t rush out and buy a new policy just yet – first, take the time to discover if your phone is covered already. Check your home insurance policy carefully to see if your phone is included or have a chat with your broker if you’re not sure. Some bank accounts also include mobile phone insurance, so speak to your bank. If you are already covered, make sure you check what is and isn’t included. For example, will it replace your iPhone with a new handset or a refurbished one? And does it offer a temporary phone to keep you connected whilst yours is being fixed?

It’s also worth double-checking the terms of the cover. With some home insurance policies, your phone will be covered whilst it is in the home but not when you’re out and about.

Do I have to buy the insurance I’m offered when I buy the phone?

No. When you buy a new iPhone you’re likely to be offered insurance, but you don’t have to take this. Instead, you are free to shop around to find the best deal.

Things to consider when you buy iPhone insurance

To make sure the iPhone insurance you buy is worth the cash, think about these things:

• Is your iPhone under warranty? Remember the warranty covers your phone for mechanical failure, but won’t cover you if the phone is lost, stolen or damaged accidentally.
• How much is the excess? This is the amount of money you have to pay if you make a claim. Generally the higher the excess, the lower the cost of the premium (the amount you pay for the insurance). Tweaking the excess is a great way to save money, but make sure it is still affordable to you. If you set the excess too high you might not be able to afford to make a claim.
• Are any other gadgets included in the policy? Chances are you also have a laptop or iPad that you would like to insure. Buying a bundle deal that covers all your tech away from the home can be cheaper than separate policies. Speak to your insurance broker to find out more.

Buying value for money iPhone insurance

Always compare prices from as many different insurance companies as you can to be sure you’re getting the best price. A price comparison website can be a good place to start, but remember not every insurance company is represented on these sites. It’s also important to check that the cover you specify when getting a quote matches the cover offered to you. Just because you tick a box for new for old cover, there’s no guarantee that the quotes you are given by the comparison website will include this.

Alternatively, you can use an independent insurance broker like Easy2Insure. We’ll do the legwork for you to find the best price on iPhone insurance with no nasty surprises in the small print. Simply call our friendly team on 0800 917 9522 today.

If you rent out a holiday home or Airbnb a room in your home, the right insurance can help you increase your return. Firstly, standard home insurance is not suitable, so you need to look for a specific policy that covers holiday lets. As with all types of insurance, there are lots of options out there and not every policy will suit everyone. To make it Easy2 decide what you need, here’s an outline of the different types of cover most holiday let owners need to consider.

Buildings insurance

Buildings insurance covers the structure of your holiday home against damage, for example as a result of a fire or flood. If you own the property with a mortgage, buildings insurance is likely to be a condition of the loan.

Contents insurance

If you rent the property fully-furnished, contents insurance covers the cost of replacing the contents if they are damaged or stolen.

Think about:

• There’s an option to extend contents cover to include accidental damage caused by you or your guests. If you allow pets to stay in the property, it’s worth checking your insurance covers accidental damage by pets too.
• Double-check your holiday let insurance covers theft by guests.

To calculate the amount of cover you’ll need, list everything that you’d need to replace in a worst-case scenario, for example, if there was a fire. Don’t forget things like beds and bedding as well as obvious things like the TV. You can’t rent out your holiday home without these items, and if the worst does happen and you don’t have the right level of cover, it could delay how quickly you can get it ready to rent out and earning you an income.

Emergency cover

How many times have you been contacted by a guest to say the washing machine isn’t working or the electrics have blown? If you live close to your holiday let and are good at fixing things you may be able to sort it out yourself quickly. But if you don’t, taking out emergency cover insurance gives you peace of mind. You or your guests will have 24-hour access to trusted workmen who will come and fix the problem with no fuss and no extra cost. With things like water leaks, this can also help to minimise any damage that is caused, lowering your bills in the long-term.

Public liability insurance

No matter how careful you are, accidents can happen and that could lead to legal action. For example, a guest could trip over a loose paving slab at your holiday let and hurt their ankle. No-win, no-fee legal support makes it easy for a guest or visitor in your property to bring a legal case against you for financial compensation. Even if you are not found to be negligent, it can be costly to defend your case. Public liability insurance for holiday lets can be considered essential for your peace of mind. It covers the cost of your legal fees and any compensation that is awarded. It also gives you access to a legal team that will take control of the case, so you’ll have one less thing to worry about.

It’s also worth checking that your public liability insurance covers you for damage occurring to a neighbouring property because of a problem with your property. For example, if a guest floods the bathroom and it causes damage to the apartment below.

Loss of earnings insurance

Do you rely on your income from your holiday let to pay the mortgage? If something happens and you can’t rent the property, can you cope financially? If not, loss of earnings insurance could be worth considering. This will pay out a sum of money if it’s not possible to rent your holiday home, due to circumstances beyond your control.

You might also want to consider including an alternative accommodation option. That means if you have to cancel someone’s holiday, or they have to move out mid-stay, the cost of offering them alternative accommodation is covered.

Emergency travel expenses

If your holiday home is abroad, it can be expensive to travel at short notice if there’s an emergency. Ask your insurance broker about adding on emergency travel expenses cover. This can give you peace of mind there will be no expensive extra bills to worry about.

How to reduce your holiday let insurance premiums

Don’t be tempted to skimp on insurance. Instead, use these tricks to get the best price on your premium:

• First, increase your excess.
• Next, increase security. Staying claim free is one of the best ways to keep future premiums down. Increasing the security around your holiday home is one way to deter thieves. Always let your broker know if you have CCTV or smart devices connected that can detect a water leak. This active approach to keeping the property safe can help them to negotiate the best price on your behalf.
• Thirdly, carry out regular maintenance at the property. Keeping your holiday home in good condition is another way to help to reduce the risk of making a claim. If it’s going to be left empty, make sure you take steps to prevent burst pipes. Keep gutters clear and replace any damaged roof tiles.
• Finally, shop around. If you want to be sure you’re getting a good deal you need to shop around. You can either contact the insurance companies yourself or use an insurance broker to do this for you.

Top tip: An independent insurance broker like Easy2Insure is not tied to any insurance company. They’re free to scour the market for the best price on your behalf. Easy2Insure is part of the respected Park Insurance Group, one of the largest independent brokers in the UK. With significant buying power and established expertise, you can benefit from their knowledge and negotiating clout. For a free quote call, 0800 917 9522 or get a quote.

Finally, for more ideas on getting the best ROI on your holiday home, check out our 8 tips for decorating your holiday home blog.