Last Christmas, 17% of people spent £45.34, on average, on consumer electronics1; that’s over £11 million spent on smartphones, tablets and other gadgets during the festive period. Sadly, the number of burglaries carried out during the festive break tends to surge, with 6,2782 thefts being carried out last Christmas alone.
But the risks to your Christmas gadgets don’t stop after Christmas, as spending more time out and about with your new devices can also increase the risk of accidental damage. Whether you’re worried about theft or are simply accident prone, have no fear, experts from mobile phone insurance provider, Insurance2go offer their top tips about what you need to consider when looking for the best insurance policy for you, so if you’re heavy handed, or just the forgetful type, leaving your new gadget in the local pub on Boxing Day doesn’t have to be so gut-wrenching if you’ve got it covered.
By comparing standard cover and full cover, you’ll discover that naturally, standard cover policies tend to offer less protection than full. When it comes to the particulars (such as loss, theft, damage and excess), every provider is different, so be sure to check!
If you have other insurance policies such as home insurance or packaged bank accounts, it’s a good idea to check if your tech is already covered, and up to what price. The excess could be a lot more expensive, so it may be worth taking out a separate policy for your new device.
In the unfortunate event that you need to make a claim, it’s likely that you’ll need to pay an excess fee. Different policies offer different excess fees, and they usually have a limit on the number of claims you can make too. Consider the coverage you need, and what you can afford.
Gary Beeston, Sales and Marketing Director, said: “It’s no shock to witness a spike in claims over the Christmas period. Although most gadgets these days are quite small, they can come with a hefty price tag. If you opened one this year, be sure to insure your new gadget as soon as possible to avoid upset if the worst does happen.
“When it comes to taking out the insurance policy, if you’re unsure of what cover you need, we’d recommend full cover, protecting your phone, iPad or gadget from loss, damage, and theft. Starting from just £7.99 a month, quickly getting your gadget repaired or replaced provides peace of mind all year round – and for a fairly cheap price. ”
For more information on gadget insurance that covers loss and theft, head to the blog here: https://www.insurance2go.co.