Leisure Guard Gadget Insurance review

Who is Leisure Guard?

Leisure Guard’s gadget insurance is underwritten by UK General Insurance Ltd on behalf of a German insurer called Great Lakes Insurance SE. It’s available for all UK residents who want to insure their gadgets.

In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of this policy and compare it to other gadget insurance policies available in the UK.

What are the cover options available?

The basic policy offered by Leisure Guard Gadget Insurance covers electronic gadgets that are damaged or lost in the following circumstances.

• Accidental or malicious damage. The insurer will cover the cost of your device being repaired or (failing that) replaced.
• Mechanical breakdown. You’ll be covered if your item stops working, even if it’s outside of the manufacturer’s warranty period.
• Liquid damage. If your gadget is damaged as a result of coming into contact with water, you’ll be covered for the cost of repairing or replacing it.

If you upgrade to a silver policy, you’ll also be covered for theft, plus the cost of any unauthorised spending on your gadget. If you upgrade to a gold policy, you’ll be covered for accidental loss as well.

Your items are covered all over the UK. You’ll also be covered for 90 days of overseas travel per year.

Items are only eligible for cover if they’re less than 18 months old and were purchased as brand new in the UK. You’ll also need to hold proof of purchase in order for a claim to be paid.

What is the claims process?

You can make a claim by calling the claims team on 01285 626020.

In the event of theft or loss, you’ll need to have reported the incident to the police and your network provider (if applicable).

The claims team will ask various details about the item and the incident that led to a claim. You’ll also need your Leisure Guard policy reference number to hand.

If your claim is successful, the insurer will aim to arrange and cover the cost of repairing the device where possible. If this is not possible, it will aim to replace with a refurbished version of your gadget. If a refurbished version is not available, the insurer will replace it with a brand new version.

Managing your policy

You can update details on your policy by calling 0343 658 0320, or writing to Leisure Guard, 135 Griffin House, Crawley High Street, Crawley, RH10 1DQ.

How to contact Leisure Guard Gadget Insurance

For general queries, you can call the Leisure Guard team on 0343 658 0320 or send an email to leisureguardgadget@rockinsurance.com.

Pros and cons

The verdict

Leisure Guard Gadget Insurance will cover eligible items in a broad range of scenarios. However, there are a lot of terms that might mean many of your items aren’t eligible.

There are other companies out there that don’t make you jump through quite so many hoops just to be covered.

Frequently asked questions about Leisure Guard gadget insurance

• What items can be covered by Leisure Guard gadget insurance?

  The following items can be covered:

  • Mobile phones
  • Laptops
  • Digital camera
  • Camera lenses
  • Portable DVD players
  • Ereaders
  • Tablets
  • MP3 players
  • Games consoles
  • Satellite navigation devices
  • Video cameras

• How long does it take for a claim to be processed?

  Claims made due to theft or loss will take at least three working days to be processed.

  Claims due to damage or mechanical breakdown may take up to seven working days to be processed.

• Will I have to pay an excess?

  Yes, the excess for all items will be £50, with the following exceptions.

  For an iPhone 8, iPhone 8+, Samsung Galaxy 8, Samsung Galaxy 8+ and a Samsung Galaxy Note 9, the excess is £75.

  For an iPhone X, the excess is £100.

• Who is Leisure Guard Gadget Insurance underwritten by?

  Leisure Guard’s gadget insurance is underwritten by UK General Insurance Ltd on behalf of a German insurer called Great Lakes Insurance SE.

• How do I cancel my Leisure Guard Gadget Insurance policy?

  You can cancel your policy by contacting the insurer by telephone, email or post. If you cancel within 14 days of taking out the policy, you’ll be granted a full refund.