Switched On Insurance gadget insurance review

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Who is Switched On Insurance?

Switched On Insurance has been offering gadget insurance to UK households for more than 15 years. It served more than 1 million customers in 2019. The company says it provides great value to customers who are “switched on” enough to find the best deal.

It offers travel insurance, as well as gadget insurance. However, in this guide, we will focus on the level of cover offered by its gadget insurance.

What are the types of cover available?

Switched On offers various policies for different types of customers.

These are:

• Personal Gadget Cover. Covers you at home, work and abroad.
• Student Gadget Cover. Covers you at home, university and abroad.
• Business Gadget Cover. Covers your business gadgets.
• Family Bundle Cover. Covers up to 10 of your family’s gadgets in one policy.

Each of these policies appears to offer the same levels of cover. There are three levels of cover to choose from.

• With basic cover, you’ll be covered for accidental damage, malicious damage, liquid damage, mechanical breakdown and £50 worth of related accessories.
• With premium cover, you’ll be covered for all of the above, plus theft, £2,500 worth of unauthorised usage and £100 worth of related accessories.
• With ultimate cover, you’ll be covered for all of the above, plus lost items and £150 worth of related accessories.

The basic cover gives you 60 days overseas protection, while the premium cover and ultimate cover double this to 120 days.

All replacement devices are given to you with a 12-month warranty, while all repaired devices come with a 3-month warranty.

What are the cover limits?

To be eligible for cover, the gadget must be in working condition and no more than 36 months old. It must have been purchased in the UK, and you must provide proof of purchase when making a claim.

There is no limit to the number of claims you can make on your policy.

What is the claims process?

Claims are made via an online form on the Switched On Insurance website. You’ll fill out an outline form, including various details of the gadget and the incident that led to the claim.

In the case of a loss or theft, you’ll need to report the incident to the police and/or your network provider (if applicable).

When claiming for damages, you’ll need to send the gadget to the insurer for repair.

If the item is deemed to be irreparable, Switched On Insurance will replace it. You can expect all replacements to be completed within 24 hours of a claim being accepted. You’ll have to pay your excess before the repair or replacement process begins.

Managing your policy online

You can manage your account on the Switched On Insurance website with ease. Just click the “My Account” button in the top right corner of the screen, then enter your email address and unique policy number. From there, you’ll see all of your options for managing your policy.

Pros and cons

Our verdict

This company offers impressive comprehensive cover. We were particularly impressed with the pledge to replace gadgets in 24 hours and offer a 12-month warranty on all replacement gadgets.

One slight downside is that all items must be purchased in the UK and you have to retain proof of purchase for your claim to be accepted.

Frequently asked questions

• How much does Switched On Insurance gadget cover cost?

  That depends on what gadget you’re insuring, what level of cover you select and your chosen excess.

  However, Switched On Insurance does list its lowest potential premiums.

  These are:

  • Business Gadget Insurance from £3 per month
  • Personal Gadget Insurance from £3.50 per month
  • Student Gadget Insurance from £3.50 per month
  • Family Bundle Gadget Insurance from £13 per month

• Does Switched On Insurance cover cracked screens?

  Yes, but it will only accept damage claims if the functionality of the gadget has been affected. That means your claim to repair a minor chip might be rejected.

• Will I have to pay an excess?

  Yes, but you may be given the option to choose your own excess, between £50, £100 and £150. You may be granted a lower premium if you opt for a higher excess.

  If you submit a claim within the first 31 days of opening your policy, you’ll have to pay an extra £50 on top of your chosen excess.

• Who is the underwriter for this policy?

  The insurance is underwritten by AmTrust Europe Limited.

• How do I cancel my Switched On Insurance gadget insurance policy?

  You can cancel by sending an email to gadget.sales@switchedoninsurance.com or calling 0207 183 6081.