{"id":342870,"date":"2020-10-11T16:19:16","date_gmt":"2020-10-11T15:19:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/?page_id=342870"},"modified":"2026-02-11T14:27:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T14:27:36","slug":"gadget-insurance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/gadget-insurance","title":{"rendered":"Gadget insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019re pelting down the street in a mad rush to catch that bus that\u2019s just pulling away from the stop and\u2026disaster. Your brand new smartphone flies out of your pocket onto the pavement, the screen smashes, and attempts to turn it on end in failure. Gadget insurance is designed to minimise the financial pain of mishaps like this. Read on to find out how it works and the kinds of gadgets you can get cover for.<\/p>

What is gadget insurance?<\/h3>

Gadget insurance provides protection against loss or damage to devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, music players, ereaders, headphones, smartwatches and GPS devices such as sat navs.<\/p>

These items can be expensive, so getting them insured makes them easier to replace if you drop yours in the bath or leave one on the train.<\/p>

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Cosmetic damage.<\/strong> Scratches, scuffs or other minor damage that do not prevent your device from working as expected. Cosmetic damage is usually not covered under gadget insurance.
Mechanical failure\/breakdown.<\/strong> If your device suddenly and unexpectedly stops working and cannot fulfil it\u2019s primary purpose. For example, if a phone becomes unresponsive and no amount of turning it off and on again brings it back to life. Excludes wear and tear (for example, if your phone gradually slows down and becomes less responsive over time). Most gadget insurers only include mechanical failure cover once any manufacturer\u2019s warranty has expired.
Reasonable precautions.<\/strong> The sensible steps you must take to reduce the risk of damage to or loss\/theft of your phone. For example, you must not leave your phone unattended on restaurant table.
Unauthorised repair.<\/strong> Most insurers require you to put in a claim and get authorisation from them before you have your phone repaired, and may require you to use one of their panel of authorised repairers. If you don\u2019t follow their requirements, your claim for repair costs may be turned down.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

How to compare gadget insurance<\/h3>

Step 1: Decide which gadgets you want to insure.<\/strong> This will affect whether single gadget, multi-gadget or family cover is best, and which policy to go for as some may have low limits on the number of items they cover.<\/p>

Step 2: Decide what level of cover you want.<\/strong> If you\u2019re absent-minded, you might want to make sure cover for loss is included, for example. Or if you rely on your devices, you might want to pay extra for guaranteed speedy replacement.<\/p>

Step 3: Check whether you already have enough cover.<\/strong> There\u2019s no point in paying for standalone gadget insurance if you already have all of the cover you need as part of your contents insurance. Or, if you have a packaged bank account, it may include gadget insurance. In both of these cases, make sure that the insurance is comprehensive enough for all your gadgets, including any very valuable ones.<\/p>

Step 4: Compare quotes.<\/strong> If you don\u2019t already have the right cover, get cracking using a price comparison site such as Finder. The providers in the table at the top of this page are a good starting point. To get quotes, you\u2019ll be asked when you purchased each device and to provide personal details. Bear in mind that, while you often get discounts for insuring multiple gadgets under the same policy, it doesn\u2019t guarantee the lowest price \u2013 or the best cover. If you have anything that might benefit from specialist insurance with features tailored to a specific type of device, such as a high-end camera, you may want to insure this separately.<\/p>

How can I save money on my gadget insurance?<\/h3>

Before we get started on ways to save, the first step is to decide if you need gadget insurance in the first place. Rather ironically, in an article about gadget insurance, the best way to save on gadget insurance is sometimes not to buy it. This might be because you already have sufficient cover for your gadgets, through a home insurance personal possessions<\/a> add-on, or a packaged bank account<\/a>. Or perhaps your gadgets aren\u2019t that high-value. Or it may simply be because you\u2019re neither accident-prone nor have a propensity for losing stuff, and decide that \u2013 on balance \u2013 gadget insurance isn\u2019t worth it.<\/p>

If, on the other hand, you have a pricey gadget that you rely on, and would struggle to afford to replace if it was lost, stolen or damaged, there are tactics you can use to keep the cost of insurance down.<\/p>