Contract Phone- is Insurance necessary??

likelyfran

Maybe this is a dumb question but do I need to take the £6/month option when I embark on my new Tesco Mobile contract, or is it one of those things where it's a bit of a con because you would still get mending/replacement phone if necessary, anyway without paying the extra for insurance?? I just don't want to be locked into paying the extra for 24mnths and then someone says 'oh you didn't need to get that you know!'!!

:think::think:

likelyfran

Hyulp!!...........

grumbler

It isn't necessary. Neither is, say, a house insurance unless the house is mortgaged.

It's entirely up to you whether to take it or not.

Without an insurance you will get it replaced/repaired only if it develops a fault that isn't caused by a damage. It is covered by the manufacturer's warranty (12-24 months depending on the manufacturer) and by the Sale of the Goods Act. However, the latter works well only during the first 6 months. After 6 months if the retailer refuses to repair/replace it, the onus lies on you to prove that the fault was not caused by a damage.
Martin'a article - Consumer Rights

That said, most insurances are very poor value for money for the majority of customers that don't damage/lose phones every year or so.
Martin's article - Mobile Phone Insurance
Discussion thread - Mobile Phone Insurance
Another thread - Spill the beans... on mobile phone insurers

likelyfran

Thank you grumbler! I was Googling and searching here and not getting very far.

anandp

The other thing to bear in mind is if you have accidental damage insurance on your home insurance policy, then it should cover your mobile phone in most cases.

Even if you don't, then it would be covered for theft at home anyway.
My home insurance has "away from home" cover too so is covered if I lose it or its stolen away from the house in the UK.

It all really depends on the value of your phone vs the excess on your home insurance.

zagfles

The one thing that specific mobile insurance might cover you for that house insurance would almost certainly not, is if it was stolen and a massive bill was run up before you noticed. There are apparently professional thieves who steal phones/sims in order to run up big premium rate bills which they get a cut of.

It is essential you have a PIN lock on both the phone and the SIM with a contract mobile. It's possible to get round these but at least it gives you a bit more time to report it before the thief can start running up a big bill...

macman

What makes you think that a standard mobile contract gives you cover for damage/theft/loss?! It does not. All you get is the manufacturer's standard warranty should a fault develop in the first year.
In any other event you will have to replace the phone at your expense, and carry on paying the contract fee whether you still have the phone or not.

grumbler

macman wrote: »

.. All you get is the manufacturer's standard warranty should a fault develop in the first year....

I would say that 2 years are more standard than one. And you get SOGA as well, that is most efficient during 6 months, but not limited by this term.

macman

But none of that covers loss, theft or accidental damage, which the OP appears to believe is covered by the contract!

[Deleted User]

Let see.. i've had contract mobiles since 1999.. so 312 months @ £6 is £1872 I've saved by not using insurance.

No loss/theft.. only one time I dropped my phone and damaged it a bit - but it still worked.

Forget insurance - get a good case and be careful with your phone

macman

I'm not suggesting insurance is required. Only that the OP should be aware that if the worst happens, the cost is down to them. He/she appears to think that Tesco provide a free replacement.