should the insurer give me a new phone?

Undersized_Rascal

Hi,
Last October a mobile phone insurer replaced my stolen phone. I canceled the insurance policy. Now 8 months later the replacement phone is breaking. I have taken very good care of it. I expect a phone to last longer than 8 months. Should the insurer that I'm no longer insured with replace the faulty phone? I paid them for the broken one through premiums so they should replace the defective goods they gave me? that's how i see it. maybe I'm being cheeky. Does anyone have anything I can quote at them? Has anyone had a similar experience?

if you need more details ask me ;o)
Thank-you all wonderful people for giving your time to answering our questions!

(i've double posted this - it's in the insurance part as well)


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sjc_2

Was the replacement phone new? or a refurb?

If it was new you should have the manufacturers 12/24 Month Warranty depending upon the model and should be able to get fixed at a Service Centre.

That is assuming that it is not damage from misuse or anything else they'd class as ware and tare.

Undersized_Rascal

it was a brand new phone. i think it's more a general flaw with modern digital technology. e.g. £200 mp3 players lasting a year!

chocolateypie

What do you mean by the phone is breaking? Are some of its functions not working properly? Or is it starting to break into bits?

If it's a matter of the phone not working like it used to (no sound, blank screen, not being able to receive messages etc) then under the manufacturer's 12 month warranty you should be able to get it repaired free of charge. However if it's the latter then you won't get a replacement as physical damage isn't covered by warranty.

I'm not 99% sure that refurbished phones get the same 12 month warranty as new phones. It's best to ring up and double check or perhaps someone else here can confirm this?

Undersized_Rascal

The phone is not a repair.
I got a phone of a phone company.
I was mugged, phone stolen, insurer gave me a brand new phone.
I cancelled the insurance policy.

The phone is broken by;
1: camera turn itself on and takes pictures.
2: After a call the camera either turns itself off or tells me ro insert a usim carrd ( so ihave to take it off)

The phone should be fir for purpose and I have it on an 18month contract.

thanks

rainbowtrout

Can't imagine the insurer will help you with anything if you cancelled 8 months ago. Time to dig out the manufacturer's warranty I think, if it is a new phone it will have 12 months warranty. If you can't find this you can try going back to the store you bought it from, and they may send it off for repairs free of charge.
From what you said it could be a software problem and even if in the worst case scenario you have to pay for repairs it shouldn't cost more than £30 to reinstall new firmware onto your phone.

PS. Don't get roped into 18months contracts again, a lot of new phones don't last much longer than 12 months even if you do take good care of them!

yeslek

no, its not the insurers issue anymore. contact the manufacturer though.

where did you purchase it from btw?

z4kir

What phone is it? I pretty much doubt the insurer will take responsibility for the handsets faults.

As mentioned in previous posts you should take the phone to an official service centre, as long as you have proof of purchase/or other proof showing date of delivery etc, the service centres would take the handset in for repair if it is within 12 months.

diamonds

if its repaired 3 times and still faulty then you would be able to ask the insurance company to replace it - proving its not fit for its purpose - its then upto them to take it up with thier supplier while providing you a replacement