John Lewis iPhone Added Care

phda728222

I wish I had seen this sooner!  I had just the same experience a while back.  The insurance wanted to give me a refurbished phone. I said no , it would be new.  It took days arguing with different departments with several hours each day on the phone to win the battle. It was only when I went in to a John Lewis store with the policy, asked for the store manager and asked how she interpreted the policy - she said it states 'new for old '.  They gave me a new phone.  I was lucky I had the time to persevere. I guess they hope to wear you down before you win.  I have just had to claim on another policy.  I was taken aback to be offered a new (yes, new!) phone without any argument.  Perhaps they had reams of notes on my account?
HD

JJ_Egan

Most of these sort of policy's are not new for old .

born_again

New for old replacement
If we can’t repair your appliance, we’ll arrange for it to be replaced with one of the same make and model up to original purchase price. Or, when not available, one of a similar specification.

But given Apple will not longer have new phones from a 3 year old phone or similar spec or even the same price.
A refurb is the only option. 

likearubberball

The original post was in April 2019 and the OP never came back to update. 
However it looks like their terms and conditions are now clearer.

• Repairs by manufacturer-accredited engineers or by authorised engineers
• A replacement if it can’t be fixed - this might be a refurbished or remanufactured product