Mobile Insurance article discussion/feedback thread

dipsy

Hi does anyone have any recommendations for phone insurance

I have a sony ericsson C905 and would like to insure independant of provider or house insurance

would need to cover, loss, damage (ie dropping), loss

Many thanks in advance

masiv

These seem to be about the cheapest, with the best cover. talkcover.co.uk

tripleh_2

saad_awal wrote: »

there are some pretty bad reviews for talkcover - being unprofessional, un-cooperative etc.

would be good to hear experiences!

Anyone else?

stkmgr

I had CPW Insurance a couple of years ago which I was paying around £10 a month for a handset around £200.00. I went to europe for a couple of days and on my return I noticed that my phone had been stolen from my luggage. I rang CPW and told them what happened and they told me that the bag was left un-attended which was true but as you are not allowed phones on planes whats the point of having it in your pocket so I put it in the case, so it had to of been stolen by the baggage people either at Schipol or Liverpool. They told me to ring Crime Stoppers but they told me it was upto the police in europe , I must of rang 10 companies and never got any luck.
I don't bother with insurance now , just read your T&C's before you claim and always get a police report and evidence that it was stolen even if you have to tell a few white lies.

pinkjedi

Hi all,
I know banks arn't always that good at offering value for money - but DH has TSB silver account this offers him mobile phone cover, AA breakdown (Roadside only), card protection and some other stuff. The mobile covers loss, theft, unauthorised airtime contract and PAYG, water damage etc When he dropped his Apple Iphone and cracked the screen he claimed and this was dealt with very well - brand new Apple iphone. Excess £30.00. I thought this might be helpful to anyone with a Llyods TSB account already and don't forget if you've a joint account your both covered! it costs him £7.95 per month. I know that you can find breakdown cover and mobile phone cover cheaper else where but thought this still might be of interest to you all. I'm not allowed to put a link in as i'm new! but its easy to find details on the lloyds TSB silver account web site.

Dramaqueen_2

Having taken out insurance on my son's iPhone 3G with Talkcover at Christmas, the time came to make a claim when he thought he'd lost it. However, Talkcover refused the claim on a time technicality: the number on the O2 website given to report a lost/stolen mobile is a number that is given on the monthly bill as open from 0800 - 2000 only, and Talkcover's refusal to pay was on the basis that I didn't report its loss until 0800 the following morning!

They have also NEVER sent ANY documentation, either my original policy or letters, both of which they say they have sent, and when I ring them to discuss my claim I just get a fobbing off, "This has been passed to the manager. She is VERY busy."

No response to my appeal for the claim. No response from the complaints department.

Use a reputable company, even if you have to pay a bit more. This lot are a joke.

Dramaqueen_2

saad_awal wrote: »

there are some pretty bad reviews for talkcover - being unprofessional, un-cooperative etc.

would be good to hear experiences!

See post below from Dramaqueen. DON'T use Talkcover - they're useless.

Saban

pinkjedi wrote: »

Hi all,
I know banks arn't always that good at offering value for money - but DH has TSB silver account this offers him mobile phone cover, AA breakdown (Roadside only), card protection and some other stuff. The mobile covers loss, theft, unauthorised airtime contract and PAYG, water damage etc When he dropped his Apple Iphone and cracked the screen he claimed and this was dealt with very well - brand new Apple iphone. Excess £30.00. I thought this might be helpful to anyone with a Llyods TSB account already and don't forget if you've a joint account your both covered! it costs him £7.95 per month. I know that you can find breakdown cover and mobile phone cover cheaper else where but thought this still might be of interest to you all. I'm not allowed to put a link in as i'm new! but its easy to find details on the lloyds TSB silver account web site.

Hi,
Thank you very much for your post as I have been considering upgrading my Lloyds TSB account. I have an Iphone 3G and have been struggling to find good value insurance, it seems providers bump up the price just because its an Iphone! My hubby will also be getting an Iphone later in the year so if we upgrade our joint account we will effectivly pay £4 per month each!
Current account upgrades often get a bad press but I think on this occasion it may be the best value option - the breakdown cover and travel insurance, although basic will also come in handy.
Thanks for your post!

steelercaz13

Dramaqueen wrote: »

See post below from Dramaqueen. DON'T use Talkcover - they're useless.

Hi all

Just to report a very similar experience with Talkcover - my boyfriends iPhone was stolen while he was fishing a couple of weekends ago. The phone was in his fishing back, hidden from sight next to his chair. He was there with his young cousin, who got in a bit of trouble, so he moved over to help him - less than 6 feet away. He was there no more than 5 minutes, probably less, and they hadn't seen a single person where they were all day. Unfortunately he turned round to see a gang of lads running off, and because of their head start he had no hope of catching them.

Did everything by the book but claim failed saying "reasonable precautions" were not taken. He appealed, it failed. Currently in process of dealing with their complaints procedure, and have taken legal advice - seems they're famous for this, hardly ever pay out.

Unfortunately it's an iPhone, so to replace it would be hundreds. Grrrr, makes me so:mad: mad!!

Also think Martin should add some more cautionary tales to this topic, as my boyfriend found Talkcover through the article, and unless I'm missing it there's no mention of their failings?

Also, like others, he never received any paperwork or Ts&Cs from them until the failed claim, and speaking to them on the phone is hilarious! Most can't understand you, and you can't understand them, and they just answer the phone with "Errr, hello?" - don't even mention the name!

Finally, TalkCover is the same as SuperCover, just so everyone's aware - same company, same problems. Fingers crossed for a resolution soon, but not holding my breath!

sky_rat

About 2.5 years ago I had to make a claim for my Nokia N73 when it had water damage.

I was stood on some rocks on the beach when I got splashed by a wave.

I got a little damp, but not soaking wet.

My phone was in my pocket at the time and later that day the screen had condensation on the inside - shortly after it failed completely.

I was suprised how easily just a small amount of dampness caused my phone to fail, but being salt water probably made it worse.

My insurance was with CUSC.

I had only just bought the phone with an 18 month contract, so I was glad I had the insurance.

In my case I was lucky, because CUSC replaced the handset quickly.

Although the excess was £50, it still worked out cheaper than buying a replacement phone, especially considering I had 17 months remaining on my contract.

When my contract approached its end date, I cancelled the CUSC insurance.

So in this case I was lucky, but I am always sceptic with any insurance policy.

Having only made 1 claim I cannot say CUSC are good - maybe I was lucky because they paid out in this case.

Now I am looking at getting a new iphone (3G S) - but I am worried about the cost of replacing the handset in the event of loss or damage, especailly since the experience I had with my Nokia.

A replacement would cost around £500 !

With CUSC, I was not aware that loss is only covered if someone takes the phone from you AND you physically fight them to get it back - that's ridiculous.

Insurance companies will do anything to avoid paying out - thats one of the ways they try to make money.

There are so many if's and but's in the T&C's and even if you meet their T&C's they will still try and worm out of paying.

I am lucky with my car insurance, because I use a family run broker who are very helpful and honest and have explained in detail alot about how insurace companies work, so I have learnt alot from them.

Insurance is far from black and white, which is why webs sites like Confused.com in reality are not as great as they might seem.

Sure it gives you a basic idea, but then you have to look much deeper to find the right deal.

And as with all things in life, you get what you pay for.

In addition to the T&C's, you will find that some companies can be very strict when deciding if a claim can be made, where as others are more leniant.

Some companies pay out far less than others.

Some companies take far longer to pay out than others.

And so on, therefore company reputation plays a big part.

You only find out how good your insurance is should you ever you come to make a claim.

I am still unsure what to do about phone insurance if I were to get an iPhone.

It almost puts me off getting an iPhone beacuse the contract is either 18 or 24 months and the cost of the handset is so expensive.

No matter how careful you are, you cannot guarantee your phone wont get damaged, yet alone lost.

Especially if youve got a young child like me !

From the experience of the damage to my Nokia, if similar damage happened to my iPhone (say 1 month into a 24 month contract), I would be gutted about having to pay £500 for a replacement phone.

Yet if I didnt replace the phone I would be gutted about having to pay £35 per month for the next 23 months for a phone I no longer have.