Phone Insurance: Do You Need it?

What is phone insurance?

Phone insurance is designed to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your phone if it’s damaged, misplaced or stolen. Phone insurance also covers potential faults after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired.

What does Spark mobile insurance cover?

Accidental damage

Spark will repair or replace your phone, depending on how badly damaged it is. Your mobile is covered for physical damage, or destruction, by an unforeseen event.

Accidental loss or theft

Spark will provide up to $1000 of unauthorised usage on your mobile phone within New Zealand. Other benefits include:

• Replacement of mobile phone
• Up to $500 cover for temporary phones while you’re overseas

How much does Spark Mobile Insurance cost?

Spark has two different Mobile Insurance plans, covering two price brackets:

• $8.95/month for phones that cost up to $799. An excess of $150 applies
• $12.95/month for phones $800 and above. An excess of $195 applies

What does Provident phone insurance cover?

Electronics retailer PB Tech has teamed up with Provident Insurance to provide customers with extra protection outside of the typical manufacturer’s warranty. Benefits include:

• Cover for accidental damage, loss, theft and fire
• Up to three claims throughout the duration of the policy
• No excess payable

How much does Provident phone insurance cost?

Electronic insurance plans can be purchased at both PB Tech’s online and physical stores as part of a combo deal. Prices vary depending on which product you buy. Policies can not be purchased for electronics you already own.

What does AppleCare cover?

AppleCare+ provides mobile phone insurance for iPhones. Benefits include:

• Up to two years of 24/7 priority access technical support
• Up to two years coverage of unlimited incidents of accidental damage
• Same day service in most major cities worldwide
• Express replacement service
• Battery service if your phone retains less than 80% of its original charge capacity
• Global repair coverage if you damage your iPhone while overseas

How much does AppleCare+ cost?

AppleCare+ is available for purchase on a two year plan. The cost of a two year insurance plan depends on the price of your iPhone.

• iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max – $349
• iPhone 14 Plus – $319
• iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 – $269
• iPhone SE (3rd gen) – $139

AppleCare+ has some additional fees including:

• $49 service fee for screen or back glass damage
• $169 for other accidental damage

AppleCare+ can be purchased at the same time as your iPhone, or within 60 days of the original purchase.

Can I insure my phone another way?

If you don’t feel like it’s worthwhile taking out an insurance policy for just your phone, you may be able to add it to a contents insurance policy instead. Contents insurance plans that can cover your phone include:

• Vero ‘maxi’ contents insurance policy, cover up to $3000*
• AA contents insurance policy – cover for accidental damage to mobile phones
• Tower ‘premium cover’ contents insurance – unlimited cover for mobile phones

Some renter’s insurance policies also cover mobile phones. Applicable insurance policies include:

• Any Tower renter’s insurance policy
• AA renter’s insurance
• AMI renter’s insurance

*Intended as a guide only. Visit insurer’s website to verify terms and conditions.

Is phone insurance worth it?

Phone insurance is a great option for people in certain situations, but it may not be ideal for everyone. If you’re constantly losing, damaging or misplacing your phone, then phone insurance could be a good option. Similarly, if your phone is a higher-end model, insuring it could be a smart decision.

Some phone insurance is offered as an optional extra when you purchase a phone. But if you already have contents insurance, it’s worthwhile checking to see if you phone is already covered. Some contents insurance policies have the option for a phone to be added, but this can incur extra premiums.

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About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose passion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.