60-second summary
Need a quick snapshot of what to look out for with iPhone insurance? Here’s our rundown:
Specialist iPhone insurance offers comprehensive mobile cover, specific to your Apple device.
It might include extras like E-wallet and bundled cover, as well as higher cover limits.
Before buying, check whether your iPhone is already covered – perhaps under a personal possessions or packaged bank account policy.
Specialist iPhone cover may be worthwhile if you’re accident prone or have bought a top-of-the-range handset, for example.
iPhone insurance won’t typically cover you for things like wear and tear, superficial damage or theft if your phone was left unattended – check policy-specific exclusions.
Specialist cover can be expensive, depending on the level of cover you want, how you pay and the excess you choose.
Apple offers AppleCare+ and AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss plans – these extend its one-year Apple Limited Warranty.
What is iPhone insurance?
iPhone insurance offers standard mobile cover with added protection specific to iPhones and Apple technology, products and services.
So as well as offering standard cover for loss, theft and damage, specialist iPhone insurance might also come with extras like E-wallet cover and ‘bundled cover’ for your other Apple devices.
Before you buy, check your iPhone and gadgets aren’t already covered under an existing policy, such as personal possessions cover or a packaged bank account.
You can’t currently compare specialist iPhone insurance with Compare the Market. But we can help you find home contents insurance with personal possessions cover to protect your Apple products.
Is my iPhone covered by my home insurance?
Your home contents insurance will typically cover your mobile phone if it’s stolen or damaged by a fire or flood within the home. Depending on your needs, this might be enough for you.
Bear in mind, however, it won’t cover your phone outside of the home unless you have added personal possessions cover.
And if you’ve bought a new, top-of-the-range model, you may want to consider specialist iPhone insurance.
Either way, it’s worth shopping around and comparing quotes.
What does iPhone insurance cover?
Specialist iPhone insurance typically offers the same cover as standard mobile phone insurance. But policies vary, so check the terms and conditions for any exclusions.
Generally, you’ll be covered for:
Loss
Theft
Accidental damage
Mechanical breakdown
Cracked screen
Broken buttons
Loss, theft or damage to accessories
Unauthorised calls, messages and downloads if your phone is stolen.
Some policies cover water damage, but not all, so check.
Your insurance provider may also cover repair costs or send you a replacement phone. You might even be able to recoup the cost of replacing downloaded music, movies, apps or games.
Before you buy a policy, see if it includes new for old cover. If it doesn’t, you might be offered a refurbished model rather than a brand-new phone.
An iPhone-specific insurance policy may also include extra cover like:
E-wallet cover – if your iPhone is lost or stolen and someone uses your Apple Pay. There might be a limit on how much you could claim back and within what timeframe.
Bundled cover – this lets you cover other gadgets under the same policy, often at a discount.
Instant cover – standard mobile phone cover may only kick in after two or three weeks. Some specialist policies offer instant cover.
Higher cover limits – specialist iPhone policies may have higher cover limits. Some also let you use your local Apple store for speedier repairs.
What doesn’t iPhone insurance cover?
As with standard mobile phone insurance, there are exclusions to be aware of. For example, you might not be covered for:
General wear and tear
Scratches
Intentional damage
Faults caused by you because you didn’t follow the manufacturer’s instructions
Lost SIM cards
Theft from leaving your iPhone unattended.
Some iPhone insurance policies also won’t pay out if:
The phone is second-hand
The phone is older than the limit stated in your policy
The cost of your claim is higher than your cover limit
The phone doesn’t have an active SIM card
You use the phone for work
The phone was already damaged before you took out the policy.
Do I need iPhone insurance?
Whether you need specialist iPhone insurance is up to you. It might make sense to insure your iPhone if:
You’re accident-prone when it comes to your phone
You’ve taken out a new mobile phone contract for the latest model
You would need an immediate replacement if your iPhone were lost or stolen.
Remember: before you buy a specialist policy, check whether your home contents insurance already provides enough cover.
Similarly, if your iPhone is within its free 12-month warranty, you should already be covered for damage. Check the terms and conditions.
How much does iPhone insurance cost?
Specialist cover can be expensive – especially for the newer models. How much you’ll pay will also depend on:
The level of cover you want – added extras will bump up your premium.
Whether you pay annually or monthly – it’s often cheaper to pay upfront.
How much excess you pay – the higher your voluntary excess, the cheaper your premium should be. Just make sure the excess is worth it if you need to claim.
What is AppleCare?
AppleCare is Apple’s extended warranty and technical support plan, which you can buy within 60 days of purchasing a new iPhone.
It comes in two levels – AppleCare+ and AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss – and is available in monthly or two-year plans.
You may also be able to extend your AppleCare plan by renewing it within 45 days of your cover ending.
It’s worth noting that every new iPhone bought through Apple comes with a free one-year warranty. This includes hardware repairs and up to 90 days of technical support.
With an AppleCare+ plan, you’ll get:
24/7 priority-access phone support during the warranty period
Same-day service in most major cities worldwide
An express replacement service
Unlimited accidental damage claims – subject to an excess fee
Hardware cover – including for the handset, battery and Apple earphones that came with your iPhone
Theft and loss cover – with AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss.
AppleCare+ isn’t available in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
Can I compare iPhone mobile phone deals through Compare the Market?
Yes, you can. Our mobile comparison service lets you compare deals for a range of iPhone models.
Whether you’re looking for a top-of-the-range iPhone 16 Pro, an earlier model or even a refurbished phone, you’ll find some great iPhone deals at Compare the Market.
Can I compare iPhone insurance here?
You can’t currently compare iPhone insurance with Compare the Market. But, if you want to add your iPhone to your home contents insurance, we can help you compare a range of quotes to suit your needs.
And, if you want more comprehensive cover for your iPhone, we can show you quotes for accidental damage cover and personal possessions cover outside the home too.
Looking for something else?
As well as writing for Churchill and Privilege insurance websites, Karen’s CV includes working with M&S, Debenhams, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and John Lewis. With over 20 years of editorial experience for big household names she leads a talented content team with a focus on simplifying personal finance for everybody.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Helen’s our resident home insurance expert, as the former Head of Home Insurance at Compare the Market. She's also experienced with car insurance and pet insurance from her previous roles across commercial, partnerships and as a freelance consultant, working with more than 100 insurers across a variety of insurance products.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by technology. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
