Gadget cover travel insurance

If you drop your smartphone in the pool or your e-reader is stolen while you’re away, holiday gadget insurance could offer cover.

You might assume that your travel insurance covers mobile phones and other gadgets as standard. But not all travel insurance policies include gadget cover. And travel insurance payouts for valuables are often low – as little as £200 for one item or £500 in total.

If you’re taking a high-spec smartphone, laptop or fitness tracker away with you, this won’t be nearly enough to replace them if they’re lost, damaged or stolen.

Gadget travel insurance offers higher limits for expensive tech. Depending on the insurance provider and level of cover you choose, this could be between £1,000 and £3,000.

When you compare quotes with Compare the Market, you can add gadget insurance abroad for up to £1,000 per item to your policy.

Options include:

• Separate standalone travel insurance for gadgets

• Adding gadget travel insurance to your standard policy for an extra charge

• A dedicated gadget insurance policy – just make sure it covers you abroad

• Home contents insurance with cover for personal possessions abroad.

Cover varies among insurance providers, so check your policy document to see which gadgets are included. For example, you might want to make sure you have holiday phone insurance.

Gadget travel insurance can cover your:

• Smartphone

• Tablet/iPad

• Laptop

• Camera

• Games console

• e-reader

• Wearables, such as fitness trackers

• GPS sat nav

• Bluetooth headsets and earphones

• Accessories, such as chargers

• Drones.

There may be a limit on how many gadgets your policy covers, and there’ll be a limit on the total amount it will pay out.

Cover varies among insurance providers, but a good policy will usually include:

• Accidental damage, loss or theft

• Water damage

• Unauthorised web data use

• Unauthorised phone calls

• A high single item limit (the most your policy will pay out for one item).

You typically won’t be covered if:

• You don’t report a theft to the police within a specified period

• The damage results from wear and tear or misuse

• The damage doesn’t affect the functioning of your device

• You left your gadget unattended

• You’re claiming for more gadgets than your policy covers

• You bought your gadget outside the UK

• Your device is over (or under) a specified age limit

• You’ve made the maximum number of claims under your policy

• The fault lies with the manufacturer

• You were under the influence of alcohol or drugs when your device was lost or stolen.

There’s few things to consider before taking out gadget travel insurance.

See if your mobile phone and gadgets are already covered under another policy. It’s worth checking any personal possessions cover included in your home insurance. You may also be covered by mobile phone insurance or insurance with your bank account.

Check whether you need proof of purchase to make a claim.

You should also check the excess. This is the amount you’ll have to pay towards any claim.

Some policies don’t include ‘new for old’ cover. If your gadget isn’t brand new, your insurance provider might only offer a refurbished replacement of a similar age.

Always read your policy before buying gadget travel insurance, so you know exactly what’s covered, along with any excesses, limits and exclusions.

There are some simple steps you can take to keep your gadgets safe if you’re going on a trip.

• Think carefully about what you really need to take. Can you survive for a week or two without your most expensive gadgets?

• Back up your phone and laptop into the cloud before you go. And keep backing up your pictures while you’re on your trip. That way, you won’t lose your holiday photos if your phone is lost or stolen.

• Lock your gadgets in the hotel safe before you go out.

• Be wary when using your smartphone in public areas.

• Don’t leave your gadgets unattended in the car or at the beach, for example. If you do and they’re stolen, your insurance is unlikely to cover you.

Get more tips for keeping your belongings safe when travelling