Compare gadget travel insurance

Gadget travel insurance gives you financial protection for your phone, laptop and other tech if it’s lost or stolen while you’re away. Here’s what you need to know.

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Why would I need travel insurance with gadget cover? 

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 pay-outs 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.

What types of gadget travel insurance are available?

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.

What items can be included in gadget travel 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.

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What cover does gadget and mobile phone travel insurance provide?

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) .

What exclusions or restrictions are there with gadget travel insurance?

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.

What else should I check before buying mobile phone and gadget travel insurance?

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.

Travelling with gadgets: our top tips

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

Josh Daniels – Travel insurance expert

Josh is an expert on protecting yourself while on holiday with the right travel insurance. We all go on holiday for different reasons. Some like to fly and flop, while others like to climb mountains, surf and ski. Josh knows how fun that can all be, but, with more than seven years in the insurance industry, he also knows how to cover you and your belongings while away.

Learn more about Josh