Our Preferred Phone Insurance in NZ
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Given the tall prices for smartphones, more and more people are getting phone insurance to insure against loss, damage, and theft.
Phone insurance can be useful if you can’t afford to lose your phone or are worried about it not working properly from accidental damage.
Since picking phone insurance can take some time and effort, we’ve done the work for you as we’ve collated the phone insurance products in NZ for you here.
We will also walk you through the basics to help you find the right phone insurance. By doing so, you’ll find it effortless to pick from our choices which will follow.
How to Buy the Right Phone Insurance
Having phone insurance will cover the costs of repairing or replacing your phone in case something happens to it.
Whether you’re planning to get a new phone or have an existing phone, getting phone insurance is no problem—no matter what your phone make or model is.
But to find the right phone insurance, you’ll need to consider the coverage, excess, premiums, features, and policy wording. Let’s take a closer look at them each:
1. Coverage
First, you should find out what the phone insurance will cover you for. These policies typically insure your phone against accidents, loss, damages, and faults.
In addition to that, the policy may cover phone accessories such as SIM cards, batteries, chargers, cases, and others.
Still, you should check what accessory is particularly covered because it can be limited. For example, Spark only covers certain approved phone accessories.
2. Premiums
These are what you have to pay each month for your mobile phone insurance. For less than $12 a month, you can already get your smartphone insured.
Be careful, though, as premiums can add up for the whole year. Hence, you should only buy phone insurance if you will need it.
3. Excess
For each claim you make, you have to pay an excess. The excess ranges between $150 and $400 depending on the value of your phone and how often you claim within a year.
Phone insurers usually allow you to lodge a claim from 1 to 3 times per year. If you exceed this limit, they might not renew your policy or cancel it.
4. Features
Phone insurance can have several features that you may find useful. We’ve listed them below:
Accidental loss or damage – As we’ve mentioned, this covers the repair and replacement costs if your phone is misplaced, stolen, or damaged.
Worldwide cover – Useful if you are travelling abroad, the worldwide cover will answer for the cost you incur in renting a temporary mobile phone as a result of loss or damage to your phone.
Liquid damage – Some insurance companies cover liquid damage which occurs if you’ve accidentally dropped your phone into the water.
Accessory cover – Accessory cover insures your smartphone accessories such as hard cases, earphones, batteries, SIM cards, chargers, and others.
5. Policy Wording
You have to peruse the fine print which includes the terms, conditions, and exclusions so that you won’t have any problems when you’re making a claim.
Furthermore, you should pay attention to the cover amount of a feature or benefit. Also, you have to always follow the steps as stated in the policy wording for higher chances of your claim to be accepted.
Our Picks for Phone Insurance in NZ
Now that you have some grasp of the basics of picking phone insurance, let’s proceed to our list!
1) Vodafone PhoneInsure
Best for | Comprehensive phone cover |
Benefits | Loss or theft Accidental/malicious damage Unauthorised use (if stolen) Accessories cover Worldwide cover |
Address | 74 Taharoto Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0622, New Zealand |
Contact Details | Phone: 0800 800 021 Mobile: 777 Overseas claims: +64 9 366 9239 |
Office Hours | Monday – Friday: 8.00 AM – 5.30 PM Saturday & Sunday: closed |
Rates | Premium $15.50 per month Excess $200 or $250 for a second claim within 12 months *$350 or $400 for a second claim within 12 months *For phone replacement value between $1,801 and $2,100 if the phone has been lost, stolen, or is damaged beyond repair. |
Vodafone PhoneInsure provides cover for damage, loss, and theft to your smartphone and its accessories. It’s one of the most comprehensive phone insurance in NZ.
You will have to settle a monthly premium of $15.50 which is either debited to your Vodafone or PhoneInsure account.
To make a successful claim, it’s necessary to follow the steps outlined in the policy wording. Otherwise, your claim will not be accepted by the insurer.
For instance, if your phone was stolen, you first have to call Vodafone to block it, report it to the police and get a reference report, before lodging a claim online.
PhoneInsure can be purchased within 30 days of buying a new phone. You can simply visit your closest Vodafone store or call them by their number indicated above.
Pros
- Complete phone cover
- Simple premium payment
- Has an overseas claim line
Cons
- Hefty excess fees
- Applicable only after 30 days from purchase
2) Spark Phone Insurance
Best for | Affordable phone insurance |
Benefits | Accidental damage Accidental loss or theft |
Address | Spark City, 167 Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand |
Contact Details | Accidental damage: 0800 MOBINS (0800 662 467) Lost or stolen phone: 0800 800 163 |
Office Hours | Monday – Friday: 8.00 AM – 5.30 PM Saturday & Sunday: closed |
Rates | $11.95 per month for mobiles that cost up to $799. The excess for this is $150. $15.95 per month for mobiles that cost $800 or more. The excess for this is $195. *All prices are GST inclusive |
Slightly cheaper than Vodafone’s phone insurance is Spark. Spark aims to give you peace of mind in owning your phone, especially if it was expensive to buy.
Their phone insurance can be included seamlessly in your Pay Monthly plan.
You are covered for accidental damage, theft, and loss to your smartphone. For damages, take note that your phone needs to be taken in for inspection first where they will decide to repair or replace it with a new one.
If you had to rent a temporary mobile phone during your travel due to loss, you will be reimbursed up to $500 in your Spark account.
The rate is $11.95 monthly for mobile phones worth $799, and $15.95 for those that are more than $800 in value. And of course, you will need to pay the excess for every claim.
With a stable (BBB+) financial strength rating by Standard & Poor’s, you can count on Spark to assist you if something happens to your phone.
Pros
- Stable financial strength (rated BBB+ by Standard & Poor’s)
- Cheaper excess
- Simple claims process
Cons
- Only covers Spark-approved phone accessories
3) AA Contents Insurance
Best for | Hassle-free claims process |
Benefits | Mobile phone Laptop and tablet Loss, theft, and accidental damage Burglary, fire, storm, flood, or natural disaster Food spoilage Professional tools and equipment Legal liability Temporary accommodation Children at boarding school or in tertiary education Family members in a rest home |
Address | 46 Sale Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand |
Contact Details | Enquiries: 0800 500 231 Claims: 0800 500 216 Overseas: +64 9 927 2306 |
Office Hours | Call Centre Hours Monday – Friday: 8.00 AM – 8.00 PM Weekends and public holidays: 8.00 AM – 6.00 PM Small Business Team Hours Monday – Friday: 8.00 AM – 4.00 PM Saturday & Sunday: closed |
Rates | Please enquire for prices |
In case you’re not just worried about your phone but your belongings too, you might want to get contents insurance, such as the one that AA Insurance has.
You have two options to choose from: Limited Contents and Contents Insurance.
The mobile cover is only an optional extra for the Limited Contents package, while it’s part of the benefits of the more comprehensive Contents Insurance.
With these, your phone will be covered for all eventualities, including accidents, loss, fire, storm, floods, damage, and natural disasters.
On top of that, you have round-the-clock claims support where you’ll be guided through the claims process by a personal customer manager.
Pros
- Total cover for your belongings
- 24/7 claims support
- Has AA member discounts
Cons
- No overseas coverage
4) Vero Content Insurance
Best for | Cost-effective content and phone insurance |
Benefits | Maxi Contents Mobile phone misuse Storage-facility content Gradual damage Specified items Change of locks Unauthorised credit and debit card use Content while away for tertiary education Vehicle accessories Business property Flexi Contents Specified items Change of locks Occupier’s and personal liabilities Authorities damage Unauthorised credit and debit card use Business property |
Address | Level 14/48 Shortland Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand |
Contact Details | Customer Service Enquiries: 0800 808 508 Overseas: +64 9 363 2222 Email: contactus@vero.co.nz Claims Overseas: +64 9 363 7551 Existing claims email: myclaim@vero.co.nz New claims email: newclaims@vero.co.nz |
Office Hours | Customer Service Monday – Friday: 8.30 AM – 5.00 PM Saturday & Sunday: closed Claims Monday – Friday: 8.00 AM – 6.30 PM Saturday: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM |
Rates | Please enquire for prices |
Vero is a proud New Zealand general and specialist insurance company. Although they don’t have a stand-alone mobile phone policy, they have a contents cover.
In addition to covering almost all of your possessions, the Maxi Contents product covers your phone for unauthorised use for up to $500 arising from theft and loss.
Maxi Contents is a great option if you need cover for your phone and most of your belongings. If you aren’t happy with it, you can easily get a refund within 30 days.
Also, Vero has insurance advisers who will guide you through each benefit in detail, as well as help you decide which content cover is best suited to you.
Pros
- Has an insurance adviser
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 10% off if you get house and contents cover
Cons
- Only up to $500 cover for unauthorised phone use
5) TINZ Domestic Travel Insurance
Best for | Domestic travel |
Benefits | Travel Benefits Rental vehicle excess Cancellation cover Travel delays Family emergency Luggage cover Gadget cover Domestic ski cover Personal liability Extra Cover Cruise cover Ski insurance Adventure activities Group bookings Specific items Pre-existing medical conditions |
Address | 11b/17 Albert Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand |
Contact Details | [email protected] |
Office Hours | Open every day from Monday – Sunday |
Rates | Please enquire for prices |
Exploring the majestic beauty of New Zealand? Well, you can purchase a domestic travel policy before heading out on your journey for peace of mind.
With TINZ’s Domestic Travel Insurance, you are covered for unfortunate incidents like cancelled trips, broken smartphones, lost luggage and more.
When it comes to travelling, TINZ offers one of phone insurance in NZ. It covers you for up to $1,000 if your mobile phone is lost or stolen.
Furthermore, you can customise your domestic travel policy by adding a bunch of cool extras, such as cruise, ski, adventure, and pre-existing health cover.
Higher excess options are offered with TINZ’s travel policies. The higher the excess you choose, the lower the premiums you’ll have to pay.
Pros
- Strong financial strength (A+ as rated by Standard & Poor’s)
- 14-day money-back guarantee
- Simple claims process
Cons
- Limited phone insurance benefits
FAQS about Phone Insurance in NZ
And that’s all for our list of phone insurance in NZ. These are good insurance options if you need to protect your phone on the go.
Do you have any questions or opinions about our list? If you have one, kindly let us know by messaging us, and we’ll get right back to you.
Furthermore, you can check out our other insurance articles too. For instance, you can try home insurance in NZ to protect your house from unforeseen events.