Insuring mobile phones and personal electronics

If you’re like most people, a handheld device – say, your smartphone or tablet – is probably an essential part of your day. So something like a stolen device can be a real inconvenience.

That’s where the right insurance coverage can help.

Why insure your mobile and electronics?

A policy that covers mobile devices can help cover the cost of repair or replacement if your device is damaged, lost or stolen – potentially saving you big bucks in the long run.

Accidental loss or damage

If you’re at home when an accident happens, your Home and Contents insurance may cover your personal devices. However, the advantage of owning personal electronics is that you can – and probably will – take them with you wherever you go. So it’s a great idea to have a policy that will also cover you when you’re out and about.

In this case, optional cover for personal valuables is a great solution.  This allows you to cover devices like your mobile, tablet, or laptop for accidental loss and damage anywhere in Australia and New Zealand.

When making a claim for damage or loss of your personal electronics, it’s important to know that cover limits apply. For more detail, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.

Personal valuables unspecified items

Certain types of personal item will be covered without needing to be specified on your policy. If you make a claim for one of these items, the most we’ll pay is $1,000 per item, set or collection.

Personal valuables specified items

If you’d like to cover an item that’s worth more than the $1,000 limit mentioned above, you can ask us to specify it on your policy. This allows you to request a higher sum insured for that item, though an extra premium applies.

Theft

Theft from your home is considered an insured event. If your device gets stolen from your bag while you’re away from home shopping, for example, depending on your level of personal valuables cover, you may be able to make a claim. Limits and exclusions apply.

What can mobile phone and electronics insurance cover?

Below are a few examples of situations that would potentially be covered.

Screen damage

Say you’re at the shops and checking your phone for the next item on your shopping list – then the phone slips, your screen cracks and needs replacing.

It’s important to know that chips and scratches are not claimable results of an accidental mobile drop.

Damage from fluids

For example, you might have the grandkids over, watching their favourite videos on your tablet. If one of them spills a drink and damages it, you could make a claim.

Making a claim for your mobile or personal device

Contact your insurance provider

With Apia, the quickest way to claim is online. Before you start, make sure you have:

• your Apia Insurance policy number
• details about what happened
• any photos or documents related to the claim, such as a police report, and
• if possible, evidence of ownership or a repair quote for your personal device. Supplying them when lodging your claim can speed up the process.

If you don’t have access to the internet after the event, you can lodge your claim over the phone. If you can, have all the details listed above with you before making the call.

You will receive a tracking number to follow the progress of your claim. Keep this number handy.

Repair or replacement

A claims team member will review your policy, the details you provided and your proof of ownership or repair quote. If your claim is covered, we’ll follow up with you to arrange the repair or replacement of the item.

Cover your personal portable electronics with insurance that goes with you anywhere. If you need to make a claim at Apia, we’ve got you covered online or over the phone, 24 hours a day, every day.

Explore Apia Contents Extra Insurance

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• Supporting customers through extreme weather recovery
• What to look for when comparing home insurance

Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency Pty Limited ABN 14 099 650 996 is an authorised representative of AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807, the product issuer. Read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement  before buying this insurance.  The Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.

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