Best Mobile Phone Insurance UK 2026

Mobile phone insurance protects your handset against theft, accidental damage, and loss. The right policy depends on your phone value, how you use it, and whether you already have some cover through home insurance or a bank account. Premiums range from £5 to £20 per month for standalone cover.

Check your home insurance first — many policies include personal possessions cover that extends to your phone away from home. Standalone phone insurance is only necessary if your home policy does not cover it or the phone exceeds your single-item limit.

Best standalone mobile phone insurance providers UK 2026

Provider	Monthly cost (iPhone 15)	Excess	Cover includes	Best for
Protect Your Bubble	£7.49	£75	Theft, damage, loss, breakdown	Budget cover; simple claims
Gadget Cover	£8.99	£50	Theft, damage, loss, accessories	Comprehensive at low cost
Switched On Insurance	£9.50	£100	Theft, damage, loss, worldwide	Frequent travellers
EE Mobile Care	£12.99	£75	Theft, damage, loss, next-day replacement	EE customers; fast replacement
Apple Care+	£14.49 (for iPhone 15)	£29 screen; £99 other	Accidental damage, theft (new)	Apple device owners; manufacturer support
O2 Refresh Insurance	£11.50	£75	Theft, damage, loss	O2 customers

What does mobile phone insurance cover?

Risk	Covered by most policies?
Accidental damage (cracked screen)	Yes
Theft	Yes — usually requires police report within 24 hours
Loss (mysterious disappearance)	Many policies — check wording
Liquid damage	Most policies
Breakdown (after manufacturer warranty)	Most policies
Unauthorised calls after theft	Many policies — usually capped
Accessories	Some policies — often limited to £100 to £150

Does home insurance cover my phone?

If you have personal possessions (away from home) cover on your home insurance, your phone may already be covered — often more cheaply than standalone insurance. Check your policy single-item limit (typically £1,000 to £2,000) and your excess. If your phone is worth more than the limit, it needs to be separately listed.

Packaged bank accounts with phone insurance

Many packaged bank accounts include mobile phone insurance for all adults in the household. Notable examples include Nationwide FlexPlus (£13/month account fee covering all household members), Halifax Ultimate Reward (£17/month), and Barclays Blue Rewards with Travel Plus Pack. These can be excellent value if you use other account benefits too.

Key things to check before buying

Excess amount — a £100 excess on a £150 screen repair makes the policy pointless for that claim
Loss cover — not all policies cover loss (leaving the phone somewhere); check if you need this
Replacement speed — same day, next day, or 2 to 5 working days
Refurbished vs new replacement — some policies replace with refurbished handsets
Maximum phone value — high-value phones (iPhone Pro Max at £1,199+) may need a specialist policy

Verdict

Check home insurance first; Gadget Cover for standalone

Before buying standalone insurance, check your home contents policy and any packaged bank account benefits. If you need standalone cover, Gadget Cover and Protect Your Bubble consistently offer competitive premiums with low excesses. AppleCare+ is worth considering for Apple device owners who want manufacturer-direct support.

Frequently asked questions

Is mobile phone insurance worth it?

It depends on your phone value and risk tolerance. For a phone worth over £500 that you use heavily, insurance is usually worthwhile. For older or lower-value phones, self-insuring (saving the premium) may be more cost-effective.

Does phone insurance cover a cracked screen?

Yes — accidental damage including screen damage is covered by most mobile phone insurance policies. Check the excess carefully, as a high excess (e.g. £100) may make small screen repairs uneconomical to claim.

What is the excess on mobile phone insurance?

Excesses typically range from £25 to £150 depending on the claim type and policy. Screen repairs often have a lower excess than theft or loss claims. Compare the excess alongside the premium when choosing a policy.

Can I get phone insurance after my phone is damaged?

No. Most phone insurance policies require you to take out cover before the damage or loss occurs. Some policies have a waiting period (14 to 30 days) before you can claim — read the policy wording before assuming immediate cover.

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Best Mobile Phone Insurance UK 2026: Top Policies Compared