7 in 10 mobile phone insurance claims are for iPhones, as new iPhone 15 launches
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Claims data by Admiral Home Insurance reveals autumn is the most popular season for mobile phone claims and September saw the most monthly claims in 2022
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Seven in ten claims in 2022 were for iPhones, compared with two in ten for Samsung devices
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The Northeast of England sees the most mobile phone claims annually, followed by London
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Tech claims made by students have soared by 311% since 2019
With tech fanatics bracing themselves for the Apple iPhone 15 going on sale, Admiral Home Insurance is warning consumers to check their mobile phones are covered, as claims have skyrocketed by 123% in just four years.
As autumn approaches, the number of mobile phone claims increases dramatically. September, October and November are notoriously the worst months of the year for device owners, when an average of 29% of claims take place.
A phone owner’s location also impacts their likelihood of needing to make a claim, with those based in North-East England making the highest number of claims (13%), closely followed by London, accounting for just over one in eight claims (12%).
Common reasons for claims include spilling drinks over electronics; dropping phones; and one claim involved a customer dropping his phone in a lake, while on his honeymoon with his wife.
With the highly anticipated iPhone 15, it is important to be aware that in 2022, iPhones were most likely to be mentioned when making a claim, accounting for seven in ten (73%) of claims. By contrast, Samsung, the second most mentioned phone brand in insurance claims, made up just two in ten (22%). Motorola is the least likely to be mentioned, with just 1 in 500 claims involving these devices.
Since 2019, tech claims made by students have also skyrocketed, increasing by 311%. Last year, September saw the highest number of mobile claims, accounting for one in nine (11%) and coinciding with the time that students return to university or begin Freshers week. Losing phones on a night out or leaving phones in taxis were common reasons for claims.
Says Noel Summerfield, Head of Household at Admiral Insurance says:
“Many of us rely on our phones for so much, so being without one can be a scary thought. The launch of the new iPhone 15 is exciting, especially for those who want to stay up-to-date with the latest tech trends.
However, with a starting price tag of £999 for the iPhone 15 Pro or £1,199 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, if a device is lost, damaged or stolen, replacing it would cost a hefty sum – making a stressful situation even more difficult.”
Admiral’s top three tips to protect mobile phones
Be aware of your surroundings
With many claims for mobile phones coming as a result of spilling drinks, being more cautious and aware of your surroundings can help protect your phone. We’ve been made aware of phone thefts by criminals using bikes and mopeds to snatch mobile phones, so before using your phone in public, look around at your surroundings and assess your situation. For your own personal safety and to protect your phone – don’t text while walking!
Use security features on your phone
Make sure you have a strong password on your phone so a thief will not be able to access it immediately. Strengthen your security by checking the privacy settings, turn off message previews and regularly back up your data. You can also install anti-theft apps to help police trace your phone and identify the thief. Many phones come with built-in security features: iPhones come with the preinstalled Find My iPhone app which allows you to track your phone if it is lost. Android models also have some options that you can install such as android.com/find – whichever one you pick, make sure you keep the details safely remembered or stored.
Make sure you are insured to the correct value
If the value of your phone is over £1,000 it must be listed on your Home Policy Schedule to be covered. For unspecified mobile phones, you are only covered away from home if you have Personal Possessions Insurance. It is worth checking your policy details to make sure you are covered in case of an emergency.
