If you’ve owned a phone before, you will probably know that almost anything can happen to it. Depending on the policy, you may be able to claim for:

1. A lost phone: i.e. if you accidentally leave your phone somewhere and can’t retrieve it, phone insurance may cover you and provide you with a similar model to the one you lost.
2. A cracked screen: i.e. the costs of repairing or replacing a cracked phone screen and any other related repairs.
3. Water damage: i.e. accidental liquid damage if your phone has fallen in water or been splashed or soaked.
4. Battery replacement: i.e. if your battery stops working, you could claim for a replacement battery
5. Theft cover: i.e. if someone steals your phone, you could claim for a replacement phone that is a similar model.
6. Fraudulent activity costs: i.e. if a thief uses your stolen phone to make calls and/or use data
7. Cost of hiring a temporary mobile device: i.e. if your mobile device is lost or stolen while you’re overseas (but you’ll need to keep the receipts)
8. Overseas cover: i.e. if you go overseas and your phone is damaged, lost or stolen ​

Know This: Spark and Vodafone offer different policies 
Your cover will depend on who you insure with any additional insurance you select. To make sure you know exactly what you’re covered for, it is essential to read the policy documents carefully before taking out insurance with your chosen provider as Spark's phone insurance won't cover Vodafone phones, and vice versa.

Warning: Phone insurance generally has many exclusions as to what it covers.
Buying phone insurance is easy, but claiming on it may not be. The fine print of each policy explains what won't be covered, which are usually things like:

1. A phone which does not have your sim card in it when a claim arises (for Vodafone and Spark)
2. Loss, theft or damage caused by or arising from any modification or repair not carried out by an authorised repairer (i.e. in the case of Vodafone or Spark policies)
3. Loss, theft or damage caused by or arising from fire.
4. Loss, theft or damage if you didn't take 'reasonable care' to prevent the incident
5. Loss if you leave your phone unattended (i.e. out of your sight, possession or control) in a public place; or your workplace, any vehicle, aircraft or boat), or in an unlocked car
6. Loss or theft where you leave your phone in an unknown location or if you forget where it is
7. Damage caused by any content (i.e. downloads)
8. Manufacturing faults, wear and tear, gradual deterioration, slowly developing flaws, corrosion or latent defect, or damage caused by dampness of the atmosphere or by normal variations in atmospheric temperature;
9. Damage du to failure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions; or use accessories or software not approved by the manufacturer; incorrect connections of signal leads/power supply, power surge, or a virus
10. If the incident occurred after it was given, lent or sold to anyone other than you
11. Any manufacturer defects or a recall of the phone
12. Minor cosmetic damage like scratches that do not affect the phone performance or safety
13. A lost sim card
14. Any damage where the damaged phone isn’t handed in for repair
15. If you intentionally or maliciously damage your phone 
16. If you know who has caused the incident but refuse to tell the insurer who this person is

Spark and Vodafone Insurance are currently the only companies to offer phone insurance. 2 Degrees does not offer phone insurance and has no plans to introduce it. Many people sign up for phone insurance when they buy a new phone, but you can usually get a policy with an existing phone if you think that's right for you later on.

*Spark's monthly cost:
$11.95 for phones with a recommended retail price (RRP) of below $800, and $15.95 for any phone with an RRP above $800.
***Excess details:

• Spark has an excess of $150 for phones with a recommended retail price (RRP) of below $800, and $195 per claim for any phone with an RRP above $800. There is a limit of three claims per year. After the third claim, Spark will cancel your policy.
• Vodafone has an excess of $200 for your first claim, or $250 for a second claim within 12 months (where a phone is valued below $1,801) or $350/$400 if the phone's value is $1801-$2,100. ​

Unauthorised Costs: These include data costs, app costs, phone calls and other related expenses incurred by a third party if your phone is stolen

It depends on the issue with your phone. If you believe there is a fault due to a manufacturing problem, you will need to check your manufacturer's warranty first to see if it’ll cover the cost of repairs. If the warranty has expired, you can ask for a quote for out-of-warranty repairs with the retailer or manufacturer. Alternatively, you can take it to any phone shop to see if they can help. 
 
However, if you have damaged, lost or had your phone stolen and don't have insurance, you are on your own and will have to repair or replace the phone at your own expense. If you are still under contract, you will probably need to look at buying a new or second-hand sim-free phone and continue paying the contract until it ends. Alternatively, you could ask for a quote to end the deal early and decide what's more cost effective and suits your needs.

It depends on your policy and whether your phone is covered, and then there will probably be fine print that you will need to navigate to see if your claim is valid. Our guide to contents insurance has more details. It's also worth noting that if you do claim on your home and/or contents insurance policy, it may make your next premium more expensive as you are seen as 'higher risk' to an insurer. The excess may also be much higher ($400 to $750 etc.) compared to phone insurance ($100 to $200 etc.), so it may not be cost effective to make a claim.

If you have your phone stolen, you will be given a new phone. If your phone develops a fault or is damaged, the policy is to (usually) send it to be inspected. In any such instance, the insurer will attempt to repair the phone with new or refurbished parts if it is cost-effective, or if it isn't, the insurer will replace the phone with a refurbished phone or a new phone or similar specification. In most cases, this will take up to 10 working days - Vodafone and Spark may offer a free temporary replacement phone, but this is on a case-by-case basis.

The excess, and how many times you can claim, depends on the insurer:

1. Spark has an excess of $150 for phones with a recommended retail price (RRP) of below $800, and $195 per claim for any phone with an RRP above $800. There is a limit of three claims per year. After the third claim, Spark will cancel your policy.
2. Vodafone has an excess of $200 for your first claim, or $250 for a second claim within 12 months (where a phone is valued below $1,801) or $350/$400 if the phone's value is $1801-$2,100. ​

Spark, Vodafone and Cove all over you up to $1,000 for unauthorised spend.

If your phone cannot get cover because of its age and/or condition, then phone insurance probably isn't an economical way to protect your phone given a year of cover and one excess will cost at least $350.

You might be covered by your home and/or contents insurance – check your policy or read our guide to contents insurance. Contents insurance won't cover unathorised use costs, overseas theft or damage and may have more exclusions. Also, with phone insurance, you can walk into a Vodafone or Spark store with a fully broken phone and they handle everything directly, rather than making an insurance claim with your contents insurer.

What you'll need to do depends on what has happened to your phone, as we outline below. If in doubt, call the insurer urgently and ask them to confirm their claims process and what exactly they need from you.

Was your phone stolen?

• ​Step 1 – Block your phone by calling your network's customer services team to block your mobile and SIM card.
• Step 2 – Report the theft to the policy and obtain a police report reference number to use with your claim.
• Step 3 – Claim your loss directly with your insurer.

Was your phone maliciously damaged?

• Step 1- Report the theft to the policy and obtain a police report reference number to use with your claim.
• Step 2 – Claim your loss directly with your insurer.

Was your phone accidentally damaged?

• Step 1 – Claim your loss directly with your insurer.