What is mobile phone insurance?
Phone insurance is designed to cover the cost of repairing or replacing a phone if it’s damaged, misplaced or stolen. Phone insurance also covers potential faults after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired.
Apple and Samsung both offer their own insurance plans, as does telco Spark. In addition, mobile phone policies are offered by some insurance providers.
Below we break down the phone insurance options available in New Zealand:
What does Spark mobile insurance cover?
Accidental damage
Spark will repair or replace your phone, depending on how badly damaged it is. Your mobile is covered for physical damage, or destruction, by an unforeseen event.
Accidental loss or theft
Spark will provide cover for unauthorised usage on your mobile phone within New Zealand, up to cap shown in Policy Schedule. Other benefits include:
- Replacement of mobile phone
- Cover for temporary phones while you’re overseas
How much does Spark Mobile Insurance cost?
Spark offers two mobile insurance plans:
- Device Care: $8.95/month for phones that cost up to $799. An excess of $150 applies.
- Device Protect: $14.95/month for phones $800 and above. An excess of $250-350 applies.
What does AppleCare cover?
AppleCare+ provides mobile phone insurance for iPhones. Benefits include:
- 24/7 technical support
- Full cover for all accidental damage
- Same day service in most major urban centres
- Express replacement service
- Global repair coverage if you damage your iPhone while overseas
- Optional Theft & Loss cover
How much does AppleCare+ cost?
Depending on the model of your phone:
- AppleCare+: from $229 for two years, or $11.49 monthly.
- AppleCare+ with Theft & Loss: costs from $349 for two years, or $17.49 monthly.
Additional AppleCare+ services that incur a fee:
- $49 for screen or back glass damage
- $169 for other accidental damage repairs
- $279 for replacement with Theft & Loss cover (max twice in 12-month period)
AppleCare+ can be purchased at the same time as your iPhone, or within 60 days of the original purchase.
Samsung Care
Samsung Care is available for new S24, S25 and Z flip and fold models. It provides two years’ cover and protects against:
- Accidental damage, including water damage
- Broken screen glass
- Theft
How much does Samsung Care cost?
Samsung Care costs from $400. Claims are limited to two per 12-month period, and an excess is payable for each claim: $99 for screen damage, and $249 for other damage or theft.
Can I insure my phone another way?
If you don’t feel like it’s worthwhile taking out an insurance policy for just your phone, you may be able to add it to a contents insurance policy instead. Contents insurance plans that can cover your phone include:
- Tower ‘premium cover’ contents insurance – unlimited cover for mobile phones
- Vero ‘maxi’ contents insurance policy, cover up to $3000*
- AA contents insurance policy – cover for accidental damage to mobile phones
Some renter’s insurance policies also cover mobile phones. Applicable insurance policies include:
- Any Tower renter’s insurance policy
- AA renter’s insurance
- AMI renter’s insurance
*Intended as a guide only. Visit insurer’s website to verify terms and conditions.
Is phone insurance worth it?
Phone insurance is a great option for people in certain situations, but it may not be ideal for everyone. If you’re constantly losing, damaging or misplacing your phone, then phone insurance could be a good option. Similarly, if your phone is a higher-end model, insuring it could be a smart decision.
Some phone insurance is offered as an optional extra when you purchase a phone. But if you already have contents insurance, it’s worthwhile checking to see if you phone is already covered. Some contents insurance policies have the option for a phone to be added, but this can incur extra premiums.
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About the author of this page
This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose passion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.
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