phone insurance while travelling

June 1, 2020

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How to Protect Your Tech While Traveling

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Gadget insurance: compare cover for your laptop, smartphone, smartwatch and more

Navigate the options when it comes to gadget insurance

If you’ve never lost your smartphone, cracked the screen of your tablet, or chipped, scraped, smashed or drowned another high-value electronic item, then quite frankly, we salute you. We can see why you'd laugh in the face of gadget insurance.

But the fact is the vast majority of us fall have at one time or another fallen foul of our own clumsiness. And with our devices becoming increasingly expensive – not to mention important to our everyday lives – it’s no wonder specialist gadget insurance is an ever-growing industry.

Traditional home and travel insurance policies are becoming outdated and sometimes fail to cover our mobile devices; the very items that are most likely to get lost, stolen or damaged.

That’s why it's only natural to want to protect our gadgets with an additional insurance package, and you’re in the right place to find out what your gadget policy will cover, what it won’t cover, and who the best insurers are.

What does gadget insurance cover?

Gadget insurance policies can cover a whole array of items – perhaps more than you’d think – encompassing emerging tech as well as old school essentials. The products covered can include smartphones , tablets (including iPads), laptops (including MacBooks), iMacs, smartwatches, sat navs, e-readers (including Kindles) , digital cameras, MP3 players, portable games consoles, VR headsets, drones and more.

• Specifically looking for smartphone cover? Head to our guide on mobile phone insurance

Why do I need gadget insurance?

If you’re prone to losing and damaging your devices, a good gadget insurance policy could save you a lot of time, money and hassle in getting a replacement.

What your insurance covers depends on the insurer and the policy plan. Always take a careful note of exactly what your gadget insurance policy stipulates so you don’t get surprised on a technicality and prevented from redeeming your insurance when you need it.

A typical gadget insurance policy will cover you for accidental damage to your devices, theft, loss and breakdown. Other circumstances you may be covered for (but not always) include liquid damage, the cost of unauthorised calls, texts and data when your phone has been stolen, and malicious damage if someone has taken their anger out on your poor device.

Is there anything my gadget insurance won't cover?

As above, this will depend on your products, the insurer and the specific policy you sign up for, so make sure you read the wording carefully. Water damage and breakage through carelessness, for example, may be covered by some policies but not by others.

Additional factors that could prevent you from being covered are the age of the product (a device you’ve had for two or three years may not fall into the policy), a cap on the pay-out for a single incident, and a limit on the number of incidents the insurer will pay out for each year.

Can I get gadget insurance for travelling?

Yes, you can. Aimed at backpackers and holidaymakers alike, there are insurance policies specifically made to cover gadgets while you travel.

If you already have a travel insurance policy, don’t assume this will cover your gadgets on your trip as many don’t. What may be available, however, is an add-on which extends the travel policy to cover your electronic devices.

You may find that these add-ons aren’t as extensive as a specialist travel insurance policy for gadgets, so if you carry a lot of devices while you travel or they’re of particularly high value, it may be worth shopping around for a separate policy.

For those looking for gadget insurance while travelling, World Nomads are perhaps the major player in the market, but you may also want to get a quote from True Traveller who can offer you a policy even if you’ve already begun travelling. 

Doesn't my home insurance cover gadgets like these?  

If you're currently using your home insurance hoping that will cover your phone, think again. Home insurance only covers the device when in the house and even then it's usually in the event of a burglary or a home fire only.

We have more information on this question in our dedicated Q&A: does my home insurance cover gadgets?

Which gadget insurance providers should I compare?

Among the most popular and well-reviewed gadget insurance policies are Protect Your Bubble, Row.co.uk (covering liquid damage and unauthorised calls as well as the more typical issues) and Loveit Coverit Premium (including unlimited worldwide cover).

If you’re pretty locked in to Apple ’s ecosystem in terms of the devices you own, AppleCare+ may be the insurance policy for you, as this can provides specialist technical support and hardware coverage for iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TV, HomePods and iPods.

Of course, the major mobile networks also offer their own insurance products (you’ve almost certainly had the sales pitch if you’ve bought a device in-store!). For smartphones, the annual cost of these range from £100 to £180, with Three, EE and Vodafone able to replace your phone the very next day. O2 takes 5-7 days with its policy.

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• Help and Support
• Travel Insurance
• Gadget Insurance

Gadget cover

Cover for all the tech you couldn’t live without, up to £1.5k cover.

For gadgets that are lost, stolen or damaged in a trip

5 Star rated cover

Our Platinum Travel Insurance has Defaqto's highest rating

Unlimited gadgets

From your camera to your smart watch and more

What’s gadget insurance?

Gadget insurance, also known as gadget cover, is a travel insurance add-on which covers tech items like cameras or mobile phones. It pays for either repairing or replacing lost, stolen or damaged gadgets while you’re travelling. If you choose to add gadget insurance to your travel insurance, we’ll pay up to £1,500 for the gadgets that you need to claim on in a single trip.

Do I need gadget insurance?

Gadget insurance is useful for anyone travelling away with high-value gadgets like cameras, laptops or phones.

You should check whether you're already covered elsewhere:

• On your home or contents insurance - home insurance policies often cover gadgets away from home
• With your phone provider - your phone might still be under warranty, although this usually only applies to mechanical faults

What gadgets we cover

Digital cameras, smart phones, we also cover:.

• Audiovisual and television equipment
• Electronic book readers (Kindles)
• Telescopes and accessories

Check your policy book for the full list.

We'll cover these gadgets up to £1,500 if you bought them new; we can only cover refurbished gadgets from the manufacturer or a reputable retailer.

Guide to your Travel Insurance cover

What isn't covered, gadgets left in public places.

Including tents, cars, hotel storage rooms, or as checked-in baggage.

Wear and tear

We don't cover general wear and tear or gradual deterioration of performance. As the value of gadgets declines over time, we also don't pay out the full cost if the gadget is more than a year old.

Unattended gadgets

We don't cover gadgets you leave unattended unless locked in a safety deposit box where available, or stored safely and hidden from plain view in your locked accommodation.

Mechanical faults

This includes damage caused by the failure of electrical equipment, software, or any associated equipment.

Check your policy book for the list of exclusions.

How to add gadget cover to your policy

For new customers, you can add gadget cover as a policy upgrade when buying your travel insurance . If you’re an existing customer, you can add it to your policy through your travel portal .

How to claim on your gadget insurance

Below are the most common claims, but get in touch with us if you're unsure.

My phone's been stolen

If your phone has been stolen, you need to:

• report any theft to the police or your transport operator within 24 hours
• get a police or property irregularity report for the items stolen
• contact your network provider within 24 hours
• have receipts and any other supporting documents ready
• visit our make a claim page to register your claim with us

Remember to check your excess limits.

I've lost my gadget

Contact your accommodation or transport provider to report your gadget lost in case they locate it. When you're sure it's lost, you need to:

• have receipts, evidence of loss or any other supporting documents ready

My gadget's been damaged

If your gadget's been damaged, you need to:

• take pictures of the damage to your gadget with another device
• have receipts, proof of ownership or any other supporting documents ready

Your excess limits

Excess is the amount of money you pay to your insurance provider if you need to claim. This applies to each insured person for each type of claim you make. For gadget insurance, your excess limits are:


• £50 for Admiral policies

• £50 for Admiral Gold policies

• £50 for Admiral Platinum policies

Always check your policy schedule, as your excess limits might differ if you don't buy directly through us.

Still have questions?

We've answered a bunch of your frequently asked questions.

Useful travel guides

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What to Do if You Lose or Break Your Phone Abroad

Don’t let a lost or damaged phone ruin your vacation. Here’s what you can do to protect your days off (and your phone) before you leave — and recover if an accident happens. 

If your phone gets stolen or lost while abroad.

According to some estimates , nearly 20 million phones are lost or stolen each year. When traveling abroad, new surroundings, distractions and frequent device use may put you at higher risk of a misplaced or stolen phone. If your phone goes missing, try the following:

• Call it: Use your computer or a borrowed device. It’s possible that you’ve simply left it somewhere. You’ll either hear it buzzing or someone who picked it up will answer. 
• Use a find-my-phone feature: This either plays a sound from your device or locates it on a map. This won’t work if your phone is turned off or in Airplane mode.
• Put your phone in lost mode : Remotely lock your device with a passcode and display a custom message on your lock screen. That note can explain that your phone is lost, and provide a contact number or hotel. Lost mode may also suspend the device’s ability to make mobile payments, helping to prevent a thief from racking up account charges. 
• Contact Verizon: Log in to My Verizon or call (800) 922-0204 to suspend service and report a lost or stolen device. Use anti-theft software such as Verizon Mobile Security to wipe your device of any sensitive information. 
• File a police report: In one survey, more than two-thirds of American phone theft victims said they would put themselves in “some amount of danger” to retrieve their device. Don’t be one of them. If you suspect a thief has your phone, don’t try to chase the person down, even if you’re able to track the location. 
• File a claim: Finally, if you’re enrolled in a Verizon insurance program such as Verizon Protect or Total Mobile Protection , file a claim with Asurion or contact their customer service at (888) 881-2622. Replacing a device while you’re traveling abroad is unlikely, so use a laptop or tablet for Wi-Fi calling, or buy an inexpensive prepaid phone. 

If your phone is damaged while traveling.

If your phone is completely unusable and you have Verizon insurance, file a claim as soon as you can. (You may have to wait until you return to get a new device.) In the meantime, turn the phone off and place it in a sealed bag or container to protect it until you return home. While you can seek out reputable 3rd-party cell phone repair shops, know that such work may void your warranty.

However, if your phone just has a cracked screen, you may be able to get through your trip and repair it when you get home. If you need only minimal use from your phone, put it in a clear plastic bag so you don’t cut yourself on the broken glass. Handle the device delicately to prevent further damage. 

Prevent phone damage and loss before you travel.

Before you leave on a trip, back up your phone (ideally to the cloud). Use a protective case that will prevent a dropped phone from turning into a broken one. And make sure you have a phone insurance plan that covers a lost, stolen or broken device — especially if you have a newer phone that you recently invested in.

Simple safety preparations and a plan for what to do if things go wrong with your phone? Those are 2 worthwhile steps to take so you can better enjoy your time away.

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How to Find the Best Travel Insurance

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Table of Contents

What travel insurance covers

How much does travel insurance cost, types of travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, what to look for in travel insurance, best travel insurance comparison sites, which insurance company is best for travel insurance, when to skip travel insurance, travel insurance, recapped.

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more.

Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions, depth of coverage, your age and add-ons.

You can get it through credit cards or third-party companies, & can shop on travel insurance comparison sites.

Before buying, evaluate risks, know existing coverage, obtain quotes online and review policy details warily.

Skip it if you buy flexible airfare and hotels, already have coverage or only book refundable activities.

Booking travel always carries some degree of uncertainty. Travel insurance provides a safety net so you can step out with confidence. You may not need travel insurance for inexpensive trips, but it can provide a sense of security when you prepay for pricey reservations, a big international trip or travel during cold and flu season, which can be unpredictable.

According to insurance comparison site Squaremouth, travelers in 2023 spent an average of $403 for comprehensive coverage, compared to $96 for medical-only policies. Comprehensive plans typically cost between 5% and 10% of the insured trip cost.

Since that price tag is no small amount, it helps to know how to shop smart for travel insurance. Here's how to find the right travel insurance plan for you and your next adventure.

Depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for, the chart below will help you determine what to look for when selecting a policy:

Depending on the policy, travel insurance reimburses you or offers services when something goes awry. There’s even coverage for the worst-case scenario: if you die in an accident while traveling. Accidental death coverage pays your beneficiary a lump sum in that case.

Before you buy, take a little time to get familiar with different types of travel insurance products, how it’s priced, and what it covers and excludes. If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, you’ll want to make sure that the policy you select covers coronavirus-related emergencies. Usually, the more thorough the coverage, the more it will cost.

Travel insurance costs vary depending on:

Length and cost of the trip: The longer and more expensive the trip, the higher the policy cost.

Cost of local health care: High health-care costs in your destination can drive up the price of trip insurance.

Medical conditions you want covered: Conditions you already have will increase the cost of travel insurance coverage.

Amount and breadth of coverage: The more risks a policy covers, the more it will cost.

Your age: Generally the older you are, the higher the price.

Any optional supplement you add to your policy : Cancel For Any Reason , Interrupt For Any Reason and more.

Keep these factors in mind when considering different travel insurance options.

You’ll find a wide selection of travel protection plans when you shop for a policy.

Typically, travel insurance is sold as a package, known as a comprehensive plan, which includes a variety of coverage.

Here are seven of the most common types of travel insurance:

Travel medical insurance

These plans provide health insurance while you’re away from home. Although in some ways these policies work like traditional health plans, generally you cannot use travel health insurance for routine medical events. For example, a routine medical checkup is usually not covered. In addition, these policies often include limitations on coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Although most travel insurance plans cover many recreational activities, such as skiing and horseback riding, they often exclude adventure sports, such as skydiving or parasailing, or competition in organized sporting events. You may need to buy a special travel policy designed for adventure or competitive sports.

International travel insurance

Most likely, your U.S.-based medical insurance will not work while you’re traveling internationally, and Medicare does not provide any coverage once you leave the United States outside of a few very specific exemptions. If you plan on traveling abroad, purchasing travel medical insurance could make a lot of sense.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if the tour operator goes out of business or you have to cancel the trip for one of the covered reasons outlined in the policy, such as:

Your own illness.

The illness or death of a family member who’s not traveling with you.

Natural disasters.

Trip interruption insurance covers the nonrefundable cost of the unused portion of the trip if it is interrupted due to a reason outlined in the policy.

Trip delay coverage reimburses you for expenses such as lodging and meals if you’re delayed during a trip (e.g., your flight gets canceled due to weather ).

Many package policies cover all three. These policies are different from the cancellation waivers that cruise lines and tour operators offer, the Insurance Information Institute says. Waivers are cheap, ranging from $40 to $60, and often include restrictions. For example, according to the institute, waivers might not refund your money if you cancel immediately before departure. Waivers are technically not insurance policies.

Some companies offer additional layers of coverage at extra cost. “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage will reimburse a large part of the trip cost, no matter why you back out. And some companies let you pay extra to cover pre-existing conditions if you cancel for medical reasons.

Some insurers and comparison sites let you customize a policy by choosing types of coverage a la carte. For example, TravelInsurance.com is a comparison site that provides quotes from different providers.

Baggage and personal belongings

How does lost luggage insurance work? This coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged during the trip. Some plans also reimburse you for extra expenses if you experience a baggage delay for more than a certain period, such as 12 hours.

Your renters or homeowners insurance may cover personal belongings while you are traveling. It’s best to review your homeowners insurance policy to determine the level of coverage it provides so you do not end up paying for a benefit you already have.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Emergency medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation

This coverage pays medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip . Medical evacuation coverage pays for transporting you to the nearest hospital, and medical repatriation pays for flying you to your home country.

» Learn more: Can I get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

24-hour assistance

This service is included with many package plans. The insurer provides a 24-hour hotline that you can call when you need help, such as booking a flight after a missed connection, finding lost luggage, or locating a doctor or lawyer.

Generally, travel insurance companies do not cover sports or any activity that can be deemed risky. If you’re thinking of incorporating adventurous activities into your vacation, choose a plan that includes adventure sports coverage.

Most travel insurers cover a wide array of services, but the specific options vary. Some plans include concierge services, providing help with restaurant referrals, tee time reservations and more. Many services also offer information before the trip, such as required vaccinations. The only way to know what’s included is to read the policy.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

This coverage pays a lump sum to your beneficiary, such as a family member, if you die in an accident while on the trip. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies also pay a portion of the sum to you if you lose a hand, foot, limb, eyesight, speech or hearing. Some plans apply only to accidental death in a plane.

This coverage may be duplicative if you already have sufficient life insurance, which pays out whether you die in an accident or from an illness. You may also already have accidental death and dismemberment insurance through work, so it's best to check your policies to ensure you’re not overpaying.

» Learn more: NerdWallet's guide to life insurance

Rental car coverage

Rental car insurance pays for repairing your rental car if it’s damaged in a wreck, by vandals or in a natural disaster. The coverage doesn't include liability insurance, which pays for damage to other vehicles or for the medical treatment of others if you cause an accident and are held responsible.

Ask your car insurance company whether your policy will cover you when renting cars on the trip. U.S. car insurance policies generally don’t cover you when driving in other countries, except Canada.

Car insurance requirements are complex because they vary among countries. You can usually purchase liability insurance from the rental car company. Learn about car insurance requirements by searching for auto insurance by country on the U.S. Embassy website .

» Learn more: Best credit cards for rental car coverage

A note about single vs. long-term policies

Single trip insurance plans are a great option for those going on a single trip for a specific length of time (e.g., a two-week vacation) and then returning home. The price of the policy is usually determined by the cost of the trip.

Long-term travel policies cover you for multiple trips, but there are limitations to how long you can be away from home, if you can return home during your travels and how many trips you can take. In addition, trip cancellation and interruption coverage is either not offered or capped at a dollar amount that can be significantly below the total cost of all the trips taken during the covered period.

Long-term travel insurance plans — often called 'multi-trip' or 'annual travel insurance' — are a suitable option for those who travel often and are satisfied with the amount of trip cancellation coverage for all the trips they take over the duration of the policy.

» Learn more: How annual (multi-trip) travel insurance works

Below, we include how to obtain travel insurance, along with the pros and cons of each option.

Some credit cards offer trip cancellation and rental car insurance if you use the card to book the trip or car.

When you book a trip with your credit card, depending on the card you use, you may already receive trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

» Learn more: 10 credit cards that provide travel insurance

Here are a handful of credit cards with travel insurance benefits.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

Pros: Coverage is free.

Cons: You can’t customize the insurance to meet your needs. Most credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance, which pays for the costs not covered by your regular car insurance plan.

Travel agents and travel reservation sites

You can buy travel insurance when you book your flight, hotel and car rental.

Pros: Buying is as quick and easy as clicking “yes” when you book reservations. Coverage is inexpensive.

Cons: You can’t customize the coverage.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. independent travel insurance

Travel insurance comparison sites

You can compare different policies and review quotes at once based on the trip search criteria you’ve input into the search form. Examples include marketplaces like Squaremouth or TravelInsurance.com.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs and compare policies and pricing in one place.

Cons: Comparing multiple policies takes time.

Travel insurance companies

You can purchase travel insurance directly from an insurance provider.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs. Many travel insurer websites also offer information to help you understand the coverage.

Cons: You’ll need to go to multiple websites to compare coverage and pricing.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now

Keep these tips in mind when you’re considering a trip insurance policy.

Evaluate the financial risks you face when traveling. Can you bear those costs yourself, or do you want insurance?

Examine what coverage you already have: Does your credit card offer travel insurance? Do you have renters or homeowners insurance to cover belongings? What is the deductible? Will your health plan cover you in all the locations where you travel?

Get quotes for trip insurance online. Choose a package of the benefits you need and compare prices for similar coverage among carriers.

Narrow your choices and then read the policy fine print to understand what’s covered, what’s excluded and the limits on coverage. You may find that the lowest-priced policy is too restrictive and that paying a little more gets you the coverage you need. Or you might find that the cheapest, most basic policy fits the bill.

If you don’t know which provider to go with, it makes sense to browse a list of plans on a travel insurance comparison site. These online marketplaces will often include plans from the best travel insurance companies along with customer reviews.

Squaremouth

Compare plans from more than 30 providers.

Over 86,000 customer reviews of insurers.

Under its Zero Complaint Guarantee, Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will remove a provider if any customer complaint isn't resolved to its satisfaction.

Has a filter option to see policies that provide COVID-coverage.

TravelInsurance.com

Compare plans from 13 providers.

See good and poor customer ratings and reviews for each insurer when you receive quotes.

“Learning Center” includes travel insurance articles and travel tips, including important how-to information.

Quotes provided from each provider include a link to COVID-19 FAQs, making it easy for customers to review what’s covered or not.

InsureMyTrip

Compare plans from more than two dozen providers.

More than 70,000 customer reviews.

“Anytime Advocates” help customers navigate the claim process and will work on behalf of the customer to help with appealing a denied claim.

Includes a link to plans that offer COVID coverage.

Compare plans from 11 providers.

Search coverage by sporting activity, including ground, air and water sports.

Many types of plans available for students, visiting family members, new immigrants, those seeking COVID quarantine coverage and more.

Compare different insurance plans from 35 providers.

Over 5,600 customer reviews on Trustpilot, with an average 4.9 stars out of five.

Formerly known as AardvarkCompare, AARDY includes a “Travel Insurance 101” learning center to help customers understand various policies and benefits.

Quote search results page includes COVID-coverage highlighted in a different color to make it easier for customers to review related limits.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care, COVID coverage or a policy that includes extreme sports, these providers have you covered.

Our full analysis and more details about each organization can be found here: The Best Travel Insurance Companies Today .

Allianz Global Assistance .

Travel Guard by AIG .

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services .

Travel Insured International .

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Seven Corners .

AXA Assistance USA .

There are a few scenarios when spending extra on travel insurance doesn't really make sense, like:

You booked flexible airline tickets.

Your hotel room has a good cancellation policy.

It's already included in your credit card.

You haven't booked any nonrefundable activities.

» Learn more: When you don't need travel insurance

Yes, especially for nonrefundable trips and travel during the COVID-era. Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or have travel insurance from your credit card, you shouldn't travel without having some sort of travel protection in place to safeguard you and your trip. Travel insurance can protect you in case of an unexpected emergency such as a canceled flight due to weather, a medical event that requires hospitalization, lost luggage and more.

There are many good travel insurance policies out there and a policy that may be great for you may not be good for someone else. Selecting the best plan depends on what coverage you would like and your trip details.

For example, World Nomads offers a comprehensive travel insurance policy that has excellent coverage for adventure sports. Allianz provides coverage for trips of varying lengths of time through its single trip plans and multi-trip plans. Some providers offer add-on options like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance. If you’re not sure which plan to go with, consider looking at trip insurance comparison sites like Squaremouth or Insuremytrip.

Yes, you can. However, it's better to purchase it sooner rather than later, ideally right after booking your trip because the benefits begin as soon as you purchase a policy.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your trip cancellation benefits to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans offer trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and dental, medical evacuation, trip delay and lost luggage coverage. Many plans offer COVID coverage, but you’ll always want to check to ensure that the policy you choose provides that benefit if you’re traveling during these times. Some plans may also allow you to add features like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

However, the coverage provided by the credit cards is usually lower than if you purchased a standalone policy. Review the travel insurance benefits on your credit card and check that the limits are adequate before foregoing from purchasing a separate plan.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your

trip cancellation benefits

to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Platinum Card® from American Express

offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

Unpredictability is one of the mind-opening joys of travel, but travel insurance should contain no surprises. The time you spend to understand your options will be well worth the peace of mind as you embark on your next adventure.

Whether you’re seeking a single or a long-term policy, each travel insurance option offers different strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right policy depends on your trip needs, your budget and how important various benefits are to you.

Keep reading

If you want to dig in deeper to world of travel insurance, these resources will point you in the right direction.

What is travel insurance? How much is travel insurance? Is travel insurance worth it? What does travel insurance cover? Does travel insurance cover COVID?

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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The 10 Best Tips For Using A Cell Phone During International Travel

Traveling abroad? Use these tips to stay connected without going broke

• Western Sydney University
• Switching from Android

iPhones and Android smartphones will work in any country you travel to, but their functionality can be limited depending on your current mobile plan, whether you want to rent a SIM card or portale Wi-Fi devices upon arrival, and how well you prepare your apps before your departure.

Here are 10 things you need to know to save some money and get the most out of your smartphone when traveling internationally.

Confirm International Texting, Calling, And Data Fees

By far the most-important thing you need to do before traveling abroad is to check with your service provider about their current policies relating to international cell phone use and what your current contract already allows.

Global roaming functionality used to be an extra feature that users would have to manually opt into using for an additional fee. This has now changed and many cell phone service providers such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile now activate international texting, calling, and data features automatically as soon as the handset is used in a foreign country.

This activation usually incurs a pricey fee that's recharged on a daily basis and can get very expensive if you're planning to travel for a long period of time. Metro PCS' World Calling is another popular service many people use for making international phone calls while traveling.

Mobile providers frequently update their international roaming services with new prices, features, and payment options. Verizon , AT&T , and T-Mobile each have dedicated pages on their official websites that detail their current options. However, you may have signed up for a contract that was created before the current model launched so the updated information on their sites may not apply to you. The best advice for cell phone usage when going abroad is to talk to a customer service representative over the phone or in person about your specific mobile phone contract.

Check If Your Smartphone's Unlocked

guvendemir/GettyImagesPlus

If you're planning to use an international cell phone plan with your current provider while traveling overseas, you don't really need to worry about whether your smartphone is unlocked or not. If you're thinking of renting a SIM card once you arrive at your target destination though, this bit of information is incredibly important.

Having a locked phone means that it can only be used on one specific provider's cellular network and this means that you won't be able to use that phone in a country where that network doesn't exist. If your phone is unlocked, you can use it on other cellular networks both in your home country and abroad.

Rent A SIM Card For International Cell Phone Use

Juanma Domínguez/Moment/GettyImages

SIM card rental allows you to use all of your phone's features, such as phone calls, text messages, and cellular data, by swapping out your current SIM card for one that's compatible with the country you're visiting.

While using another SIM card, your phone will be unable to receive texts or calls to your regular phone number as the SIM card will give your phone a new number. Due to this side effect, it's recommended to tell friends and family to contact you via email or a chat app like Facebook Messenger while you're traveling.

SIM card rental is available in most regions and can be done at specialized stores in major airports and at cell phone company branches. Renting a SIM card is generally much cheaper than paying for an international roaming service, especially for those planning to travel abroad for several days or weeks.

Rent A Portable Wi-Fi Device Instead

If you don't need texting or phone calls while traveling overseas and you think you'll be fine using your smartphone's apps for communication and navigation, a popular alternative to rental SIMs is a portable Wi-Fi device .

These Wi-Fi devices are about the size of a deck of cards and can be carried in your pocket or handbag. They broadcast a strong Wi-Fi signal to which you can connect your smartphone and other devices while traveling.

Such devices can usually be rented at airports and in telephone service provider stores. Some tourist information buildings also offer them to travelers.

Invest In A Quality Battery Pack

Odds are when you're traveling overseas, you're going to be using your phone a lot more than usual to navigate and to take photos and video. Your phone will also likely be going longer without chance to recharge and all of this extra usage will use up its battery power a lot faster than normal.

To prevent you from ending up with a dead phone while on the road, some good advice for smartphone owners is to invest in a good quality battery pack that can hold a significant amount of power. These typically feature at least one USB slot which can be used to recharge your smartphone, tablet, or other electronic accessories. A quality battery pack is a solid addition to any travel tech kit.

While most battery packs can be charged by being plugged into a wall, a growing number also boast solar panels which lets them be charged by the sun. These can be useful when traveling anywhere really but they're particularly practical for travelers that go camping.

Buy A Modern USB Power Adapter

A traditional power adapter with old-school power sockets for your chargers and laptop is a necessary purchase if you want to keep your electronics charged while traveling. If you're planning to buy a new adapter though, it's worth investing in a modern model which has at least one built-in USB port .

A USB port in an adapter will save you a lot of space when packing as USB cables generally take up much less room than cables with wall plugs on one end. USB charging cables will also likely work with more than one of your devices so you won't have to bring a separate cable for everything you own.

Pre-Download Media For Long Flights

Caiaimage/AgnieszkaOlek/GettyImages

When using your cell phone for international travel, you're bound to experience significant periods of time when you have access to neither a cellular nor Wi-Fi network and accessing online content will be almost impossible.

Because of this, it's a good idea to download some content before you travel so you have something to keep you entertained during your flight or after you arrive in a foreign country. The Netflix smartphone app lets you download many of its movies and TV shows, while the official YouTube apps have the ability to download your favorite videos if you're a YouTube Premium subscriber .

If you're not a subscriber of YouTube Premium, there's still a way to download YouTube videos to your device for offline viewing.

Other good options for offline media include the first-party digital stores for iOS , Android, and Windows 10 devices, all of which allow for the downloading of movies, songs, podcasts, and TV series. Spotify is another good choice for podcast downloads and music downloads, though you'll need a Spotify Premium membership to download songs for offline listening.

Pre-Download Maps For Offline Access

KlausVedfelt/DigitalVision/GettyImages

Unless you're paying for a global roaming package when going overseas, you'll likely be arriving at your target destination with no online functionality on your phone. This can make looking up travel information on your maps app very difficult or in many cases impossible.

Some airports do offer free Wi-Fi but many don't. The airport's Wi-Fi shouldn't be relied upon either, as once you leave the airport and get in a train, bus, taxi, or Uber , your smartphone will go completely offline again.

Fortunately, many map apps allow for the downloading of maps for offline viewing before you get to your location. Google Maps supports such a feature on both Android and iOS devices while the Maps app on Windows 10 laptops and tablets also contains this functionality.

While a lot of the location data can be downloaded in map apps, most of the public transport information won't function when offline. A good alternative is to download the local public transport app for your target destination before you go. Many of these apps work completely offline and also feature some useful information on the transport services available.

Set Up Cloud Services On Your Mobile Device

Westend61 / Brand X Pictures

Having your smartphone lost, broken, or stolen during international travel is always a possibility. Fortunately, experiencing any one of these bad situations doesn't have to be as devastating as it once was due to a variety of cloud services that can back up all of your photos, videos, and app settings to the cloud for access on another phone, tablet, or computer in the future.

The iPhone and Android smartphone first-party cloud services, iCloud and Google Drive , are usually installed and enabled by default on their respective devices to save your data to their respective servers but there are also some third-party options that you may want to check out as a backup.

Dropbox and Microsoft's OneDrive two popular alternatives to the default smartphone cloud options but there are a number worth checking out. Most cloud services can work alongside each other to back up your data so if you reach your data limit on one, you can rest assured that one of the other services has picked up the slack.

Prepare For App Content Changes In Other Countries

While many apps and services can function abroad, many travelers discover that some licenced content on their cell phone's apps changes slightly despite the same app and account being used as back home.

For example, a variety of music playlists may be available in the Fitbit Coach and other fitness smartphone apps when using them in the United States but you may find your song selection to be more limited when traveling to New Zealand. Once Upon a Time and Frasier may be on your Netflix list back home, but when traveling to Australia you may find that they disappear from the Netflix app completely.

The changing of content within apps isn't necessarily always a bad thing, though. While some of your favorite shows may become unavailable in Netflix when traveling to Japan for example, you'll also gain access to a lot of great Japanese films and anime series that you wouldn't be able to watch with your Netflix account back home.

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Travel Advice: Important information about cover for Coronavirus. Read more . View the latest travel warnings here .

Stolen Mobile Phone – Am I Covered by my Travel Insurance?

Imagine jetting off overseas without your dearest friend, your mobile phone? Inconceivable!

But what happens when a phone as loveable as yours catches the attention of a pickpocket or career crim? Can you count on your travel insurance to bail you out?

Fact: mobile phones – especially those with selfie cameras –  make travelling more fun. They’re also damn handy and a vital travel safety tool, in our books. Little wonder most Australian travellers won’t take off without theirs.

The downside to bringing you phone on holiday is that it’s a juicy target for thieves working the tourist traps and beyond. Phones are small, well some are, and thus easy to nick. We’re also in the habit of having them in our hands a lot, so the risk of having a flashy mobile phone spotted is pretty high, as is the dastardly possibility of resting your precious phone on a table top or taxi seat, only to leave your little mate behind. Tragic!

Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to fall victim to phone theft whilst overseas. So vigilance is obviously key. So to is having a backup, like having important documents printed and stashed away for in case your phone develops legs.

How will your travel insurance cover a stolen phone?

Equally important is knowing whether the travel insurance policy can cover the costs of replacing your device. The good news is, proper travel insurance policies typically cover lost or stolen ‘personal items’ up to a certain value – and mobile phones, along with tablets, laptops and cameras, fall into this box.

There are conditions of course, we’ll get to that in a minute, but first, here’s what your insurer should be able to do for you.

WHAT’S COVERED?

Whether you’ve lost your phone, bags and gear, had them stolen or accidentally damaged, both Travel with Jane’s basic and comprehensive  travel insurance cover pays up to $5,000 to either replace, repair or pay you the cash value of the items lost, in total. Out of that total, all mobile phone devices, including Android phones, iPhones and Windows phones are covered up to $1000 each. Cameras, laptops and tablets are covered up to $3,000 each, while personal items like clothes, shoes, cosmetics, books and so on are covered up to $750 per item lost.

If your phone or device is stolen or damaged on your trip Travel with Jane will pay to repair or replace up to a total of $2,000 on Basic  cover, $10,000 on  Comprehensive  and  Domestic  cover levels. This benefit is not available on  Saver  cover.

The maximum amount Travel with Jane will pay for any item (single item limit) is:

• $3,000 for personal computers, video recorders or cameras;
• $1,000 for mobile phones (including PDA’s and any items with phone capabilities)
• $750 for all other Luggage and Personal Effects.

WHAT’S THE CATCH?

No catch, but there are conditions. Also, please remember the little issue of excess. We’ll get to that next, but first, here’s when you can, and can’t claim on travel insurance for a lost or stolen phone.

Mobile phone CLAIM tips

Phone stolen? To claim, you need to have reported the theft or permanent misplacement to police, a transport carrier or travel operator, within 24 hours. Keep a copy of the police report !

You’ll need to provide your lost or stolen phone’s IMEI code (International Mobile Equipment Identity) with your claim. We’ll also need you to have blocked the IMEI with your Aussie mobile network. Without an IMEI code we can’t process your claim. Note, blocking your IMEI is different to blocking your SIM.

As with all insurance claims on stuff, you need to be able to prove that you owned the mobile phone in the first place. Receipts and phone contracts will do the job.

want more cover?

Phones equal life, right? Take out a little extra insurance to cover your digital BFFs against damage and theft. The device add-on is good for up to 5 devices including mobiles, laptops, GPS, cameras & other devices.

If you select the Travel with Jane Device add-on at the time of buying your policy, and you have paid the required additional premium, you will have cover for up to five devices. That’s up to $5,000 for one device, up to a total of $10,000 for up to five devices.

If while you are on your trip during the period of insurance, your device is lost, stolen or damaged, we will at our discretion either:

• pay you the value of the device after allowing for depreciation
• or, arrange and pay for repairing or replacing the device with an item in the same condition.

YOU’RE NOT COVERED WHEN

We can’t cover you if your phone was stolen from an airplane cargo hold. Ditto if the loss, theft or damage occurs in the cargo hold of your train, bus – you name it – we can’t process your claim. This includes jewellery, and laptops, cameras, computers, phones and their accessories. Basically, we need you to be sensible about where you put your precious stuff, and the cargo hold ain’t as safe as keeping valuables on your person.

Same with accidently leaving your phone or luggage behind at a hotel after check out, or on a plane, rental car or other mode of transport. As well as bags left in the car during daylight, unless in the boot, or left in the car overnight, even if left in the boot.

Insurance won’t cover damage due to ordinary wear and tear, weather conditions, insects, rodents or vermin.

HOW THE CLAIM WORKS IN REAL LIFE

The claims process differs from one insurer to another. We’ve tried to make ours as simple as possible with an online claim form that lets you send extra info like police reports and receipts, without having to lift the phone or lick a postage stamp.

Once your claim has been approved, we work out how much to pay you based on:

• Depreciation To work out how much to pay you for lost, stolen or damaged devices, we need to determine and apply depreciation due to age, wear and tear for each item. Depreciation applies unless we’re talking about stuff bought duty free, or on your trip.
• Repair or Replace When it comes to replacing or repairing your luggage or personal items, we reserve the right to choose which course of action to take.

WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT EXCESS AGAIN?

Just like car insurance claims, travel insurance claims also charge excess, and the amount can vary from company to company.

If you ever need to make a claim on an item with excess, you’ll need to pay $100 per person towards each claim. That’s $100 per person per claim. By ‘each claim’ we mean each section of cover. As an example, if you need to make a claim on stolen luggage and emergency hospitalisation, you’ll be charged the excess on both claims. That’s $100 excess on your luggage claim, and $100 on your hospital claim. By ‘charged’ we mean we’ll pay $100 less on each claim, so if your lost luggage claim came to $800, we’ll pay you $800 less the $100 excess.

The devil is in the detail, so if you’re still not sure about how travel insurance takes care of stolen mobile phones take note of some important rules and exceptions by having a read of your policy PDS . You’re also more than welcome to give us a call or email [email protected] . We’ll sort you out!

Bring Travel with Jane travel insurance along for the ride and be covered when you need it most. Get a personalised quote to see how much you could save on cover and extras.

Understand your cover

Conditions and exclusions apply to every cover level and optional pack. View our Combined Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide for full details. Sub-limits apply. Not sure? Our friendly team are here to help. Get in touch

We support women who challenge the gender pay gap

Since Day 1 Travel with Jane has been about levelling the playing field for women in Australia. In 2020, we’re taking the fight global. Stay tuned to learn how you can support the women who tackle the gender divide here and abroad.

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Gadget travel insurance from £2.99 /MONTH

• Suitable for Worldwide Cover or Staycations in Devon
• 93% claims accepted*
• No single item limit

Why have separate travel phone insurance cover?

We never increase your premium after a claim.

Claim online 24/7, no limit on claims.

At Insurance2go we insure the full value of your device.

We insure most phones bought new or refurbished from a UK registered company.

Pay monthly or Annual, and cancel anytime.

We’ve been recommended by MSE for years’.

Always a pleasure dealing with insurance2go. I’ve just insured my new device. I went with them because I previously had my phone nicked in Barcelona! Called them up, advised it was an online form. The advisor emailed it to me, I filled it out and the device was waiting for me by the time I got back to the uk (2 days after making the claim). Came in original box with all the accessories. Cheaper monthly premium and excess that insuring direct with networks and to be honest with you a lot more hassle free Adam Moorhouse

Choose a Separate phone insurance policy

Single item limit.

Many travel insurance policies have a single-item limit.  It means you'll only be covered up to a certain value for each gadget -  It can be as little as £100 or £1,000.

Staycation or globe trotter

Whether you are heading off to Cornwall or the Cayman Islands your device(s) are covered 365 days a year.

How much Tech?

As a family, add up all the devices your take on holiday - laptops, tablets, smartphone and the rest.  Now add up the value of those devices.  A family of 4, with two teenagers, could easily take on holiday 4 smartphones and a tablet and maybe a laptop.  That's could easily come to over £3,000.  Most travel insurers won't cover all those items.  Insurance2go will cover the replacement value of each device you insure.

Are all your gadgets covered?  

We've compared travel insurance policies for some of the top insurers in the uk..

A typical family* of four might take 1 smartphone each, a tablet and maybe a laptop.  That means if the worst happens and you lose all your device...you're not covered.

*Our typical family includes; mum owning a Google Pixel 4A (£499), Dad owns an iPhone 11 (£599),  Child #1 owns Samsung A71 (£419) and child #2 own iPhone 8 (£229), and also an iPad Air (£579).  Other families might also own smartphones, cameras and games consoles.!  So we may be underestimating this cost.  When you insure with insurance2go each policy covers an individual device. (As of  1 July 2021)  

What type of phone insurance do you need?

Choosing the right type of mobile phone insurance is straightforward. You will usually have a choice of plans with different cover levels which provide varying degrees of protection for your phone. Mobile insurance policies which provide the highest levels of cover will cost the most, but it’s important that you choose a level of protection that suits you. You can compare our phone insurance plans in the table below:

New or Refurbished phones

We'll cover your new or refurbished devices brought in the UK within the last 36 months, as long as they were purchased with a 12-month warranty.

Accidental damage

If your screen gets cracked or the headphone jack breaks, we’ll repair it. If it’s not repairable, we’ll replace it.

Mechanical breakdown

If your phone has a mechanical breakdown, for example it stops working and it’s out of warranty, send it to us, we'll repair it - if it’s not repairable, we’ll replace it.

Malicious damage

If someone outside your immediate family damages your phone, we've got you covered. We’ll either repair your phone, or, if that's not possible, replace it.

Liquid damage

Your phone is covered if it gets damaged by liquids.

Worldwide cover

Wherever you go in the world, provided that this is in line with current government guidance, our worldwide cover goes with you.

If you accidentally lose your phone while you're covered with us, we’ll replace it for you.

We’ll replace your phone if it’s stolen.

eWallet payments

You're covered for up to £100 if your eWallet is used to make unauthorised contactless payments.

Unauthorised usage

You’re covered for up to £1,000 worth of unauthorised calls, texts and downloads made in the first 24 hours after the loss or theft of your phone.

Tips for traveling with gadgets

Protect your devices - cases & screen protectors.

Data, Data, Data

Turn off data roaming. It may cost a small fortune.

Lost forever

Back up before you go. Got cloud storage? Even better!

Popular handsets

Here are some of the most popular phones that our customers buy polices for - if you see yours take a look at what we could offer you.

Get an instant quote for your device

Your phone should meet the following requirements, it should be less than 36 months old.

We’ll cover your phone provided you bought it new with the last 36 months.

You bought it from an authorised dealer

This means any UK registered company.

You bought it in the UK

We can only insure phones which have been supplied from a UK-based network provider or retailer.

You are 18 years old, or over

You have to be 18 years or older to buy an insurance policy. This means you can buy a policy for your child's device and you will be the policyholder for the insurance.

New or refurbished devices

We'll cover a new or refurbished device, as long as they were purchased with a minimum 12-month warranty.

It’s in good working order

Your phone must be in good working order at the start of the policy term.

Your questions answered

Is mobile phone insurance worth it.

New devices and handsets are the norm these days - with all major manufacturers releasing new models every year. Whilst incremental improvements to their specifications are not as vast in each annual release as they were a few years ago, the prices of the top of the range modern handsets are now in excess of £1,000. Making an investment in the latest technology is becoming an expensive past-time, and we believe the decision to take out insurance to protect your phone should become an important consideration for most. Most new devices are purchased with a connected contract - i.e. as part of a bi-annual upgrade or new phone contract, with one of the network providers. If you then accidentally drop it resulting in a cracked screen, or are unfortunate enough to lose your phone, you're left with a pretty large monthly bill which you're obliged to pay without your nice shiny piece of tech (or at least one with a few dents and scratches!). Whilst you'll have to stump up a monthly premium (or pay it off in a lump sum) to insure your mobile, and bear in mind there will also be an excess payment if the worst does happen, this is a drop in the ocean compared to having to find another £1,000 to replace your phone.

Is my mobile phone covered by my home insurance?

Before you purchase a specialist mobile phone insurance policy, it's a good idea to check if your mobile is already covered by another policy or benefit. If you are already covered it's worth checking how much cover you have. Remember that home insurance policies may provide different cover levels compared to more specialised policies like ours. Other factors to think about include that your home insurance policy may not cover your handset outside of your home. Also, don’t forget that the policy excess on your home insurance can be high (sometimes around £500), and should you make a claim for a phone on this type of policy, it could have an impact on your no claims bonus, increasing any future premium you take out.

What does mobile insurance cover?

It is important to ensure you take out appropriate cover to suit your individual needs, and is why we've chosen to offer two policy cover levels. Each of our policies have a series of benefits which come as standard:

• If you're prone to dropping your phone you'll get accidental damage cover to protect against a cracked screen or LCD damage
• You're also covered in case of malicious damage and liquid damage to your device
• We'll help you if your phone develops a fault or suffers a mechanical breakdown
• We cover the accessories you get when the phone is purchased - up to £150
• Unlimited Worldwide Insurance Cover.
• We offer cover for you & your immediate family when using the handset
• You also get unlimited claims as standard across both policies.

For complete peace of mind our Full Cover policy also insures you against loss, theft, unauthorised mobile payments (up to £100) and unauthorised calls/messages/downloads (up to £1000).  Check out the Insurance Policy Information Documents in the comparison table above for full details of what is included, and for information about what is not covered.

How can I keep my phone safe?

Whilst we can help bring peace of mind when it comes to protecting your phone, there are some things you can do to keep your device safe, for example, purchasing a sturdy case for your phone can help protect it against bumps and scrapes. Additionally, when taking your device anywhere with you, you should keep it hidden and out of sight in your bag or pocket to deter pickpockets. You should never leave your phone unattended or in the possession of people you do not know or trust. If you must leave your device in the car, ensure your phone is out of sight and the vehicle is locked and all doors and windows are closed. We also recommend that you regularly back up your device. Should the worst happen and you lose, or have your phone stolen, your contacts, messages, emails and photos will be up to date to the point you last backed up your phone.

What won't be covered by phone insurance?

It’s important to check the small print before choosing the correct policy for you. Your mobile insurance policy should reflect your lifestyle and have the appropriate level of cover for your device. If you travel often to foreign countries, make sure your policy covers either the world, or the country you are travelling too. There may also be limitations in the number of days your ‘phone’ can be out of the country. Read the following to tips before choosing which policy is correct for you. • Intentional Damage. This may seem obvious however, you cannot claim for repairs if you purposely damaged your own phone. • Theft while unattended. Whilst certain policies cover for theft, you may sometimes not be covered if you have left your phone unattended, maybe in a coffee shop or on the train. It’s worth checking with individual insurers. • A lost SIM Card. Mobile phone Insurance doesn’t typically cover lost SIM cards. You should get in touch with your network provider to organise a replacement. • Reporting Lost or Stolen. If your phone has been stolen in the UK or abroad, you must report your phone as being stolen with the police. You can do this online or at a local Police station. If you don’t complete this step it’s likely your claim will be declined. Delays reporting your loss can sometimes mean you are not covered. Check with your provider or review the Terms of Insurance to get the full picture.

Can I insure an old phone?

Yes! As long as it is 36 months old or under. We just ask that the phone is in good working order when you take out your policy and that it was new or refurbished when you purchased it.

In the case of refurbished devices, you will need to have obtained a 12 month warranty from the network or retailer who supplied you with the device.

You may be asked to provide a proof of purchase if you make a claim, so make sure you know where yours is before you purchase a policy. 

Phone insurance for travelling

Insurance guides

Is gadget insurance worth it?

Gadget insurance for accidental damage.

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– A Malaysian Solo Traveler –

Bahasa Malaysia |  English

What to Do When You Lose Your Phone While Traveling Solo

When I was in Latvia in October 2018, an unfortunate thing happened. I spent one night in prison and lost my phone the morning after.

This happened on the 4 th day of my 2-week trip. So, I had to survive for 10 days without a phone. 

Ten.  Days .

While that probably doesn’t sound like much to some people, to some others it might be unthinkable! I was somewhere in between, I guess. While it wasn’t the end of the world for me, it was still a very trying experience.

But I believe that every experience, good or bad, always has a lesson behind it. These were some of the things I learned when I lost my phone while traveling solo:

Table of Contents

1. Panicking Doesn't Help

This may be easier said than done, but try to keep your cool when you’re in a stressful situation. Panicking never helps anyone. Rather, it makes you lose crucial time, leads you to make rash decisions, and possibly make you lose the opportunity to fix the situation.

When I realized that my phone was gone, I quickly retraced my steps, went back to the prison reception to report the loss, and asked them if they could try to call my number. It went unanswered, but I got them to send a text message to my number, offering a cash reward if the person who found it would return the phone to me. I left my contact details in case they managed to retrieve it.

Then, I borrowed another inmate’s phone to alert people back home of what had happened and how to contact me in case of emergencies. Since I was going to Couchsurf for the rest of my trip, I also had to let my hosts know that I would be unreachable and arrange with them when and where to meet.

Had I panicked, I wouldn’t have been able to do all that.

2. We Have Become Too Dependent on Phones

The other thing I noticed was just how dependent I had become on my phone. It’s true what they say – as phones become smarter, people become…less smart.

Apart from the obvious functions like making phone calls and sending text messages, here are the other things I realized I had been relying so much on my phone for:

• Torchlight for finding my way in the dark. Not that I frequently wander around in dark alleys, but it’s useful indoors too (for example, in a hostel room at night when trying not to wake up the other guests, or in a sleeper train/bus after they’ve turned off the lights, or to look for the hair clip that I dropped under the bed).
• Clock  because I don’t always bring my watch with me when I travel, for fear that I might lose it. Oh, the irony!
• Calendar to alert me on upcoming flights/trains/buses, etc.
• Calculator to keep track of my expenses and convert those tricky currencies.
• GPS for using the offline map (because unlike some people, I don’t have a built-in navigation system in my brain).
• E-hailing apps to book a ride in places where there are no buses/trains.
• Booking apps, banking apps,  and a whole load of other apps that are essential for travel.
• E-mail, because all flight details, tickets, boarding passes, booking confirmations, forgotten passwords, and everything else are sent to your e-mail.
• Entertainment, social media, camera, address book, and Google.

3. Phones Can Be Tracked Down

I learned this a little too late, but most phones can now be tracked remotely, provided that you have installed the necessary app. There are many apps that are specifically designed to locate a lost phone. Some of their services include:

• Tracking down your phone via GPS
• Locking and erasing your phone remotely
• Remotely activating a loud and/or flashing alarm on the phone
• Forwarding calls to another phone number of your choice
• Starting and stopping your device’s Wi-Fi and GPS functions
• Sending and receiving SMS messages via your computer

4. Always Secure Your Information

These days, with all the convenience of online shopping and banking, losing your phone is not just about losing a bunch of numbers to call. It can severely compromise your personal security.

Once someone has access to both your phone and your e-mail account, he can retrieve passwords, get past two-factor authentication systems, log in to your other accounts, make purchases on your expense, and also obtain your personal information, such as your mailing address.

If you’re a woman traveling alone, this gets even scarier because that person also has the details of your flights and accommodation.

The most obvious solution to this (although many people still neglect to do it) is to lock your home screen with a thumbprint or a strong passcode . An experienced hacker will probably still be able to unlock it, but at least it buys you some time to log out remotely, change your passwords, etc.

Do NOT save passwords to your browser , no matter how much time it saves you. Otherwise, a thief could easily access all your sensitive information simply by unlocking your phone.

As soon as you realize that your phone has been stolen, these are the first things you should do:

• Alert your cellphone service provider immediately, so that they can suspend or disconnect your account in order to avoid unauthorized cellular usage.
• If you have installed a “kill switch” on your phone, lock and wipe your phone remotely to prevent the thief from resetting it.
• Get access to a computer, and remotely log out of your e-mail account on all other devices. Then, change your e-mail password as well as the passwords for all important accounts that you access on your phone, especially those that involve financial transactions and your credit card details.

5. Always Back Up Your Data

Every time I travel, I usually have important documents printed out and keep at least two copies, one in my backpack, and the other in the hostel safe.

If necessary, e-mail a copy to a trusted friend , in case you’re unable to retrieve it online. I also write down important phone numbers and addresses in a little notebook that I always carry with me.

As for photos, both iPhone and Android devices have features for online storage.  Otherwise, upload them regularly to your social media accounts for safekeeping. I was glad that I had uploaded my photos everyday, but I had still lost the ones I took in the prison (there was no WiFi there).

6. Cyber Cafes are Extinct

I had a long layover at Beijing International Airport before my flight home, and I was bored out of my mind. It was a small terminal, the bookstore only sold Chinese books, and there was nothing I could keep myself occupied with.

So, I decided to try my luck and ask the young lady at the information counter if they had a cyber cafe in the airport. The conversation went something like this:

It was amusing and exasperating at the same time. Language barriers aside, kids these days have no idea what internet cafes are. And it’s easy to understand why. These days, there’s no point in having an internet cafe when  everybody has a smartphone and there’s wifi everywhere .

But you have no idea how frustrating it is to see all those “Free Wifi” signs and not be able to use it!

7. Bring a Spare Phone / Camera

When I travel, I sometimes bring a spare phone, knowing how absent-minded I am and how prone I am to losing things. But for some reason, on this particular trip, I chose not to.

Unfortunately, bad things tend to happen when you’re least prepared for them — like how there would be a thunderstorm on the one day that you forget to bring your umbrella.

I had, however, brought a tiny sports camera with me. Although I’m not much of a photographer, taking pictures during my travels is very important to me. So, the spare camera really saved the day.

8. Learn to Do Things the Old-Fashioned Way

Throughout the ten days that I didn’t have a phone with me, I had to relearn how to:

• Read a map. Yes, the paper kind.
• Approach strangers to ask for directions.
• Convert currencies and make quick calculations in my head.
• Ask people (instead of Google) for information.
• Jot down important notes in a notebook. Yes, the paper kind.
• Learn some basic words of the local language instead of using Google Translate.

I consider myself lucky because I wasn’t born with a smartphone in my hand. I had started traveling years before I knew anything about Booking.com or Google Maps.

Everything was done manually. I booked hotels through phonecalls or emails. Sometimes I simply winged it. And I survived. So, I said to myself, “If I could do it then, why can’t I do it now?”

If you’re of the younger generation who are not used to living without a smartphone, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the basic skills of traveling like reading a conventional map. Try to go without a phone for a day and see what you can learn from it.

9. Get a Travel Insurance

First of all, everyone should get a travel insurance.

Secondly, you should study the fine print before you actually buy one. Know exactly what the policy covers and does not cover. The good news is, there are many that do cover lost/stolen personal items, including phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras.

However, there’s usually a limit as to how much you can claim. This varies from one insurer to another and is subject to value depreciation based on the age of the device. Most insurance plans won’t cover:

• Damage due to wear and tear, weather conditions, insects, rodents, or vermin.
• Items accidentally left behind in the hotel room after check-out, on a plane, in a rental car, or other modes of transport.
• Items stolen or damaged in the cargo hold of your train/bus/airplane. This is considered negligence on your part because you’re not supposed to keep valuables in the cargo hold in the first place.

To claim for a lost/stolen/damaged phone, most insurance companies will require:

• A copy of the  police report (made within 24 hours)
• The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) code, which is a unique identifier for your device. But this code can only be obtained when you have the phone with you. So, make sure you get the number (and write it down) before you travel. Click here to learn how.
• Receipts or phone contracts to prove that the device belonged to you.

10. Humanity Isn't Dead

There are bad people out there, but there are also good people. It doesn’t take losing a phone to learn this. Travel –in general –should have already taught you that.

When you’re out there exploring the world (especially if you’re on your own), you’ll quickly learn that while bad people exist, so do good people who would drop everything to help you.

During my phoneless 10 days, people were so willing to help me with directions even when we didn’t speak the same language. Sometimes, I had to borrow strangers’ phones to get in touch with a host that I was supposed to meet. And then there were also those who offered to take photos of me using their cameras and e-mail them to me later.

It was a humbling experience that showed me just how much good there still is in the world.

Have you had anything like this happen to you? What did you do? Share your experience in the comments section below.

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36 comments.

saya setuju dengan semua point2 yang diberikan. memang banyak benda yang kita boleh belajar dari kesilapan tentang kehilangan phone ni. sebab phone ni benda yang cukup penting dan banyak fungsi.

Agreed. Kalau phone zaman dulu tu mungkin tak terasa sangat kehilangan.

Its a good tips especially for those who travelling most! Yes..1st thing 1st try to not panic

Yup. Easier said than done though.

Some good tips you have here Ummi to keep our data secured. By the way, this is a bit out of topic, 2 things I want to share with you as this is my first time visiting your site.

1.Your font-size seems a bit disproportionate, your H2 is too huge! can try out https://type-scale.com/ to check proper font scaling 2.Article title is missing in your current design layout, you may want to add it on top of your article before the feature image.. It makes readers easier to navigate your site.

Thank you for your feedback, Kai Tan. Will look into it. 🙂

last time my iphone lost at sabang island and i only realise when i come back to acheh town …unfortunetly the phone maybe in offline mode and cannot be tracking …the safe way i just erase all data using icloud ….

Omg, iphone, man….I suppose that’s more painful to lose.

Terima kasih share beberapa perkara agar kita semua tidak cuai di dalam menjaga phone ini. hehe.. Sentiasa beringat pabila behenti di kedai makan, sebelum balik amik telefon dahulu. hehe. Stay safe ya

Betul. Kadang-kadang kita jadi absent minded bila tgh holiday sebab seronok sangat sampai tak ingat nak jaga personal belongings.

so sorry to hear your bad incident. we are really attach to cellphone nowadays. I once forgot to bring phone to my Bali trip and lost contact for 4 days!

Hah, you forgot to bring your phone?? But then again, I can totally imagine myself doing that too. 😀

Pengalaman mendewasakan. Wpun pengalaman kawan2, terima kasih sudi share info berguna ni 😊

Sama-sama. Semoga bermanfaat.

Nice info, nnt kena juga buat macam ni kat phone sy, kalau hilang mmg sgt susah hati.

Ya, kena beringat dulu sebelum kena.

Wow.. I couldnt imagine if I lost mine during the trip. But yeah, these tips are really useful for all traveler like us. And point No. 9 is so important! The first thing i purchase after flight ticket is confirmed. 🙏 “Just In Case”! Who knows right.

Yes, we often take it for granted, thinking that nothing bad would happen to us. But nobody who has had an accident thought it was going to happen to them.

I will freak out if i lose my phone. even if i misplaced it. i just cant live without my phone. hahahaha. but yes, i agree that humanity is not dead. there are good people out there.

Hahaha yes, I understand the feeling. It’s like your second life. These days, you can live without a girlfriend/boyfriend, but you certainly can’t live without a phone.

Paling takut bila berlaku begini laaa kan… tapi nasib baim you lebih relax dan panic.. i kena betul-betul juga fahamkan ni, so apa-apa berlaku kita tau nak buat apa nanti..

Masa tu, nak panik pun tak guna jugak, sebab takleh solve apa2. Better sediakan payung sebelum hujan.

Thanks for the tips and info, i can’t imagine that situation but yah need to prepare ourselves also.

Indeed. Better safe than sorry.

I love some tips that you shared. Now a days we too depends on phone. Once we lost it… Its really effect our life

Yup. It seems like the smartphone has taken over our lives these days.

thanks for the tip! Rasanya saya tak boleh bayang kalau saya sendiri kehilangan phone. mesti perkara pertama akan panik! 🙂

Saya walaupun dah prepare untuk kejadian tak diingini macam tu, tapi bila betul2 terjadi, rasa panik dan terkejut tu tetap ada. Cuma kena pandai kawal la.

I don’t have any experience losing phone but this article really great for my knowledge. First thing first – Don’t panic. Hiks…

Yes, not easy to do, admittedly, but it comes with practice. 😀

Tak pernah lagi hilang telefon dan entry ni sangat membantu jika terkena. Yang penting jangan panik. 🙂

Betul – yang penting keep calm. Tapi tu la, kadang2 easier said than done. 😀

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