Mobile phone insurance in Switzerland: is it worth it?
Retailers are always happy to offer mobile phone insurance when selling you a mobile phone. However, your home contents insurance has usually got you covered. Comparis explains what you need to know.
06.02.2024
iStock/heim3011
1. Is my mobile phone covered by my home contents insurance?
There are various ways to insure your mobile phone. In general, these are the available options:
Mobile phone insurance: specific insurance for your mobile phone.
Home contents insurance: insurance for movable items at home.
Home contents accidental damage insurance: additional cover for damage to personal property you cause yourself.
Home contents insurance for mobile phones: it’s worth comparing.
In addition to dedicated mobile phone insurance, you can also cover your mobile phone with home contents insurance.
If you have home contents insurance, your tablets, laptops, PCs as well as your smartphones are insured. If your mobile phone is stolen or destroyed by a fire for example, the insurer will pay the replacement value of the device.
Theft away from home
Has your phone been stolen? If you want to be insured against theft when you’re out and about, choose the supplemental insurance “simple theft away from home”.
Full mobile phone cover with home contents accidental damage insurance
With home contents accidental damage insurance, you are fully covered, including against damage you cause yourself (if you fall over, for example). Depending on your living situation, the sum insured and your deductible, the approximate annual premiums for a two person household are between 100 and 400 francs.
Tip: choose the lowest deductible possible. This way, you’ll be reimbursed the majority of the original value if you make a claim.
2. How much does mobile phone insurance cost?
Mobile phone insurance primarily pays for any necessary repair costs. The benefits provided vary by insurer.
If your phone is stolen or damaged beyond repair, the insurers usually replace the model in question – minus the deductible.
Example of mobile phone insurance
Image you drop your phone. Your screen breaks and needs to be replaced. If you have insurance, it will cover the damage to your screen.
Good to know: the general terms and conditions of your insurance contract contain many exclusions. These include, for example, scratches or dents that don’t stop you from using your phone properly.
Has someone else damaged your phone? If they have personal liability insurance, it will cover any damage they caused. Likewise, your personal liability insurance pays out if you accidentally damage a mobile phone belonging to someone who is not a member of your household.
3. Mobile phone insurance costs: example calculation
The costs of mobile phone insurance vary depending on the device and insurer. As an example, mobile phone insurance with Swisscom costs a minimum of 118 francs per year.
Home contents accidental damage cover vs mobile phone insurance: example
Our example compares Swisscom’s mobile phone insurance with Zurich’s home contents accidental damage insurance.
Imagine that you’ve totally destroyed an iPhone 15 Pro worth 1,079 francs.
This example is based on a single person household in the city of Bern. The deductible is 100 francs for Swisscom and 200 francs for Zurich.
| iPhone 15 Pro broken beyond repair | Insurance benefit | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| Swisscom mobile phone insurance | Replacement device from Swisscom | 118 francs per year and deductible of 100 francs |
| Supplemental home contents accidental damage cover from Zurich | 1,079 francs | 81 francs per year + deductible of 200 francs |
Don’t forget: all your electrical appliances are insured with home contents accidental damage cover, not just mobile phones. Mobile phone insurance only covers your mobile phone.
Compare mobile phone plans and save
Are you looking for a suitable mobile phone? The costs and benefits of mobile phone plans vary greatly from one provider to another.
4. Summary: is mobile phone insurance useful?
Mobile phone insurance is usually cheaper than home contents insurance. However, mobile phone insurance only covers a specific device. In addition, it only pays out for damage in the first two years after you purchase your device.
Home contents insurance is usually more worthwhile than mobile phone insurance. You receive a much greater scope of benefits with similar premiums. What’s more, with supplemental home contents accidental damage insurance, your electronic devices are also insured against any damage you cause yourself.
This article was first published on 06.12.2017
