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Most of us carry hundreds of pounds' worth of tech around every day without thinking twice about it. Your phone, your laptop, your tablet, these are expensive pieces of kit, and replacing them out of your own pocket when something goes wrong can sting.
In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about gadget insurance in the UK: what it covers, which devices qualify, how the claims process works, what to watch out for in the small print, and whether it's actually worth having. Let's get into it.
Ready to get covered? Get a gadget insurance quote from Rhino and protect your devices today.
What is gadget insurance?
Gadget insurance is a type of policy that covers your portable electronic devices against accidental damage, theft, accidental loss and breakdown. Think of it as the safety net between a cracked screen and an expensive trip to the repair shop, or worse, having to replace your device entirely.
It's separate from your home contents insurance, though some contents policies do include a degree of gadget cover. A standalone gadget insurance policy typically offers more comprehensive protection and clearer terms around exactly what's included.
Here at Rhino, our Gadget & Mobile Phone Insurance covers the policyholder and any immediate family members living at the same address. That means one policy can protect the tech belonging to your whole household.
What does gadget insurance cover?
A good gadget insurance policy does more than just cover a smashed screen. Here's a breakdown of everything included under our Gadget Insurance.
Accidental damage
Accidental damage covers sudden, unexpected damage to your gadget that wasn't caused deliberately. That includes drops, cracks, spills and other mishaps. Repairs are carried out using readily available parts — original parts where possible, though unbranded parts may be used in some circumstances.
If the repair invalidates your manufacturer's warranty, we'll cover repairs or replacement in line with your warranty terms for the remainder of the warranty period.
Liquid damage
Liquid damage is covered as part of accidental damage. If your phone takes a dip in the sink, your laptop gets caught in the rain or your tablet meets a cup of coffee, we'll repair it. If it can't be repaired, we'll provide a replacement.
Theft
If your gadget is stolen, we'll provide a replacement up to your policy limit. Where only part of your gadget has been stolen, we'll replace just that part.
There are conditions to be aware of. Theft claims won't be paid where the gadget wasn't adequately safeguarded. Specifically:
If left in an unattended vehicle, it must have been concealed from sight, with all windows and doors closed and locked and all security systems activated. Evidence of damage caused by the thief must also be provided
If left unattended in a building, evidence of forced entry must be provided
If not in your control or that of a family member, it must have been taken by physical force and reported to the police
You must report theft to your airtime provider within 24 hours of discovery and have the device blacklisted. You must also report it to the police within 48 hours and obtain a crime reference number.
Accidental loss
If you accidentally leave your gadget somewhere and can't get it back, that counts as accidental loss. You must be permanently deprived of the device — it's not enough to misplace it temporarily.
You must report accidental loss to the police within 48 hours and obtain a lost property number. As with theft, your airtime provider must be notified within 24 hours.
One important condition: accidental loss is not covered where the circumstances can't be clearly identified. If you can't confirm the time and place you last had your gadget, a claim for accidental loss in your home will not be covered.
Breakdown
Breakdown cover kicks in when your gadget stops working as a result of an electrical or mechanical fault — but only once the manufacturer's guarantee has expired. If your device develops a sudden, unforeseen fault that the manufacturer would have covered, the claim would sit with them rather than your insurance.
If your gadget can't be repaired economically, we'll provide a replacement up to your policy limit.
Worldwide cover
Your gadget is covered anywhere in the world for up to 90 days in total during any 12-month policy period. That's a useful benefit if you're travelling for work or taking your devices on holiday.
One thing to note: any replacement or repair under a worldwide claim can only be arranged once you're back in the UK, handled by our approved repairers. No cover is provided if you're travelling to a country where the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has advised against all but essential travel.
Fraudulent usage cover
If your phone is stolen or lost and someone uses it fraudulently before it's blocked, we'll reimburse you for those costs up to £2,500 for calls and £500 for data. This applies provided the theft or accidental loss was reported to your airtime provider within 24 hours.
What doesn't gadget insurance cover?
Understanding what's excluded is just as important as knowing what's covered. Here's what falls outside the scope of our Gadget Insurance:
Deliberate damage or neglect
Failing to follow the manufacturer's instructions
Cosmetic damage - scratches, chips, dents and other surface marks
Wear and tear or gradual deterioration.
Manufacturer's defects or product recalls
Damage caused by a virus
Repairs carried out by anyone not authorised by us
Devices with tampered or removed serial numbers
Loss of data, apps or software
Your SIM card
Subscription fees or reconnection costs
Drones used for commercial or business purposes
Any claim where you can't provide evidence of ownership
Gadgets more than 36 months old at the start of the policy
How the policy excess works
The policy excess is 10% of the total claim value, capped at £75 for each and every claim. This is your contribution towards the cost of the claim and must be paid before your claim can be settled.
There's an additional £50 excess on top of that for any claim arising from an incident that happens within the first 14 days of your policy start date. This doesn't apply to renewed policies, only to brand new cover. It's essentially a short waiting period to prevent claims for pre-existing damage.
You can make a maximum of two claims in any 12-month period.
Does gadget insurance cover me abroad?
Yes. Your gadget is covered worldwide for up to 90 days in any 12-month period, making it a useful companion for holidays and work trips abroad. This is often referred to as worldwide gadget insurance, and it means you don't need a separate travel gadget insurance policy in most cases.
The key conditions for gadget insurance abroad are:
The 90-day worldwide limit applies across the full policy year - not per trip
Any repair or replacement must be dealt with once you're back in the UK
No cover applies in countries where the FCDO has advised against all but essential travel
If theft or loss occurs abroad, you still need to report it to your airtime provider within 24 hours and to local police (notify us within 7 days of your return to the UK)
How to make a gadget insurance claim
If something happens to your gadget, you need to report the claim as soon as possible — and within 7 days of the incident. If it happened outside the UK, report it within 7 days of your return.
You can make a claim by:
Call: 0333 241 3395
Email: gadgetclaims@coplus.co.uk
Online: gadget.coplus.co.uk
To process your claim quickly, have the following ready:
Proof of ownership — your receipt, gift receipt or, for phones, confirmation from your network provider
Proof of purchase showing the date, make, model and IMEI or serial number of your gadget
For theft: your police crime reference number and confirmation from your airtime provider that the device has been blocked
For accidental loss: your police lost property number and airtime provider blocking confirmation
For accidental damage: photographic evidence of the damage
Before sending your device for repair, remove all access locks - including PIN codes, Find My iPhone and any other remote security features. Claims can be delayed if these aren't removed first.
If your gadget is replaced, the original device becomes the property of the insurer. If it turns up later, you'll need to let us know and return it if asked.
Is gadget insurance worth it?
The honest answer depends on the value of your devices and how much it would cost you to replace them. If you're carrying a flagship smartphone worth over £800, a laptop worth £1,000 and a tablet on top, the combined replacement cost of your everyday tech is significant. Against that, a gadget insurance premium is usually modest.
It's also worth considering your lifestyle. If you're often out on jobs, travelling between sites, working in environments where kit can get damaged — or if you've had devices stolen or broken before — gadget insurance makes a lot of sense. If your devices are old, low-value and you'd comfortably replace them out of pocket, it may be less compelling.
The key is to check the policy limit on your schedule against the replacement value of the devices you're insuring, and make sure they match up.
Gadget Insurance FAQs
Gadget insurance covers a wide range of portable devices. Under our policy, the following gadgets are eligible for cover:
Mobile phones, including iPhones
iPads and tablets
Laptops
Cameras and camera lenses
Smartwatches
E-readers, including Kindles
Portable gaming consoles
iPods and MP3 players
Headphones (including accessories)
Satellite navigation units
Portable Blu-Ray and DVD players
Drones (personal use only — not for commercial or business use)
Accessories below the value of £150 that are used alongside your insured gadget, such as chargers and protective cases, are also covered, but only when the gadget itself is subject to a successful claim.
What gadgets don't qualify?
Before you take out a policy, your gadget needs to meet certain criteria. To be eligible:
It must be in full working order and undamaged at the start of the policy
It must be no more than 36 months old at the point you take out cover, with proof of purchase
It must have been purchased as new from a manufacturer, network provider or retail store (high street or online), or as refurbished directly from a manufacturer, insurer or network provider
It must not have been purchased from an online auction
If your gadget was bought second-hand privately, or from an online auction site, it won't be eligible. Refurbished devices are only covered when purchased directly from the manufacturer, insurer or network provider, not from a third-party refurbisher.
Yes. Our policy can cover multiple gadgets. The level of cover and policy limit for each device will be shown on your policy schedule. You can make up to two claims in any 12-month period across all covered devices.
Yes, a cracked screen caused by an accidental drop is covered under the accidental damage section of the policy.
Repairs are carried out using readily available parts. Bear in mind that cosmetic damage - surface scratches and chips that don't affect how the device works - is excluded.
Accidental loss of a gadget in your home isn't covered unless you can clearly identify the time and place you last had it. Accidental damage and breakdown in the home are covered. Theft from your home is covered provided evidence of forced entry is provided.
Yes. Liquid damage is included as part of the accidental damage cover. If your device is accidentally exposed to water or any other liquid, we'll repair it, or replace it if a repair isn't possible.
No, and this is worth understanding before you buy. Gadget insurance is not a new-for-old policy. If your gadget needs to be replaced rather than repaired, we'll provide a replacement of the same age, condition and specification as your original device. If an exact match isn't available, you'll receive a device of comparable specification or equivalent market value, taking into account the age and condition of your gadget.
Where replacement isn't possible, a cash alternative of the same market value will be provided instead.
If your gadget is beyond economical repair, you'll receive a replacement of the same age, condition and specification. If an exact match isn't available, you'll receive a device of comparable specification or its equivalent market value in cash. Remember, this isn't a new-for-old policy.
Yes, but only if the refurbished device was purchased directly from a manufacturer, insurer or network provider. Refurbished devices bought from third-party sellers or private individuals are not eligible for cover.
The main exclusions are cosmetic damage, wear and tear, deliberate damage, manufacturer defects, virus damage, data or software loss, SIM cards, and any gadget you can't provide proof of ownership for. Drones used commercially are also excluded. See the full policy wording for the complete list of exclusions.
