Phone Insurance: Smart Move or Wasted Money? The Honest Guide
Phone insurance sounds like a no-brainer, but is it? We give you an honest breakdown of when it pays off — and when you're better off keeping the money yourself.
Door The Phone Shopper
Gepubliceerd: 2026-07-09
You buy a new phone for €900, and the salesperson immediately asks: "Would you like to add insurance?" The answer seems obvious — of course you want to protect something that expensive. But phone insurance isn't always the smartest move. Sometimes you pay years of premiums for something you never use, and sometimes it's exactly what you need.
Quick summary: Phone insurance only makes sense if you have an expensive device, no financial buffer, or a proven track record of damaging phones — in all other cases, you're better off setting that premium money aside yourself or opting for a more affordable refurbished phone.
What does phone insurance actually cover?
This varies enormously between providers, and that's the first stumbling block. One policy covers everything — theft, accidental damage, water damage, loss — while another only covers theft if you've filed a police report, the device was locked, and you reported it within 24 hours. Always read the fine print.
Common types of cover:
- Accidental damage — cracked screens, dents, scratches that affect functionality
- Water damage — submersion or moisture damage
- Theft — including pickpocketing, sometimes also home burglary
- Loss — only on more expensive policies, far from standard
- Mechanical breakdown — after the manufacturer's warranty expires, sometimes included
Worth noting: most policies carry an excess of €50 to €150 per claim. Add that to your monthly premium and the picture changes quickly.
When is phone insurance genuinely worth it?
We see it in our repair workshop every week: people coming in with a completely destroyed device, or people who've been paying months of premiums only to be told a small screen crack falls below their excess. To be fair — in some situations, insurance really does make sense.
Phone insurance has real value when:
- Your phone is worth more than €600 — with cheaper devices, the premium rarely outweighs the repair costs.
- You don't have a financial buffer to cover a sudden repair or replacement costing €300+.
- You have a proven history of accidents — if you've already broken three phones, that's statistically relevant.
- You regularly take your phone into risky situations — festivals, sports, travel outside Europe.
- Your provider or bank already includes it for free — some credit cards and current account packages already include travel insurance with phone cover.
In those cases, a policy at €8 to €15 per month can genuinely pay off. But even then: always compare the excess, the claims process and the exclusions.
When is it simply wasted money?
Last week a woman came into our Nijverdal shop who had been paying €12 a month for phone insurance for three years — a total of €432. She had never made a single claim. Her screen had cracked and we repaired it for €89. That's not an exception; it's closer to the rule.
Skip the insurance if:
- Your phone cost less than €400 — repair costs are rarely higher than a year's worth of premiums.
- You've already bought a quality refurbished phone at a fair price — the risk is lower, and so is the cost of replacement.
- You have a savings buffer of at least €300 for unexpected expenses.
- You've never damaged a phone before and generally take good care of your belongings.
- Theft is unlikely in your situation — you work from home, rarely travel, and so on.
In all these cases, you're better off setting that premium money aside every month. After a year you'll have your own "phone fund" of €100–€150 that you control entirely — no excess, no claims hassle.
What does phone repair cost without insurance?
From our daily experience in the workshop, we can give you an honest picture. The most common types of damage are very manageable — especially if you go to a reliable repair specialist promptly.
| Repair |
Average cost |
Time |
| Screen repair iPhone (mid-range) |
€79 – €149 |
30–60 minutes |
| Screen repair Samsung Galaxy |
€69 – €129 |
30–60 minutes |
| Battery replacement iPhone |
€49 – €79 |
While you wait |
| Charging port repair |
€39 – €69 |
30–45 minutes |
| Water damage treatment |
€59 – €99 |
Same day |
| Camera repair |
€59 – €99 |
45–90 minutes |
See the pattern? Most common repairs cost less than two years of insurance premiums. Through our , many of these jobs are done while you wait — no weeks of waiting on the insurer.
The smart alternative: refurbished + saving yourself
There's a strategy we often recommend at The Phone Shopper, and one that honestly works better than most insurance policies: buy a refurbished iPhone or a refurbished Samsung, pay a fair price, and put that monthly premium into a separate savings account instead.
Say you buy a refurbished iPhone 13 for €399 instead of a new one for €849. You save €450 straight away. If you also set aside €12 a month instead of paying insurance premiums, after two years you'll have a buffer of nearly €300 — more than enough to cover any repair. And with our refurbished devices, you already get a standard 2-year warranty included.
That's not a sales pitch — it's just basic maths.
Watch out for these common phone insurance pitfalls
If you do decide to go with phone insurance, don't fall into these classic traps we hear about from customers:
- Double cover — many home contents insurance policies already cover theft of electronics outside the home. Check this first.
- High excess on minor damage — a cracked screen repaired for €89 often falls below a €100 excess.
- Claims rejected for negligence — insurers sometimes reject claims if you acted "carelessly." That's a vague and conveniently broad term.
- Long waiting times — with some providers you wait 2 to 3 weeks for a replacement device or reimbursement.
- Automatic renewal — many people forget to cancel the policy when they switch to a new phone.
Want to make a proper comparison? Use an independent platform like Independer or Pricewise — not the shop or provider, since they're selling their own product.
Trading in your old phone as an alternative to insurance
There's another option that few people consider: trading in your current phone before it breaks. Devices in good working order fetch significantly more than ones with cracked screens. Through our trade-in service, you'll receive payment within 24 hours — money you can put straight towards your next device.
We're seeing more and more people across Twente do exactly this — from Almelo to Enschede, from Rijssen to Wierden. It's a straightforward way to manage your phone costs without relying on an insurer who's doing their best not to pay out.
Need something to protect your device in the meantime? A decent case and a tempered glass screen protector prevent the vast majority of damage. Browse our range in the accessories shop — prevention is cheaper than repair or insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Is phone insurance the same as the manufacturer's warranty?
No, these are two entirely different things. A manufacturer's warranty only covers production defects — not accidental damage, water damage or everyday wear. Phone insurance covers exactly those external damages, but not necessarily normal wear and tear. Refurbished devices from The Phone Shopper come with a 2-year warranty covering manufacturing and material defects, on top of your standard consumer rights.
If my phone is stolen, do I really need insurance?
Theft is the strongest argument for phone insurance, but check your home contents insurance first. Many policies cover theft of valuables outside the home — including your phone. If that's the case, you may not need a separate phone insurance policy at all.
Can I insure my phone through my bank or credit card?
Yes, and this is often overlooked. Some current account packages from ING, Rabobank or ABN AMRO include limited damage cover. Premium credit cards (Mastercard Gold, Visa Platinum) sometimes include travel insurance that also covers phone theft. Check your existing bank or card's policy terms before taking out a separate policy.
Is it cheaper to have my phone repaired than to make an insurance claim?
Very often, yes. Once you factor in the excess (€50–€150), a professional repair at a certified workshop like The Phone Shopper is regularly cheaper and faster. Many repairs are done while you grab a coffee — no paperwork, no waiting around.
What's the best way to protect my phone without insurance?
Combine a sturdy case with a tempered glass screen protector — that prevents the vast majority of damage. Choose a phone that fits your budget, so a potential repair won't be a financial disaster. And set aside a small amount each month as your own "phone fund." For most people, that's more than enough.
What if my phone is so badly damaged that repair no longer makes sense?
Then it's time to look at a solid alternative. At The Phone Shopper in Nijverdal you'll find a wide range of refurbished iPhones, Samsung devices and more — all thoroughly checked, backed by a warranty and priced fairly. No nasty surprises, just a phone you'll enjoy for years to come.
Feel free to visit us in store at Willem Alexanderstraat 11 in Nijverdal, give us a call on 0548-549536, or browse our refurbished range online. We're happy to help — no strings attached.
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7442 MA Nijverdal, Overijssel
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