It all happened so quickly that I was petrified – it didn’t matter that I had a screen protector and a phone case. Fortunately, I had an old replacement phone that I could use so I didn’t have to spend any money to get a new handset.

I felt bad for a while until I found out I wasn’t the only Klutz in Singapore.

A 2015 survey by research firm Otterbox of 2,500 respondents in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia found that Singaporeans were the clumsiest and were 10 percent more likely to drop their phones on the floor!

Other important results are:

  • 31 percent of smartphone owners in Singapore admitted that they damaged their smartphones while walking on the street because they did not pay attention to their surroundings.
  • 38 percent of local users said their smartphone is likely to be damaged in the first three months after using it.
  • 41 percent of local users said they are currently using a damaged smartphone.
  • At the time of the damage, 80 percent of local users believed their smartphones had some kind of protective case or protection.

What does mobile phone insurance cover and who offers it?

Cell phone insurance, like any other type of insurance, usually reimburses you in the event your device is stolen, lost, or damaged. There are two main types of mobile phone insurance:

a) those of mobile phone insurers b) those of local telecommunications operators

Here is a rough price list based on an Apple iPhone X. Note, however, that this can vary depending on the type of phone and age.

Mobile phone insurance through insurers

Citibank Lifestyle Guard

Citibanks Lifestyle Guard offers worldwide coverage for your personal belongings around the clock at home and abroad. Some of the items covered include cell phones, laptops, cameras, and even sunglasses!

The premiums subscribed by AXA Insurance Singapore are priced at $ 199 per year or $ 17.20 per month, including sales tax. You can also enjoy a 12 month extended warranty on new eligible devices purchased with your credit card.

Mobile Protect from DBS

DBS Mobile Protect, signed by Chubb Insurance, is a comprehensive plan that covers:

  • Cash withdrawn from mobile wallets like PayLah! (up to $ 100 per claim)
  • Replacement of important documents with robbery
  • Loss, accidental damage and theft
  • New and existing phones (up to 3 years old)
  • Unauthorized transaction and use of airtime and data
  • Worldwide protection (including Singapore)

Note that Mobile Protect only covers up to three phone damage events per year. There is a deductible of $ 75 per repair and $ 150 for phone replacements.

PhoneProtect360 from HL Assurance

PhoneProtect360 is a mobile insurance coverage for your Singapore registered phone signed by HL Assurance, a member of the Hong Leong Group. It’s an annual plan that covers your registered device for 12 months. The policy begins on the date of application and only insures phones that have been purchased for less than a year from the date of purchase from telecommunications operators, exclusive dealers and cell phone manufacturers in Singapore.

PhoneProtect360 will insure your phone against accidental damage, including liquid damage, for a repair cost of up to $ 1,000. If your phone is so broken it cannot be repaired, you can get a new replacement. You can take advantage of a door-to-door express repair service.

However, it does not cover cosmetic damage, which is defined as damage that does not affect the normal operation or functionality of the cellphone, e.g. B. scratch marks, dents or discoloration. You can enjoy worldwide protection while you are traveling.

Cellular insurance from telecommunications companies

Local telecommunications companies also offer cell phone insurance when you buy your new phones from them. In terms of insurance coverage, they tend to be more basic (repair and replacement due to cracked screens, water damage) than the insurers’ broader insurance plans.

The replacement or swap fee for your replacement device is based on the suggested retail price and your current subscription plans.

What is a like-for-like swap or replacement? A comparable replacement or substitute (compared to your originally registered device), a device that:

  • is of a similar nature, quality and functionality
  • is new or renovated
  • will have the same or a larger memory
  • may be of a different brand, model and / or color
  • is delivered in simple packaging marked as “not for resale” and not in the original manufacturer’s packaging
  • does not contain any device accessories

Here’s a price comparison of the most basic plans:

Circles.Life PhoneProtect

The virtual telecommunications company’s PhoneProtect mobile insurance plan starts at $ 7 per month and covers cracked screens, water damage, or irreparable damage. Signed by HL Assurance, you can apply for the plan through the Circle Life mobile app. Claims can also be made via the app by filling out a form. The plan also offers a convenient door-to-door repair and replacement service.

M1 FoneCare +

The M1 FoneCare + basic plan starts at $ 9.90 per month and offers an early handset upgrade, door-to-door device swap, or 4-hour swap / delivery.

Singtel MobileSwop Unlimited

Singtel’s MobileSwop Unlimited plan for USD 9.90 per month (including VAT) gives you unlimited swaps and a handset exchange every 12 months. The plan will be charged to your Singtel bill every time you sign up for a combo plan, unless you choose to opt out.

Note that every comparable mobile device is covered by a six-month manufacturer’s guarantee against malfunctions and defects, which begins on the date of delivery.

StarHub SmartSupport

StarHub’s SmartSupport plan starts at $ 12 per month and includes device swaps or swaps across the island within four hours. This can be done twice over 12 months.

Do you really need cell phone insurance?

With high-end smartphones from Apple and Samsung that cost easily over $ 2,000 these days – more expensive than a short vacation to Japan or Korea! – It is really worth thinking about cell phone insurance and when you need one.

Here are some food for thought to help you decide:

1. Know yourself

Whether you’re a working adult or someone in your late teens, you must have owned at least five or more cell phones by now. Wonder how many cell phones you’ve put down since owning these devices. If you’re a butterfinger, maybe this time around you should get cell phone insurance.

2. Cost of your cell phone

If your smartphone costs more than $ 1,000 and the cost of repairing the damaged phone is worth a bomb, then you should get cell phone insurance.

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For example, if you insure with Citibank Lifestyle Guard: The premium is USD 199 / year and covers your other belongings as well. Given the total value of all of your insured possessions, it doesn’t seem like a large sum.

3. Type of your job

Do you have to spend a lot of time outdoors and are you exposed to the elements? Are you also in the series, have to operate a lot of machines and use your smartphone often while you are at work?

The likelihood of damaging your phone is higher than that of people whose jobs are more likely to be desk-bound.

4. Do you lead an active lifestyle?

Do you enjoy nature and lead an active life? Do you like hiking and activities like canoeing, sailing, climbing? If the answer is yes, there is a high chance that you will drop, lose, or damage your cell phone and it makes sense to get an insurance plan.

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