Do you need to insure your portable devices (phone, tablet, computer...)?

Insurance policies for mobile devices can cover a device or a wide range of devices: mobile phone, tablet, laptop, GPS, camcorder, portable player, etc.

If you have insurance multi-risk housing, it is possible that your contract already covers mobile devices against certain risks and in certain circumstances.

For example, the contract may cover the broken risk, but only when the loss occurs inside your home.

In addition, the breakage warranty is often limited to an accident caused by a foreigner element.

Similarly, theft warranty generally only covers theft with burglary.

Finally, in the event of compensation, the insurer may reduce the purchase value of the device in proportion to its lifetime.

So you have to read your contract find out how much home insurance coverage your mobile devices have.

If your vehicle is insured by a contract "all risks", you may already be covered for the theft of your mobile device in the car.

Nevertheless, in many cases, the pickpocketing or theft at the door is not included in the warranties.

In addition, the theft of the aircraft is not systematically covered by the vehicle theft guarantee.

Sometimes the insurer offers a special guarantee called vehicle contents to cover the theft of the devices in the car.

So you have to read your contract find out how much car insurance covers your mobile devices.

A specific insurance may have a interest in the following situations:

• Recent or high-value device
• Intensive use or frequent travel
• Device entrusted to a minor
• Lack of existing coverage (home or credit card);
• Increased risk of breakage or theft depending on the activity or use setting.

The insurance may turn out not very advantageous in the following situations:

• The device is old or has a low value
• Equivalent guarantees already exist in another contract
• There are many exclusions from the contract (examples: pickpocketing not guaranteed, breakage without third party excluded),
• The frankness is high relative to the value of the apparatus
• The discount applied significantly reduces the compensation.

Insurance contracts for electronic devices generally cover all or part of the following situations:

• Failure (excluding hidden defect or normal wear)
• Accidental breakage
• Accidental oxidation
• Theft under certain conditions (robbery with aggression, robbery with break-in,...).

Each contract defines precisely the events covered. Conditions vary from one insurer to another.

The exclusions most often provided for include the following situations:

• Simple loss of the device
• Theft without violence or break and enter
• Breakage resulting from a maintenance or wear defect
• Device already damaged before subscription
• Used appliances not eligible
• Lack of proof of loss.

Your home insurance may cover certain electronic devices in case of:

• break and enter at your home,
• damage caused by fire or water damage.

Coverage does not apply usually not :

• accidental breakages,
• out-of-home flights
• appliances transported outside the accommodation (unless specifically guaranteed).

Guarantees vary depending on the contract.

Some cards offer guarantees related to the purchase of a device, such as:

• an extension of manufacturer's warranty,
• theft or breakage insurance subject to conditions.

These guarantees depend on the type of card and the payment method used.

Hamon Law

The insurance contract can be taken out at the time of purchase of the device, from the store, from a telephone operator or directly from an insurer.

After the subscription, you have a period to change your mind: as a rule, you can cancel the contract within 14 calendar days who follow. This period is extended to 30 calendar days when the insurance is taken out at the same time as the purchase of the device.

In the event of a loss, you must respect the deadlines indicated in the contract to make the declaration: they are often 5 days, and reduced to 2 days when it is a flight.

Once you have exceeded 1 year of commitment, you can terminate the contract whenever you wish, without charge or justification, by sending your request for termination to the insurer.

You can take out insurance at the time of purchase of the device from the store or from a telephone or internet operator.

You can also take out insurance after purchase from an insurance seller (insurance company or bank).

If you have subscribed to the contract at the time of purchase, you can exercise your right of withdrawal within 30 months calendar days from the date of subscription of this insurance.

If you signed the contract after purchasing the device, you cannot withdraw.

You can only withdraw if you have been canvassed at home or at your workplace.

In this case, you can exercise your right of withdrawal within 14 calendar days from the date of subscription.

In all cases, the contract and the information leaflet must mention the waiver rules and the procedure to be followed.

In order to be compensated, you must file a claim with the insurer within the time limit stipulated in the contract.

The delay is usually 5 working days after the date of the loss and 2 working days in case of theft.

In case of theft, you must also file a complaint with the police or gendarmerie.

You must provide the insurer with the elements that will allow it to process the application and that must be listed in the contract.

Typically, these are:

• Device invoice
• Description of the disaster (breakdown, breakage, theft)
• Description of damage (unavailability, cost of repair, cost of replacing the device)
• Proof of complaint in case of theft.

The insurer will review your file and inform you of its decision.

Pending the decision of the insurer, you should not carry out repairs if the device is broken or broken.

The termination rules are indicated in the contract.

But they have to comply with the law.

When the contract is concluded for one year with tacit renewal, the law authorizes you to request termination at any time no fees or penalties after the first year of subscription.

Termination takes effect 1 month after receipt of your letter by the insurer.