Smartphone insurance 2026: guide

A modern smartphone quickly costs over €1,000 – a cracked screen or water damage can be expensive. Smartphone insurance protects against unexpected repair costs and, depending on the plan, against theft. But not every policy is worth its money.

The premium depends mainly on the new price of the device: many providers use value bands, and the step from one band to the next costs noticeably more. Other differences lie in the scope of cover, the excess and services such as instant cover or battery wear cover.

Pay attention to the billing method: some providers collect the premium monthly, others bill an annual premium or a single premium for the whole term. For comparison, always convert premiums to the same period.

Phone insurance can make particular sense in these cases:

• High-priced devices: For smartphones over €1,000 the cover is more likely to pay off.
• Frequent outdoor use: Anyone who often uses their phone outdoors has a higher risk of damage.
• Children and teenagers: Children's phones are statistically damaged more often.
• Professional use: If the smartphone is indispensable for work.

Standard cover usually includes:

• Screen breakage: The most common cause of damage.
• Water damage: Moisture, flooding, liquid damage.
• Drop damage: Damage from falling.
• Electronic damage: Short circuit, power surge, lightning.

Optional extras (often for an additional charge):

• Theft cover: Protection against simple theft or robbery – often a paid add-on. Check the terms: the phone often has to be stolen from locked premises, and simple theft (e.g. from a bag) is not always covered.
• Battery wear: Included only in some plans.
• Worldwide cover: Important for travellers.

• Excess: With plans that have an excess you pay part of the damage yourself; plans without an excess are usually more expensive but cover the full damage.
• Device age: Some plans only insure new devices (e.g. within a few days of purchase), others also used devices – often after a condition check.
• Waiting period and instant cover: From when does cover apply?
• Term and cancellation: Minimum term, notice period and maximum term are set out in the terms.
• Repair or replacement: Repairs only via partner workshops or freely? In a total loss often only the current value rather than the new price is paid.
• Discontinued products: Some insurers have discontinued their stand-alone phone insurance or only offer smartphones as part of an electronics package – a price comparison is then not straightforward.

Whether insurance pays off can be checked with a simple comparison. The following example uses freely chosen sample values, not the premiums of any particular provider: a smartphone costs €1,000, the premium is €8 a month, i.e. €96 a year and thus just under the rule of thumb of 10% of the device value. Over a term of three years you pay €288. If a screen replacement outside the insurance costs about €280, the policy has almost paid for itself with the first claim.

If, on the other hand, the device stays undamaged for three years, you have paid €288 for protection you did not need. What matters, therefore, is your personal risk of damage and whether you could cope with a sudden repair bill. Anyone who already has savings for a replacement can also save the premium themselves. Also factor in an excess: at 20% and damage of €280 you pay €56 yourself.

Smartphone insurance is an insurance contract under the Insurance Contract Act (VVG). You may withdraw from the contract within 14 days of receiving the documents (section 8 VVG). For contracts with a term of more than three years you can cancel after the third year (section 11 VVG). After a claim you generally have the right to cancel the contract within one month of the claim being settled (section 111 VVG).

Independently of any insurance, you have statutory warranty rights against the seller: for new devices the limitation period is two years (section 438 BGB). A defect that already existed on delivery, for example a faulty display or a defective battery, is therefore a matter for the seller, not the insurer. The insurance, by contrast, pays for damage caused by drops, moisture or external impact. Manufacturer guarantees are voluntary extras with their own terms.

In the event of a claim, the obligations in the insurance terms apply, for example reporting it without delay and, in the case of theft, often a report to the police. Anyone who breaches such obligations risks a reduction of the benefit under section 28 VVG. So keep the receipt, serial number and photos of the damage, and read before signing up whether repairs are only possible via partner workshops or also freely.

First check existing policies. Some home contents insurance policies cover electronics at home against burglary or tap water damage, but usually do not protect against drop damage or simple theft on the move. Credit cards or current accounts with extra benefits sometimes include purchase protection for the first months after purchase. The terms vary widely, so it is worth reading the small print.

Another option is to provide for it yourself: a sturdy case and a screen protector considerably reduce the chance of a cracked screen and cost only a fraction of a premium. In addition, put aside a small amount each month. If you want to replace rather than repair your device after damage, you should also compare replacement value and current value, because many plans only replace the device's current value in a total loss and not the new price.