The Independent advises gadget owners to opt for comprehensive home insurance

Warning that most people will have to replace their mobile phone, smart phone, laptop, iPhone, iPod or games console at some point, The Independent has urged readers to opt for a comprehensive home insurance policy that covers the cost of replacing expensive gadgets rather than insuring each item individually at a greater long-term cost.

The publication reported that gadget fans, particularly those who use expensive smart phones, are often targeted by thieves - with more than six million mobile phones thought to be lost, stolen or damaged each year.

As the average gadget lover is believed to own thousands of pounds worth of inadequately insured equipment, the newspaper added it is worthwhile and cost-effective to ensure gadgets get proper protection, particularly by tweaking an existing home insurance policy or by opting to take out comprehensive home contents cover.

"In some instances, a few tweaks to a home contents insurance policy is enough to offer peace of mind," The Independent's finance expert Chiara Cavaglieri explained. "Although a basic policy will not typically include extras such as accidental damage or cover away from the home, both of these can be easily added to your policy."

The finance expert also advised readers against taking out individual insurance policies from gadget manufacturers or retailers as they purchased each new gadget, explaining that cover bought at the point-of-sale tends to prove a false economy.

"One rule of thumb," Cavaglieri said, "is to think twice before taking insurance in-store as this tends to expensive and may not offer a high level of cover."

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 06:13:00 GMT