badlyDrawnToy

I blogged the other day that it pays to shop around for iphone insurance, and to check if you are in fact covered under your househld insurance, like I was.

Well, since then I have been contacted 3 times by people trying to sell me insurance.. not due to my blog entry; but simply because I have opted to by the phone, but not the insurance.

First off, I received a phone call from Carphone Warehouse. I told them I was already covered. Still, the next day Carphone Warehouse managed to send me a text offering me insurance, along with a number to reply to if I want to unsubscribe from future spam.

Yesterday, I received a phone call on my new phone. This seemed odd, as my phone number doesn’t port over until today. I should have guessed. Someone from o2 offering me insurance. I asked when this harrassment would stop and the sales assistant got all defensive. After much probing, I discovered that she wasn’t calling from o2, but from another company. Apparently o2 are happy to give out your phone number without your consent. Thank you o2.

Tags: insurance, iphone, o2

I finally got an offer to upgrade my mobile phone, and predictably opted for the iphone.

I was already with o2 through Carphone Warehouse so it should have been a simple upgrade, and so I went to visit my local store. Problem is, the insurance is a rip off at £35 a quarter. And you do need insurance, as the contract obliges you to replace your phone if it’s nicked and then continue with your contract.

Over the road at the o2 store, insurance was only £7.50.month. However, after much discussion, it transpired that I’d need to give one month’s notice at Carphone Warehouse, and then register as a new customer at o2. What a hassle.

I went home somewhat frustrated, and turned to Google. I soon discovered several other policies at less than £5/month, plus other blogs about the iphone insurance rip-off.

Tonight, I checked with my household insurer (Direct Line), and I’m already covered. The phone’s not even active, yet by lunch time today, a friendly sales assistant from Carphone Warehouse phoned me to check if I wanted insurance.

We’ve also now realised that GastroGrrl won’t need to insure her phone either (offered at £6/month by Orange). She’s alread saved £190 by not upgrading through Carphone Warehouse, and going drect to the Orange web site.

So, shop around, check your existing household policies, and don’t be pressured into taking a phone company policy.

Tags: insurance, iphone