Disclaimer: Our website and publications aim to give you general information to help you make financial decisions. It is not advice, nor can it take account of your own particular circumstances. For advice with a view to making decisions about your own circumstances you should consult a financial or other professional adviser.

© The Financial Services Authority.

Mobile phone insurance

When you buy a mobile phone you should be wary of any calls you receive soon after from companies offering you insurance cover. You should also be wary if you are an existing mobile phone customer and receive a similar call out of the blue.

Various unauthorised providers claim they are linked to shops and mobile phone providers but they may not be who they say they are. They may be trying to scam you out of your money and you will only find this out when you try to make a claim on your insurance and it fails.

How to stay safe

Make sure you know who you’re dealing with.

Firms who sell insurance must be regulated by us, so Check our Register to make sure they are before doing business with them. If you don’t and things go wrong you won’t have access to the UK complaints procedures and compensation scheme. See Making a complaint to find out more.

However, we know some callers may use the names of firms or individuals from our Register to make you think they are legitimate so don't just assume they are who they say they are. It's unusual for firms to call you out of the blue, so be wary if you're not expecting a call.

If you are in any doubt:

  • ask for the contact details of the person calling you; and
  • check their identity with the firm they claim to work for, using the contact details on our Register.

Don’t listen to excuses about the caller using a direct line – if the call is genuine a trustworthy firm won't mind you being careful!

If you think you have been targetted

Report any suspicions to the firm they claim to be from and Contact us.