Archive for March, 2009
Mobile Insurance – Phone theft?
Mobile Phone theft - you know it exists - you know it happens - you've probably even heard numerous stories about people having their phones stolen in different situations...
You just REALLY hope it doesn't happen to you!
The trouble is 'hope' is not going to make it not happen.
There are some diligent steps you should take to help avoid having your phone stolen, but in addition to avoiding it, just in case the worst happens, make sure you have a cost-effective full-cover mobile insurance policy.
So what can you do to help avoid suffering from phone theft ?
To be honest, most of these are pretty obvious if you think about it (some are not so obvious) but just because they are obvious, dont stop yourself from doing them.
Also, we have to be realistic: Being overly cautious all your life is going to be pretty boring. Just take sensible care and enjoy your phone!
1. Choose a secure-ish pocket to always keep your phone in. The front right trouser pocket is a good option because this usually means the phone is slightly tight against your leg so you would feel anyone trying to pickpocket you. If you get into the habit of doing this, it also has the added benefit of this;
When your phone is not there your subconscious mind will nag you at the back of your mind and tell you it's missing.
2. Don't walk flamboyantly down the street chatting away on it, especially if
a) You have an expensive phone such as an iPhone, and/or
b) You're in a slightly rough area of town
According to recent Police reports, in 23 per cent of incidents victims were using their mobile phone or had it on display when it was targeted.
3. Similarly, if you have an iPhone or another recognisable expensive phone, dont use the headphones it came with - that is a big bill-board to potential thieves saying "Hey look, check it out - I've got this really expensive phone right here..."
4. As we said, make sure you have phone insurance.
5. Use an ultra violet property marker. Put your post code and house number underneath the battery and on the back of the battery itself
6. Be particularly aware in city centres. Police reports show phone theft is more prevalent in city centres.
7. Night time is particulary high-time for phone theft. Surveys show those aged 18 and over were targeted between 10pm and 6am (more phone robberies than other robberies occurred during the early hours of the morning).
8. Keep a record of the unique reference number (IMEI) on your phone. If supplied with this some networks can permanently disable the handset if it stolen. To get this, dial *#06#. Most phones will then display the 15 or 16 digit IMEI serial number.
9. Record the model, phone number and PIN number details. Keep them somewhere safe
10. Always use the phone’s security lock or PIN number
11.Register the phone with the Service Provider (if Pay As You Go or Pay Monthly). If the phone is reported stolen the SIM card can be blocked.
These prevenative measures should certainly reduce your chance of being the victim of phone theft - it wont make you completely safe. So that is why it is worth covering all bases;
A. Minimise your chances of phone theft, and
B. Have everything in place if you do have your phone stolen.
That will include backing up everything on your phone - and we mean everything - address book, text messages, photos - everything. Back it up in such a way that it is really easy to put it all back onto your new phone. You can store the backup on your computer and/or on a remote service such as zyb.com (which has a free service).
You also need to make sure you will be able to get a new phone again without having to pay massive amounts for a new phone - which is why we recommend you get yourself mobile insurance.
Phone Insurance – Mobile phone LOSS?
Let's be honest - we've all lost our car keys at some point or other...
Whether the kids 'honestly' didnt hide them, or you had a good night the night before - or you've just plain lost them. It's infuriating and quite crippling especially when you realise you've lost them just before you HAVE to go out and be somewhere.
It's quite similar when you lose your mobile phone.
It's when you HAVE to make a call that you realize you've lost it - running round the house or office "got to call them, got to call them..."
TIP-TOP TIP:
To realise as soon as possible that your mobile phone is missing, we recommend that you always, always, always keep your phone in the same pocket no matter what clothes you are wearing.
This way, your brain gets trained and tuned in to your phone always being there... or not.
So if you choose to always keep your phone in your front right trouser pocket (a wise favourite) then if it is suddenly no longer there, a nagging little demon at the back of your mind will tell you about its absence from your thigh, far sooner than if you kept your mobile phone in different places every day.
Your mind is a wonderful thing like that. Use it to your advantage.
Now mobile phone insurance is an obvious answer to mobile phone theft, but in tandem with having phone insurance, there are some fairly obvious (and maybe some not so obvious) steps and precautions to avoid losing your phone in the first place:
1. Always keep your mobile phone in the same pocket in your clothing. Then you will always subconsciously be aware of the bump in your pocket.
2. Keep it hidden and covered - not so much from a theft point of view but so it cannot bounce out or fall out.
3. If you can live with it, get a chain and attach it to your phone. Maybe keep your keys on it or something similarly noisy. Then you are more likely to hear if your phone falls out of your pocket.
4. Attach a sticker to the back of your phone or get it engraved with some contact details along the lines of "If found please contact..." If you can, offer a cash reward. It doesn't have to be much - maybe £20 or £30. Just enough to tip someone who might maybe be considering doing something else with your phone (maybe they innocently found it but are considering selling it on eBay) - to convince them to help you out and return it.
5. If you have kids, don't let them play with your phone. Or if you do, make sure you check where they left it regularly. They will probably swear blind they didnt lose it...
These are the main points on how to avoid losing your mobile phone. Sure, phone insurance is a wise way to protect yourself because you can't always be 100% certain you wont lose your phone or have it stolen or damaged. But prevention is better - and more painless - than cure.
Next we will look at how to minimize the pain if your phone IS lost.
What about everything on your phone?
How can you best get your phone back?
Mobile Phone Insurance News
Mobile Phone Insurance News is here!
Our mission is to make sure you know everything you need to know to buy your mobile phone insurance.
The thing is, there are a few hidden hurdles and things you should know before you buy your phone insurance.
So we are here to help you achieve exactly this.
For example, did you know that many (other) phone insurance policies do not cover you for loss - ie if you lose your phone you will have to pay to replace it. Yet over 1.6 MILLION phones are lost every year!
This is why you need to make sure you are covered for loss.
Read on for more mobile phone insurance news
