Check whether your household contents policy already covers the phone before buying separate cover. Many policies cover a cellphone under an all-risk extension for a small addition, and people pay twice for years without realising.
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The excess is the whole question
Cellphone cover frequently carries an excess set as a percentage of the claim. On an older handset that can approach what a replacement costs, which makes the cover close to worthless. Work out the excess in rands before you sign, not at claim time.
- Ask whether it covers theft, loss, accidental damage and liquid damage, since these are separately included or excluded.
- Ask whether a replacement is new, refurbished or a cash settlement, and at what value.
- Check the reporting deadline. Many policies require a police case number within a short period, and a late report voids the claim.
- Cover usually ends when the contract ends. Do not keep paying for cover on a phone you no longer have.
After a phone is stolen
Blacklist the IMEI with your network and report it to the police for a case number, both immediately. Then change the passwords for your email and banking, because the phone is the recovery route into both.
If your phone suddenly loses all signal for no reason, treat it as a possible SIM swap and contact your bank at once from another phone. Unresolved insurance complaints go to the National Financial Ombud Scheme, free. Verified 26 August 2026.