Should I insure my mobile phone?

Us Brits seem to have an unhealthy fascination with mobile phones. Over the past decade mobile phones have become as much of a part of mainstream culture as music, showing their rise in popularity over the last few years.

But today's modern mobiles have more gadgets than ever, thus the price to own a phone has risen exponentially - some phones can cost around £400 to own!

So as these high-tech phones get more and more expensive, maybe you should consider insuring yours to protect you if it does break.

As the proliferation of recycling firms proves, the number of mobiles the average UK consumer can get through in a few years can be staggering.

For this reason, some may choose not to insure their phone – however, there can be number of benefits of choosing to do so.

Whether they are on someone's person on the move or in the home, these gadgets are always a target for thieves. Many people unwittingly leave their phones in plain sight, making them easy targets for thieves.

Many people know to avoid using their handset in certain areas of towns and cities, but muggings are not the only issue – a sneaky crook can relieve you of your mobile hours before you even realise its missing. If you walk around with iPhone headphones in your ears you can quickly become a beacon for opportunistic criminals.

Event such as festivals and gigs are also common places for losing a phone from a pocket or handbag.

Accidental damage is another reason cover may be advised, as anyone who has dropped their handset in a pub toilet could testify.

It can be important to check whether a phone is covered under home contents insurance – some policies can include this as standard or an add-on.

However, it may be advised to ensure if thieves makings calls on your mobile are included in this type of insurance.

If it is not, and you do not have separate mobile phone insurance, a swift call by a crook to one of their favourite 0898 numbers could land you with a hefty bill.