Insurance for mobile phone or laptop? Here are 5 good reasons!

More than 9 out of 10 Belgian households (91.9%) have at least one smartphone, and just under 8 out of 10 (78.6%) have a laptop*. Although we sometimes seem unable to do without them, by no means does everyone insure their digital devices. Here are five reasons why you should give it more thought.

1. Often more than just mobile phone insurance

Insurance on digital devices is often not limited to mobile phones or laptops. Besides the ever-popular smartphone, more and more people have tablets or smartwatches in their homes. Devices that many insurers now include as standard in their insurance products. One contribution for complete peace of mind? Definitely an option to consider.

2. The chance of an accident increases

Question: How many times has your smartphone or tablet touched the ground or another surface unknowingly? Unless you are one of the lucky few, this has undoubtedly happened to you at least once already. Accidents can happen, especially since we nowadays take our smartphone or smartwatch with us everywhere. To work, to the gym, to a concert or festival, on a bike…

But even at home, a tablet or smartphone can easily become damaged. Especially when (younger) children feel a little too familiar with it. If you have insurance that covers damage to your mobile phone or other digital devices, you know that you always have a plan B.

3. From guaranteed repair costs to total reimbursement

Depending on the insurance policy you choose, in the event of damage to your device, the insurer may cover the repair costs, provide a replacement device or - in the event of irreparable damage - reimburse you for the purchase price. And often for all the digital devices you have in your home that are covered by the conditions. Read the insurer's exact guarantees carefully beforehand.

4. Thieves are more cunning than ever

Electronic devices have long been a popular target for thieves and pickpockets. This trend will not go away any time soon. In recent years, there has been another worrying trend: digital fraud.

Imagine your smartphone being stolen from your bag while you’re on the metro, or your laptop being stolen from your car. In itself, it is very serious. Many criminals go one step further after this. They use your device to:

• Make expensive international calls
• Obtain financial information from acquaintances and relatives under your name
• Retrieve personal data and even bank information
• Make online purchases, if they can access your payment details
• Potentially steal company information
• And more

The priority is, of course, to go to the police immediately to report the theft and to block as many applications as possible and change your passwords.

The police will also provide you with a certificate for your insurer as proof. In many cases, theft and/or fraudulent use of your device is included in insurance for mobile phones, laptops, etc. Thanks to your insurance, you will then be entitled to compensation so you can buy a new one quickly and/or expect to receive financial compensation, e.g. for those extremely expensive phone calls that were made with your smartphone.

5. International cover

Do you travel often for work or are you a seasoned globetrotter? Many insurers guarantee that your digital devices are protected worldwide. A damaged smartphone or a stolen laptop is always a nuisance, but as long as you are insured, you know that a reassuring solution is on the way. And you can continue your holiday or work trip with a lot less worry.

What are you usually covered for?

Mobile phone insurance and comprehensive insurance for digital devices are often mentioned in the same breath these days. In summary, what is covered by the potential insured scenarios?

• Accidental damage: damage caused by dropping, impact, fire, liquid
• Theft, including pickpocketing, if reported to the police in a timely manner
• Damage caused by natural disasters, such as storms or floods
• Fraudulent use in the event of theft

Here, too, the conditions can differ subtly or significantly from one insurer to another. You should therefore always be well informed about the details of the contract.

Are there any restrictions?

Apart from some guarantees, there are also certain limitations or scenarios where you cannot (or no longer) rely on your insurer's digital insurance. Examples of this may include:

• A maximum number of claims reimbursed per year
• Deductibles and reimbursement ceilings
• Exclusion of company devices (e.g. employer’s smartphone or laptop)
• Exclusion of damage cases for which the manufacturer’s warranty is still valid

Even if you've lost your digital device yourself or your device has seen better days, the insurer may not intervene.

* Figures: Media Trends Study 2025, Centre for Information and Media (CIM)

Discover Ethias Digital Comprehensive Insurance

As a partner of the insurance company Ethias, we would like to introduce you to their comprehensive insurance package for digital devices. With their Digital Comprehensive Insurance, you can protect any mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, laptop or smartwatch you have today.

Would you like to find out more about their digital insurance or other insurance solutions? If so, we would be happy to refer you to their information page.