How much do Kiwis lose each year to phone repairs?

New Zealanders lose an average of $13.5 million every year on lost and damaged mobile phone costs, State Insurance revealed. And while Kiwis generally own phones valued between $1,000 and $1,600, only 43% have their phones insured under a contents insurance policy.

State calculated the first figure based on over 35,000 contents insurance claims for mobile phones it processed over the past two and a half years. The latter figures came from new research from State and Ipsos.

The State-Ipsos survey found that 35% of respondents had their phones repaired or replaced at least twice in the last five years, while another 8% had theirs repaired or replaced at least thrice.

Gen-Z Kiwis were the most likely to lose their phones, with 62% of those between 18 and 24 admitting they had their phones fixed or replaced in the past five years due to damage, loss, or theft. More than half (56%) of respondents between 25 and 34 years old said the same.

“There are a million different ways you can find yourself suddenly phoneless,” said State executive general manager for claims Wayne Tippet, who shared that State Insurance had encountered phone claims from people driving off with it perched on the car roof, dropping it in a porta-loo at a music festival, or being “swarmed by a pack of vicious seagulls”.

While losing or damaging a phone could sometimes feel “inevitable”, Tippet said that made it all the more worth protecting.

“[The] costs of having to repair or replace a phone can quickly add up, and if you can avoid it, you should,” he said. “Investing in a quality, water-resistant, and shock-proof case will help protect your phone from most avoidable accidents. I’d also recommend keeping your phone somewhere secure like a zipped bag while you’re out and about – you’d be surprised how many of the claims we resolve involve the back pocket of someone’s clothing.”