Cell Phone Insurance?

I got a new cell phone yesterday. Fortunately my phone was still under warranty for another two months. My last phone died 2 months after the warranty expired so I figured I was due.

The good news was that I got a newer version of my current phone for free. The bad news–I only get the remaining two months under warranty.

They offered me cell phone insurance for an extra $5 a month but I think I’ll take my chances. I know the odds haven’t been good for me recently. This is another reason why I haven’t yet broken down and gotten the iPhone I have coveted so long.  Usually electronics insurance is not a good deal if you ask consumer experts but it really helps the bottom line of companies that sell electronics so they keep offering.

As for me, I figure the phone was free anyway after rebate so if I end up having to buy a new one eventually I had it coming.

Know Your Stuff

It’s one of those things you always say you are going to get around to–making an inventory of your home for insurance. If you are like me, it ends up on the never-ending “to do” list. The insurance industry has a free program to help you make it a little easier.

The Insurance Information Institute offers a free software program  at KnowYourStuff.org to help you track and catalog your belongings to be prepared for a robbery, fire, or other natural disaster. 

The program can be downloaded to your computer, but they recommend you back up the information on a CD or memory stick so you have an extra copy. They also provide an online service to remotely store your info for a small fee.  The organization does not have access to your information since it is stored on your home computer.

They claim the program makes putting together a home inventory “fun and easy,” but I’ll have to get back to you on the “fun” part. To download the program, you only have to provide the state where you live, your operating system (Windows/Mac) and your email address.  I had trouble downloading it at first, but it may just be me.  Once downloaded, it worked fine.

The site also has a home inventory pdf to get you started in thinking about what needs to go on your list. 

With the program you can add photos of your home, rooms, and individual items.  In addition you can include detailed information such as purchase date, serial numbers, photos of receipts, replacement costs and make and model information.

Detailed information like this helps you make sure you have adequate insurance coverage as well as get what you should from your insurance company in case the unthinkable happens.