If you find your phone after claiming for insurance and you don’t have any magnificent leveraging experience, you’re likely to be baffled. In this post, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to understand what’s going on, what to do next, and how to get your phone back. Read this full guide if you think you may have lost your phone.
What if I Find my Phone After Claiming for Insurance?
You would have to contact the insurer, advise them that you have discovered the phone, and send it when they want it. Keeping the phone would be insurance fraud. If they tell you that you can keep it, that’s great.
Generally, any theft or robbery claim results in filing an FIR. When they file an FIR, the insurance company immediately knows about this upon the stolen property’s recovery.
This form authorizes the insurer to act on your behalf. The insurer will then notify the appropriate police station. If the stolen property is recovered, they will contact you and your insurance company. This is the method.
However, if the loss is minor, the insurer can pay the claim without requiring these steps.
Insurance companies that handle small claims, such as jewelry, electronics (cell phones, computers), and other tiny items, have a condition in their policies that states that if the thing is discovered within a year, the insurance company must be notified.
A claim adjustment can be made if the original or replacement item is returned, and perhaps a partial reimbursement of the deductible is received. If the discovered item is retained or sold, this may be construed as insurance fraud.
An item is being declared lost to acquire a replacement, regardless of whether this was intended. Again, contact your insurance company and describe where you discovered the article. From there, a person will assist you.
How to Claim for insurance
File your claim online
You’ll need to provide the name of your insurer, the make and model of your appliance, a description of the incident, your billing and shipping addresses, and a form of excess payment. You should receive an email with delivery and tracking information for your replacement device shortly after submitting the device claim.
Track your claim
Once you have initiated a claim, you can monitor the claim’s progress online 24 hours a day. It’s comforting to know that the wheels are in motion and your replacement phone is on its way.
Canceling a claim
Assume you report a phone as lost and then discover it concealed in the sofa cushions. By calling insurance and submitting your claim ID or the device’s cell number, you may be able to terminate your claim. Most policies allow the cancellation of a claim if notice is given within a few days.
How to know if I have insurance coverage/device protection on my device?
The Add-ons & Apps tab in My Verizon (if that’s your wireless provider) has a list of your device protection add-ons if you’re not sure which one you have. Otherwise, contact or visit your carrier or phone service page.
These choices for protecting your device:
- A single Verizon Mobile Protect license can protect multiple devices.
- Coverage for all devices
- Mobile Phone Protection.
- Verizon Extended Warranty* is available (If you have a contract with that company).
- An extended warranty is available in the United Estates.
What to do if your mobile phone is lost or stolen?
Report your phone to your provider
So, they can deactivate your phone and prevent others from using it. So, if you do not inform them directly, you may be liable for unauthorized calls, which can be pretty costly.
If you have reason to believe that someone steals your phone, call your network provider immediately. In case, you locate your phone, it is usually possible to reactivate it through your network provider.
If your phone is stolen
Your network provider will provide you with your phone’s unique phone identifier (IMEI), which you should disclose to the police. Please note the crime reference number; you will need it to file an insurance claim.
Paying for unauthorized calls
If someone else runs up a hefty bill on your phone, you will often be responsible for the cost of the calls until you report your phone as missing.
Many cell phone companies will only charge you up to $100 if someone steals your phone or you lose it. If you report it in the first 24 hours, you won’t have to pay a thing. So, if you have a pay-as-you-go contract, your credit won’t be back if you lose it before you report it.
If your network charges you the total rate for calls you make before reporting, you should ask if the company bill reduces. Sometimes they will do so as a show of goodwill, but they don’t have to do it in the long run.
If your network provider charges you for calls made after you have reported your phone stolen, you should contest the charge.
If you have insurance for your phone, you may get compensation for the cost of illegal calls you make between the time you lose your phone and when you report it missing.
Getting a replacement SIM card and phone
- Your network will usually give you a replacement SIM card. However, you must pay an administration fee.
- Your network will usually not replace your phone for free, and you will have to continue to pay monthly line rental until the end of your contract.
- If you do not receive a free replacement phone, you will have to decide whether to buy one.
- You can buy a new phone while keeping your current contract.
- Wait until your current contract expires before signing up for a new one that includes a free phone.
If you’re insured
If your phone is insured or protected by your home insurance policy, you can usually claim for its replacement. You should provide the crime reference number to the police in case of robbery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit to the number of claims I can file?
Yes. All single device protection plans have an annual limit of three claims. If, however, you join into a multi-device program, you will have a more significant number of shares to distribute among your covered lines.
How quickly will I receive my replacement device if I file a claim for my damaged, lost, or stolen device?
Once they accept your claim, the replacement process begins. Some carriers offer overnight shipping and may even deliver the same day, depending on the customer’s location and the time of the request.
What kind of replacement phone will I receive?
Companies strive to replace your equipment with the same make and model. However, if you cannot access the exact make and model, they will do the closest replacement in feature capability. In addition, smartphones can be new or refurbished, with different colors and functionality.
What do I do with my old phone?
You must do this within 10-15 days to avoid being charged for not returning it.
If I lose my phone, do I need to return anything?
No. However, if you locate your lost phone, please return it using the prepaid return label provided with the replacement device.
Bottom line
Keeping the phone would be insurance fraud. Insurance companies that handle small claims, such as jewelry, electronics (cell phones/computers), etc., include a condition in their policies requiring you to contact the insurance company if you discover the item within a year.
If you have insurance for your phone, they can reimburse you for illegal calls made when you lose it and report it missing. Some networks will send you a replacement SIM card for a fee. This applies if you lose your phone. Within 10–15 days, you must do so to avoid charges for failure to return it.
