Can You Claim a Broken Screen Through Insurance?
The Short Answer: Usually Yes — But It Depends
Cracked your phone screen and wondering if insurance will cover it? You’re not alone — it’s one of the most common questions we get at Phone Repair NZ.
The good news is that many New Zealand insurance policies do cover accidental phone damage, including cracked screens.
The catch? Each insurer has different rules, excess fees, and claim processes — so let’s break it down clearly.
Mobile Phone Insurance Policies
If you bought your phone through a network provider such as Spark, Vodafone (One NZ), or 2degrees, you might have added mobile device insurance when signing up.
These plans typically include:
✅ Accidental damage (like cracked screens or water damage)
✅ Theft or loss (depending on your plan)
Most policies have an excess fee between $100 and $250 NZD — meaning you’ll pay that much before your claim is approved.
If your screen repair costs less than your excess (for example, $120–$200 at a local shop), claiming through insurance often isn’t worth the hassle.
Home and Contents Insurance
If you don’t have phone-specific insurance, your home and contents policy might still cover you.
Many major insurers — including AMI, State, Tower, AA Insurance, and NZI — include accidental damage cover for personal electronics both at home and on the go.
Typically covered:
You dropped your phone and cracked the screen
Your phone was damaged at work, school, or while travelling
A child, pet, or clumsy mate caused the damage
Usually not covered:
General wear and tear
Existing cracks
Manufacturer defects (these go through Apple or Samsung directly)
Most policies also include an excess, so again, smaller repairs may be faster and cheaper to handle directly.
AppleCare+ and Manufacturer Cover
If you’ve purchased AppleCare+ or an extended manufacturer warranty, you may already be covered for two accidental incidents per year.
Apple’s current screen repair service fee in New Zealand is around $79–$129 NZD, depending on your model — far less than replacing the phone entirely.
Samsung and Oppo have similar service arrangements for certain models.
Insurance Claims in Christchurch — How It Works
When making an insurance claim for a damaged phone, most insurers will ask for:
Proof of purchase (receipt or device plan)
Photo of the damage
Quote or report from a professional repair shop
That’s where we come in.
At Phone Repair NZ, we provide:
Diagnostic assessments to confirm the cause of damage
Insurance damage reports accepted by all major NZ insurers
Written quotes or invoices to submit with your claim
You can bring your phone into our Christchurch store or email photos — we’ll prepare everything your insurer needs.
When It’s Quicker (and Cheaper) to Skip the Claim
If your repair cost is close to your insurance excess, it’s usually faster to let us handle it directly.
For example:
iPhone 8 Plus screen replacement: around $89.99
iPhone 12 screen replacement: around $89.99
Both are often cheaper than an insurance excess — and you’ll have your phone back in under two hours.
Local, Honest Help for Insurance Claims
Insurance claims can be slow; your local Christchurch repair shop doesn’t have to be.
Whether you want to claim through your insurer or just get it sorted today, Phone Repair NZ can provide the diagnostics, damage report, and professional repair — all in one place.
Fast. Local. Transparent.
Exactly how insurance claims should feel.