What if you lose your phone, file a cell phone insurance claim, and then find your phone under the couch or in your car? You’ve already paid your deductible and started the process with one of the top-rated cell phone insurance providers, so can you cancel it and get your money back? In most cases, the answer is yes. Keep reading to learn what you should do if you find your lost or stolen phone after filing an insurance claim.
Key Takeaways_
- Most cell phone insurance plans allow for canceling claims, but only within certain timeframes.
- Reach out to your provider as soon as possible after finding your phone.
- Make sure you understand your insurance policy before contacting the provider.
How to Cancel Your Cell Phone Insurance Claim
Most phone insurance policies allow you to cancel your claim within a certain timeframe.
STAT: Of the 70 million smartphones lost every year, only about 7% are ever recovered. (source)
Steps
Follow these simple steps to learn how to cancel your phone insurance claim after finding your lost or stolen phone. Also, remember to always be truthful when filing a claim, so you won’t have to worry about facing cell phone insurance fraud. We have a great guide if you need a refresher on how to properly file a phone insurance claim.
STEP 1 Check Your Policy
While most phone insurance carriers allow for cancellations, there are many variations and stipulations that can come into play. If you don’t know the details of your policy, you won’t know the specifics of what you can and can’t do. For instance, if you have a family phone insurance policy, some providers will only allow you to claim twice within a period of 12 months. We recommend checking your policy specifically for time limits on canceling a claim, as that is the most common stipulation. Most providers will allow you to cancel your claim within a few days of filing, so make sure you call to cancel as soon as you find your phone.
insider tip
We recommend checking your policy specifically for time limits on canceling a claim, as that is the most common stipulation.
STEP 2 Have Your Claim Confirmation Number Handy
After you initially filed your claim, you should have received a claim ID or confirmation number from the provider. Get that number handy, as you will need it when you reach a customer service representative. If you don’t have the number written down, check your email inbox to see if it was emailed to you. Many providers can also find your claim using your mobile phone number and name.
warning
Most providers require you to call and do not have an online cancellation option.
STEP 3 Contact the Insurance Provider
Once you’ve confirmed your claim can be canceled and you have your confirmation number on hand, you’ll need to call your insurance provider’s customer service phone number. Most providers require you to call and do not have an online cancellation option. As always, explain what happened in clear and simple terms. This can happen to anyone, and they should be understanding. Once the claim has been canceled, you should get a timeframe from the representative on when your money will be refunded. And if you feel the policy doesn’t favor you, information on how to cancel your phone insurance policy will be of great help.