How we calculate gadget insurance ratings

To improve consistency and remove subjectivity, our gadget and mobile insurance ratings are calculated using the industry averages to create a ranking table.

The result, as you would expect is the majority of policies awarded a 3 star rating, 4 star rating awarded to those offering above average cover and 5 star awards to only the very best policies.

You must remember that whilst the results provide a good guide to the levels of cover you can expect, it is only a rating of the policy itself and does not furnish you with the whole picture. For example, you may choose a 5 star policy, but the company has poor customer service levels, or the premium is too expensive. It may well be that a 4 or 3 star policy will meet all your requirements and be more suitable to your budget.

For this reason we encourage you to use the star ratings in conjunction with our in depth insurance reviews, that examines subject matter such as customer service, complaints and premiums.

Please note the information and analysis that we provide should not be construed as advice, but only as a means of assisting with your search to find a policy that best suits your needs.

Our database calculates the industry average for each section of cover in a gadget and mobile insurance policy. The algorithm attaches a value to each section and calculates an overall score. The more comprehensive the cover the higher the rating.

(Where a policy has an option to include a certain section of cover, we have assumed that it is included for rating purposes)

In keeping with our goal of transparency, our star ratings requirements are as follows:

FIVE STARS

1. Five Star policies must provide cover for all core and secondary sections of cover.
2. Five Star policies must provide a minimum of £1,500 cover in respect of:

   2a Accidental Loss.

   2b Accidental damage.

   2c Breakdown.

   2d Theft.

3. A minimum of £2,500 in respect of unauthorised usage.
4. Five star policies must insure devices that are a minimum of 24 months old.
5. Five star policies may provide additional services and cover benefits over and above standard policies.
6. Premiums are competitive in relation to the cover provided.

FOUR STARS

1. Four Star policies must provide cover for all core and secondary sections of cover.
2. Four star policies must provide a minimum of £1,000 cover in respect of:

   2a Accidental Loss.

   2b Accidental damage.

   2c Breakdown.

   2d Theft.

3. A minimum of £1,000 in respect of unauthorised usage.
4. Five star policies must insure devices that are a minimum of 6 months old.

THREE STARS

1. Three Star policies must include Accidental Damage, Theft and Breakdown Cover.
2. Three Star policies may not have all the features and benefits of a four or five star policy.

TWO STARS

1. Two Star policies generally provide cover that is below the market average and have core or secondary sections of cover missing from their policies.
2. Two Star policies must include Accidental Damage and Theft Cover.

ONE STAR

1. One Star policies provide cover that is below the market average.
2. One Star policies normally provide the minimum amount of cover available.