Insurance for your smart phones and gadgets

The rise of smart phones and smart gadgets continued last week with the launch of the new Apple iPad competitor, the Samsung Galaxy; with sales of smart gadgets predicted to soar this Christmas, leading independent broker Hastings Direct is advising householders to check their away from home cover.

Explains Shaun Law, head of household insurance, Hastings Direct: "We automatically increase our policyholders' contents cover by 10% on December 1st until the New Year, however, many of these new smart gadgets are used out of the home, so householders are advised to check the limits on the totals for out of home possessions. Cover should not only include the cost of the gadget, but something even more valuable - the downloaded images, graphics, songs and apps. which can raise their replacement value considerably."

A 4GB Apple iPod nano can hold one thousand songs, so whilst the cost of the music player is around £150, fully loaded with songs, the downloaded material would be worth £990.

Law: "Good insurance cover can offer up to £2,500 for download materials. Householders should consider adding their new smart gadgets to their away from home cover to ensure they are fully protected for loss or theft. "

For more information call Hastings Direct home insurance, visit hastingsdirect.com.