When your phone, tablet, or laptop breaks, your first instinct might be to file an insurance claim. After all, you’re paying for coverage, so why not use it? However, many people don’t realise that going through insurance can be far more inconvenient, risky, and costly in the long run than simply visiting a trusted local repair shop. Let’s break down both options so you can make the best decision for your device, and your wallet.
At first glance, insurance repairs seem straightforward. But once you start the process, the drawbacks quickly add up.
1. Insurance Claims Can Increase Your Premium
Filing a claim isn’t “free.” Just like car or home insurance, making a claim can affect your future premiums. Multiple claims or even a single expensive one may lead to higher monthly costs or reduced coverage down the line.
In other words, today’s cracked screen could end up costing you much more over time.
2. You’ll Likely Lose All Your Data
One of the biggest frustrations with insurance repairs is data loss. Most insurance providers don’t repair your device they replace it.
That means:
Even with backups, restoring everything exactly as it was can be time consuming and stressful.
3. Long Wait Times (Often 1–2 Weeks or More)
Insurance repairs are rarely quick. The typical process includes:
This usually takes around two weeks, and sometimes longer. During that time, you may be without your phone or stuck using an old backup device.
In today’s world, being without a phone isn’t just inconvenient it can disrupt work, navigation, banking, and staying in touch with family.
4. Deductibles and Fees Add Up
Even with insurance, you’ll almost always pay a deductible. Depending on your plan, this can be surprisingly close to the cost of a local repair especially for common issues like screen or battery replacements.
Now let’s look at the alternative: taking your device to a reputable local repair shop.
1. Same Day Repairs
Most local repair shops can fix common issues like cracked screens, battery replacements, or charging ports the same day, often within an hour or two.
No shipping. No waiting weeks. No disruption to your daily life.
2. Your Data Stays Exactly Where It Is
Local repair shops repair your actual device, not replace it. That means:
Your photos, messages, apps, and settings remain untouched.
3. No Impact on Insurance Premiums
Since you’re not filing a claim, your insurance history stays clean. No increased premiums, no long-term financial consequences.
4. Transparent Pricing
Local repair shops offer clear, upfront pricing. You know exactly what you’re paying and in many cases, it’s comparable to (or cheaper than) an insurance deductible.
5. Personalised, Local Service
With a local repair shop, you’re dealing with real people who can:
That personal service is something insurance providers simply can’t match.
While insurance repairs may seem convenient on paper, they often come with major downsides: higher premiums, lost data, long wait times, and unexpected costs.
In contrast, a trusted local repair shop offers:
Before filing that insurance claim, consider stopping by your local repair shop you might be surprised how much easier, faster, and stress-free the process can be.
