The average age of used devices at the time of trade-in or upgrade has increased to 3.71 years, up from 3.64 years in Q1 2024. This is according to Assurant’s report on emerging trends in the secondary mobile device market and the trade-in and upgrade patterns among consumers. The increase in upgrade times is primarily

Gadget insurance giant Assurant has bought repair chain iSmash and its 38 retail locations. iSmash had been looking for a sale for several months after its auditors put up a red flag over its future prospects as losses mounted to nearly £6 million, mainly due to the effects of Covid lockdowns and the new culture

Secondary market logistics and services company BlankIT has appointed Dan Jackson as Operations Director. Jackson joins from his current role at Adapt Global. Jackson has held positions at Assurant, LikeWize, and AO. His move to BlankIT reunites him with BlankIT’s founder, Paul Schofield, as the two had worked together in other organizations. Schofield commented, “Dan

Former Assurant Europe CEO Andy Morris has joined Likewize to run its global strategy and develop new markets in device protection, repair, warranty and related solutions

Former Assurant CEO Andy Morris has joined Likewize to run its global strategy and develop new markets in device protection, repair, warranty and related solutions

Money and vouchers to encourage trade-ins Tesco Mobile has partnered with Assurant to launch a trade-in service, allowing Tesco Mobile users to donate their old devices in exchange for money or a Tesco voucher.  Customers can visit the Assurant Tesco Mobile trade-in website to receive an instant valuation for their mobile phone or device. Customers who

There was a 28 per cent year-on-year increase in money returned to customers

Assurant has also opened a Device Care Centre in Tunstall, Staffordshire

The mobile and gadget insurance market have been hit during the pandemic with lockdowns and as people stopped travelling, but an upturn is being seen amid the recovery, with more growth expected ahead

In recent years, mobile insurance provider Assurant has turned its attention to device lifecycle management. With the ethos of offering a full service, it is also ramping up its operations with a robot fleet and new tech

But this has also raised concerns around security, reveals study 

Industry insiders claim handset insurance market is becoming a “billion pound industry”

Specialised insurance provider says deal will accelerate its opportunities and service capabilities in the European mobile market place