Vi Ties Handset Theft Cover To Prepaid Recharges

Vodafone Idea has rolled out handset theft and loss insurance for prepaid users, according to a recent report by Zee Business. The insurance is being offered through a limited set of prepaid recharge packs and does not require customers to purchase a separate policy.

The company has introduced three prepaid packs that carry the insurance benefit. Prices begin at Rs 61. The move brings handset protection to prepaid users, a segment that has generally remained outside device insurance offerings.

Prepaid users form the largest share of India’s mobile base. For many users, the phone is the only device they use for payments, office work, and routine tasks. When it goes missing, access to apps and accounts is affected immediately. Buying a replacement is not easy for those who manage their expenses on a month-to-month basis.

How The Insurance Is Being Offered

The insurance bundled with the recharge packs covers handset theft and loss up to Rs 25,000. The cover is activated once the recharge is completed. There is no separate sign-up or premium payment.

The Rs 61 recharge includes 30 days of insurance and 2 GB of data. The Rs 201 and Rs 251 packs extend the cover to six months and one year. These packs also include 10 GB of data. The coverage amount remains the same across all three packs.

Claims are expected to follow a digital process. Users would need to report the loss or theft and submit documents as required. Details on exclusions and claim timelines have not been highlighted as part of the announcement.

Why This Matters

In India, handset insurance has mostly been offered at the time of buying a new phone. Adoption among prepaid users has been low. Cost and lack of awareness have been common reasons.

By attaching insurance to a recharge, Vi is trying to lower the entry barrier. The user does not have to make a separate purchase decision. For telecom companies, bundling extra services with mobile plans has become more common as there is limited room to raise tariffs outright. Add-ons such as insurance and entertainment are increasingly being used to make plans look more attractive.