Insuring your child's hearing aids
Why do children's hearing aids need their own insurance cover?
Children's hearing aids face a higher risk of loss and damage because of school, sport, play, and children handling small devices themselves. A dedicated policy, or a specified item added to an existing policy, can cover loss, accidental damage, and sometimes a spare device. Always confirm what counts as accidental versus wear and tear.
Key takeaways
- Children's hearing aids are handled more, which raises the risk of loss and damage.
- School, sport, and play are common settings for claims.
- A specified item add-on or standalone policy are both common options.
- Wear and tear is usually excluded, so check what counts as accidental.
- Ask whether a spare or loan device is available while a claim is processed.
Why children's hearing aids are higher risk
Young children are still learning to manage a small, delicate device. It can be pulled out during play, left behind at school, or knocked during sport, all of which raise the chance of a claim compared with an adult's hearing aid.
This is one reason cover for children is often treated differently from standard hearing aid insurance.
Cover options for a child's hearing aid
Parents typically choose between two routes:
- A standalone or specified item policy built around the hearing aid's value.
- Adding the device to an existing policy as an all-risk or specified item, where the insurer allows it.
See single item insurance for how specifying a valuable item generally works.
What is usually excluded
Insurers generally distinguish between accidental damage and normal wear and tear, and wear and tear is typically not covered. A device that simply stops working after years of use is different from one that was dropped or lost.
Read the policy wording carefully, and ask the insurer directly if you are unsure how a specific scenario would be treated.
Practical steps for parents
A few habits reduce risk and make a claim easier if something does go wrong:
- Keep proof of purchase and the device's replacement value.
- Ask the school to help keep track of the device during the day.
- Check if a spare or loan hearing aid is available while a claim is processed.
Get a quote to compare cover for your child's hearing aid.