Virgin Media Launches Unlimited Data With Insurance

Virgin Media has revealed a range of new mobile tariffs, the headline of which is the Premiere plan, which offers unlimited data, 2,500 anytime network minutes as well as unlimited texts and calls to landlines.

The Premiere plan starts at £21 per month and also includes mobile insurance and automatic back-up functionality.

The network has compared it to other tariffs such as Three’s One Plan and T-Mobile’s Full Monty, adding that the Premiere will set a “new standard in unbeatable value” and that the rest of the market will have to play catch up.

Added insurance

“When we launched over ten years ago as the world’s first mobile company of its type, we revolutionised the market, and this is another such landmark,” said Jamie Heywood, director of mobile at Virgin Media. “As people look for the best value, we’re rewarding loyalty with some amazing tariffs with unlimited offerings that our customers can enjoy without worrying about hidden extras, as well as helping to combat bill shock.”

The plan provides 24-hour guaranteed handset replacement in the UK if it is lost or stolen, while Mobile Rescue will automatically backup contacts and lock and locate the handset remotely.

Virgin said that the decision to include insurance in the deal resulted from research that discovered that 72 percent of Brits didn’t have it, despite 70 percent admitting to breaking or losing up to seven phones in the last decade.

“An overwhelming number of consumers don’t believe that mobile insurance is necessary and won’t consider taking insurance through their mobile provider because it’s too expensive,” said Heywood. “For too long mobile providers have failed to offer insurance that represents value for money. We were astounded to find so many people were prepared to gamble when it came to protecting their handsets, which is why we are now the only provider to offer inclusive insurance as standard for our loyal customers at no extra cost.”

Handsets under the plan will come pre-loaded with Virgin’s ‘My Account’ app, which allows users to manage their use and they will receive a text if they near the limits of their allowance. Customers can move up and down the tariffs at any point during their contract without penalty.

Existing Virgin customers will save £5 on each tariff and SIM only deals are also available if users’ already have a phone. All customers will be able to use the Wi-Fi network on the London Underground, when the free service ends after this summer’s Olympic Games.

What do you know about smartphones? Find out with our quiz!