I just had my 2nd iPhone stolen by a thief on a bike. I didn’t think insurance was worth it, but now I feel like I made a very expensive mistake.

• A thief on a motorbike grabbed my iPhone 14 Professional Max out of my hand Wednesday.
• It was the second time somebody stole my iPhone, which I did not suppose would occur once more.

I by no means thought I would write this text.

Whereas I used to be on my technique to my London workplace Wednesday morning, a thief on a motorbike grabbed my cellphone out of my fingers and cycled away with it.

Minutes after leaving certainly one of my favourite espresso outlets with my once-a-month deal with of a “soiled chai” latte, I ended to get some tissues out of my pocket, as my hay fever had kicked in.

I heard a small “bang” and felt strain on my different hand, which was holding my cellphone. Then it was gone: My iPhone 14 Professional Max was within the fingers of a person on a motorbike dashing away from me.

He was sporting a hoodie with the hood up, so I could not see his face. He disappeared in a matter of seconds.

The cellphone was hard-earned and really costly: It price $1,200. I had no time to do something.

I discovered myself rooted to the bottom, stuttering some phrases in my native French: “Mon téléphone.”

I’ve by no means felt this powerless, and it is the second time I’ve been mugged.

It had occurred earlier than

In October 2019, I used to be on my means residence from a shift working as a supervisor at certainly one of my college’s scholar bars. I used to be all of the sudden knocked to the bottom, and somebody put their foot on my head to immobilize me.

They tried to steal all my belongings, together with my iPhone 11 Professional Max and MacBook Professional. Regardless of being unable to maneuver a lot, I someway managed to save lots of my laptop computer.

I hadn’t felt them taking my cellphone, however I did really feel the few bruised ribs and a sprained wrist the second I acquired residence and collapsed. I went to the hospital and filed a police report.

As a result of I did not have any financial savings, I took some additional shifts at work to save lots of up as a lot as I might in two weeks, did some babysitting, and offered a couple of objects to have the ability to afford a brand new cellphone.

I additionally contemplated getting one thing I did not have: insurance coverage for my cellphone.

However I used to be a European scholar, and each penny mattered to me. I had a UK authorities upkeep mortgage however was nonetheless working three jobs at minimal wage to have the ability to afford residing in London. I did not have some other monetary assist.

Paying a month-to-month payment of £10, or about $12, or so for insurance coverage that I’d by no means use did not appear price it after I was residing in one of many world’s costliest cities. So I did not do it.

I informed myself on the time: “You may be high quality. Somebody stole your cellphone as soon as. There is no likelihood it’s going to occur once more.”

Remorse and frustration

I would by no means actually cared a lot about insurance coverage. Most of my associates and colleagues I’ve spoken with since Wednesday say they don’t have their devices insured, both.

However now I remorse it.

As with the primary theft, I do know that this time, regardless of submitting a police report, there’s a very slim likelihood of my cellphone being recovered.

What’s irritating is that I’ve been capable of monitor it with the “Discover My Telephone” function and may see the place it’s. It appears to be in a mall, however ought to I danger placing myself at risk by going there? I keep in mind the police saying the primary time I had my cellphone stolen that they would not go to a location until they’d a full tackle.

This week’s theft affected me greater than I had anticipated. I used to be upset, and for some time, I could not cease swearing. I additionally, to some extent, felt violated. I puzzled how a lot the thief would be capable to see if he managed to get into my cellphone — all my photos, notes, and emails.

I nonetheless suppose insurance coverage is costly. It might probably price greater than subscribing to a streaming platform like Disney+ or Prime Video.

For now, the subsequent problem is to save lots of up for a brand new cellphone.

This time, I am undoubtedly getting insurance coverage.