• Research shows significant opportunity for refurbished mobiles in the UK
  • Assurant launches new Device Care Centre in Staffordshire, providing state of the art repair equipment to extend the life of devices and ensure refurbished phones feel like new
  • It is the UK’s first device centre to repair liquid-damaged devices with Assurant RescuTech, repairing devices without risking further damage

London, April 7, 2022 — Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ), a leading global business services company that supports, protects and connects major consumer purchases, has found that 47% of UK consumers would consider purchasing a refurbished device, and 9% have already bought one.

As part of its latest Connected Decade report, Assurant found that the condition of the device was the most important factor for consumers who are considering purchasing a pre-owned device, with 43% stating so. Price came in second with 37% stating it was an important factor.

To ensure devices last as long as possible and sell well second hand, Assurant has announced its new Device Care Centre that provides state of the art repair processes and equipment to ensure the longevity of mobile devices. Staffed by skilled technicians, the Device Care Centre focuses on repairing and refurbishing devices without compromising on quality. 

With the launch of this facility, Assurant has become the first firm in the UK to exclusively provide liquid damage removal with Assurant RescuTech – repairing devices without risk of further damage. This technology, which can be used on mobile phones, tablets, laptops and wearables, means that 80% of all liquid-damaged devices sent to Assurant have been returned to full working order – saving them from landfill. Alongside water damage repair, the centre provides Optocoating, giving a ‘fresh out of the box’ feel, and lens reconditioning that removes even the smallest of scratches from the device.

The centre repairs mobile phones and tablets as well as laptops and wearables. Every device that goes through the centre is subject to 65 functional and cosmetic checks that are continually updated in line with the latest technology, with all repairs following the same high level of quality control. Assurant repairs and cosmetically enhances devices to increase the opportunity to re-use and re-sell assets,  promoting sustainability and the circular economy.

 In order to ensure devices are repaired to the highest standard as quickly as possible, Assurant has invested in robotics and a highly automated process. Robots move the devices between the required repair stations, picking and delivering multiple parts to enable the technicians to focus on their highly skilled role, and there is an automation system which displays the progress of processes and productivity. This means time between repair stations is reduced, plus utilising robots increases accuracy and quality.

Repairs at the centre are offered to insured and non-insured clients. Fulfilment options include mail-in, walk-in, doorstep exchange, same day replacement and via the Pocket Geek Tech Repair stores.

Chris Woolnough, UK Managing Director at Assurant, said: “The refurbished device market in the UK is thriving, with half of consumers interested in buying refurbished devices. This is a significant opportunity to reduce e-waste going to landfill. However in order for this interest to continue to grow, consumers expect devices to be in excellent condition. Our device care centre ensures consumers can enjoy new-to-them phones with that fresh out the box feeling.”

Simon Harper, European Supply Chain Director, added: “Assurant has been innovating for 125 years, and with the launch of the Device Care Centre, we are using the latest technology alongside our highly skilled employees to provide a superior customer journey. Our combination of expertise, insights and capabilities enables us to develop programmes that deliver higher customer satisfaction across the customer lifecycle.”

The Device Care Centre is 30,000 square feet in size and uses vertical storage units to deliver a 75% floor space saving. It forms part of Assurant’s extensive global supply chain eco-system, with the company protecting 63 million mobile devices worldwide.

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 About Assurant

Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ) is a leading global business services company that supports, protects and connects major consumer purchases. A Fortune 300 company with a presence in 21 countries, Assurant supports the advancement of the connected world by partnering with the world’s leading brands to develop innovative solutions and to deliver an enhanced customer experience through mobile device solutions, extended service contracts, vehicle protection services, renters insurance, lender-placed insurance products and other specialty products.

Learn more at assurant.com or on Twitter @AssurantNews.