Wearable technology has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years, and the smart watch is now an essential accessory the drives fitness, boosts organisation, and helps us all to stay in touch.

Apart from the basics, like the size and colour of your chosen watch, what else do you need to consider before buying one?

Operating System

Broadly speaking, there are three groups of smart watches: Apple watches, watches that run Android, and watches that run some other software. Typically, the third category includes watches with a specialism, like FitBit watches that monitor health.

If you already own an iPhone, it makes sense to get an Apple watch. They ‘just work’ together, have a similar interface, and so on. And if you have an Android phone, you’ll almost certainly want to buy an Android or third-party watch, because an Apple watch won’t ‘talk’ to your phone.

Some Android watches can be used with Apple and Android, so that’s a possibility if you want some flex.

This is a very individual decision, but one thing’s certain; if you intend to switch to an iPhone just to get the watch that matches, be sure that you’re comfortable with iOS. Switching your phone and watch later could be expensive.

The most expensive on the market naturally give you the most functionality. But all-singing, all-dancing ones, like the latest Apple watch, can cost more than a medium-spec smartphone.

If your budget is a little smaller, you’ll need to figure out some priorities. What is your watch going to be used for? If you need to use it as a phone, you’ll find that a watch with a built-in SIM card is really convenient, since you won’t need to keep your phone nearby. But if you just want to track your steps and receive notifications, you could purchase something a lot cheaper.

Likewise, true fitness fanatics will enjoy the features of expensive Garmin smart watches. Those devices will certainly be overkill for someone who wants to listen to music occasionally at the gym.

Convenience

Despite being roughly the same size and shape, they can offer a very different user experience -- and convenience is important in a watch.

Charging a watch every 24 hours can be really inconvenient -- particularly if you want to track your sleep, since you won’t want to take it off every night to plug it in.

You’ll get the best battery life from a watch with a basic display and fairly basic features; some fitness trackers can last weeks on one battery, but they won’t be as ‘smart’ as the ones with a battery that goes flat within a couple of days.

Getting the right watch can be a real boost to your life -- but beware of choosing a model that is too limited, too expensive, or too inconvenient. And since smart watches are vulnerable, don’t forget to insure your new purchase against accidental damage, theft, and loss.

The use of mobile phones, tablets, and other gadgets has been steadily increasing over the last 10 years.

For example, in 2015, the Guardian reported that every British household owned more than 7 gadgets. Now, the figure is certainly higher.

With all these electronic devices around, it’s easy to lose track. Gadgets are frequently misplaced while travelling, or left in hotels and on buses.

You might wonder what would happen if you lost your gadgets, or if your kids left them on a plane. Have you ever counted the cost of repurchasing all of your valuable gadgets? It doesn’t bear thinking about.

Weighing Up the Risk

Some types of insurance are compulsory. The most common examples are buildings insurance, which will usually be required if you need a mortgage to buy a house, and car insurance, which you need to have to drive on a road in the UK.

Other types of insurance are optional, like pet insurance, life insurance, and insurance for the appliances around your home.

Insurance is all about risk, and you need to balance the risk with the cost. Often, very expensive insurance for a basic smartphone isn’t worth the money. But cheap insurance for a phone can be a good investment -- particularly if you would struggle to buy a new one outright.

The risk of having a phone stolen, or losing a phone while travelling, is actually quite high compared to the risk of a catastrophic event that knocks your house down. So gadget insurance does make sense.

How to Compare Gadget Insurance

Before buying gadget insurance, think about:

• How many gadgets you own as a family

• How many devices your kids use, or carry around on a regular basis -- since the risk of loss or damage is going to be higher for those

• Whether you take devices out of the home, and how you store them when they’re at home

• Which devices you couldn’t live without if they broke, and which ones your kids rely on.

Insuring lots of gadgets can also be expensive. If you have a few tablets and phones in the house, it’s worth looking for an insurer that will offer you a discount for insuring multiple items.

The excess is also important. If this is too high, it won’t be worth claiming for your device if it’s lost or damaged.

Gadget Insurance Peace of Mind

Row.co.uk is one of the UK’s leading gadget insurers. Its flexible quote builder allows you to create your own custom gadget insurance package, so you can instantly insure your most valuable an important items by just adding them once to your plan.

Additionally, you get a discount for insuring multiple gadgets. For example, insure two, and we’ll discount the price by 5%. Insure three and we’ll give you a huge 15% off.

All gadget insurance includes accidental damage cover, trips overseas, cover for unauthorised calls, and -- crucially -- cover for liquid damage. The cover you buy applies to you and your immediate family; ideal if you all share a device in the family home.

For more information, and to get an instant quote, head to Row.co.uk’s gadget insurance quote page.