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 bike grabbed my iPhone 14 Pro Max out of my hand Wednesday.

• It was the second time someone stole my iPhone, which I didn't think would happen again.

• I didn't feel like insurance was worth the cost, but now think I made an expensive mistake.

I never thought I'd write this article.

While I was on my way to my London office Wednesday morning, a thief on a bike grabbed my phone out of my hands and cycled away with it.

Minutes after leaving one of my favorite coffee shops with my once-a-month treat of a "dirty chai" latte, I stopped to get some tissues out of my pocket, as my hay fever had kicked in.

I heard a small "bang" and felt pressure on my other hand, which was holding my phone. Then it was gone: My iPhone 14 Pro Max was in the hands of a man on a bike speeding away from me.

He was wearing a hoodie with the hood up, so I couldn't see his face. He disappeared in a matter of seconds.

The phone was hard-earned and very expensive: It cost $1,200. I had no time to do anything.

I found myself rooted to the ground, stuttering some words in my native French: "Mon téléphone."

I have never felt this powerless, and it's the second time I have been mugged.

It had happened before

In October 2019, I was on my way home from a shift working as a supervisor at one of my university's student bars. I was suddenly knocked to the ground, and someone put their foot on my head to immobilize me.

They attempted to steal all my belongings, including my iPhone 11 Pro Max and MacBook Pro. Despite being unable to move much, I somehow managed to save my laptop.

I hadn't felt them taking my phone, but I did feel the few bruised ribs and a sprained wrist the moment I got home and collapsed. I went to the hospital and filed a police report.

Because I didn't have any savings, I took some extra shifts at work to save up as much as I could in two weeks, did some babysitting, and sold a few items to be able to afford a new phone.

I also contemplated getting something I didn't have: insurance for my phone.