Vodafone has pulled its iPhone 4 insurance offer.

For $9.95 a month, owners of Apple’s latest wonderphone were guaranteed a replacement handset in 48 hours following fire, loss or theft.

After online ribbing from a retail chain earlier today, Vodafone head of corporate communications Paul Brislen confirmed the policy had been withdrawn.

But stock problems mean the company is not confident it can supply a replacement within that time-frame, Mr Brislen told NBR.