Does Home and Contents Insurance cover laptops?

How can I insure my laptop? 

While there’s no such thing as ‘laptop insurance’ on its own, you might be able to cover your laptop for accidental damage, theft, and loss through your Contents Insurance. Some Home and Contents Insurance policies will automatically cover your laptop, while others might require you to add it as a listed item. 

If it is covered, make sure you check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for more details. Does it cover your laptop when it’s outside your home? What about when you’re travelling overseas? 

If the cover provided by your existing Contents Insurance is enough for you, it can be a very cost-effective way of protecting it. If not, you might want to consider Portable Contents Insurance. 

What is Portable Contents Insurance? 

If your Home and Contents Policy only covers your laptop while it’s in your home but you want to protect it while you’re out and about, you might be able to add portable contents coverage to your policy. 

Portable Contents Insurance is a type of policy that covers your items that are used outside of your home. Make sure you read the PDS carefully. These policies usually cover theft and damage but may not cover loss or mechanical failure. It also might not cover your laptop if it gets stolen from an unlocked house or vehicle and there may also be limitations on overseas coverage. 

If you upgrade or get a new laptop and want to make sure it’s still covered, inform your provider of the new details and decide if you’re happy with your current level of insurance or if you’d like to increase your cover.

Helpful Tip:

Taking good care of your laptop isn’t just a good rule of thumb—it can also give you a better chance of getting approved if you ever need to make a claim. Most insurance providers will require you to take reasonable care of your laptop, so spilling coffee on it during a busy workday, or leaving it unattended at a cafe is probably a no-go.

Natasha Etschmann

Investor & Personal Finance Educator

How much can I insure my laptop for? 

How much you can insure your laptop for depends on how much you’re willing to pay for your premiums, but you should technically be able to insure your laptop for up to its full replacement value. 

If you add your laptop to your Contents Insurance as an additional item, your additional premium will depend on the value of it. Likewise, if you go for Portable Contents Insurance, the price will directly depend on the cost of replacing your laptop. 

Some policies will give you the option of a package cover that includes a set amount for each item (for example $1,000), or a customised cover which allows you to nominate the replacement value of specific items.

Are there any exclusions or limitations? 

All insurance policies have some kinds of exclusions and limitations. Always check your policy details carefully. 

Whether you go for the Contents Insurance or the Portable Contents Insurance option, make sure that the value you’re insuring your laptop for includes the charger. 

While other equipment isn’t automatically included in your ‘laptop insurance’, Portable Contents Insurance can be used to cover other types of portable equipment, like hard drives, monitors, and cameras. 

If you have specific items you want protected, it’s always a good idea either to list them specifically and insure them for a certain amount (which will increase your premiums), or make sure the overall sum you’re insured for is enough to replace all your valuable items.

How do I make a claim for a lost or stolen laptop? 

If your laptop does get lost or stolen, making a claim should be a simple process regardless of whether it’s covered under your Home and Contents Insurance or under a Portable Contents Policy. 

Each insurance provider will have their own processes, but you’ll likely have to fill out a form online with all the details of the incident and usually provide proof of ownership. You may also be able to make a claim over the phone.

Where can I compare Contents Insurance? 

The answer is in your lap. At iSelect, we work with a range of insurers and can help you compare a range of policies online (via your precious laptop!) You can start checking out your options online or, if you need a little help, call one of our friendly team members for a chat on 13 19 20.