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Does Home Insurance Cover Laptops?
Does Home Insurance Cover Laptops?
Written by
Tina Sendin
Edited by
Laura Crowden
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettCompare home and contents insurance the easy way
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When might home insurance cover laptops?
Long story short
Home insurance might already cover your laptop
Standard contents insurance could protect your laptop against theft or damage caused by insured events at home. However, laptop coverage isn’t always automatic.
Portable cover protects your laptop anywhere you go
If you’re on the move, portable contents insurance is an optional add-on that can offer extra coverage for theft, damage, and even some overseas travel.
You might need to list your laptop for full peace of mind
Laptops might require specified cover to ensure they’re fully protected under your policy.
Accidents aren’t always included
Accidental damage cover for your laptop, like spills or drops, may need an optional extra added to your home insurance for proper coverage.
Laptops have become a big part of our lives, holding everything from work files to a million photos of our pet or kids. We take them everywhere, which also means they’re at a higher risk of getting damaged, lost, or stolen.
Home insurance can help cover your laptop, but the kind of protection you get depends on your policy.
When might home insurance cover laptops?
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 might automatically cover your laptop, while others might require you to add-on optional cover.2For more information, see Moneysmart – Mobile phone, tablet and laptop insurance
Standard contents insurance
If your policy provides cover for laptops, it’s for things like theft, fire damage, or other incidents that happen inside your home. If your existing contents insurance includes coverage for your laptop, it’s worth having a squiz at your product disclosure statement (PDS) to get all the details. Does it still have your back when you’re out and about? What about if you’re traveling overseas?
Also, if you (or your kids) tend to spill your drinks or drop stuff because you’ve got your hands full (literally and figuratively), you can also get an optional cover for accidental damage to your laptop – on top of your standard contents insurance.
Portable contents insurance
If you’re always on the go or traveling a fair bit with your laptop, portable contents insurance could be a solid option. Also known as personal effects cover, it differs from standard contents insurance as it extends coverage for theft or damage when you’re not at home. You may also be able to get coverage for when you’re interstate or even overseas. But heads up: You might need to tell your insurer that you want to ‘list’ your laptop for cover. This is because some insurers don’t include laptops under ‘unspecified’ or ‘unlisted’ cover.
Portable contents policies may not cover the laptop if scratches contributed to or caused the loss or damage. Plus, it might not cover your laptop if it gets stolen from an unlocked house or vehicle. There might also be limitations on overseas coverage.
To summarise, here’s what your laptop coverage can look like with standard contents insurance vs having an add-on portable contents cover.
| Coverage | Standard contents insurance | Optional add-on cover: Portable contents insurance |
| Outside the home | No | Yes |
| Loss or damage from fire, flood, storm, and other unexpected insured events | Yes, if damage happened in and around the insured address | Yes |
| Theft | Yes, if theft happened at the insured address | Yes |
| Accidental damage | Optional add-on cover | Yes |
| Overseas travel | No | Sometimes, depends on the policy and may have certain limits |
Of course, it always makes sense to double-check these details and read the product disclosure statement (PDS) carefully.
What type of contents insurance do I need for a laptop?
Do you live in a rough area?
If break-ins are happening around your neighbourhood more often than you’d like, it might be time to think about protecting your stuff. Standard contents insurance can help cover your valuables – including your laptop – so you’re not left out of pocket. You might need to specify or list your laptop so it’s a good idea to check what your policy says.
Do you travel often?
If you’re always on the move for work or leisure, dragging your laptop through airports, hotels, or international backpacking makes your laptop more prone to damage or theft. Portable contents cover can protect your laptop in this case, but it’s worth checking the PDS to find out the countries your policy covers.
Do you have a high-end laptop?
Repairs or replacement costs for top-tier models can be jaw-dropping, so portable contents insurance might be a good idea. Note that you might have to add your laptop and its value under ‘listed’ or ‘specified’ portable contents.
Do you use your employer’s work laptop?
A lot of home insurance policies don’t cover anything relating to biz. If you’re employed and using a work laptop, you might want to check with your employer first whether they’ve already got it insured. Note that your contents policy won’t cover things you don’t own (like if your laptop technically belongs to your employer).
Do you use your personal laptop to make money?
If you’re working for yourself, it’s a good idea to ask your insurer as your standard contents insurance might cover it under home office contents. Or maybe it’s worth getting business insurance if your laptop is your cash cow.
Have you got kids, pets, or a clumsy housemate?
Spills, drops, and chewed-up cords are all real possibilities when little ones, furry friends, or clumsy housemates are around. In this case, you might want to add on an optional extra – accidental damage – to your standard contents insurance to protect your Macbook from coffee spills during random pet zoomies.
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 might technically be able to insure your laptop for up to its full replacement value.
If you add your laptop to your standard contents insurance as an additional item, your additional premium will depend on the value of it. Likewise, if you go for portable contents insurance, how much it costs to insure will depend on the cost of replacing your laptop.
Some portable contents 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.
Helpful tip
If you’ve splurged on a new laptop or upgraded to the latest model, it’s important to make sure it’s still covered. You can start by letting your provider know the details of the new device, like its make, model, and value. This helps them update your policy to reflect your new laptop.
While you’re at it, take a moment to think about whether your current level of insurance is enough. If your new laptop is more expensive than your old one, or if you’re taking it out and about more often, you might want to up your cover. Portable contents insurance or accidental damage cover could be worth looking into for that added peace of mind.
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
Are there any exclusions or limitations?
Insurance policies usually come with some kinds of exclusions and limitations. As a general rule, your laptop insurance might not cover:
accidents and water damage
theft from an unlocked car or when left in a public place
deterioration from normal wear and tear
product flaws
restoration of electronic records or files
devices primarily used for your business.
It’s worth checking your policy details carefully. For instance, does the value you’re insuring your laptop for include the charger?
Portable contents insurance can also be used to cover other types of portable equipment, like hard drives, monitors, and cameras – although just like the case with laptop, they might not be automatically included.
How do I make a home insurance claim for a lost or stolen laptop?
If your laptop does unfortunately get lost or stolen, making a claim should be a simple process regardless of whether it’s covered under your home insurance or under an add-on portable contents policy.
Each insurance provider will have their own process, 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 with your insurer.
This is how the claims process often looks:
- Report the incident: If your laptop was stolen, report it to the police and obtain a report number.
- Gather documentation: Collect receipts, proof of purchase, and photos of the laptop. These are often required by insurers.
- File a claim: Most insurers allow claims online or through a phone call. Submit all requested details and documents.
- Follow up: If needed, provide any additional information to speed up the process.
Having your proof of purchase handy and regularly updating your insurance provider when you upgrade can make the claims process much smoother.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get laptop insurance separately?
While there aren’t dedicated laptop policies, portable contents insurance may give you the protection you’re looking for. While some providers offer standalone portable contents insurance, most offer it as an optional add-on cover on top of standard contents policy. Alternatively, some insurers offer extensions to cover highly valuable electronics. It’s worth comparing options and ensuring your coverage is suited to your specific usage.
Can I insure my work laptop?
If you’re working for yourself and always on the go, you can potentially include it under your own insurance policy, like portable contents or personal effects cover. However, if the laptop is owned by your employer, you might need to check with them as it might already be insured through your company. It’s worth noting that a lot of contents insurance policies won’t cover things you don’t own and won’t cover lost items used for business. It’s a good idea to double-check with the insurance provider.
Is my laptop covered in another state or country?
Most portable contents or personal effects insurance policies offer coverage outside your home, including interstate or overseas. However, the details vary depending on your policy. Some might only cover short trips or specific locations, so it’s a good idea to look over the terms or ask your insurer directly to make sure you’re covered wherever you go.
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 exploring policies today.
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