If your laptop is an important part of your life — whether you use it just for fun or because you use it to make money — you might’ve wondered how you might be impacted if something were to happen to that laptop. 

What would you do if someone broke in and stole your laptop? What would happen if you accidentally dropped it down a flight of stairs? What if a hurricane hit and your laptop sat under four feet of water for multiple days? 

While all of the above would be bad, luckily, if you have the right insurance, you could potentially replace the laptop, fast. Keep reading to find out more.

Can You Insure a Laptop?

First things first, yes, you can insure a laptop via a specific electronics and laptop insurance policy. These policies are offered by most mainstream, major insurance providers and the laptop insurance cost usually isn’t that much more than what you might already be paying for your renters insurance or your homeowners insurance.

Laptop coverage — depending on your individual policy — can cover a range of issues that you might not have coverage for otherwise (like via a warranty, renters insurance or homeowners insurance). 

Think issues like…

• Break-ins and theft
• Water damage
• Accidental damage like drops
• Power surges
• Vandalism 

Some of these are things that your renters insurance and your homeowners insurance just won’t cover. For example, both of these insurances, with their personal property coverage, may cover water damage up to a point (like in the event of a natural disaster) or damage caused by power surges in the event of a lightning storm, but they won’t cover accidental damage, like if your cat pushes your laptop off the kitchen table when you’re not looking.

However, there are still some things that even an extra laptop insurance policy won’t cover. 

These include…

• Normal wear, tear and degradation
• Software damage or internal damage (like from a virus) 
• Non-accidental damage (like, say, if you, not the cat, were the one to blatantly push your laptop off the kitchen table, out of frustration)

How Does My Renters Insurance or Homeowners Insurance Cover My Laptop?

But, as mentioned, your renters insurance and homeowners insurance already protect your laptop and personal property to a degree. How do you know if you need to upgrade from that personal property coverage to something more specific for your electronics, with more comprehensive coverage?

Well, your homeowners and/or renters insurance is somewhat limited in terms of what it will cover. The coverage is mostly limited to theft and natural disaster-related damage. 

Additionally, your existing insurance may have a high deductible. In fact, that deductible may be so high that, if your laptop is the only thing damaged or stolen during an event, you may find yourself paying for a replacement out of pocket despite your insurance. Or, you may find that your policy has an electronics cap, only allowing for actual cash value coverage or replacement cost coverage up to a certain amount.

Replacement cost coverage vs. actual cash value coverage

Replacement cost coverage means the insurance company will give you the money necessary to buy a new replacement for your electronic item after a claim is filed; actual cash value coverage means the insurance company will only give you the money necessary to buy a replacement of your electronic item that’s equal in exact value. 

In other words if your 2020 laptop has heavily depreciated over the last few years, they would give you the money to buy an equally depreciated replacement. 

So based on the above, do you need an extra laptop insurance policy in addition to whatever your renters insurance or homeowners insurance offers? 

If you’re worried about covering the cost of laptop theft, damage or loss due to circumstances your other insurance won’t cover, or if you want to avoid pesky high deductibles, and you want comprehensive electronics coverage, then you likely should buy an additional laptop insurance policy.

How to Choose the Best Laptop Insurance for You

Convinced you need laptop insurance moving forward? Here’s what to consider.

• Does your current insurance company offer laptop or electronics insurance?

If so, you could get a discounted extra policy that can be tacked on to your existing policy, making claims and payments more convenient.

• What do you want your insurance policy to cover?

Do you want your policy to cover theft? Then look for laptop theft insurance. Do you want a policy with extensive accidental damage coverage? Since you’re buying your laptop insurance policy in order to supplement the existing personal property coverage you already have, don’t cut corners. Look for exactly the insurance you want and need. Don’t be afraid to be picky.

• Do you want actual cash value coverage or replacement cost coverage?

While replacement cost coverage is arguably more desirable than actual cash value coverage, some may be fine with the latter. Make sure any policy you purchase fits your needs.

Laptop Insurance FAQs

Didn’t have time to skim the above breakdown on how laptop insurance works and whether or not you need it? Here are the answers to some of your most-asked questions. 

• Can you insure a laptop?

Yes, you can insure a laptop via policies that specifically cover home-use, personal electronics. These policies are in addition to, and supplemental to, your existing renters or homeowners policy. 

• Do I need laptop insurance?

If you think that your laptop may be at high risk for damage or theft, and you don’t want to pay for the cost of a replacement or repair out of pocket, you may want to consider purchasing additional, specific laptop insurance. 

• Will my current insurance protect my laptop?

Your current renters or homeowners policy will protect your laptop to a degree. Laptops are covered by home insurance usually only in the event of a natural disaster, theft or vandalism and then there are definitely stipulations.

• Is laptop insurance expensive?

Laptop insurance is likely more affordable than you think. You can find many plans available for less than $1 a day. 

Don’t Rely on Your Existing Insurance to Protect Your Most Prized Possessions

While we might like to think that our existing homeowners insurance will always have us covered in the event of a disaster or traumatic experience like a break-in, that’s not always the case. In fact, there are lots of items — way beyond your laptop or electronics — that aren’t fully covered by homeowners insurance policies. 

Jewelry is one area where homeowners insurance policies are often shockingly lax, but BriteCo can help make up the difference. BriteCo provides surprisingly affordable jewelry insurance that covers everything from fine jewelry to luxury watches to engagement rings. 

Contact us today to learn more about our coverage, or use our convenient online tool to get a quote for your insurance plan now.

Also Check:

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