iPad insurance

iPad devotees know that their tablets are valuable on multiple levels – including straight cash value.

Unfortunately, iPads – like most fragile, high-value items – are especially vulnerable to theft, loss and accidental damage.

iPad insurance can protect you from these calamities by helping with the repair or replacement costs involved when the unexpected hits your device.

What is iPad insurance?

iPad insurance can protect you from a range of iPad-related misadventures – cracked screens, water damage or theft – and greatly lower the costs of repairing or replacing the device, which can be significant for the uninsured.

This guide will explore a few different options you can choose to cover your iPad.

How do I insure my iPad?

Home and contents insurance
If you have a home and contents insurance policy, your iPad could be covered under that. Check your product disclosure statement (PDS) to see if there is a limit for tablets.

Different home and contents policies offer different levels of cover for tablets, and the maximum amount that you can insure your iPad for may depend on whether you take out premium or basic cover. Some policies will offer new-for-old replacement cover, while others will provide coverage up to a specified amount.

Contents insurance
You can also take out a contents insurance policy if you want cover for your iPad and the rest of your belongings. You'll also be able to add-on portable contents cover so your iPad is covered inside and outside your home. If you get a really good policy, it might also cover your iPad for loss or damage while you're overseas.

Single item insurance
Single item insurance allows you to insure selected items – generally including iPads – to specified, pre-designated amounts, rather than the whole array of things that general home and contents insurance covers.

Sometimes called personal valuables insurance, it can be a great choice for those who are mainly concerned with insuring certain high-value things – tablets, laptops, speaker systems, smartphones and so on. If that describes you, single item insurance might be a suitable and cost-effective option.

Applecare+
You should consider taking the first step towards protecting your iPad within 60 days of buying it: that's the amount of time Apple gives new users to sign up for AppleCare+, its technical and repairs service, which you can do via your device or at an Apple Store. You're generally covered for technical faults and two incidents of accidental damage (like a cracked screen), but you won't be covered for things like theft or loss.

Choose a home insurance policy to cover your iPad

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Name	Product	iPads	Portable Contents Cover	Accidental Damage to Home or Belongings	Fire, Storm & Theft Damage	Online Discount
Budget Direct Contents Insurance			20% of your contents sum insured	Optional			Get 15% off your first year's premium when you buy a Budget Direct Contents insurance policy online. T&Cs apply.	Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Coles Contents Insurance			Optional	Optional			Save 10% on Coles Contents Insurance when you buy online. Also, get double flybuys points at Coles Supermarkets. T&Cs apply.	Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Westpac Contents Insurance							Get 15% off the first year of your policy when you buy online. Use promocode: COVER. T&Cs apply.	Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
St. George Contents Insurance							Save 15% on the first year of your policy when you buy online. Use promocode: COVER. T&Cs apply.	Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Youi Contents Insurance		Not mentioned	20% of your contents sum insured	Optional			Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Contents Only			20% of your contents sum insured	Optional			Save 15% on your first year’s premium when you buy a new eligible Virgin Contents Insurance policy online. T&Cs apply.	Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Domain Contents Insurance			Up to specified Value				Get 12% off your first year's premium when you purchase a new Domain Contents Insurance policy online. T&Cs apply.	Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ANZ Contents Insurance			25% of your contents sum insured	Optional			Get a quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Why should I cover my iPad with home insurance?

• Because AppleCare+ won't cover theft or loss of your device
• Because iPads are high-value and lightweight, two traits that make them attractive to burglars and thieves (and much easier on the back than a TV or desktop computer)
• Because iPads are fragile and can easily be damaged by the rough-and-tumble of life
• Because loss of data like photos, videos and music can be painful, and financial compensation can soften the blow

Policy wording in product disclosure statements

Brand	Here's what the PDS says
	For any one item, pair, set, collection or system of general contents items, we will pay up to the sum insured. The general contents covered by your Policy are listed in the table below: portable electronic devices including, mobile phones, smart phones, GPS, tablet computers and laptops…
	The following items have a maximum amount payable for any one claim. The amounts are listed below and are included within your contents sum insured… Electronic audio, visual and computer equipment (portable electronic and communications equipment including mobile phones, tablets, organisers, handheld navigational equipment and MP3/MP4 players, or…)
	The following items have a maximum amount payable for any one claim. The amounts are listed below and are included within your contents sum insured… (portable electronic and communications equipment including mobile phones, tablets, organisers, handheld navigational equipment and MP3/MP4 players, and…)

What does it cover?

Depending on the type of coverage you take out on your iPad, insured events for home and contents insurance generally include fire and smoke damage, burglary and theft, storm and impact damage, vandalism and accidental damage (including dropped devices).

Single item policies are likely to cover similar events in the home, and portable contents coverage similar events outside of the home.

What doesn't it cover?

Coverage for your iPad may be compromised or unavailable in the following situations:

• You use your device for business purposes or as part of your work. If you do, be sure to check this point with your insurer.
• The actual cost of the iPad exceeds the sum insured amount, which you should always check carefully.
• Your iPad is stolen in a situation where you could have foreseen that it could be stolen (e.g. if you left it in an unlocked car or unattended on your towel while you took a dip at the beach).
• You're outside the home and your iPad is only covered by a home and contents policy; however, portable contents cover is always an option.

FAQs

• How much does it cost to replace a cracked screen?

  AppleCare+ charges a service fee of $65 for a cracked screen on top of its initial subscription fee. You can lodge two accidental damage claims every 12 months.

  If the cause of a cracked screen was a type of accidental damage that's covered by your home and contents, single item or portable contents insurance, your insurer will likely foot the bill.

• Will I be covered if I lose my iPad?

  This is likely to depend on how you lose it. If you were being negligent or reckless, then you may be out of luck. But in the case of honest and reasonable mistakes, you'll likely be covered. As always, refer to the fine print and ask questions if you're unsure.

• What's the cheapest way to cover my iPad?

  Depending on your circumstances, lifestyle and priorities, you may be content to take out only single item insurance or AppleCare+, which would be the lowest-cost options. The cover they provide is likely to be less comprehensive than that offered by a home and contents policy, though.

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Picture: GettyImages