Laptop travel insurance

In today’s tech-obsessed world, staying connected is a given—even when you’re supposed to be on a relaxing holiday. But taking your laptop on your trip can be risky business, with the chance it could get lost, stolen, or damaged along the way.

Luckily, travel insurance has your back, offering financial protection to repair or replace your precious tech if something goes wrong. But beware, there are a few sneaky traps to watch out for when picking the right cover. Let’s dive into the details so you can travel with peace of mind.

Are laptops covered by travel insurance?

Along with cameras, phones and other electronic gear, laptops and tablets accompany many of us when we go on holidays. Happily, most travel insurance policies will provide some level of cover for your laptop if it’s lost, stolen or damaged, but it’s always a good idea to check whether you are covered and for how much.

For example, one insurer’s definition of "damage" may not be the same as another insurer, and you won’t be covered if you leave your laptop unattended in a public place.

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How do insurers cover laptops?

Brand	Maximum benefit paid for delayed luggage	Apply
Medibank	International Comprehensive: $4,000 Domestic: $3,000	Get quote
Freely	Optional Add-on: $4,000	Get quote
Zoom	$3,000	Get quote
Fast Cover	$3,000	Get quote
Insure4less	$2,000	Get quote
Travel Insuranz	$2,000	Get quote
InsureandGo	$3,000	Get quote
Tick	$3,000	Get quote
World2cover	Top Cover: $3,000 (Optional Add-on) Domestic: $1,500 (Optional Add-on)	More info
Cover-More	$5,000	Get quote
Southern Cross	$3,000 - for each person
Travel Insurance Saver	$4,000	More info
Easy	$5,000	Get quote
1cover	$3,000	More info

Note: This information was last updated August 2024

When won't I be covered?

When it comes to electronics and travel insurance, one area that regularly catches travellers out is the limitations that apply to cover. The first limit you need to consider is the overall maximum amount your insurer will pay for lost, stolen or damaged personal belongings. There are also individual sub-limits an insurer will pay for any one item, which means you might still end up out of pocket if your laptop is stolen.

Some insurers allow you to increase the insured limit for specified items by paying an additional premium. If you’re taking an expensive laptop with you on holiday, this extra cover may be well worth considering.

Insurers also factor in depreciation when assessing the value of your laptop or other electronic device. Read on for more details about how this can affect your hip pocket.

What is travel insurance depreciation?

When you make a claim for a lost, stolen or damaged item, an insurer will take into account the item, its age and any wear and tear it may have experienced when determining its worth. Insurers pay claims based on the laptop’s current value, not what it was worth at the time of purchase.

Insurers also apply an asset life to the items you take with you on holiday, and the asset life of a laptop is three years. If your laptop is more than three years old, your claim will only be worth the item’s residual value, which is 25% of its purchase price.

Your insurer will decide whether to offer new-for-old replacement for your laptop, cover the cost of its repair, or provide you with store credit or a cash payment.

Which situations wouldn't be covered?

There are situations when your claim for a lost, stolen or damaged laptop will not be paid, such as if:

• Your laptop is left unattended in a public place. Some insurers won’t cover your electronic items when they’re simply not with you
• Your claim arises due to your reckless behaviour
• Your claim arises as a result of you being under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• You do not report the loss or theft to the police or relevant authority within 24 hours. Obtaining a written copy of that report is also essential to support your claim
• You can’t provide documents to prove that you were the owner of the laptop, such as an original receipt

Other valuables you can get covered

• Tablets and mobile phones. iPhones, iPads, smartphones and tablets are covered by many insurers.
• Cameras. Whether you have a simple point-and-shoot camera or an expensive DSLR camera with multiple lenses, you’ll be able to find cover.
• Jewellery and watches. Cover is available for those expensive fashion accessories you simply can’t travel without.
• Dental prostheses. Some insurers also cover dentures and other dental prostheses.
• Other items. Check with your insurer to find out what other items can be insured.

What you pay

If you’re looking to take out additional travel insurance cover for a specified item such, as your laptop, you’ll need to pay an additional premium. The extra amount you have to pay is usually calculated based on the value of your item and how long you are travelling for. The longer you travel, the more you need to pay.

For example, if you want cover for your $3,000 laptop for a three-week holiday, your additional premium could be worked out by multiplying $3,000 by 5% of that amount, which would equal $150. But if you wanted to insure the laptop for a three-month holiday, the multiplying percentage might rise to 6%, so your extra premium would equal $180 ($3,000 by 6%).

What you normally can’t find cover for

If you want to take out cover for a specified high-value item, that item must be owned by you and taken with you on your trip. You’ll need to be able to provide proof of ownership and cover is usually only available for belongings that are designed to be carried around with you at all times or worn on your person.

As a general rule, you won’t be able to take out cover for the following items:

• Bicycles
• Watercraft (except surfboards)
• Musical instruments
• Antiques
• Firearms
• Perishable items
• Items intended for commercial use

Tips for before and during travel for expensive items

• Home and contents. If you have home and contents insurance in place, your laptop may already be covered against theft and damage anywhere in the world. Check with your insurer for more details.
• Keep your receipts. Don’t lose the receipts for any of your high-value items, and gather them together before you depart so they can be easily accessed if needed.
• Photograph your valuables. This can help you provide proof of ownership if any of your items are lost or stolen.
• Don’t put your laptop with your checked luggage. Not only is it at greater risk of being damaged or going missing along with your luggage, but there’s also a good chance your insurer will refuse your claim.
• Report any theft to the local police. Do this as soon as possible, within 24 hours, and keep a written copy of the report to help you come claims time.
• Check the sub-limits. Make sure you’re aware of exactly how much cover will be provided for your laptop. Double-check how much your valuables are worth and how much cover your policy provides. You may need to increase your level of cover.
• Read the fine print. You can learn a lot by reading the list of general exclusions on a travel insurance policy, which will help you understand when your expensive items will and won’t be covered.
• Examine the excess. Check the amount of excess you’ll need to pay if you make a claim. In some cases, by the time you’ve paid the excess, you’ll barely get any money back for your laptop.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the process for making a laptop insurance claim?

  If your laptop is lost, stolen or damaged, you should first report the incident to the local police or relevant authority within 24 hours. Obtain a written report as this is essential for your claim. Then contact your travel insurer as soon as possible to start the claims process. You will typically need to provide details of the incident, proof of ownership for the laptop and evidence of its value. Keep all receipts and documentation related to your trip and the incident itself.

• Does travel insurance cover data loss on my laptop?

  Generally, travel insurance policies cover the physical laptop itself, not the data stored on it. This means if your laptop is lost, stolen or damaged, and your data is unrecoverable, the insurance will usually compensate you for the hardware, not the value of your lost information. Always back up your important data before and during your trip to avoid permanent loss.

• Am I covered if I use my laptop for business purposes?

  Most standard travel insurance policies are designed for leisure travel and may exclude items used for business, commercial or professional purposes. Some insurers offer specific add-on cover for business equipment, but this is not always standard. It is crucial to read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or contact your insurer directly to confirm if your laptop is covered for business use. Items intended for commercial use are often excluded.

• Is accidental damage to my laptop covered?

  Many comprehensive travel insurance policies do offer cover for accidental damage to your laptop. However this often comes with specific conditions and exclusions. For instance, damage due to reckless behaviour or leaving the item unattended is usually not covered. Always check your policy wording carefully for the exact definition of accidental damage and any applicable limits or exclusions.

• Is my laptop covered if it is in my checked luggage?

  It is generally not advisable to pack your laptop in checked luggage and many travel insurance policies will not cover electronic items if they are placed in checked baggage. This is because checked luggage is at greater risk of being lost stolen or damaged during transit. Most insurers require you to keep valuable items like laptops in your carry on luggage and under your personal supervision. Always keep your laptop with you in the cabin.

• Are laptop accessories like chargers and external drives covered?

  Laptop accessories like chargers, external hard drives and mice are typically covered under the personal belongings section of your travel insurance policy. However they will usually fall under the same overall sub limits and conditions as your laptop. Remember to check the individual item limits and the total sum insured for all your personal belongings to ensure adequate cover for all your tech gear.

• What should I do immediately if my laptop is lost stolen or damaged?

  If your laptop is lost or stolen you must report it to the local police or relevant authority within 24 hours of discovery and obtain a written report. For damage incidents, document the damage with photos and if possible get a written report from a relevant authority such as the airline or hotel. Keep all original receipts for your laptop and any associated repair costs. Contact your insurer as soon as possible to notify them of the incident.

• Is water damage to my laptop covered?

  Water damage to your laptop may be covered under the accidental damage section of a comprehensive travel insurance policy. However, cover often depends on how the damage occurred. For example, if the damage resulted from a sudden unexpected event it might be covered. If it was due to negligence, like leaving it exposed to rain or dropping it into water carelessly, cover may be denied. Always check the specific terms and conditions in your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) regarding accidental damage and water related incidents.