Our world is packed with more tech than ever, with electronic books, mobile phones, laptops and smart watches all filling up our bags and lying around our homes.
Because of our reliance on our gadgets, it's a good idea to make sure they're protected against damage, theft and anything else that might happen in day-to-day life. That's where gadget and technology insurance comes in.
Does my home insurance cover my tech?
Some home insurance policies might include protection for your gadgets, both at home and on the go. Take a look at our guides to home insurance (and contents insurance specifically) to get more of an idea on whether you’re already covered.
Just having contents insurance might not be enough, though. While some policies have cover for your valuables – from jewellery to tech – others might not. Make sure you check your home insurance policy and find out exactly what is and isn't covered. You might find that while your laptop is covered, something more unusual, like a drone, isn't. That’s where you might want to have a look into getting gadget or additional cover as part of your existing policy.
Do I need gadget insurance?
Gadget insurance can be a great way to protect your belongings if you own a lot of technology or expensive items you want to protect – especially if you need them for work or study.
Students tend to take their tech on the go and use it to help with studies. Laptops and mobile phones can be targets for theft or easily damaged, so having a policy that covers them is a smart move.
You might also want to consider technology insurance if you have a contents policy with a higher excess. In this case, if you were to make a claim you might not receive as much money for one of your items – or maybe none at all.
What does gadget insurance cover?
Common items included in a gadget and technology policy include:
- Laptop insurance
- Mobile phone insurance
- Camera insurance
- Watch insurance
- TV insurance
- Tablet insurance
- Drone insurance
Other technology may still be covered in your policy. If you have an expensive or important item you need covered, check with your provider and make sure it's in your policy. They may need details or images of your item.
Should I take out gadget and technology insurance?
Gadget cover isn't always necessary, but it can be great peace of mind if you have tech that you rely on.
If you're a student or have a contents insurance policy that doesn't give you the level of cover you need for your gear, gadget and technology insurance might be worth looking into.
Published: 25 February 2021
Author: The AA