Travel, even if you’re in hiking boots and carry a backpack, losing your stuff is both inconvenient and expensive. If you’re a frequent traveler or just going back and forth for the holiday, travel insurance is totally worth it – even though you hope you won’t have to make a claim — but even the best plans don’t cover an essential travel item: the laptop.
Good Policy
Many travel insurance plans don’t cover electronics or laptops. Most good travel insurance plans will cover up to approximately $500 for electronics. But, if you’re traveling with anything close to a $2,000 connection to the world and your life (both business and personal), most companies will allow you to purchase supplemental insurance to make sure your device is covered.
When It’s Covered
Your laptop should be covered for theft, loss or damage, but different companies can have varying definitions of “damage,” so make sure you know your company’s policy. If you have home and contents insurance, your laptop may already be covered — Better Home and Renters Insurance policies will cover your gadgets anywhere in the world. In the event of luggage theft, be sure to walk down to the Airline Baggage Counter and make a claim. Plus get a receipt for the claim so you can send it to your insurance company.
Considerations
Most policies require you to report stolen items — including laptops — to local authorities within 24 hours, When you make a report, ask for a copy of the police report so you can prove it to your insurer. If you’re a lucky traveler, you might save some money by purchasing a plan with a low coverage amount, but even the most lucky or careful travelers run the risk of finding themselves laptop-less and needing immediate cash to buy a new laptop. When you’re setting up your travel insurance plan, keep your device information on hand, as most companies require an itemized list of all covered items, their values and their serial numbers.
