Yes. Just like any other type of personal property, homeowners insurance provides coverage for laptops for the same perils it would for your other personal property. However, if a laptop is extremely valuable, you might want to purchase extra coverage to insure it for the full replacement cost. There are also specialized endorsements for electronics that you can buy.
It’s important that you understand the various factors that affect coverage. Then, you can adjust your policy, if necessary.
Question 1: Do You Use the Computer for Business?
A typical homeowners policy limits coverage to $2,500 for items used primarily for business purposes. The first keyword is “primarily.” The other keyword is “typical,” because yours might be different.
Bringing home some work is not enough to make your computer business property. If you have a home-based office, either for regular telecommuting or for an in-home business, the $2,500 limit will kick in.
This coverage isn’t limited to your computer, either. It includes your:
- Filing cabinets
- Office furniture
- Printer
- Fax machine
- Bookshelves
- Any other business property you have in your home
However, $2,500 isn’t much. If there’s a fire or theft and you lose everything, $2,500 may barely cover the cost of the computer itself. This is something to keep in mind when you’re considering additional coverage.
Question 2: Do You Take the Computer Out of Your Home?
If you own a laptop that you use for business in your home, but also use it while away from your home, the coverage limit might drop. That limit also includes any accessories you use with the computer, such as:
- Portable printers
- Projectors
- External drives
- Zip drives
Question 3: What Caused the Damage?
Not all damage is created equal for homeowners insurance protection.
If you drop the equipment or spill some liquid on the computer, insurance won’t cover the damage.
Your policy will list what is and isn’t covered. To get a better idea of what you’re dealing with, it’s best to read the fine print or contact your insurance professional to get answers about your concerns.
