Hi

What do people normally do for having insurance for their laptops? I've got contents insurance with RACV. Am I right in assuming it's not possible to have insurance outside the home, apart from the car?

Thanks

G'day Peter,

My Powerbook is covered under my "Contents" cover. It is covered, whether at home, or on the go away from home.

Most insurers realise that people want this kind of cover, and offer it. Same thing for things like digital cameras etc.

It of course does cost extra, but I think it was maybe an extra $50 for the year in my case, with Suncorp Metway.

I am covering my new MBP for theft, lost in transit, car break in and stuff. Not wildly expensive, especially for the entire cover of a new MBP.

I always factor in insurance for stuff like a laptop because its not covered by standard home contents insurance if its out of the house when something occurs, and laptop theft is ridiculously high in Australia.

The important thing to realise with any kind of insurance for computer systems is that to ensure you use specific contents insurance. That is, you insure the computer exactly for what it is -- make, model and configuration must be on the insurance cover documentation. If you just say 'computer' you are covered for a basic value (usually $2,000).

Contact an insurance broker.

I've got a quote from Protecsure. It wasn't too expensive. Does anybody know what they are like? They are at:

protecsure.com.au

Thanks

I did a lot of research and found out that Ansvar is one of the best. I did get contents insurance from them and i have already had a hassle-free claim processed with them. They are really good. I would give them a big

that's who i use, although haven't needed to claim from them (touch wood!)

i think they had the best policy that i could find for my needs (in car a lot/ overseas cover), beyond what's available through home contents.

whoever you choose, you must read the fine print.

good luck!

When you change laptops, do you need to inform them of the change? I change gear pretty often, so is the process pretty easy?

when i asked them about this, they said they ended the policy and refunded you. then you got a quote for your new one.

best to check with them again though.

Ugh, that sounds like a hassle to do every few months (yeah, thats how often I change gear)

Would be nice if it could be done online, I can fill in a form and have it all done for me.

I have all my camera gear insured as part of my home contents but for anywhere in Australia. There are limits on this as far as amount for each item etc. When I first took this out (well over ten years ago) I really shopped around and found AMP to be the cheapest and most convenient for this type of insurance. Every few years I shop around again to see what else is available but at this stage I'm still with AMP. I have made one claim in this time when my wife dropped her camera and they were very easy and quick to deal with.

Assuming you instead put it on an existing policy (ie with home/house/car cover) then they would terminate the old laptop, and put the new one on.

This could then cause an adjustment in your premium, depending on x y and... um... z.

If the insurer were worth their salt, they would not close your policy and set up a new one each time you changed... they would add the new item first, then delete the old one, allowing them to keep the existing policy. Of course, for sales reasons, telesales staff often like to set up new policies... makes their stats appear better to stupid middle-management.

I actually wound up going with ANSVAR. I got a couple of recommendations for them. Either way I hope I never have to make a claim.

Have fun.

do I need a invoice of the laptop?

I am thinking to get a insurance with my new macbook and a mobile phone bought from overseas. But I do not have a house and content, or car insurance.

It might work out to be quite expensive if you have to insure them as standalone items, rather than adding them to an existing contents policy.

Try ringing an insurance broker rather than specific insurers. He or she will be able to shop around on your behalf.