Laptop Insurance: Coverage, Costs, and If You Need It

Losing a laptop, dropping it, or dousing it with hot coffee is the stuff of nightmares. Most of us depend on these devices every single day. And they’re expensive to repair or replace.

Laptop insurance can reduce the financial risk that comes with owning a laptop. For a small monthly premium, you can be assured that if a covered accident damages your laptop or someone steals it, you won’t have to pay the full cost to fix it or buy a new one.

Here’s what you should know about how laptop insurance works, when it’s a good idea, and what companies and policies you can check out if you’re interested.

What is laptop insurance?

A laptop insurance policy is a type of electronics insurance that can provide reimbursement, repairs, or replacement services for your laptop. This type of policy goes into effect if you lose your laptop, someone steals it, or an accident damages it. These policies are sometimes called device protection plans or computer insurance.

Laptop insurance is different from a manufacturer’s warranty, which addresses mechanical, software, or electrical issues that originated with the factory. A device insurance policy covers accidents that happen to your laptop in your home or out in the world — like a cracked screen from a drop or liquid damage from spills.

How laptop insurance works

Laptop insurance works like most insurance policies. As the policyholder, you pay a premium on a monthly or annual basis. Your policy spells out the kinds and causes of damage it’ll cover and the amount of coverage it provides.

Then, if a covered event damages your laptop, such as an accidental drop or power surge, you can file a claim. You may be able to file a claim online or over the phone.

If your insurer approves your claim, you’ll first pay any deductible your policy might have. Some plans call this a service fee. Then, the insurance company will provide the repairs or reimbursement services specified in the policy.

What laptop insurance covers

Specific coverages can vary based on insurer, but laptop insurance generally covers:

• 

  Damage from accidents

  Typical incidents include drops, cracked screens, and spills. Most policies have a specific repair process for screen damage.

• 

  Hardware damage and mechanical failure

  This can include damage from power surges and battery replacement from wear and tear (with exclusions and claim limits).

• 

  Theft, loss, and vandalism

  This can happen at home or wherever you travel.

• 

  Damage from natural disasters

  Laptop insurance commonly covers flood damage, fire damage, and damage from other natural disasters.

Keep in mind that every policy is different, and some may not provide all these coverages. Always check coverages and exclusions before you buy a policy.

What laptop insurance doesn’t cover

Laptop insurance policies typically don’t cover defects that a manufacturer’s warranty would, like malfunctions that aren’t the result of a specific accident or incident. Some other common exclusions usually apply:

• Neglect: If your laptop gets damaged because you haven’t taken care of it, your policy may not cover the damage.

• Manufacturer defects: Your laptop warranty covers defects from the manufacturing process.

• Intentional damage: Laptop insurance covers accidents, not damage from intentional acts.

• Computer viruses: Laptop coverage generally won’t pay for software issues, including computer viruses.

• Normal wear and tear: Your laptop insurance policy is there to cover accidental damage, but it won’t pay for normal aging of your device, such as corrosion.

How much does laptop insurance cost?

Laptop insurance premiums can vary greatly, ranging between $60 and approximately $200 for two years of coverage. A common two-year premium is about $170, or $7 per month. Deductibles range between $0 and $100. Some device insurance plans have a “service fee” that functions like a deductible.

The cost of laptop insurance depends on a variety of factors, including the value of the device, the types of coverage on the policy, the deductible, pay schedule, insurance provider, and more.

Most laptop protection plans have a claim limit — a cap on the number of claims you can make per year, or the per-year or per-claim dollar value of replacement and repair costs that the insurer has to pay.

Where to buy laptop insurance

You can purchase laptop insurance from several types of providers:

• Manufacturers: Consider programs like AppleCare or Samsung Care+.

• Retailers: Best Buy or another store that sold you your laptop might offer insurance or an extended warranty at the point of sale.

• Insurance companies: National insurers like Progressive and Allstate sell device protection plans.

• Third-party online providers: Some specialized insurance companies sell policies geared toward electronics.

It’s a good idea to evaluate each laptop insurance policy that’s available to you. Weigh the coverage details against the monthly or annual premiums and deductibles that come with various claims and repairs.

Here’s some general information to help you get a sense of the companies that sell laptop insurance and other device insurance policies:

Company/Plan	What It Covers	Other Devices Insured	Cost for Two-Year Laptop Protection Plan	Available Policy Terms	Deductibles/Limits
AKKO	Accidental damage, mechanical breakdown	Smartphones, smartwatches, TVs, Gaming consoles and handhelds, streaming devices, and more	Starting at $144 for a laptop/tablet-only plan (monthly costs start at $60, depending on plan level)	Renews monthly until canceled	$49 and up per claim, based on 20% of repair cost
Allstate Protection Plus	Accidental damage (drops, spills, liquid), mechanical/electrical failures	Smartphones, tablets, TVs, appliances, furniture, gaming consoles, cameras, car electronics, scooters, drones	$60–$346, depending on device value	Two and four years	$25–$75, based on device value; $0 deductible available
Asurion Home+	Mechanical and electrical breakdowns, normal wear and tear, and more	All home tech included in one plan	$840 (based on monthly at $35 til you cancel)	Renews monthly until canceled	$0, $29, $79, $99, or $129, plus tax; charged as a per-claim service fee/$2,000 per claim up to $5,000 every 12 months
Geek Squad	Accidental damage, battery replacement, hard drive/electrical/hardware failure, screen damage, power surge damage	Smartphones, appliances, other devices by brand (Apple, Samsung, etc.)	$189 (to protect $500 laptop)	One-, two-, three-, and four-year plans	No deductible/limit up to the retail price of your product at the time of purchase
Securranty	Loss, theft, fire, natural disaster, power surge, accidental damage	Appliances, smartphones, home electronics, gaming laptops, mobile hotspots, smart watches, TVs, and cameras	Starts at $59 ($2/month for two years)	Monthly or annual plans until cancellation	Deductible varies by plan; no claim limits
Upsie	Drops, liquid damage, power failure, Wifi failure, RAM failure, screen failure (doesn’t cover theft or loss)	Most electronic devices, appliances, and fitness equipment	$168 ($7/month for two years)	Monthly	$50 deductible; Limit two claims per year, with a 90-day waiting period for first claim; Coverage maximums by product
Worth Ave. Group	Cracked screens, damage from liquids, accidental damage, theft, vandalism, natural disaster, power surge, and damage from lightning	Laptops, smartphones, tablets, cell phones, e-readers, gaming systems, smart watches, cameras, iPods	$165 (sample quote for $1,000 laptop in North Carolina); Varies by state	Two years, cancel anytime	No claim limits; $100 deductible

Do you need laptop insurance?

Laptop insurance can be a lifesaver for certain types of users. For example, if you have a high-value computer, laptop insurance might be a good idea. 

Generally, you should consider laptop insurance if you:

• Regularly take your laptop to work or school

• Carry your laptop around regularly

• Take your laptop when you travel

• Own a very expensive laptop

• Depend on your laptop for work or school

• Have a high risk of accidents or spills at home

• Wouldn’t be able to afford repair costs out of pocket

If you already have a renters insurance policy or homeowners insurance, that’s relevant. But as you can see below, renters and homeowners insurance only offers a small slice of the full coverage that a laptop insurance plan can provide:

Type of Damage	Covered by Laptop Insurance?	Covered by Renters or Homeowners Insurance?
Fires, floods, and natural disasters	Yes	Yes
Theft, vandalism	Yes	Yes
Mechanical failure	Yes	No
Screen damage and other repairs	Yes	No
Water damage, including spills	Yes	No
Drops and other accidents	Yes	No

Keep in mind that filing a homeowners or renters claim for a laptop may not always make sense.

If the cost to repair or replace your laptop is less than your renters or home insurance deductible, your policy won’t pay for it, even if a covered reason caused the damage. And filing a homeowners insurance or renters insurance claim could cause your rates to increase when your policy comes up for renewal.

Pros and cons of laptop insurance

In plenty of situations, laptop insurance is a smart idea. But it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of the coverage before buying a policy.

How to choose the best laptop insurance

If you decide a laptop insurance policy is a good idea for your needs, here are some tips to help you find one that works for you:

1. Consider how you use your laptop and your risk of damage.

2. Review any current coverages you might have through a manufacturer’s warranty or renters or homeowners insurance. You’ll want to find a laptop policy that fills any coverage gaps.

3. Consider other possibilities, like covering your laptop under a whole-home warranty that protects devices and appliances.

4. Compare quotes from at least three laptop insurance companies, paying close attention to deductibles, limits, and exclusions.

When you’ve answered these questions for yourself, pay close attention to the available insurance policies — especially the fine print. Focus on these factors:

• Coverage details: What types of damage does the policy cover?

• Claim limits: This is the number of claims and/or total reimbursement amount.

• Exclusions: These can limit your policy substantially.

• Customer reviews: Unhappy customers may be a red flag.

Laptop insurance FAQs