Does homeowners cover electronic damage?

Asked by: Millie Crist DVM  |  Last update: February 15, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (23 votes)

Homeowners insurance policies — specifically personal property coverage — generally cover damage to electronics and appliances caused by a power surge — but it depends on how the power surge happened. Knowing how power surges occur is important to understand in order to protect yourself from one.

Are electronics covered by insurance?

Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies cover the loss or damage of electronic devices in the event of named perils—but not negligence or simple wear-and-tear. Personal property coverage—aka Coverage C—protects your items against named perils even if they're lost or damaged outside the home.

Does insurance cover lightning damage to electronics?

Lightning strikes can cause fires inside or outside your home, ruin expensive appliances and electronics, damage wiring in the walls, and potentially shock and injure you or someone in your household. The good news is lightning is covered by almost all homeowners insurance policies.

What are three things that are not covered by homeowners insurance?

Many things that aren't covered under your standard policy typically result from neglect and a failure to properly maintain the property. Termites and insect damage, bird or rodent damage, rust, rot, mold, and general wear and tear are not covered.

Does homeowners insurance cover computer damage?

A computer, laptop, tablet and other electronics are considered personal property by a homeowners insurance policy which means they are protected against damage done by a covered peril such as fire, lightning and even theft.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

20 related questions found

Does homeowners insurance cover work laptop?

Home insurance covers your laptop and other belongings you use for work, but only up to your policy's limit. You may need to purchase extra coverage for an at-home business.

Can I claim for a broken laptop on contents insurance?

To cover a laptop against accidental damage in the home you will need to select Extra Accidental Damage cover. If you would like to be covered away from home you will need to select Personal Belongings cover.

What is not usually covered by homeowners insurance?

Standard homeowners insurance policies typically do not include coverage for valuable jewelry, artwork, other collectibles, identity theft protection, or damage caused by an earthquake or a flood.

What area is not protected by most homeowners insurance?

The main areas that are not covered by homeowners insurance include:
  • Damage caused by earth movements such as sinkholes and earthquakes.
  • Issues caused by neglect or improper maintenance of the property.
  • Damage caused by termites and other insects.

What are examples of commonly covered homeowners insurance situations?

Typical homeowners insurance policies offer coverage for damage caused by fires, lightning strikes, windstorms and hail. But, it's important to know that not all natural disasters are covered by homeowners insurance. For example, damage caused by earthquakes and floods are not typically covered by homeowners insurance.

How do you prove lightning damage?

To prove that lightning has damaged your home and belongings, you will need to show proof. A hole, char marks, or other damage to the exterior of your home is great proof and should be photographed as soon as it is safe to go outside.

Are you insured if lightning strikes your house?

Is lightning covered by home insurance? Yes, homeowners' insurance should cover lightning strikes. Your buildings insurance policy should cover lightning damage to the structure of your home. Most home insurers should cover for damages due to natural disasters that are out of our control, like lightning.

What happens if lightning strikes my TV?

This is called a direct stroke. When lightning strikes around the area generate voltage, we call it an indirect stroke. These abnormal voltages and electric currents may be transmitted to the TV through an outlet or antenna wire and destroy the inside of the TV.

Does homeowners insurance cover electrical surges?

The Insurance Information Institute (III) explains that some — but not all — homeowners policies cover power surges that occur when lightning strikes your home directly. Most homeowners policies include some protection against sudden, accidental damage from man-made electricity, according to the III.

What is a covered peril?

Perils (Covered Perils) (Glossary Word)

A risk or cause of loss. In an insurance policy, these might include fire, theft or water damage.

Can I insure my computer?

Yes, whether you or someone else accidentally damages your laptop, unless it was through blatant neglect, insurance can typically cover it. For example, if your nephew accidentally spills a glass of milk on your keyboard, laptop insurance will cover the repair.

What are examples of commonly covered and not covered homeowner's insurance situations?

Damage or destruction due to vandalism, fire and certain natural disasters are all usually covered. So is your liability if someone is injured on your property. Certain catastrophes, like flooding or earthquakes, are generally not covered by basic homeowners policies and require specialized insurance.

What are the five basic areas of coverage on a homeowners insurance policy?

Generally, a homeowners insurance policy includes at least six different coverage parts. The names of the parts may vary by insurance company, but they typically are referred to as Dwelling, Other Structures, Personal Property, Loss of Use, Personal Liability and Medical Payments coverages.

What is covered by homeowners insurance?

Home contents insurance is designed to cover your household goods against loss or damage caused by accidents like theft, burglary, fire, malicious damage, and/or natural disasters like storm and flood damage amongst others. These household goods include the likes of furniture, curtains, home appliances and clothing.

What are some items typically excluded from property insurance?

Here are some of the most common home insurance exclusions — and what you can do to get coverage.
  • Floods. ...
  • Earthquakes and earth movement. ...
  • Maintenance. ...
  • Pests. ...
  • Home-based businesses. ...
  • Mold. ...
  • The full cost of high-value items. ...
  • Why are some damages excluded from home insurance?

Can I claim broken TV on house insurance?

Homeowners insurance covers personal property loss — including broken or stolen TVs — when it's caused by a covered peril, including fire, lightning, and vandalism. But if your TV falls off your wall or it simply stops working, you likely won't be covered.

What is classed as accidental damage?

Accidental damage is defined as sudden and unexpected damage to your property or contents by an outside force. For instance, spilling a drink and staining the carpet, or drilling through a pipe. Accidental damage cover is sometimes included in home insurance, but usually it's sold as an optional extra.

Is it worth making a claim on home insurance?

Home insurance claims may indeed end up increasing your premiums, but it's not possible to know in advance what your next quote will be. Generally, minor incidents, such as lost or damaged possessions, are less likely to lead to a jump in your premiums than a burglary or damage to the building's structure.

How do I claim insurance on my laptop?

Submit the FIR copy to the insurance company's claim settlement team along with the duly filled in claim form. The insurance company may appoint a Surveyor or an Assessor to investigate the case for loss or damage to the laptop by the perils covered under the policy.

Does house insurance cover water damage to laptop?

Believe it or not, if you spill water on your friend's laptop your policy could cover the replacement of their computer. Your liability coverage might kick in if you negligently damage someone else's laptop you're borrowing. But, note, it would still be considered a chargeable loss, so your insurance premium may go up.