Insurance is designed to protect you from all of life’s mishaps. Most common causes of loss are included in the named perils on a standard renters insurance policy. However, there a few others that might come into play once in a while where coverage is questionable. A policyholder with Denver renters insurance wanted to know,
Does renters insurance cover a dropped laptop? I know that the named perils covered are fairly broad, but I can’t find any policy language indicating whether there would be coverage.
So, does renters insurance cover a dropped laptop? A shattered screen? A melted HP laptop with electrical problems?
Does Renters Insurance Cover A Dropped Laptop?
Generally speaking, no. Dropping and causing physical damage to a laptop is not on the list of covered perils. So, a standard renters insurance policy will not cover a dropped laptop. Thankfully, there is a second answer. It’s important to read your policy to know what your endorsements are, and to know what optional coverage you might be able to elect for. Why is this relevant to the dropped laptop? Reading your Colorado renters insurance policy cover to cover is the only way to take note of the following provisions of the HO-84 endorsement:
The Perils Insured Against under Coverage C are deleted and replaced by the following:
We insure against risk of direct physical loss to property described in coverage C.
Does Renters Insurance Cover A Dropped Laptop?
We do not insure, however, for loss [… caused by]
Acts or decisions, including the failure to act or decide, of any person, group, organization, or governmental body.
What does this mean to you? First of all, this gives you open perils on personal property, meaning if it’s not excluded, it’s covered. Great, that means there’s coverage, right? Not exactly, so keep reading. “Acts or decisions… of any person…” You dropped your laptop. While unintentional, it’s an act of a person which was the direct cause of loss. In other words, the loss is excluded. What’s being insured against are perils that you do not have control over, you’re not insured for your own acts. So in that instance, renters insurance would not cover a dropped laptop.
But what if someone else drops it? Either their liability or their coverage for damage to the property of others (a minimal coverage, but one generally found on a renters insurance policy) could potentially respond. Your own acts are not covered, but the acts of another may be covered by their own policy.
How do you protect against not knowing what you’re covered for? Read your policy. That’s the only way to be sure if you have coverage for a specific type of loss. Reading your policy also allows you to collaborate with a claims adjuster. For more information on how to protect your computer and other personal property, call Effective Coverage at (800)892-4308 or click above for an online renters insurance quote.