Having your laptop stolen is a real pain. There’s the cost of replacing it, the hassle of being without it, and the added worry that someone could access your personal information.
The good news is there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and make things a little easier.
Here are some tips from our friends at CGU Insurance.
What to do if your laptop is stolen
1. Report it to police
Report the theft to your local police as soon as you can.
Keep a note of your police report number, as you may need it when making an insurance claim.
2. Change your passwords
If your laptop was unlocked or someone could access it, it’s a good idea to act quickly.
Using another device, change the passwords for your most important accounts, starting with your email and banking. Don’t forget social media, cloud storage and any other accounts you use on your laptop.
If you use the same password across multiple accounts, change those too.
It’s also worth checking whether you have two-factor authentication switched on for your important accounts. It adds an extra layer of security if someone gets hold of your password.
3. Report the theft to your insurer
If your laptop is insured, contact your insurer to find out what you need to do to make a claim.
It can help to have your:
- police report number
- insurance policy details
- laptop make and model
- proof of purchase, such as a receipt
- serial number, if you have it
photos of the laptop, if available.
A few ways to help protect your laptop
While you can’t always prevent theft, there are some simple things you can do to make your laptop easier to identify and recover.
Keep a record of the serial number. Store it somewhere safe, along with your receipt or other proof of purchase.
Take a few photos. A photo of your laptop can help show what you own if you need to make an insurance claim.
Add identifying details. Marking your laptop with identifying information can make it harder to sell and may help it be returned if it’s recovered.
Be careful when leaving it in your car. The safest option is to take your laptop with you. If you need to leave it behind, put it in the boot before you arrive at your destination and make sure it’s out of sight.
Will insurance cover a stolen laptop?
It depends on your insurance policy and the circumstances of the theft.
Your home and contents insurance may cover a stolen laptop, although the amount you can claim and the circumstances covered will depend on your policy. Some policies also allow valuable items to be insured individually.
If you mainly use your laptop for work, you may need different cover, such as business insurance.
Some comprehensive car insurance policies may also cover personal belongings stolen from a locked vehicle, but again, this depends on the policy.
It’s worth checking your insurance cover before you need it, so you know what’s included and whether your cover suits your circumstances.
Want to know more about your insurance options?
Our team can help you understand the options available through Bank of us and CGU Insurance.
Bank of us ABN 32 087 652 088, AFSL 236870 acts under its own AFSL and under an agreement with the issuer Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722, AFSL 227681 under the CGU brand. Any advice provided is general advice only and does not take into accountyour individual objectives, financial situation or needs (your personal circumstances•). Before using this advice to decide whether to purchase a product, you should consider your personal circumstances and the relevant the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations from CGU Insurance.
Bank of us does not guarantee any claim or benefit payable under the insurance policy. We receive commission on insurance products details can be found in our Financial Services Guide.
