What to do if your laptop is stolen from your car

Having your laptop stolen can be incredibly frustrating. Not only do you have to replace the device, but your personal information could also be at risk.

The good news is there are a few simple steps you can take to limit the impact and protect yourself. Here are some helpful tips from our friends at CGU Insurance.

What to do straight away

If your laptop is stolen, acting quickly can help protect your information and make the claims process easier.

1. Report the theft to police
Contact your local police station and report the theft as soon as possible. Make sure you keep a record of the police report number, as you may need it for insurance.

2. Change your passwords
Using another device, log in to your key accounts and change your passwords straight away. This includes your email, social media, banking and any other accounts that may be accessible from your laptop.

If someone can access your laptop, changing your passwords quickly can help prevent unauthorised access to your personal information.

3. Lodge your insurance claim
Once you’ve reported the theft, you can lodge an insurance claim. It helps to have your police report number, policy details and proof that you owned the laptop (such as a receipt or photo).

How to help prevent laptop theft

While you can’t always prevent theft, a few precautions can make your laptop less appealing to thieves and easier to recover.

• Engrave your laptop with identifying details to make it harder to sell.
• Keep a record of the serial number and store receipts or proof of purchase.
• Take photos of your device so you have a record if it’s ever lost or stolen.

It’s also best not to leave your laptop in your car. If you have no choice, place it in the boot and make sure it’s out of sight before you arrive at your destination.

Does insurance cover a stolen laptop?

Insurance can help ease the financial impact if your laptop is stolen.

Depending on your home contents insurance policy, you may be able to claim for some or all of the cost to replace it. In some cases, you can also choose to insure valuable items individually for their full value.

If your laptop is used primarily for work, it may need to be covered under a business insurance policy instead.

In certain situations, comprehensive car insurance may also provide cover for items stolen from a locked vehicle, including personal belongings such as laptops.

The right cover for you will depend on your circumstances, but it’s worth checking your policies so you know what’s included.

If you’d like to learn more about your insurance options, our team is always here to help.

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.