The convenience of portable possessions is almost as great as their risk. Leaving your home with your laptop, jewellery or camera means more than just carrying around a small fortune, but a fortune that worth’s more than the sum of its parts because of the content on your laptop or camera or the sentimentality of your jewellery.



It’s advisable to take out portable possession insurance – also known as All Risks Insurance or Specified Insurance. (Note, most insurance companies only offer this cover to those who already have a car insurance or home insurance policy with them.) Do not assume that your laptop, camera or other portable possessions you keep at home are covered under household insurance and if it is, you must specify it, supplying the make, model, serial number, and replacement value (not market value – you insurer will not pay full price for an old laptop or camera).



Because of its portability, your laptop is a huge insurance risk for your insurance company. Smash-and-grabs alone account for thousands of laptop thefts a year, which is why your insurer will mandate they you keep your portable possessions out of sight in the boot of your car when transporting them and won’t repudiate your claim otherwise. This and other exclusions reduce the risk of portable possessions.



This type of cover protects your belongings from loss, theft or damage and includes standard excess (depending on the item being insured). If you are accident prone and might leave your laptop on the roof of the car when pulling off, you need portable possession insurance.