Gadget Protection: Insuring Your Tech Devices While Traveling 

Travelling overseas with your gadgets — smartphone, laptop, camera, smartwatch, tablets — adds both convenience and risk. One jolt, drop, theft or water spill can turn tech you rely on into costly replacements. That’s where travel insurance steps in. For Australians heading abroad, properly protecting your technology isn’t a luxury — it’s practically essential. 

In this article, we’ll look at how travel insurance protects your gadgets, the kinds of protection and limits Go Insurance offers, what devices to insure (and how), how to declare them, and tips to keep them safe while overseas. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea how to travel confidently with your tech. 

How Travel Insurance Protects Your Gadgets & What Go Insurance Offers 

What “personal property / personal effects / belongings” cover typically includes 

Most good travel insurance policies include a section that covers personal property / personal belongings / personal effects. This usually means cover for loss, theft or accidental damage of items you take with you. For gadgets, that can mean your phone, tablet, camera, etc. 

Go Insurance’s Leisure Travel Insurance PDS has a Personal Property section. This is where your gadgets would usually be covered (subject to terms, limits, excess, and conditions). 

What are the limits, excesses & conditions with Go Insurance 

From the Go Insurance PDS

• There is a standard excess of AU$200 per person on most policy sections. 

• You can choose a policy excess higher or lower when purchasing. A higher excess generally lowers your premium; a lower excess increases it. 

• The Personal Property section includes exclusions, sub-limits, depreciation, and “reasonable care” requirements. 

• Some items (especially business/work equipment) may need special cover or a policy extension. For example, “business equipment” is not covered under the leisure policy unless the Business extension is selected. 

Go Insurance: Who we are & why you can trust us with your tech 

• Go Insurance is Australian owned and operated, based in Brisbane. The team has over 70 years’ combined experience in travel insurance. 

• Flexible policies let you add or remove modules or extensions so you only pay for what you need — especially useful when insuring valuable tech. 

• Recognised for excellence: three years running, Go Insurance has received the Canstar Outstanding Value Award in the Cruise Travel Insurance category. 

• Strong customer reviews and in-house claims handling give peace of mind. 

When you insure your gadgets with Go Insurance, you’re dealing with a provider who specialises in travel insurance for Australians, with transparent policies and reputable backing. 

What Devices Should Be Insured (and Should You Insure All of Them?) 

Here are the devices many travellers carry — and why they’re worth insuring: 

Smartphone / Mobile phone – high risk of theft, essential daily use, costly replacement. 

Laptop / Notebook – necessary for work or entertainment, especially vulnerable during transit. 

Tablet / iPad / e-reader – portable but prone to drops and damage. 

Camera / GoPro / Drone / Action Camera – often used in environments where water or sand can cause damage. 

Smartwatch / Wearables – small, easy to snatch, often worn visibly. 

Headphones / Earbuds – expensive, easy to misplace. 

Accessories (chargers, hard drives, memory cards, lenses) – value quickly adds up if several are lost. 

Declaring Value & What You Need to Do Before Traveling 

To make sure your gadget protection works as hoped: 

1. List your gadgets — include model, serial numbers and purchase dates. 

2. Estimate replacement value — keeping in mind insurers may apply depreciation. 

3. Keep proof of ownership — receipts, digital copies, or warranty documents. 

4. Declare high-value items — especially cameras, laptops or drones that exceed standard limits. 

5. Check your travel region — Go Insurance advises you select the highest risk region you’ll visit. 

6. Choose the right excess — balance between upfront premium and potential out-of-pocket costs. 

Protection & Limits: What to Watch Out For 

When insuring gadgets, be mindful of the following: 

Single-item limits: Most policies cap the payout per item, even if overall cover is higher. 

Total belongings limit: Maximum payable for all personal property combined. 

Exclusions: Leaving items unattended in public, wear and tear, or mechanical failure unrelated to an accident. 

Reasonable care: You must take precautions — such as carrying valuables in hand luggage or securing them in hotel safes. 

Depreciation: Payouts may reflect an item’s age and condition, not the cost of a brand-new replacement. 

Excess: The agreed amount is deducted from any claim before payout. 

Tips to Keep Your Devices Safe While Overseas 

Insurance protects your finances, but prevention saves you hassle. Some practical safety tips include: 

Carry gadgets in hand luggage rather than checked baggage. 

Use hotel safes to store devices you don’t need daily. 

Avoid leaving phones or tablets on café tables where they’re easy targets. 

Choose bags with zips or locks — cross-body anti-theft bags are ideal. 

Be discreet in crowded areas — avoid flashing expensive smartwatches or headphones. 

Back up important data before leaving home. 

Note down serial numbers and IMEI codes in case of theft. 

For more advice, the Post Office guide to gadget insurance highlights the importance of proof of purchase and checking single-item limits, while NerdWallet’s guide to electronics cover explores how different types of insurance treat gadgets. 

Why Go Insurance Is a Trusted Partner for Gadget Protection 

Choosing Go Insurance gives you: 

Australian ownership and operation, with a team that understands Aussie travellers. 

Strong financial backing from Lloyd’s of London

Flexible cover options so you can tailor policies to your gadget needs. 

Industry recognition, including multiple Canstar awards. 

Transparent claims and strong customer reviews for peace of mind. 

Travel Smart, Insure Smart 

Protecting your gadgets while travelling is about more than covering replacement costs. It’s about ensuring your trip isn’t disrupted by the stress of losing the tech you rely on every day. With Go Insurance, you can relax knowing that your belongings are protected by a trusted Australian insurer with award-winning service. 

Before you head off on holiday, take a moment to get a free quote here. That way, both you and your tech can travel with confidence. 

Gadget Protection: Insuring Your Tech Devices While Traveling 

Travelling overseas with your gadgets — smartphone, laptop, camera, smartwatch, tablets — adds both convenience and risk. One jolt, drop, theft or water spill can turn tech you rely on into costly replacements. That’s where travel insurance steps in. For Australians heading abroad, properly protecting your technology isn’t a luxury — it’s practically essential. 

In this article, we’ll look at how travel insurance protects your gadgets, the kinds of protection and limits Go Insurance offers, what devices to insure (and how), how to declare them, and tips to keep them safe while overseas. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea how to travel confidently with your tech. 

How Travel Insurance Protects Your Gadgets & What Go Insurance Offers 

What “personal property / personal effects / belongings” cover typically includes 

Most good travel insurance policies include a section that covers personal property / personal belongings / personal effects. This usually means cover for loss, theft or accidental damage of items you take with you. For gadgets, that can mean your phone, tablet, camera, etc. 

Go Insurance’s Leisure Travel Insurance PDS has a Personal Property section. This is where your gadgets would usually be covered (subject to terms, limits, excess, and conditions). 

What are the limits, excesses & conditions with Go Insurance 

From the Go Insurance PDS

• There is a standard excess of AU$200 per person on most policy sections. 

• You can choose a policy excess higher or lower when purchasing. A higher excess generally lowers your premium; a lower excess increases it. 

• The Personal Property section includes exclusions, sub-limits, depreciation, and “reasonable care” requirements. 

• Some items (especially business/work equipment) may need special cover or a policy extension. For example, “business equipment” is not covered under the leisure policy unless the Business extension is selected. 

Go Insurance: Who we are & why you can trust us with your tech 

• Go Insurance is Australian owned and operated, based in Brisbane. The team has over 70 years’ combined experience in travel insurance. 

• Flexible policies let you add or remove modules or extensions so you only pay for what you need — especially useful when insuring valuable tech. 

• Recognised for excellence: three years running, Go Insurance has received the Canstar Outstanding Value Award in the Cruise Travel Insurance category. 

• Strong customer reviews and in-house claims handling give peace of mind. 

When you insure your gadgets with Go Insurance, you’re dealing with a provider who specialises in travel insurance for Australians, with transparent policies and reputable backing. 

What Devices Should Be Insured (and Should You Insure All of Them?) 

Here are the devices many travellers carry — and why they’re worth insuring: 

Smartphone / Mobile phone – high risk of theft, essential daily use, costly replacement. 

Laptop / Notebook – necessary for work or entertainment, especially vulnerable during transit. 

Tablet / iPad / e-reader – portable but prone to drops and damage. 

Camera / GoPro / Drone / Action Camera – often used in environments where water or sand can cause damage. 

Smartwatch / Wearables – small, easy to snatch, often worn visibly. 

Headphones / Earbuds – expensive, easy to misplace. 

Accessories (chargers, hard drives, memory cards, lenses) – value quickly adds up if several are lost. 

Declaring Value & What You Need to Do Before Traveling 

To make sure your gadget protection works as hoped: 

1. List your gadgets — include model, serial numbers and purchase dates. 

2. Estimate replacement value — keeping in mind insurers may apply depreciation. 

3. Keep proof of ownership — receipts, digital copies, or warranty documents. 

4. Declare high-value items — especially cameras, laptops or drones that exceed standard limits. 

5. Check your travel region — Go Insurance advises you select the highest risk region you’ll visit. 

6. Choose the right excess — balance between upfront premium and potential out-of-pocket costs. 

Protection & Limits: What to Watch Out For 

When insuring gadgets, be mindful of the following: 

Single-item limits: Most policies cap the payout per item, even if overall cover is higher. 

Total belongings limit: Maximum payable for all personal property combined. 

Exclusions: Leaving items unattended in public, wear and tear, or mechanical failure unrelated to an accident. 

Reasonable care: You must take precautions — such as carrying valuables in hand luggage or securing them in hotel safes. 

Depreciation: Payouts may reflect an item’s age and condition, not the cost of a brand-new replacement. 

Excess: The agreed amount is deducted from any claim before payout. 

Tips to Keep Your Devices Safe While Overseas 

Insurance protects your finances, but prevention saves you hassle. Some practical safety tips include: 

Carry gadgets in hand luggage rather than checked baggage. 

Use hotel safes to store devices you don’t need daily. 

Avoid leaving phones or tablets on café tables where they’re easy targets. 

Choose bags with zips or locks — cross-body anti-theft bags are ideal. 

Be discreet in crowded areas — avoid flashing expensive smartwatches or headphones. 

Back up important data before leaving home. 

Note down serial numbers and IMEI codes in case of theft. 

For more advice, the Post Office guide to gadget insurance highlights the importance of proof of purchase and checking single-item limits, while NerdWallet’s guide to electronics cover explores how different types of insurance treat gadgets. 

Why Go Insurance Is a Trusted Partner for Gadget Protection 

Choosing Go Insurance gives you: 

Australian ownership and operation, with a team that understands Aussie travellers. 

Strong financial backing from Lloyd’s of London

Flexible cover options so you can tailor policies to your gadget needs. 

Industry recognition, including multiple Canstar awards. 

Transparent claims and strong customer reviews for peace of mind. 

Travel Smart, Insure Smart 

Protecting your gadgets while travelling is about more than covering replacement costs. It’s about ensuring your trip isn’t disrupted by the stress of losing the tech you rely on every day. With Go Insurance, you can relax knowing that your belongings are protected by a trusted Australian insurer with award-winning service. 

Before you head off on holiday, take a moment to get a free quote here. That way, both you and your tech can travel with confidence.