| It seems that these days, technology just keeps | | | | loss of a laptop can be a particularly crushing blow. |
| getting smaller and smaller. Just fifteen years ago, | | | | Even more than other pieces of technology, then, it |
| mobile phones were the size of bricks, but heavier, | | | | is very important to insure one's laptop computer. |
| and are now practically the width of playing cards | | | | You should NOT, under any circumstances, travel |
| and featherlight. Televisions are no longer pieces of | | | | with this very valuable device without protection. The |
| furniture - they've morphed into slim, sleek | | | | BBC reports that muggings in London have risen 40% |
| accessories that can lay flat against a wall and have | | | | over the last year, and that many of these incidents |
| DVD capacity built right in. MP3 players allow us to | | | | involved the thefts of laptops or other portable |
| tuck thousands of CDs worth of music into our hip | | | | electronic devices. These statistics, coupled with the |
| pockets. All around the globe, technology is rapidly | | | | potential for loss or damage inherent in the |
| shrinking, becoming at once more accessible, more | | | | possession of a laptop computer, should serve to |
| manageable and more portable. | | | | motivate you to go out and get your valuables |
| An inevitable consequence of all this convenience, | | | | insured. |
| however, is that the possibility for damage to | | | | Now, it is important to note that laptops and other |
| technology increases directly in relation to its | | | | portable electronic devices, because of the very high |
| portability. An iPod being carried around in one's | | | | risk they present, are generally NOT covered by |
| pocket day after day, for example, is much more | | | | house or homeowner's insurance. It is possible to |
| likely to be dropped, rained on or stolen than a | | | | expand one's coverage to include a laptop computer, |
| stereo system resting safely back home. A modern, | | | | but the policy add-on is often quite expensive. Unless |
| diminutive mobile phone is more easily mislaid than the | | | | you are planning on losing two to three laptops a |
| gargantuan devices of yesteryear. And then there is | | | | year, expanding your house or homeowner's |
| the most valuable of all these shrinking gadgets - and, | | | | insurance to cover your computer is generally NOT a |
| perhaps, the most valuable - the laptop computer. | | | | good idea. |
| The home computer, for many consumers, | | | | Luckily, there are other options for protecting your |
| represents the third largest material investment in life | | | | laptop computer. There are insurance agencies that |
| (following housing and car). It has become more a | | | | specialize in portable electronic devices including laptop |
| necessity than a luxury in today's day and age, | | | | insurance. Their specialization ensures that their |
| something indispensable for work and play. And now, | | | | premiums reflect an accurate amount of risk - not an |
| as technology continues to shrink, more and more of | | | | inflated number generated by some larger agency's |
| those in the market for home computers are electing | | | | spreadsheet. |
| to purchase laptop computers. Though a laptop does | | | | This article is titled "How Not to Buy Laptop |
| offer increased convenience over more traditional | | | | Insurance." What should you NOT do? Don't go |
| desktop models, it also presents the consumer with | | | | uninsured. Don't expand your homeowner's insurance |
| greater risk. And because a laptop computer | | | | to cover your laptop. What should you absolutely do? |
| embodies not only a substantial financial investment, | | | | Get insured by an electronics specialist. You'll be glad |
| but also (due to the great amount of personal data | | | | you did! |
| stored on most machines) a hefty emotional one, the | | | | |