Gaming equipment insurance worldwide: the ultimate protection for your hardware when travelling
04.11.2025
10
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
A gaming laptop worth three thousand euros is stolen from a hotel room, yet the contents insurance pays out only a fraction of the loss. This scenario is a real risk for gamers travelling internationally, as standard policies often have significant gaps. Find out how a specialised, worldwide insurance policy can comprehensively protect your equipment and prevent financial losses.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Contents insurance provides only limited cover abroad through its cover outside the home, which is often insufficient in cases of simple theft or for expensive equipment.
A specialised gaming equipment insurance policy provides worldwide cover against a wide range of risks such as simple theft, damage and operator error, and reimburses the replacement value.
The annual costs of such specialist insurance often amount to less than five per cent of the value of the equipment and are a worthwhile investment to avoid significant financial losses.
Conduct a risk analysis for mobile gaming equipment
A complete high-end gaming setup can quickly be worth more than six thousand euros. A single current graphics card alone often costs more than 1,500 euros. If this equipment is stolen or damaged while travelling, it can result in significant financial loss. Many gamers underestimate the risk of simple theft, which accounts for 40 per cent of all offences. A conventional gaming PC insurance policy is a first step, but its scope of cover must be checked for travel. Financial protection for these mobile assets is therefore not an option, but a necessity for anyone who pursues their expensive hobby on the move. The analysis begins with the realisation that standard solutions often fail here.
Identify coverage gaps in home contents insurance abroad
Although contents insurance does include cover away from home, which also applies abroad, its benefits are severely limited. As a rule, the cover applies for a maximum of three months and is capped at ten to twenty per cent of the total sum insured. With a sum insured of EUR 60,000, that would amount to just EUR 6,000. What is crucial, however, is that in most cases only burglary and robbery are covered, not simple theft. So if the gaming laptop is stolen from an unlocked room, the insurer will not pay out. A travel luggage insurance policy is not a solution either, as it often reimburses only the current value and sets low limits for electronics, for example 50 per cent of the sum insured. These gaps make a specialist policy necessary.
Implement global protection concepts for high-end hardware
A specialised gaming equipment insurance with worldwide cover provides all-risk protection that goes far beyond standard cover. It covers damage caused by user error, drops or liquid damage, and power surges. Above all, it also covers simple theft, a risk that is particularly high when travelling. Another advantage is new-for-old compensation, which ensures that in the event of a claim you receive the financial means for an equivalent new device. These policies are often modular in design, allowing the cover to be tailored individually to your own setup. Such an gaming hardware insurance ensures that your equipment is optimally protected anywhere in the world. That means the hardware is covered, but the contract details require careful review.
Carefully review contract clauses for worldwide validity
When taking out insurance, it is essential to study the General Terms and Conditions of Insurance (AVB) carefully. Pay attention to the territorial scope; “worldwide” should be stated explicitly and without any restriction to specific types of travel. A key point is “new-for-old compensation”, which ensures you are not left bearing the loss in value of your three-year-old hardware. Our expert tip: document all your equipment carefully so that you can prove ownership and value in the event of a claim. Good documentation speeds up claims handling considerably. To do this, keep an exact list:
Create a detailed list of all insured devices, including serial numbers.
Store all purchase receipts digitally, for example in the cloud.
Take photos of each device to document its condition.
For custom-built devices, note the exact components together with the purchase date and price.
Solid documentation is the basis for a swift settlement, as offered by good laptop insurance with theft cover. A precise understanding of the clauses determines the benefits payable in the event of a claim.
Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of a global gaming policy
The cost of comprehensive insurance is low compared with the potential loss. A gaming setup worth €4,000 can often be insured for less than €15 per month. This equates to annual costs of under €180. In the event of a claim, this amount is set against a possible total loss of €4,000. The investment in insurance therefore amounts to less than five per cent of the device value per year. A conventional laptop insurance policy often covers only the device itself, but not expensive accessories such as monitors or peripherals. The low premium offers excellent value in relation to the protection provided and the financial security it gives you when travelling. However, alongside hardware, you should not neglect your digital assets either.
Minimise digital risks while travelling with cyber protection
When travelling, gamers often use public Wi-Fi networks in hotels, airports or cafés, which poses a significant security risk. A hacked gaming account can mean the loss of digital items worth hundreds of euros. Comprehensive protection should therefore go beyond hardware alone. Some insurers offer optional add-ons that also cover phishing, hacking and account misuse. These protect the digital assets tied up in skins, items and in-game currency. Good cyber identity protection complements the hardware policy and provides 360-degree protection. This means you are covered not only against material losses, but also digital ones.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific recommendations for improvement.
More useful links
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action offers a comprehensive dossier on the topic of games.
Statista provides a topic page with current statistics and data on the gaming market.
game – Association of the German Games Industry publishes current market data and statistics on the German games industry.
Finanztip offers comprehensive information and a guide on travel baggage insurance.
The ADAC provides information on travel baggage insurance, often in the context of trip cancellation insurance.
The Consumer Advice Centre offers a critical examination of device insurance for smartphones and tablets.
Bitkom contains a press release on gaming in Germany with an outlook for 2025.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides information on travel behaviour and tourism in Germany.
FAQ
Can my self-built gaming PC be insured?
Yes, most specialist providers also insure self-built PCs. It is important to keep precise documentation of all components, including purchase receipts, so that the total value can be proven in the event of a claim.
What should I do if my laptop is stolen abroad?
Report the theft to the local police immediately and ask for a copy of the police report. Then contact your insurer straight away to report the loss. The report is essential for the claim settlement.
Does the insurance pay the replacement value or the current value?
A major advantage of specialised electronics and gaming insurance policies is that they usually reimburse the replacement value. This means you receive the amount needed to replace it with a new, equivalent device.
Are accessories such as a headset, mouse and keyboard also covered?
Yes, in most gaming insurance policies the entire setup is covered. This includes not only the PC or console but also monitors, keyboards, mice, headsets and other peripherals. Check the exact scope in the policy details.
What is the difference between simple theft and burglary?
Burglary theft requires overcoming an obstacle, e.g. breaking open a locked door. Simple theft occurs when an item is stolen without the use of force or burglary, e.g. from a table in a café. Many home contents insurance policies only cover burglary theft.
How long is my insurance's overseas cover valid?
For contents insurance, cover outside the home is often limited to three months. Specialist policies with worldwide cover usually have no time limit here, or a much longer one. This is a key point you should check before a long trip.
