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Have technology while out and about: will insure
06/05/2010
Up to 50 per cent of NSW school students now take mobile phones, laptops or MP3 players to school and most of their parents are worried the technology will be stolen, new research by NRMA Insurance has revealed*.
The research showed 70 per cent of parents whose children took technology to school were concerned about theft.
NRMA Insurance spokesperson Emily Gatt said children's appetite for technology regularly outstripped that of their parents.
"More than 40 per cent of NSW parents said their kids used more technology than they did," she said.
"Kids can be really attached to their portable technology but are often in situations or locations where it may be lost or stolen, such as school or sport events. It can be expensive and frustrating for parents when they have to replace the latest mobile phones and MP3 players.
Adults, too, admit they now carry a valuable stash of technology when they leave home. NRMA Insurance found more than 40 per cent carry more than one technology item to work and around one in seven of us have accidentally left a mobile phone, laptop or MP3 player on public transport or in a café.
"Many of us head off each day with our laptop in our hands, MP3 player in our ears, mobile phone in our pocket and digital camera in our bag.
"It's an emerging insurance issue and we want to make sure people are covered should they or their kids lose their technology or have it stolen," Ms Gatt said.
NRMA Insurance recommends consumers add portable valuables cover to their home contents insurance for expensive technology taken out of the home.
Ms Gatt said the insurer had seen steady interest from customers looking to cover portable technology.
“Technology is now part of our everyday lifestyle whether it’s for school, work or personal reasons – past research has shown that 79 per cent of NSW households have one or more MP3 players and 99 per cent have a computer or laptop*.
“Given this increasing obsession with technology, we want to remind households to make sure their items are covered,” Ms Gatt said.
See more information on home insurance.
* Based on Pure Profile Research in October 2009 and February 2010.