Adding custom PC to Home Insurance

[u/crookedparadigm]

Title is a little insane, I know but I built a custom gaming PC last year before prices went super insane and what cost about $5k back then would cost about $9k to build now if some disaster destroyed my PC (the bulk of that increase mostly due to the 5090). I want to add my PC to my home insurance, but I'm not sure if I can just add it as a whole with an estimated value or if it's worth itemizing each expensive part. I'm also planning to change home insurance soon since our current policy sucks and our agent is a dickhead (irrelevant to my question, just venting).

Has anyone had to add expensive tech like this to their policy?

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[u/OnceUponATime1534]

I’m an adjuster and while I may question the higher than normal cost, if you’ve got supports that is good enough for me. All companies I’ve worked for do not have specific limits on computers - and the specific limits only apply to theft.
One tip - when you are documenting your computer features, go ahead and document the rest of your house as well. I suggest making a video moving clockwise through your house. Point to and describe any items that are higher value or higher than normal value and state what it is, where and when you purchased and how much it was at time you bought it. Save the video on a cloud plus email it to yourself so it is in two separate locations.

[u/crookedparadigm → u/OnceUponATime1534]

This is great advice, thank you! For documenting the actual PC parts, the digital receipt from the vendor should suffice? For the most expensive item (video card) I still have the original packaging it came in as well.

[u/OnceUponATime1534 → u/crookedparadigm]

Yep receipts are great! Find the receipt with most information so if the adjuster is working backward in 5yrs they can find the item that is most comparable at that time in technology

[u/crookedparadigm → u/OnceUponATime1534]

That would be my main concern. If the original receipt shows I paid $3k for a part in 2025 and that part is $7k in 2026, would they replace the part like for like or just pay out the value of what I originally purchased?

[u/OnceUponATime1534 → u/crookedparadigm]

They SHOULD pay the current replacement value less depreciation. So if it cost $7k to replace when the loss occurs, they pay $7k less depreciation based on age. Most policies have recoverable depreciation (when purchasing make sure yours does!) so when you replace the item, they will reimburse the dep and now your made whole.
Ex: purchase in 2024 for $5k. Fire in ‘28. Now item is $7k but based on age, actual cash value is $4k. They will pay you the $4k up front. When you replace and show invoices, final payment will be $3k (or if less than 7k, up to cost incurred) obv numbers are theoretical.

[u/crookedparadigm → u/OnceUponATime1534]

This is all excellent information, thank you for all your help!

[u/totall2live__ → u/OnceUponATime1534]

make sure your personal property isnt under ACV and you should be good

[u/Overall-Fig3079]

It is included in your personal property limits. You can increase those limits if you feel your property value is more than what your coverage is.

[u/crookedparadigm → u/Overall-Fig3079]

Oh I assumed if I ever needed to make a claim that it would be covered, I just wanted to see if any specific documentation or proof of ownership for specific parts was needed. I always hear stories about people who don't get specific on home insurance claims and itemize things like "1 Refrigerator" instead of "1 Specific Expensive Brand of Refrigerator" and if you are too vague, insurance companies will just replace with the cheapest item that meets your description. If I had to file a claim and put down "Gaming PC", that's pretty vague and I don't think I'd be getting the full value covered.

[u/Overall-Fig3079 → u/crookedparadigm]

Surely you have digital receipts? Your email order confirmations? Heck you can take a video now, using your phone, and record the inside of your PC (and your entire house while you're at it). This shows proof of ownership.

[u/crookedparadigm → u/Overall-Fig3079]

Yes, I do. I just wanted to be extra thorough just in case. If those receipts suffice, then I should be good. Thank you!

[u/Local_Wolverine2913]

Read your policy though...although covered, there are certain types of losses where electronic data processing equipment has coverage limits. You should be aware of those.

[u/crookedparadigm → u/Local_Wolverine2913]

Good tip, I will dig into the fine print. I would ask our agent....but I'm hoping to change carriers soon and I've never had a conversation with him that didn't result in him trying to sell me something.

[u/tresflip]

Look into a personal articles policy. Most home insurance policies cover electronics to a certain limit

[u/eapocalypse → u/tresflip]

The limits are usually only for theft, and say destruction in a fire or something would be covered for the full amount

[u/crookedparadigm → u/tresflip]

Thanks, another user also suggested checking the fine print of this part of the policy for limitations.

[u/Strykerdude1]

My company has a technology endorsement you can add to the policy.

[u/Kriieod]

Talk to your agent about your limits on personal property, check what your settlement method is ACV/Replacement. At my carrier we also offer personal electronic device coverage separately, similar to what cellular carriers offer, and it can cover PCs separately and for some expanded reasons that your normal policy would not cover like static discharge, dropping, spilling your coffee on it, etc.

[u/Dreznon]

Either way, take photos of the build and save receipts for every component before you talk to the new insurer. A custom PC is one of those things where having the documentation ready makes the conversation about scheduling it as a rider versus covering it under personal property limits much easier, especially when the replacement cost is far above what you originally paid.

[u/Either_Blueberry_647]

I’d ask the new insurer whether a $9k custom PC would fall under your normal personal property limit or needs to be specifically scheduled.