Working from home might change how your home insurance works, and not always in ways people expect. Many standard home policies don’t cover business-related equipment or liability. If you're self-employed or running a business from home, you may need extra cover such as small business insurance or public liability insurance. Even if you’re employed by a company, work gear like laptops might not be covered unless your employer explicitly insures them.
Have you thought about how working from home could impact your home insurance?
We’ve all adapted to remote working lately, but at Midland Insurance, we're noticing more customers asking if their current home insurance is enough when their home doubles as an office. It's a smart question because insurance isn't always straightforward.
Your home office might not be covered by your current policy
Many home insurance policies are built around covering your home as a place to live, not as a workplace. If you spill coffee on your laptop while sending emails, you might assume your home insurance would cover that. Unfortunately, we've found that standard policies often don't cover work equipment.
We’ve seen cases where people assume their standard home insurance covers everything...until something goes wrong. For example, when a home printer caught fire and damaged a client’s study, the insurer refused the claim. Why? The printer was considered business equipment. That moment really highlighted how different the rules can be once your home doubles as your office.
You might need business insurance, even at home
Working from home often requires more than just a standard home insurance policy. We frequently advise clients running businesses from home to consider a dedicated small business insurance package. This covers things your home policy doesn’t...like professional equipment, stock, or if a client trips and injures themselves on your property.
If you’re worried about costs, the good news is that business insurance often isn’t as pricey as people think. It's an investment worth making, especially when it's safeguarding your livelihood.
Cybersecurity matters, too
With more people working from home, there's been a rise in cyber incidents. Helen also mentioned how vital it is to have protection against cyber risks, especially for businesses storing client information. At Midland, we couldn't agree more. We've seen how important it is to be proactive in managing your cyber risks at home. That's why we strongly recommend considering personal cyber insurance to protect yourself against digital threats.
If you're curious about steps you can take immediately, here's another article with practical cybersecurity tips specifically for remote workers.
It’s about more than just equipment
Your physical space is important, but don’t forget your liability. Imagine a client visits your home office and slips on a loose rug. Without the right insurance, you're personally liable for medical expenses or legal costs. Public liability insurance isn't just for businesses in commercial spaces, it's just as important for home-based offices.
At Midland, we've helped plenty of Australians tailor their insurance for unique home-business setups, from photographers to consultants, ensuring they aren't left exposed.
What if you're employed but work from home?
This scenario is slightly different. Your employer should cover work-related equipment, even at home. But it's crucial to clarify this. We've spoken to clients who assumed their home policy would cover work laptops or other equipment supplied by their employer. Unfortunately, that's often not the case. Confirm your employer’s insurance covers these items explicitly.
Tax deductions might affect your insurance claims
Claiming home-office expenses on your tax can affect your insurance. According to the Australian Taxation Office, if you're claiming tax deductions for your home workspace, it could mean your insurance provider treats your home differently. Always inform your insurer to avoid complications during claims.
Safety matters, even at home
When your home doubles as your office, it's crucial to follow workplace safety standards. Agencies like Safe Work Australia provide guidelines for safely working from home. Insurance companies expect that you maintain a safe environment. Failing to do so might impact your claim.
Be proactive, not reactive
The best advice we can give at Midland is to be proactive. Don’t wait until a claim arises to discover you're not adequately covered. It’s easier (and cheaper) to adjust your policy now rather than later.
If you're uncertain about what your current home insurance covers or want to explore more comprehensive options, our team is here to help. Get in touch today to ensure your home and business are fully protected.
Did You Know
Did you know that over 60% of Australians working from home aren't adequately covered by their existing home insurance policies?
Remember, your home office deserves as much attention as any other workspace. Make sure it's properly insured to keep your business, and your peace of mind, intact.
Working from home might change how your home insurance works, and not always in ways people expect. Many standard home policies don’t cover business-related equipment or liability. If you're self-employed or running a business from home, you may need extra cover such as small business insurance or public liability insurance. Even if you’re employed by a company, work gear like laptops might not be covered unless your employer explicitly insures them.
Have you thought about how working from home could impact your home insurance?
We’ve all adapted to remote working lately, but at Midland Insurance, we're noticing more customers asking if their current home insurance is enough when their home doubles as an office. It's a smart question because insurance isn't always straightforward.
Your home office might not be covered by your current policy
Many home insurance policies are built around covering your home as a place to live, not as a workplace. If you spill coffee on your laptop while sending emails, you might assume your home insurance would cover that. Unfortunately, we've found that standard policies often don't cover work equipment.
We’ve seen cases where people assume their standard home insurance covers everything...until something goes wrong. For example, when a home printer caught fire and damaged a client’s study, the insurer refused the claim. Why? The printer was considered business equipment. That moment really highlighted how different the rules can be once your home doubles as your office.
You might need business insurance, even at home
Working from home often requires more than just a standard home insurance policy. We frequently advise clients running businesses from home to consider a dedicated small business insurance package. This covers things your home policy doesn’t...like professional equipment, stock, or if a client trips and injures themselves on your property.
If you’re worried about costs, the good news is that business insurance often isn’t as pricey as people think. It's an investment worth making, especially when it's safeguarding your livelihood.
Cybersecurity matters, too
With more people working from home, there's been a rise in cyber incidents. Helen also mentioned how vital it is to have protection against cyber risks, especially for businesses storing client information. At Midland, we couldn't agree more. We've seen how important it is to be proactive in managing your cyber risks at home. That's why we strongly recommend considering personal cyber insurance to protect yourself against digital threats.
If you're curious about steps you can take immediately, here's another article with practical cybersecurity tips specifically for remote workers.
It’s about more than just equipment
Your physical space is important, but don’t forget your liability. Imagine a client visits your home office and slips on a loose rug. Without the right insurance, you're personally liable for medical expenses or legal costs. Public liability insurance isn't just for businesses in commercial spaces, it's just as important for home-based offices.
At Midland, we've helped plenty of Australians tailor their insurance for unique home-business setups, from photographers to consultants, ensuring they aren't left exposed.
What if you're employed but work from home?
This scenario is slightly different. Your employer should cover work-related equipment, even at home. But it's crucial to clarify this. We've spoken to clients who assumed their home policy would cover work laptops or other equipment supplied by their employer. Unfortunately, that's often not the case. Confirm your employer’s insurance covers these items explicitly.
Tax deductions might affect your insurance claims
Claiming home-office expenses on your tax can affect your insurance. According to the Australian Taxation Office, if you're claiming tax deductions for your home workspace, it could mean your insurance provider treats your home differently. Always inform your insurer to avoid complications during claims.
Safety matters, even at home
When your home doubles as your office, it's crucial to follow workplace safety standards. Agencies like Safe Work Australia provide guidelines for safely working from home. Insurance companies expect that you maintain a safe environment. Failing to do so might impact your claim.
Be proactive, not reactive
The best advice we can give at Midland is to be proactive. Don’t wait until a claim arises to discover you're not adequately covered. It’s easier (and cheaper) to adjust your policy now rather than later.
If you're uncertain about what your current home insurance covers or want to explore more comprehensive options, our team is here to help. Get in touch today to ensure your home and business are fully protected.
Did You Know
Did you know that over 60% of Australians working from home aren't adequately covered by their existing home insurance policies?
Remember, your home office deserves as much attention as any other workspace. Make sure it's properly insured to keep your business, and your peace of mind, intact.
