Identity theft insurance: Does homeowners cover identity theft?

What is identity theft insurance?

Identity fraud insurance covers the expenses associated with having your identity stolen. It pays for things like legal fees, lost wages, and credit monitoring services. It also alerts you when suspicious activity occurs so you can get a head start on resolving issues.

“Identity theft protection does have an insurance component, but the product is multi-faceted,” says Brian Caroland, Director of Identity Theft Solutions at Zander Insurance in Nashville, TN.

Depending on the level of coverage you purchase, Caroland says identity theft insurance could include:

• Monitoring clients’ personal information and sending alerts if any suspicious activity is identified
• Providing full-service restoration services if a client becomes a victim of identity theft
• Reimbursing stolen funds and identity theft-related expenses up to $1 million

Some policies even cover postage and mailings and provide a child care component if you need to run errands related to the fraud case.

Does homeowners insurance cover identity theft?

Homeowners insurance coverage may include a small amount of identity theft coverage on a standard policy, depending on the company.

“Some homeowners policies do have an ID theft protection component but, typically, restoration services are limited, there is little to no expense reimbursement,” Caroland says. “Those types of plans almost never include reimbursement for stolen funds. And with limited restoration services, if the client becomes a victim of identity theft, the insurance provider will merely send the insured a packet in the mail with some tips and form templates; the client is then left to figure out next steps on their own, doing all the work themselves.”

If you want more comprehensive coverage, you can purchase a stand-alone identity theft policy or add an endorsement to your existing homeowners insurance. This can be done for as little as $50 a year.

How does identity theft insurance work?

Identity theft insurance is usually either a part of your homeowners policy or can be added as a rider. You can also purchase identity theft policies from most major insurance carriers and from credit card companies and credit monitoring agencies (the top three are TransUnion, Equifax and Experian).

“Some people think of identity theft as just having fraudulent charges show up on their credit card,” Caroland says, “but it’s much deeper and wider than that.”

Someone may open credit cards in your name and start charging away. Someone may access your photo ID and social security number via your doctor’s office during a data breach. Major retail stores will frequently announce that they had a data breach which means your purchase history and other information may be out there for identity thieves. Using this info, fraudsters can open new accounts– even loans and mortgages- in your name. This takes time, endless phone calls and mountains of paperwork to resolve. This is where identity fraud coverage can save you time and money.

At Caroland’s agency plans cover  “all types of identity theft, which can include financial and credit fraud, home title theft, medical ID theft where someone uses a client’s information to obtain medical procedures or prescription drugs, criminal ID theft where someone uses a client’s information to commit a crime, tax fraud, unemployment or social security fraud, and more.”

Not all policies are the same, and of course the more services and protections, the more you pay. Shop around to see what plan is right for you.

What does identity theft insurance cover?

Identity theft insurance usually covers:

• Bank and credit card fees assessed to you after fraudulent charges hit your account

• Legal fees if you have to show up in court to make a claim or defend yourself

• Lost wages for the time you might spend resolving the fallout of your identity theft

• Other fees for credit reports, monitoring services, fraud alerts

• Some, but not all, policies will reimburse the stolen money

The level of coverage will depend on the policy you buy, so assess how much you might want to spend versus your willingness to stay exposed to the risk of identity fraud.

Who needs identity theft insurance?

According to Caroland, “anyone who is concerned with preserving their wealth, protecting their assets, or saving time” is someone who should look into identity theft coverage.

“While ID thieves do occasionally still use the tried-and-true methods of dumpster diving or stealing mail to take personal information, there’s so much identity theft happening digitally these days, and cybersecurity and staying safe online have become a huge concern for our clients,” he says. 

He also urges people to think about insuring their children. “Children are prime targets for identity thieves because they can be victimized continuously, sometimes many years, before anyone notices.”  Increased time spent using apps, online banking and spending time on social media contributes to their vulnerability.

How much does identity theft protection cost?

Identity theft insurance is pretty affordable. On average it costs as little as $25-50 a year or as much as $30-75 per month depending on the level of coverage you want to purchase. As with many types of insurance, you may be subject to a deductible before your claim pays out.