What Does Identity Theft Insurance Cover for Your Financial Security

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Identity theft insurance is a type of protection that helps you recover from financial losses caused by identity theft.

It can cover expenses such as lost wages, legal fees, and even credit monitoring services.

Identity theft insurance can also provide reimbursement for stolen funds, up to a certain limit, usually $1,000 to $25,000.

This insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that you're protected in case your identity is stolen.

What Is Identity Theft Insurance?

Identity theft insurance is a type of protection that helps cover the costs of recovering from identity theft. It can provide reimbursement for expenses such as lawyer fees, credit reporting fees, and lost wages.

This type of insurance typically covers a wide range of identity theft-related expenses, including up to $1 million in coverage for certain types of losses.

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is a serious crime where someone steals your personal information to use for their own gain. This can include your name, Social Security number, credit card numbers, and more.

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Identity thieves often use stolen information to open new credit accounts, take out loans, or even rent apartments. They may also use your identity to commit crimes or engage in other illicit activities.

Victims of identity theft often don't even realize what's happening until they receive a notice from a creditor or collection agency. This can be a shock, especially if the victim has been diligent about monitoring their credit reports.

Identity theft can happen to anyone, regardless of age or financial situation. In fact, children and seniors are often targeted because they may not be as aware of the risks.

Identity thieves may use various tactics to get their hands on your personal information, including phishing scams, hacking into websites or databases, or even stealing physical documents from your mailbox or trash.

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What is Identity Theft Insurance?

Identity theft insurance is a type of protection that helps cover the costs associated with restoring your identity after a theft. It's usually offered as an add-on to existing insurance policies or as a standalone product.

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The average cost of identity theft insurance is around $20 to $50 per year, depending on the provider and the level of coverage. This is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're protected.

Identity theft can happen to anyone, regardless of age or financial situation. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that over 15 million people in the US fall victim to identity theft each year.

Restoring your identity can be a time-consuming and costly process, with some victims spending up to $1,400 on out-of-pocket expenses. Identity theft insurance can help cover these costs, including fees for credit monitoring, credit freezes, and other services.

Some identity theft insurance policies also offer additional benefits, such as credit monitoring and identity theft resolution services. These services can provide valuable support and guidance as you work to restore your identity.

How It Work?

Identity theft insurance is a type of protection that helps you recover from identity theft.

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It's usually included as part of an identity theft protection service, which is a good thing because it provides a safety net for unexpected expenses.

With some services, like Progressive ID Protection by IDnotify, you're covered for up to $1 million with a $0 deductible, which means you won't have to pay anything out of pocket.

A protection plan will also alert you about potential threats and breaches, so you can take action quickly.

One-on-one services are often provided to help you recover from identity theft, which can be a huge relief.

These services can be a lifesaver if you're dealing with identity theft, and they're often more affordable than you think.

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Types of Policies

Identity theft insurance covers various types of policies, each designed to protect you from different aspects of identity theft.

The most common type is financial identity theft, which covers losses due to unauthorized transactions, credit card charges, and loans taken out in your name.

Another type is medical identity theft, which provides coverage for medical expenses and services received by an imposter using your identity.

Cyber identity theft policies, on the other hand, cover expenses related to restoring your digital identity after a cyberattack.

Stand-Alone Policies

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Stand-alone policies offer specialized coverage for identity theft-related risks. These plans provide uniquely-focused and thorough protections.

They may cost more than many alternatives, but for those who want extra peace of mind, the extra cost may be worth it.

Homeowner/Renter Add-ons

Many home insurance companies offer identity theft protection as an add-on to homeowners insurance and related policies. These plans may provide limited coverage and protection, but offer convenient and bundled pricing options for existing customers.

Some of these add-ons may offer additional benefits, such as coverage for stolen funds, credit monitoring, and restoration services. However, it's essential to review the terms and conditions to understand what's included and what's not.

Homeowners can also consider add-ons for specific risks, like earthquake or flood coverage. These add-ons can provide peace of mind and financial protection in case of unexpected events.

Bank and Credit Card Add-ons

Bank and credit card add-ons can provide extra protection against identity theft and fraudulent charges. Some credit card companies offer additional identity theft insurance and support as part of their add-on plans.

These add-on plans may not provide the most extensive insurance coverage, but they do offer other bank-focused protections.

Protection Services

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Identity theft protection services can monitor your online activities and alert you of suspicious activity associated with your personal information. These services can be very beneficial in preventing and detecting identity theft.

Some popular identity theft protection services include Aura, Norton LifeLock, Identity Guard, TransUnion Identity Protection, and IdentityForce. Aura offers a large set of tools designed to fight cybercrime, including a password manager, credit inquiry alerts, malware blocking, and a virtual private network (VPN).

Norton LifeLock combines antivirus protection with identity monitoring service, alerting you when it detects suspicious activity that may threaten your personal data and reimbursing you for up to at least $25,000 in stolen funds.

Identity theft protection services can provide various tools and services, such as credit monitoring, internet surveillance, social security number tracing, and full-service restoration.

Here are some features of identity theft protection services:

  • Monitoring of credit and internet activity for signs of identity theft
  • Services to protect and restore credit, resolve fraud cases, and reclaim identity
  • Reimbursement for replacement costs of government-issued IDs, attorney fees, and additional expenses you may incur while recovering from identity theft

Some identity theft protection services also offer identity theft insurance, such as up to $1 million in insurance for eligible losses from identity theft, or reimbursement for stolen funds.

Getting and Evaluating Coverage

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Identity theft insurance can be purchased as a standalone policy or as an add-on to existing insurance policies.

It's essential to carefully review the policy's terms and conditions to understand what is covered and what is not.

Typically, policies cover expenses related to restoring your identity, such as fees for credit monitoring and reporting fraudulent activity.

Coverage

Identity theft insurance can cover a wide range of expenses, including costs associated with replacing identification documents, lost wages, and legal fees.

Some policies may also reimburse stolen funds, but this usually only applies to non-recoverable funds taken via unauthorized electronic fund transfers.

Reimbursement for stolen funds can be up to $1 million, depending on the identity theft plan chosen.

Identity theft insurance can also cover costs associated with credit report and dispute costs, as well as costs for credit freezes and thaws.

In addition, some policies may include identity restoration services, such as assigning a case manager or fraud specialist to communicate with creditors and order fraud alerts on your accounts.

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Identity restoration services may also cover costs associated with replacing identification documents, such as driver's licenses and passports.

Here are some examples of expenses that may be covered by identity theft insurance:

  • Lost wages for some or all of the base wages you lose when taking time off from work to resolve identity theft issues.
  • Notary fees associated with verifying important documents and affidavits through a notary service.
  • Application re-filing costs for loans, grants, and other forms of credit.
  • Credit report and dispute costs, as well as costs for credit freezes and thaws.
  • Child, spousal, and elderly care required while resolving your identity theft issues.
  • Phone and mail costs necessary to resolve your case.

It's essential to read your policy carefully or talk it over with an agent to make sure you understand what is and isn't included. Ask about coverage limits and whether a deductible will apply.

How to Get It

To get the coverage you need, start by understanding the different types of coverage available, such as property, liability, and business insurance.

You can obtain property coverage through a homeowners or renters policy, which typically costs between 5% and 10% of the insured value of the property.

Liability coverage is often included in these policies, and can be increased to higher limits with an umbrella policy.

Business insurance, on the other hand, typically requires a business license and can be obtained through a commercial insurance policy.

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It's also a good idea to shop around and compare quotes from different insurance providers to find the best coverage for your needs and budget.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners recommends comparing at least three quotes before making a decision.

Additionally, consider working with an independent insurance agent who can help you navigate the process and find the right coverage for you.

Evaluate the Risk

Evaluating the risk of identity theft is crucial before deciding on coverage. A 2023 study by the U.S. Department of Justice found that most victims took a week or less to resolve their financial and credit problems.

The consequences of identity theft can be severe, including a lower credit score, trouble qualifying for loans, and even job loss. Thieves may use your personal information to establish phony insurance policies, open unauthorized credit cards, and obtain unauthorized loans.

You could end up with a significant amount of debt and a damaged credit history. The study found that about 10% of victims spent a month or more struggling to recover their identity.

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Here are some examples of how thieves may use your personal information:

  • Establish phony insurance policies.
  • Open unauthorized credit cards.
  • Obtain unauthorized loans.
  • Rent an apartment.
  • Establish utility accounts.
  • Get a job.
  • File taxes and steal the refund.
  • Expose your private life.

Banks and credit card companies rarely hold consumers responsible for unauthorized charges or withdrawals, as long as you report the problem right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is not covered in an identity theft policy?

Identity theft insurance typically doesn't cover direct financial losses, such as stolen money or unauthorized credit purchases. It only reimburses costs related to reporting and recovering from identity theft.

Ann Lueilwitz

Senior Assigning Editor

Ann Lueilwitz is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a proven track record of delivering high-quality content to various publications. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Ann has honed her skills in assigning and editing articles that captivate and inform readers. Ann's expertise spans a range of categories, including Financial Market Analysis, where she has developed a deep understanding of global economic trends and their impact on markets.

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