Work From Home Insurance: What Does Your Home Policy Actually Cover?

July 2026

Between home-based start-ups and hybrid working within companies, homeowners and renters alike may need to think about the impact this may have on their insurance policy. 

Working from home can be a great way to save money while taking those first steps in business. But is there a difference in insurance for home-based businesses versus commercial office space? And what kind of insurance do you need?

The answer depends very much on what kind of home-based business you’re operating. You may require additional types of insurance coverage for particular business activities.

Home insurance generally covers individuals working from home, whether lone workers or as employees of a business which offers hybrid working.

An Allianz home insurance policy, which includes contents cover, automatically covers home-office equipment up to €4,000.

Personal office equipment, like computers, laptops, scanners and printers used as part of your job are generally covered under the contents of your home, if this is not already covered by an employer. But if you take your laptop outside the premises, it’s no longer covered. If you work between your home and your office, you can specify your laptop as an all-risks item on an insurance policy, which means this item is covered both inside and outside the home. This cover costs extra but if your laptop gets stolen or you drop it outside the home, it’s covered.

Where there is any type of business operating from the home, this will need to be disclosed, and Allianz will assess this on a case-by-case basis and may require further information to decide if we will offer cover or not. Any loss, damage or liability arising from the business use is a general exclusion on the policy.

Insurers will seek the full details of all the activities that take place on the premises in relation to the business use. If you are running a business from your home, it's likely that a standard home insurance policy won’t cover this and you should speak to your insurer/broker for advice.

A: Yes, standard home insurance generally covers remote and hybrid workers who are completing regular office tasks from home as employees of a company. Under a standard Allianz policy with contents cover, personal office equipment—such as desktop computers, printers, and monitors—is automatically covered against risks like fire or theft while inside the house.

A: No, standard home contents insurance only covers equipment while it is physically inside the property. If you commute between a corporate office and your home, your laptop is not protected while in transit or in public spaces unless you add an optional 'All Risks' Cover extension to your home insurance policy, or your employer provides their own commercial device insurance.

A: An Allianz home insurance policy with contents coverage includes an automatic limit of up to €4,000 for home office equipment (such as personal computers, scanners, printers, and modems) during any one period of insurance. However, this only covers equipment kept inside the private house or secure domestic outbuildings.

A: No, standard home insurance is designed for residential use and explicitly excludes any loss, damage, or legal liability arising from operating a commercial business on the premises. If you are launching a home-based startup or welcoming clients/deliveries to your property, you must disclose this to your insurer to see if the risk can be accepted, or source a dedicated commercial business policy. 

Check out Allianz Ireland's Help and Support Hub for FAQs around home insurance cover.

Allianz p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Standard acceptance criteria and policy conditions apply. 

Information is correct at 25/07/2026