Families equipped with multiple connected devices accumulate exposures that traditional insurance contracts only partially cover. With the increasing number of digital objects at home, the emergence of domestic cyber risks, and the evolving legal framework surrounding minors online, the insurance question goes far beyond simple screen breakage coverage.
Domestic cyber coverage: what home insurance contracts really cover
Home insurance is gradually incorporating the consequences of cyberattacks targeting individuals. By 2026, some contracts will offer options covering post-ransomware assistance, data restoration, and IT troubleshooting. We observe that these coverages often remain optional and charged in addition to the base contract.
The exact scope varies by insurer. Post-intrusion assistance generally covers technical diagnostics and the restoration of equipment. Coverage for the loss of personal data (photos, administrative documents) remains rarer and capped.
For a family with multiple connected devices (computers, school tablets, smart home devices), we recommend checking three points in the specific conditions: the number of covered devices, the compensation limit per cyber incident, and whether or not connected objects outside of traditional computing are included. By consulting insurance activities on Familles Connectées, you will find regularly updated comparisons on these specific coverages.
School insurance and digital devices: the blind spots of the contract
Most school insurance contracts cover civil liability and individual accident guarantees. The extension to digital devices that the child carries (smartphone, tablet, laptop) is not systematic.
Theft by extortion and accidental damage are the two most common claims on students’ devices. Some extracurricular plans include these coverages, but with high deductibles or exclusions for devices older than two years.
A technical point often overlooked: the distinction between school use and personal use. A claim occurring during an extracurricular activity (commute, sports, outing with friends) is only covered if the contract explicitly mentions 24/7 coverage. Ensure that the chosen plan does not limit itself to the school-home perimeter.
Criteria for selecting school insurance suitable for digital use
- Coverage of portable digital devices with a compensation limit higher than the residual value of the device, not just its depreciated purchase value
- Coverage for theft characterized (extortion, break-in) without exclusions related to the age of the device or the absence of a complaint filed within 24 hours
- 24/7 extracurricular extension including commutes and leisure activities, including abroad for language stays
- Legal assistance in cases of cyberbullying, covering procedural costs and psychological support
Minors and digital platforms: the legal framework that modifies risk exposure
Law No. 2023-566 of July 7, 2023, sets the minimum age for registering alone on a social network at 15 years. Below this age, parental permission is required. Platforms must inform young people and their parents about digital risks.
This legal framework has direct insurance implications. A minor under 15 present on a platform without documented parental permission could face a coverage exclusion in the event of a claim related to their online activity. We recommend keeping a written record of the parental permission granted to the platforms.
Conversational AI companions: an emerging risk to integrate
A phenomenon reported at the start of the 2026 school year deserves the attention of families: a significant number of young people aged 11 to 25 use conversational AI companions as a substitute for psychological support, due to their constant availability and perceived lack of judgment.
This behavior raises questions about the confidentiality of mental health data and liability in cases of inappropriate advice. No insurance contract currently specifically covers the consequences of a harmful interaction with a conversational AI. This topic remains to be monitored in contractual developments.
Connected activities as a family: reconciling digital leisure and suitable coverage
Connected leisure activities practiced as a family (online games, augmented reality applications, robotic kits) generate usage situations that insurers categorize differently depending on the location and context.
An augmented reality activity conducted outdoors exposes devices to risks of falling and theft that home insurance does not cover. Only a mobile multimedia insurance or a specific extension covers devices outside the home.
For families investing in equipment like VR headsets, drones, or robotic kits, the question of civil liability also arises. A drone operated by a child that causes damage to a third party falls under the household’s civil liability, provided that the contract does not exclude remote-controlled devices.
- Check the inclusion of portable devices (tablets, VR headsets, drones) in the multimedia coverage of the home insurance contract or subscribe to a dedicated extension
- Ensure that family civil liability covers damages caused by connected objects operated by a minor
- Document the purchases of digital equipment (invoices, serial numbers) to facilitate claims reporting
The interplay between school insurance, home contracts, and any additional multimedia guarantees remains the most underestimated technical point by connected families. An annual audit of contracts, ideally at the start of the school year, helps identify coverage overlaps and uninsured areas before a claim reveals them.
