Club Benefits
Surfshark has become the latest VPN to offer ID theft protection to users, with up to $1 million in coverage now included with Surfshark One+ plans.
Expanding non-VPN cybersecurity protections is something we have seen a number of the best VPNs do in recent months. Now, Surfshark joins NordVPN and ExpressVPN in offering ID theft insurance to users.
Up to $1 million in ID theft protection coverage
Surfshark is introducing insurance coverage to combat the clear risks of targeted scams and identity theft. In a blog post, it described identity theft as "one of the most devastating cybercrimes."
The $1 million is designed to help with expenses incurred while restoring your identity. Surfshark said it can be used for:
- Credit bureau reports
- Replacement of documents and fees
- Legal costs
- Lost wages, including child and elder care (up to $5,000)
- Mental health counselling (up to $1,000)
- Other related expenses (up to $1,000)
Surfshark's insurance covers all US residents, except those living in New York State, and is available to new customers only. The coverage is provided by HSB Speciality Insurance Company, not Surfshark itself. To begin a claim, you can visit the Start Your Claim website linked in your Surfshark account or call the toll-free hotline.
Gabriele Sinkeviciute, Head of Product at Surfshark, said the new feature enables Surfshark "to help users prevent, protect against, and recover from the damages of identity theft with no extra cost."
Sinkeviciute said "relying on a single online security measure is no longer enough." She added that "the growing sophistication of fraudsters, fuelled by the rapid growth and accessibility of AI tools, means that bad actors can easily execute targeted attacks on any of us."
"Such tactics can much more easily grant them access to your sensitive information or even your most critical accounts, potentially leading to damaged reputation, a lowered credit score, or significant financial losses."
Surfshark includes other features designed to protect your data online in its One and One+ plans. Alongside the best cheap VPN, there's the Clean Web ad-blocker, personal data monitoring, Google search alerts, the Incogni data removal service, Antivirus, Alternative ID, and Alternative Number.
How does Surfshark's coverage compare to other VPNs'?
Surfshark joins NordVPN and ExpressVPN in offering its users a form of ID theft insurance. At the time of writing, the three VPNs are the only three to do so.
Surfshark's insurance is only included in its Surfshark One+ plan. A 27-month plan costs $4.19 per month ($113.13 upfront pre-tax) and currently comes with a free 12-month Calm Premium gift card.
Surfshark One+ also includes the Incogni data removal service, and the previously mentioned features.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN's coverage is slightly more comprehensive – and only one is more expensive than Surfshark One+.
NordVPN includes ID theft insurance with its NordVPN Prime plan, thanks to NordProtect. A two-year deal costs $7.39 per month ($177.36 upfront pre-tax) and includes a $50 Amazon gift card.
Alongside the insurance, you'll access Dark Web personal data monitoring, credit monitoring, and cyber extortion insurance worth up to $100,000. However, the extra protection comes at a cost, with NordVPN Prime costing over $3 per month more than Surfshark One+.
ExpressVPN includes ID theft insurance in its ExpressVPN Advanced and ExpressVPN Pro plans, offering $3 million and $5 million in coverage respectively. ExpressVPN Advanced includes the VPN's core Identity Defender features. This includes ID theft insurance, Dark Web data alerts, Credit Scanner, and a data removal service.
A 28-month ExpressVPN Advanced plan costs $2.92 per month ($81.72 upfront pre-tax).
ExpressVPN Pro adds Home & Auto Title and Court & Judicial Records monitoring, as well as Neighbourhood Security alerts. It highlights suspicious or high-risk financial transactions and monitors retirement accounts for unauthorized access.
A 28-month ExpressVPN Pro plan costs $4.87 per month ($136.32 upfront pre-tax).
Other than a few exceptions, the three VPNs protect your data with similar features. Your data will be protected regardless of which VPN you choose. Therefore your choice may come down to price, and how much you enjoy using each individual VPN.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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