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Thread: pc insurance?

  1. #1
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    Question pc insurance?

    hi, who do you guys use to insure you computers with?

    from my own searches it looks like most house contents policies only cover new complete systems with a store receipt - would they also cover fire/theft/accidental on a self-built system with a bunch of seperate ebay and online retailer receipts?

    thanks for any help!

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    • Butcher's system
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    They should do, I don't see why not. Contents covers everything in your house, regardless of how it was bought.

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    really? for some reason i thought it wouldnt be that simple, lol.

    you can tell i dont have much experience with insurance companies but how would a claim work? would you get a cheque for the declared value or would they want the replace everything (components or whole system) on a new-for-old basis?
    Last edited by nasman; 18-12-2006 at 01:51 AM.

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    It depends on exactly what your policy says, the preferences of the insurance company and on your ability and determination to negotiate.

    You'll be covered for what the policy says you're covered for, which varies policy-to-policy, but sometimes insurance companies will want to interpret that in a way that suits them. For instance, if they're replacing an item that has been superceded, they're likely to want to try to select the replacement model. But, the nature of insurance is that it's supposed to leave you no better off, but no worse off, than before the incident for which you need to claim.

    That has a couple of implications. Firstly, if you had a five year old laptop that was top-of-the-range when you bought it, don't expect them to replace it with a current top of the range machine, because that would be a significant improvement.

    On the other hand, they can't just supply any old junk and require you to accept it. If you selected the laptop in question for a specific reason (perhaps it had particularly strong in-built security), then you could insist that a suitable replacement met that same criteria.

    You'll also find that many, though by no means all, insurers would rather supply a replacement item than send money/cheque. There's a couple of reasons. Firstly, it makes insurance fraud a less simple process. Secondly, they often have deals with suppliers at good prices, so replacing the item costs less than giving you the money to replace it yourself.

    It will also sometimes depend on your ability to resist pressure. Depending on circumstances, you may receive an offer .... but you don't have to accept. If you don't, you'll either get a better offer, or the insurer will dig their heels in. You won't necessarily get a better offer just by being awkward, BUT .... if you have grounds for rejecting an offer and can support it, a better offer may well be forthcoming. This is most common with valuations on cars. But if push comes to shove, you may need to go to court to force the issue, and if you do, you'll be expected to be able to back up why you rejected any reasonable offer with evidence and good reason. But then, if it looks like you're willing to take it that far, an insurer will often cave in before it gets to court, simply to avoid the cost and hassle of fighting a case, especially if they have doubts about winning.

    In other words, there's no way to give a simple, black or white answer to your question. There's too many variables involved.

  5. #5
    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    iF you have more than one PC - eg: a pc and a laptop that are both personal use, or multiple PC's as a lot of people on hexus will have, or even just a mega expensive system it is advisable to call it out to your insurance policy when going through house hold value, eg: 30k of house hold insurance + 5k of PC equipment, it will add a few pounds to your quote (really) but it will also make a no quibble claim easy if you're robbed as its called out and in your policy.

    If you only have one PC, then that will automaticlly be covered under home insurance with the general no-quibble approach to the whole claim.
    It is Inevitable.....


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    but how would they replace a custom mini-itx machine which was self-built from various new and used components?

    i guess the only way to find out is to give them a call.

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    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    they don't replace it, they just give you cash to replace it yourself, have you ever bought home insurance again ?

    whats the value of this machine, if its below £1500 I wouldn't worry too much
    It is Inevitable.....


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    Fried Chip Extremist alsenior's Avatar
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    most insurance policy's will cover desktop and laptops in the housed(some don't cover laptops). it was nearly double the cost to insure my laptop out the house so independent firms are the way to go for these. if in doubt contact your insurer.
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    Tools are the subtlest of traps redsky009's Avatar
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    There are a few places that do either specific contents insurance (covering all household items), gadget insurance (games consoles, phones, mp3 players, cameras etc - like GizmoGuard) and some that do specific computer insurance like Insureandgo

    Cover seems to be pretty good from the t&c's, I have definately been thinking about it. Depends on your situation, e.g. if you are renting with some firends, contents insurance might be the way to go as you can get one policy to cover you all and the premiums wont be so bad... if your pc is the only thing of real value you have then go for the computer only option

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    thanks for all the advice everyone.

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    i really need to do this, have 4 pc's in my flat, home with the parents for xmas, and for a few days i've not been able to remote desktop to my server, been on my mind all day :/

    (flat is empty for a few days)

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