Job Discussion Forums

Nexus · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 189 Location: Moscow

I'm thinking of insuring my laptop while working abroad. If you've got yours covered, I'd love to hear any info. regarding firms and policies that you might have to share. BTW, I'm from the Uk if that's got any bearing on it.

Cheers

patchwork · Joined: 23 Aug 2004 Posts: 55 Location: in transit

usually you can get such protection programs from the company you purchase it from.

for example, Toshiba offers an international warranty, 3 years, $600 canadian (about 250 BP).

take a look at the manufacturers websites for more info.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Take a look at the manufacturer's guarantee.

Laptops used to be one of the few things it was worthwhile getting an extended warrantry for, but I am not sure if it is worth it now.

Firstly the cost has plummetted; you can get a new laptop now for around $900.

Secondly it is easier to replace parts of a laptop. Replacing the hard drive is now trivial, and a laptop hard drive is only costing you around $150 for 40GB. The battery is one thing that is never covered by extended warrantry, and a new one (pretty necessary after a couple of years) is costing around $150.

Your travel or household insurance may well cover part of the cost of damage or theft anyway. $450 maximum compensation per article used to be little more than symbolic, but now it would actually cover the value of a two-year old laptop.

And if you are somewhere out-of-the way even if you're under guarantee you might find it still takes a month to repair.

So weigh the pros and cons, and then decide.