laptop insurance - £90 for a year?

sherbie28

Hi,

My dad's laptop if coming up to it's first year. Comet (D&G) have sent a letter offering extended warranty for £7.50 a month, does that seem a reasonable price? I think the laptop cost just over £400. It states will pay any repair bills, call-out, parts and labour included and brand new replacement if it can't be repaired.

John_Gray

The general opinion here seems to be that extended warranties on usually-reliable items are largely a waste of money. Check the Ts&Cs to see whether it support accidental damage (he drops the thing!), for example. Don't forget that insurance companies make their money by not paying it out to claimants, so policies can often be worded such that they have the benefit of any doubt.

Another view is that if you keep the laptop for 4½ years, you will have paid the same amount on the warranty as you could have saved for a entirely new laptop.

Wannie_2

What brand of machine? Perhaps there is a manufacturer extended warranty available.

RobTang

I wouldn't bother personally, even if it covered accidental which is probably doesn't.

Im sure you buy laptop insurance for far cheaper than that; covering accidental as well. esp for a machine that isn't really expensive.

andy2004

I agree with Robtang, alternatively you could just pay that money into the bank and make sure not to drop it. most laptops last 3 years before the batteries/battery will require replacement. if your dad is leaving the laptop plugged into the mains, not using it elsewhere, get him to remove disconnect the battery when its around 40% left, been told that all the time its plugged into the mains if the battery isnt allowed to drain it could cause the battery to die. basically it makes the battery last longer.

Saw yesterday a freeware app that monitors the battery on laptops, battery care i think it was called. found it http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/BatteryCare/1299689197/1