Will my household insurance cover this?

geri1965_2

Last night we had a storm - thunder, lightning etc. and our lights kept flickering.

OH was on the laptop and he says it stopped working and thinks a surge has burnt out the hard drive.

Would this be covered as storm damage? I'm insured with Norwich Union through First Direct.

It's a pretty old laptop which we bought from a friend about a year ago, so no receipt either.

Is it a non starter? Personally I'm not bothered about it as I don't use it but he watches films and plays games on it in bed.

Oscar_The_Grouch

Hi there

Your policy will include cover for damage by lightning and storm. Phone your insurers and they should arrange for the laptop to be collected and inspected. If that shows that it has been damaged by a power surge, they should be willing to give you a new laptop (subject to your excess).

Tell OH to have a word with the company that phones to collect the laptop - He may be able to arrange for them to return the hard disc if the laptop is beyond repair. He can then get an external drive enclosure for it and see if any of his films and such can be pulled off it. The best price I have seen for the enclosures is here:

http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.310

geri1965_2

Well, that sounds promising. I don't think the films are stored on it thankfully.

geri1965_2

Just phoned NU who tell me that the laptop is excluded under my contents insurance.

I can't find my policy - does anyone know if this is likely to be the case?

shellsuit

I'm with NU and my PC/laptop is covered, but I have accidental cover also, so maybe laptops aren't covered under a normal policy?

geri1965_2

I can understand it being excluded for accidental damage - but for lightning?

[Deleted User]

Hi Geri1965
a copy of the current policy document can be downloaded here: http://www.firstdirect.com/insurance/home.shtml and the pertinent section is section 4, where it says (with regards to personal belongings) :

" We will not cover: (bullet 2) loss or damage caused by wear and tear, los of value, cleaning, washing, repairing or restoring any item, the action of light or weather conditions, moth, vermin or anything which happens gradually;"

hope this helps
Becca

geri1965_2

So anything inside the house wouldn't be covered for storm damage?

She specifically said that my TV or home PC would be covered, but the laptop excluded because it's designed to be portable and there is an exclusion for that.

I found this online:

We will not cover:
• electrical or mechanical
breakdowns;
• computers or computer equipment
designed to be portable;
• radio transmitters and mobile
phones;
• damage caused by wear and tear
or loss of value;
• damage which happens gradually;
• damage caused by cleaning,
washing, repairing or restoring;
• damage caused by fitting a battery
incorrectly;
• damage to video cameras,
recording tapes, discs or records; or
• chewing, scratching, tearing or

fouling by your domestic pets

geri1965_2

Becca, I wonder if you can have a look at this please.

Section 1 - contents - Part A states that items in the home damaged by lightening is covered.

Part C says that accidental damage to televisions etc. is covered but specifically excludes laptops.

Surely the damage to my laptop is caused by lightning so should be covered - it's only excluded for accidental damage.

Your comments please.

[Deleted User]

geri, i'm just off for an appointment (i'm giving blood) but will investigate further on return.
Becca

geri1965_2

Thanks, it's all sorted now as I phoned them back and they have agreed that it's covered (after referring to a manager).