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Orion27 · Jul 19, 2004, 04:50 PM

Today I spilled coffee into the keyboard of my Al 15" PowerBook. A few of the keys were non-functional for the better part of the morning and early afternoon, but after a reboot all is normal now. So apparently no permanent damage occurred. My question is, I do not have AppleCare, which I planned to buy before my year warranty was out. I do have separate accident and loss insurance on my Powerbook. I reported my at the time non-functional Powerbook to my insurance agent telling him I had a presentation due the next day, a short promotional movie for an Assisted Living Facility. I needed my Powerbook. I was thinking a short run up to the Apple Store to get a replacement book. My agent offered to send it over to a local "PC" mom and pop shop but I declined saying it was an Apple PowerBook. He said he would phone it in to claims and I would here from them. Claims did contact me late this afternoon while I was out of the office. I was given a call back number and was asked when I call back to inform them if I have replaced the Powerbook yet. My question is, if I were to have some malfunction in the future, and Apple were to open my PowerBook and see the coffee marks will I be at a loss to claim a fix under warranty? This would presumably hold true even after I purchase Applecare to extend the warranty. Should I purchase AppleCare as I planned? Should I ask the Powerbook be replaced by my insurer, given the possibility of not being able to enforce AppleCare or my warranty?

selowitch · Jul 19, 2004, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by Orion27:
My question is, if I were to have some malfunction in the future, and Apple were to open my PowerBook and see the coffee marks will I be at a loss to claim a fix under warranty?

If the Apple techs discover the coffee stains, the game is probably up. They'll claim the fault is yours and AppleCare won't cover the repair. You might try opening up the PB yourself and carefully cleaning up the coffee stains in hopes of fooling the Apple tech, but as a certified technician myself I can tell you we're a pretty clever bunch and usually can figure out those kinds of things.

Should I purchase AppleCare as I planned?

I wouldn't for the reason you stated.

Should I ask the Powerbook be replaced by my insurer, given the possibility of not being able to enforce AppleCare or my warranty?

I think in the end that will be the most cost-effective remedy, yes.

Orion27 · Jul 19, 2004, 07:10 PM

I wouldn't for the reason you stated.

I think in the end that will be the most cost-effective remedy, yes. [/B][/QUOTE]

Since my Powerbook appears normal and undamaged, save for slight aroma
of toasted Columbia coffee bean, How would one present the case for replacement to the insurer?

Orion27 · Jul 19, 2004, 07:29 PM

Moved Post to Lounge

selowitch · Jul 19, 2004, 07:35 PM

Originally posted by Orion27:
Moved Post to Lounge

Really? I don't see it there....

selowitch · Jul 19, 2004, 07:36 PM

Originally posted by Orion27:
Since my Powerbook appears normal and undamaged, save for slight aroma of toasted Columbia coffee bean, How would one present the case for replacement to the insurer?

Well, you'd have to wait until some kind of serious problem manifested itself. If not, I guess you'd just ... get on with your life?

tooki · Jul 19, 2004, 07:45 PM

Originally posted by Orion27:
Moved Post to Lounge

You can't move posts, only moderators can do that. You cross-posted, which we don't allow.

Continue this thread, please.

tooki

romeosc · Jul 20, 2004, 01:37 PM

I'd buy Safeware insurance about $60 per Grand value.... and if it is ever turned down by Applecare..... it would be covered by insurance. Either waay it will be fixed free! Safeware has no deductable and covers everything but normal malfunctions and acts of war!

olePigeon · Jul 20, 2004, 02:46 PM

Just don't tell them about the coffee. I used to fix laptops and we'd get all kinds of laptops in with "foreign substances." Just tell them it stopped working and you don't know how. You can always blame it on a coworker.

alansky · Jul 20, 2004, 04:40 PM

Since my Powerbook appears normal and undamaged, save for slight aroma of toasted Columbia coffee bean, How would one present the case for replacement to the insurer?

Tell them that the accident has voided your warranty and they have to compensate you for the loss. The only way they can replace your lost warranty is to replace your powerbook with a new or refurbished unit.

graey · Jul 20, 2004, 05:19 PM

Remove the keyboard and wash it in distilled water until no coffee remains. Ditto any other removable parts that can be safely soaked without harm, (this doesn't mean your harddrive!)Use a wet swab to the outside of everything else and never mention it again. LOL

romeosc · Jul 20, 2004, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by alansky:
Since my Powerbook appears normal and undamaged, save for slight aroma of toasted Columbia coffee bean, How would one present the case for replacement to the insurer?

Tell them that the accident has voided your warranty and they have to compensate you for the loss. The only way they can replace your lost warranty is to replace your powerbook with a new or refurbished unit.

I disagree they will tell you to wait until it breaks and then they will pay for repair due to accident. They won't pay you until it breaks.

azdude · Jul 20, 2004, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by Orion27:
Since my Powerbook appears normal and undamaged, save for slight aroma of toasted Columbia coffee bean, How would one present the case for replacement to the insurer?

Spill more coffee.

danbrew · Jul 20, 2004, 09:34 PM

just give the machine to your sister and claim it was stolen. your sister will forgive you when she gets out of the pen.

jreades · Jul 21, 2004, 03:11 AM

Since your laptop is now functional I don't really see any reason why insurance would be willing to replace it. And, since you're covered by another set of insurance anyway, it doesn't seem to be worth it on the AppleCare any more.

What I'm not understanding is why AppleCare is so important to you in the first place? What coverage does it provide (seeing as it doesn't apparently cover coffee on the computer) that your existing coverage doesn't?

And, just for the record (seeing the humorous post above might not make it plain enough) do not consider claiming anything on insurance that is not, in fact, entirely true. Insurance companies like to make an example of anyone they catch, pour encourager les autres.

Make sure you have your insurance paid up and keep it that way. Give them a ring and explain that everything appears to be working again but that you're concerned that problems resulting from this accident might manifest themselves at a later date and how would it work then?

In other words, does your insurance cover the laptop becoming ununsable for *any* reason (in which case it doesn't matter if the cause was being dropped from 6ft today or that coffee on the keyboard a year ago). Or, if you don't want to draw attention to this fact just yet, read your policy closely and see if you can figure it out for yourself.

romeosc · Jul 21, 2004, 06:52 AM

AppleCare only covers breakdowns and defects, not accidental damage and theft. Insurance is for the unexpected not for manufactor's defects.

Orion27 · Jul 21, 2004, 06:54 AM

Well I guess it's no Applecare for me. My insurance company says they would pay for any damages now or in the future. I will not make a claim this time because everything appears to working, even the backlight on the keyboard. I was just unsure of my coverages and wanted total protection at least three years out. If i'm missinng something I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Macpilot · Jul 21, 2004, 11:48 AM

Hey guys.

Thought I might ask a few of you whether you had any experiences with Safeware as I am expecting my new CTO PB 15" tomorrow.

I have heard great thing about Safeware and how it is a better deal than spending the same money or more on AppleCare.

I got a quote from them saying $180 per year for a $3000 laptop.

romeosc · Jul 21, 2004, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by Macpilot:
Hey guys.

Thought I might ask a few of you whether you had any experiences with Safeware as I am expecting my new CTO PB 15" tomorrow.

I have heard great thing about Safeware and how it is a better deal than spending the same money or more on AppleCare.

I got a quote from them saying $180 per year for a $3000 laptop.

I've used them for years..... Great company. When wife's Ibook fell in whirlpool, they said take it to Apple store & get fixed. Apple replaced motherboard and didn't charge me until it came back, but I had already received check from Safeware!

Very fast response!