Lap Top Insurance

[Dee Sa]

I have had a letter from Mastercare today, informing me that my laptop was 1 year old on 21/5/12 [ true] and I am now uninsured for that item
My laptop for which so far I have had no problems is a HPK HEWLETPACK laptop computer.
Mastercare say the will start the protection form 21/5/13 [ which is of course two months ago so I lose that time I suppose and they are asking £189 for 4 years cover.I ma not being offered 1,2 or 3 yrs.
I am 75 years young and a bit baffled as to why they did not write in May and secondly is this a good deal ?they state I will be covered for unintentional damage & breakdown protection + if we cant fix it we will replace it with an identical or similar product but it does not say a new one.
Some helpful advice pls someone.

[gingejbee]

Mastercare are masters of this kind of sales technique - selling you stuff that you probably don't need. If you don't take the laptop anywhere, then you are probably wasting your money.

[EcclesCake]

Personally I wouldn't bother with it.

Largely because long before the time your laptop reaches the end of the insurance period it will be virtually obsolete.

Added to that I strongly suspect that the policy will be full of get out clauses and it strikes me as a bit pricy given what you can spend on a basic laptop used for just browsing and emails.

That's my gut instinct, but I'm not a techie.

[Buenchico]

I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole.

Consumer advice experts (e.g. Martin Lewis, BBC Watchdog, etc) frequently offer the opinion that extended warranties (which Mastercare's offer seems to be a beefed-up version of) simply aren't worth it.

Further, Mastercare has an appalling reputation!
http://www.ciao.co.uk/Reviews/Mastercare__59601

If you're an international jet-setter, who is constantly moving their laptop around the world, you might need cover for 'unintentional damage'. Otherwise, as long as you keep your coffee mug away from your laptop, you probably don't.

Laptop repairs can be rather pricier than those for desktops but the chances of you needing one or more repairs, totalling more than £189, within the next 4 years seems extremely low to me.

Save your money!

[daffy654]

Your laptop should be covered under your house contents insurance. There is no need for extra insurance.

[Dee Sa]

Thank you so much everyone, I have just torn their letter up, feel so relieved they did not get my money.

[fiesata]

Short of dropping it on the floor the most common cause of failure in laptops is overheating, keep it cool and it should last until you want to buy another