S--- Happens Insurance

Let's face it, when it comes to portable electronic equipment, things happen. Bad things. Things that make people who love technology very sad!

Here are some examples:

• As you mix sugar into your large coffee, your elbow impacts the cup and causes it to spill into your laptop
• Some knucklehead isn't paying attention and trips over your power cord causing it to crash to the floor
• You remember to get your luggage, but forget your tablet computer in a taxi

How do I know about these things? You guessed it - they have all happened to me over the years. So what to do? Prayer? Call on St. Anthony (patron saint of list items)? Go back to paper and pen?

One of the best and, surprisingly, least expensive solutions is to purchase insurance. Many manufacturers sell this at the time of purchase but my research shows this to be the most expensive option. Next is a company liek Safeware that offers accidental damage, theft and other protection on any kind of mobile device. This is a good option but, depending on your circumstances, might not be the cheapest.

Your first phone call should be to your existing insurance company. If you are a homeowner, you probably already have protection on computer equipment that stays in your home. I called State Farm, my insurer, and we're protected up to $5,000. But not if the tablet computer is taken out of the house (like to work, on vacation, etc.). I had ready about Personal Articles protection and so I asked Melanie, my rep, some questions. For just $2.20 per $100 of value, I would have no deductible and get the following coverage:
Fire
Theft
Lightning
Mysterious disappearance (yes, that is what they call it)
Freak accidents (again, their terminology)

So, for just $44/year for a computer valued at $2,000 I would be covered. That is well worth it IMHO. If you have had experiences getting insurance or filing a claim for a broken/missing/damaged, let me hear about it. The good, the bad and the ugly.