Does AppleCare cover me against accidental damage?

Question

Level 2

482 points

Does AppleCare cover me against accidental damage?

Can't really find any reference to this on the AppleCare page, but as most extended warranties cover accidental damage I'm kinda hoping that the Apple extended warranty does.

Here's hoping...

iBook G3 & iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Posted on Apr 27, 2006 8:43 AM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

741,881 points

Apr 27, 2006 8:54 AM in response to TWH3

Accidental damage is not covered by AppleCare. If you are looking for a warranty which protects you from accidental damage, try something like SafeWare.

(12016)

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Answer 2

myhighway

Level 5

7,270 points

Apr 27, 2006 8:57 AM in response to TWH3

"most extended warranties cover accidental damage"

That is not typical in the U.S.

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Answer 3

Macsastic

Level 4

3,380 points

Apr 27, 2006 9:31 AM in response to TWH3

If you don't mind me asking, what happened? Might be easier to tell if it was covered if we got an idea how the machine was damaged.

Generally speaking though if you break something accidentially waranties won't cover it. There are some "Accidental" damage waranties that are offered through places like Circuit City on things like laptops. But they are very expensive. I remember when I bought my daughters last laptop, I was offered one for over $400.00. Keep in mind the laptop was only $699. So bacially it sounded like the policy price was the "at cost" price for the laptop being purchased.

I'm in New Jersey, not sure if theres a different law where you are.

Again, what happened to your Mac? Sorry to hear it, whatever it was. Breaking one of these beautiful machines is heartbreaking i know.

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Answer 4

TWH3 Author

Level 2

482 points

Apr 27, 2006 1:16 PM in response to Macsastic

Here in the UK retailers of all electrical appliances try and sell you what are normally incredibly over priced extended warranties. These are basically insurance polices and often cover against accidental damage and theft. I personally stay well clear of them as more often than not they are not cost effective. But I did take the AppleCare policy as I thought I may need technical advice at some point.

I spoke to Apple and you are all correct, the policy does not cover accidental damage.

With regards to what happened, well... A 2 year old girl who we share our nanny with was thought to be asleep in the spare room/study. When the nanny heard movement in the room she went upstairs to find said child covered in red marker pen. Not only was the girl covered, but so was my Mac. The keyboard, the white casing and the screen. All covered in PERMENANT red marker pen.

The nanny has tried to clean it off with white spirit! It has kinda done the job on the casing and the screen, but on closer inspection the casing is now covered in scratches and there is the odd spot of red that can be seen when looking at white page (such as this one).

You live and learn, and learn to put ALL pens out of reach. Flaming gutted that my beautiful machine is now 'soiled' 😟

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Answer 5

Macsastic

Level 4

3,380 points

Apr 27, 2006 1:52 PM in response to TWH3

Oh my! Thats terrible. I can't even imagine!!! Well, I don't know how close you are to the nanny, but maybe holding her responsible for the "mistake". But how about the parents of the little girl? Maybe telling them about their childs huge mistake might bring out the responsible parent in them. I know if my son ever did this I would want to help at least.

Either way, its such a shame. Half of being a Mac user is enjoying the aesthetic of the machine. My thoughts are with you:(

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Answer 6

MGW

Level 7

27,047 points

Apr 27, 2006 2:10 PM in response to TWH3

If, by any chance, you bought your machine and paid for it using American Express, they should cover the damage. I'm not sure whether Visa does the same, but it's worth a try,
good luck,
Miriam

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Answer 7

Macsastic

Level 4

3,380 points

Apr 27, 2006 2:27 PM in response to MGW

Youre kidding me!!! Amex does that for it's members?! That's really nice but I can't imagine any compnay covering stuff like that. That's amazing to me.

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Answer 8

MGW

Level 7

27,047 points

Apr 27, 2006 2:30 PM in response to Macsastic

Yup, they extend the warranty for a year of anything you paid for with the card, it may only be the Platinum Card, but they really do do stuff like that.
Miriam

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Answer 9

TWH3 Author

Level 2

482 points

Apr 27, 2006 3:26 PM in response to MGW

I know, I'm kinda in mourning.

I paid for the Mac with a Switch (UK debit) card so no cover there.

Trying (very hard) to put a brave face on it, looking at my beautiful machine from where I sit you can't really see the scratches on the white casing or the mark on the screen. But I know they're there. I'm kinda tempted to get the casing replaced, but at approx. £170 for parts and labour it does seem a bit steep to repair something that from a distance of 2 feet nobody else would notice.

A new bluetooth keyboard will be required though. Mine now looks like one you'd expect to find in some 'edgy' design studio where one of the designers had an acid trip while searching for creativity, only to be too mashed to come up with anything more than a scribble on a keyboard!

I do feel kinda responsible as I hadn't moved my pens to an out of reach place. And kids will always pick up pens and draw things where they shouldn't. I guess. Well that's what I tell myself in order to control and temper my inner turmoil.

Gutted.

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Answer 10

Apr 27, 2006 3:52 PM in response to TWH3

"And kids will always pick up pens and draw things where they shouldn't."
Not "all" children. Some are more well behaved than others.
*Remembering 35 years ago when mine woke up from a nap covered from head to toe in Vaseline, baby powder & feces* I did not have a nanny to clean up the mess.

I would speak to the child's parent(s). They share a nanny, they should also share in the responsibility of what their child did by sharing in the cost of the repairs. You are not 100% responsible.
If they refuse and/or do not have the decency of offering to share in the repairs, then I would refer the matter over to my homeowners insurance. They will go after the parents of that child (Subrogation).

G5 20' iMac w/iSight/Remote, 2.5GB RAM, 250GB HD Mac OS X (10.4.6) Pappi's New Bling Bling Toy!

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Answer 11

MGW

Level 7

27,047 points

Apr 27, 2006 4:29 PM in response to TWH3

Looking on the bright side, your machine is not only still functional, but individualised!
I'm not sure if I would go after the nanny or the child's parents, unless they offer, it would really sour the relationship, and good nannies arre hard to find.

Miriam

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