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From: ark@alice.UucP (Andrew Koenig)
Newsgroups: net.micro.pc
Subject: Re: insurance
Message-ID: <6106@alice.uUCp>
Date: Wed, 24-Sep-86 12:12:35 EDT
Article-I.D.: alice.6106
Posted: Wed Sep 24 12:12:35 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 26-Sep-86 01:07:57 EDT
References: <2116@j.cc.purdue.edu>
Organization: Bell Labs, Murray Hill
Lines: 29

> Check your home owners policy, most will cover a PC at home.  I have
> Shelter Insurance and I remember when I checked there was no limit on
> cost.  If the machine is used for a business you should get a separate
> policy, at least that is what my agent told me.

Maybe yes, maybe no.  I can think of at least three reasons a PC at
home might not be covered:

	1.  Your policy might explicitly exclude computers.

	2.  You may have a ceiling on personal property losses.

	3.  Your policy might exclude property used to produce income.

I understand there can be a tricky problem with PCs owned by
employers.  The general principle that applies is that you cannot
insure yourself against someone else's risk.  Thus, before you
can ask whether you are covered for loss of a PC owned by your
employer, you must ask who would pay for the loss if you weren't
covered.

If you would be liable, then you can insure against it.  If your
employer would be liable, then you can't insure.

I have seen some employers who, when they lend employees PCs, say:
"If this machine is stolen, you should file a claim against your
homeowner's insurance."  As far as I know, such a claim could only
be valid IF YOU WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LOSS IF THE CLAIM WERE
DENIED.