Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!ames!purdue!bu-cs!encore!cloud9!dts From: dts@cloud9.Stratus.COM (Daniel Senie) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: Computer Insurance Summary: Use your homeowners Message-ID: <5404@cloud9.Stratus.COM> Date: 1 Jun 89 15:16:47 GMT References: Distribution: usa Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc., Marlboro, MA Lines: 40 In article , pel@unh.UUCP (Paul E. Leclerc) writes: > > Has anybody had any good or bad experiences with the computer > insurance company named Safeware? Are there other alternatives > besides renters insurance? I used Safeware on two different occasions (two different computers). I found them overpriced and incompetent. They completely screwed up billing me, discovered their error 6 months later, and billed my credit card without contacting me first. Their actual coverage is not great. Most insurers require a list of equipment and serial numbers, so that if there is a fire, there is some record of the equipment which was damaged. Safeware wants you to keep that yourself. I think they hope you keep it at home so there is no record in the event of a fire. (Hint: keep the list in a safe deposit box). For the amount of equipment I have at home (386, laser, etc.) Their charge would be at least $69, and probably the next increment above that. For around $25 I have a rider on my homeowners policy which covers MORE than Safeware, and it's through my local agent who I know and trust. He maintains a list of the covered equipment, too. The policy covers the computer, software at 50% of the computer equipment cost (comes out about right for me), media at 25% of the computer worth, and so forth. If you do not own a house, you should have renters insurance (homeowners policy without the structure being covered) regardless. You should always have your household possessions covered. In the event of a fire, your insurer will provide funds for temporary shelter and moving, in addition to replacing your stuff. So as long as you have homeowners or renters insurance, why pay Safeware for a separate policy? One final note: Safeware is just an insurance agent for Fireman's Fund (I think that's who they wrote my policy with). You could get a similar policy, if you really want a stand-alone policy, from any decent independent insurance agent. -- Daniel Senie UUCP: harvard!ulowell!cloud9!dts Stratus Computer, Inc. ARPA: anvil!cloud9!dts@harvard.harvard.edu 55 Fairbanks Blvd. CSRV: 74176,1347 Marlboro, MA 01752 TEL.: 508 - 460 - 2686