TV Screen Crack: Am I Insured? A Comprehensive Guide
Have you ever purchased a new TV and accidentally cracked its screen on the same day? Or is it possible that your insurance covers such an unfortunate event?
Whether your TV screen crack is covered by insurance depends on several factors. Let's explore the possibilities and what you can do in such situations.
Homeowners or Renters Insurance
If you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy, there's a good chance it may cover accidental damage to personal property, including electronics. However, you should carefully check your policy details or contact your insurer to ensure that accidental damage is included.
Extended Warranty or Protection Plan
Did you purchase an extended warranty or a protection plan specifically for your TV? These often cover accidental damage. To be sure, review the terms of the warranty to confirm your coverage.
Credit Card Benefits
Some credit cards offer protection for purchases made with them, including coverage for accidental damage. Check with your credit card company to see if you have this benefit.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
Standard manufacturer warranties typically do not cover accidental damage. Therefore, this is less likely to help in your situation.
Steps to Take if You Are Insured
If you find that you do have coverage, you may need to file a claim. Be prepared to provide documentation such as a receipt and photos of the damage. Documenting the situation correctly can be crucial for a smooth claims process.
Buying an Extended Warranty
While purchasing an extended warranty is a good idea, it's important to check if it covers cracked screens. Not all warranties do, so make sure to review the terms closely.
Conclusion
Only if you buy insurance beforehand to cover that eventuality.
My guess is you haven’t bought such insurance and you’ve just broken your recently purchased TV. That's a bummer. My advice is to check your home and contents insurance to see if it covers the accident. Mine does, and I never realized it until I had a similar event happen inside my home.
Maybe. If you’re lucky, your household insurance will cover accidental damage. Most do, so it's worth checking.
Not unless you insured it beforehand. Store warranties usually cover any failure due to factory issues, faulty capacitors, bad circuit welds, etc. Factory warranties, on the other hand, typically cover these issues for a longer period but usually not more than 12 months. Dropping your TV falls under a "butterfingers" issue, not a factory issue, so the store/factory has no responsibility. However, if you had the TV appraised and added to your insurance policy before it was broken, then you would be covered for the item's appraised value. Otherwise, you'll need to handle it yourself and pay out of pocket.