October Is Protection Month: Unmasking Product Protection Plans

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Halloween may be the spookiest time of year for little ghosts and goblins, but the holidays are a truly terrifying time for consumer electronics and appliances according to Asurion, which today launched its inaugural "Protection Month" to help consumers avoid frightful holiday budget surprises.

"While we're checking Black Friday ads and building gift lists, many devices that keep our modern lifestyles up and running could be on the verge of giving up the ghost. Customers report more issues with laptops, cameras, video game systems and televisions in November than any other month," said Bettie Colombo, spokesperson for Asurion. "Entertaining extra guests from Thanksgiving through New Year's also seem to take their toll. Dishwasher, range, washer and dryer claims climb in January. Repairing or replacing these big-ticket items can be real budget busters."

According to Asurion data, more laptops, digital cameras, video game systems and TV's experience issues in November than any other month.*

• Cameras: 48% increase
• Notebook PC's: 35% increase
• TV's: 25% increase
• Video Gaming Systems: 51% increase

Consumer electronics are not the only holiday season casualties. Asurion data shows that appliance issues spike in January:*

• Ranges: 26% increase
• Dishwashers: 20% increase
• Dryers: 16% increase
• Washing Machines: 18% increase

During "Protection Month," consumers will learn ways to prevent these unexpected expenses. Over the coming weeks, Asurion will launch free resources to help shoppers make informed decisions about purchasing product coverage. Each week, Asurion will blog about hints and tips on how to keep products in working order, like this week's post on protecting your favorite kitchen gadgets. The company will also roll out tools that dispel myths about modern product protection, calculate potential long-term savings and even predict how treasured gadgets will meet their untimely demise.

Find out more on the Asurion blog, Facebook and Twitter.

*Asurion 2013 Claim Data

About Asurion
For more than 20 years, Asurion's innovation and dedication to delighting customers has made it the preferred provider of technology protection to the world's largest wireless carriers, trusted retailers and popular device manufacturers.  Asurion's 15,000 global employees support its 280 million consumers with an award-winning experience delivered through products and services that have set the standard in the industry and made Asurion, America's #1 Protection Plan provider.  The company's fully integrated, end-to-end solutions, which are customized for its carrier, retail and device manufacturer partners, include premier support that enables consumers to fully utilize their digital devices and products; applications to protect privacy and provide security; and rapid replacement (usually overnight) of lost, stolen, damaged, or malfunctioning devices. When a product is missing or simply doesn't work properly, Asurion solves the problem with people and processes operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, speaking six languages, and working across any device, platform, or provider. For more information about Asurion, please visit www.asurion.com.

SOURCE Asurion